USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1854 > Part 2
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S. Curtis, services at Poole's, and cash paid, 18 00
Wm. F. Thayer, for gravel for East Street, 5 00
66 E. S. Beals, for services on Temperance Committee, 3 00
66 Joseph Hawes, snow bill,
.12
Amos S. White, for selling school books,
7 18
66
6 for books furnished, .
8 11
Darius Raymond, for express jobs,
. 40
$98 67
RECAPITULATION.
Paid for support of schools, .
$6,015 61
on account of roads,
.
.
. 5,354 36
66
of town-house,
929 75
66 of suit vs. Ford,
639 01
66
66 of town officers,
905 12
miscellaneous, .
3,206 42 ·
old bills,
98 67
Total,
. $17,148 94
.
·
·
·
22
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The Board contracted with Josiah Litchfield to be Superintendent of the Almshouse and Town Farm the past year, (salary $200,) and his year will expire on the first day of April next.
This account is made up for one year in full to the first day of Feb- ruary, 1855.
The number of Paupers at the House the commencement of the year was 29; the whole number during the year was 46; the average, 19} ; and the number at this time is 17. There has been one death at the House the past year, viz., John Badlam, aged 80 years.
The charge to the State for support of Paupers up to the first day of November last, was $69.12.
The net expense to the Town for support of Paupers in the House is $1,672.38. In this reckoning we allow the town $300 for the use of the Farm, and the master of the House his salary. The expense of each Pauper per week is $1.64-4 .
The expense to the Town for support of the Town's Poor out of the House during the past year is $485.27. There are probably out- standing bills to the amount of about $130.
The charges of the Overseers for their services, postage, stationery, travelling expenses, &c., is $69.94.
Expenses for the Support of Almshouse.
Cash to Mr. Litchfield, from Treasurer,
. $1,480 51
for labor, produce, &c., 524 75 .
$2,005 25
Contra.
Paid Charles Parks, for harness work, ·
$3 65
Noah Vining, for standing wood,
.
50 00
66 Z. C. Small, for glass, .
75
Samuel Reed, smith work,
13 44
Joseph Loud & Co., for grain, flour and coal, .
556 58
6 Lemuel French, for labor,
28 50
Peter Lane, for ice,
4 78
John O. Foye, for pump,
.
14 00
66 M. & F. Burr, for grass seed, . .
14 63
66
66 for scythes, .
2 83
23
Paid F. W. Chase, for paints,
$15 62
J. B. Howe & Co., for bread, .
23 40
A. S. White, for medicine,
4 15
Samuel Curtis, for goods,
15 57
James Tirrell, for cow, .
43 00
66 Loud & Rhines, for lumber,
17 08
Alvah Raymond, for goods,
92 54
66
James White, for sundries,
1.75
Tilley Willis, for wheelwright work and tables,
21 85
66
Reuben Lowell, for meat,
100 57
66 Stephen Cain, for whitewashing,
3 00
66 Joshua Holbrook, for swine,
21 12
66 Noah Sinclair, for calf, .
8 50
66 Cushing & French, for grass, .
10 00
66 David Lovell, 2d, for team work,
11 50
66 Chase Brothers, for bedsteads, .
52 00
66 Henry Loud, for goods,
438 35
Dr. N. Q. Tirrell, for medical attendance,
11 00
66 Alice Brocker, for labor,
39 00
for sundries,
127 20
for one year's salary,
200 00
$1,946 36
Inventory of Feb. 1, 1854,
$1,908 82
Rent of Town Farm,
300 00
Cash to Mr. Litchfield,
1,480 51
$3,689 33
Inventory of Feb. 1, 1855,
$1,818 51
Charge to State,
69 12
Board of Rosamond Pratt,
77 32
Improvements,
52 00
Balance for support of Poor, .
1,672 38
$3,689 33
Support of Town's Poor out of the House. Paid Dr. Jacob Richards, for medical attendance on James Nash,
$1 50
66 - N. Loud, for Webster Loud, 17 00
66 Samuel Curtis, for Henry Carr, 5 50
Elnathan Bates, for support of Esther Bates at the State
Lunatic Hospital, at Worcester, 65 00
24
Paid Mary Bates, for house rent for Joseph Tirrell,
$2 00
Frederick Pope, for assistance to family of Fred'k Tracy, 9 00
Mr. Belcher, for Widow E. Pratt, 23 50
6 Dr. N. Q. Tirrell, medical attendance on family of Fred'k Tracy, . 20 25
66
66 Ezra Bicknell, .
37 29
66 66 Widow Quincy Hunt, ·
38 50
Ebenezer Pool, for himself and daughter,
29 00 .
James Tirrell, for Severus Richards,
5 00
" Josiah B. Spear, for ·
.
11 00
A. Raymond, for Hannah Thayer,
9 92
6 Mrs. Benjamin Dyer, for herself and family,
16 50
Samuel Jenison, for support of Mary Bates at the State Lunatic Hospital, at Worcester,
81 70
66 Solomon Lovell, for A. B. Rosey,
3 69
Joseph Loud & Co., for fuel to Sylvanus Holbrook, ·
8 75
66
to Isaac L. Binney, . .
4 25
66
66
to Mrs. Harding,
·
66
66
to Mrs. Hunt,
4 25
66
66
66
to James Binney, .
· 2 25
66
66
66 66
66 to Otis Blanchard, . · 8 50
$485 27
Paid Alvah Raymond, for services and money paid by him, . $22 19
" James Tirrell, " 66
66
· 15 25
" Samuel Curtis, 1 66 66
66
32 50
$69 94
.
54 92
E. G. Tirrell, for assistance to Lois Nash, .
.
.
21 00
25
Paupers in the Almshouse, from February 1, 1854, to February 1, 1855.
Date.
Name.
Age.
Discharged.
Died.
Weeks.
Days.
1854.
Feb. 1,
Deborah Vining,
90
52
66
66
Silence Nash,.
74
52
66
Betsey Overy,
·
57
52
-
66
66
Polly Torrey, .
60
52
-
66
Elizabeth Tirrell, .
35
52
-
66
66
John Badlam,
80
June 21, 1854,
20
4
66
James Richards, .
76
52
66
Benjamin Torrey,
59
52
50
52
66
Edmund Tirrell,
38
-
-
-
60
66
Joseph Hunt,
22
52
-
66
Charles Hollis,
14
Aug. 30, 1854,
30
1
66
66
Rosetta Thayer,
7
6
66
John Curley, .
4
April 1, 1854,
8
3
66
Ezra Blanchard,
84
66
66
Abby White, .
33
Mch. 22, 1854,
7
1
66
Hannah White,
7
66
06
66
7
1
66
Julia White, .
6
1
60
66
John White, .
4
3
66
7
1
60
16
Emeline Sheridan, .
22
31,
66
8
3
66
66
Mary Sheridan,
4 mos.
66
11,
66
5
4
Mch. 8,
Rosamond Pratt,
17
6
66
22,
Henry Davis, .
21
66
24,
60
-
3
66
Catharine Davis,
22
6.
24,
66
3
" 26,
Nathaniel Barrey, .
30
27,
.6
I
1
“ 31,
John R. Joyce,
41
April 3,
66
3
July 15,
Benjamin F. Lary, . Hannah B. Thayer,
8
25,
66
2
6
Oct. 23,
George Simpson, .
48
Oct. 28,
-
5
66
Eliza Simpson,
41
66
5
66
66
Eliza Simpson, 2d,
10
66
66
66
5
. 6
66
Hannah Simpson, .
9
66
66
Betsey Simpson,
8
66
66
66
Alice Simpson,
7
66
..
66
5
66
Elijah Simpson,
4
66
66
5
66
Dinah Simpson,
3
1
66
66
5
66
66
Sylvia Freeman,
65
66
-
5
Feb. 1,
Margaret Evans,
31
Feb. 11,
1
·
72
52
66
Deborah Pratt,
Elisha Holbrook, .
78
52
66
F. J. Hayden,
23
52
.6
66
Julia Thayer, .
.
66
7
1
60
66
66
8
3
Edward Evans,
5
18
Sept. 4,
7
1
Sept. 5,
5
Lewis G. Simpson, .
12
66
5
-
5
5
Agnes Simpson,
66
52
52
52
7
Mary White, .
46
Samuel Badlam,
52
4
26
Inventory of Stock, Wood, Hay, Provisions, &c., Feb. 1, 1855.
5 Cows, .
· $175 00
1 Horsesled, $3 50
1 Heifer,
10 00
1 Harrow, . 12 00
1 Horse, .
115 00
6 Swine, .
72 00
9 Chains,
6 00
15 tons English Hay, .
300 00
1 Ox Cart Body,
2 00
14 tons Salt Hay, .
15 00
1 Horse Cart,
37 00
25 tons Fresh Hay, Fire Wood,
119 00
1 Hay Wagon,
32 00
3 barrels Salt Pork, 57 00
15 00
1 Roller,
8 00
5 bushels Parsnips,
2. 50
1 Dray, .
2 Scythes and Snaths,
2 00
100 bushels Carrots,
30 00
8 Forks, .
4 00
5 bushels Turnips,
3 00
3 Rakes,
50
225 pounds Bacon, Flour,
5 50
Manure Forks and Puller,.
5 00
26 pounds Tea,
11 00
1 Garden Fork,
1 50
5 Hoes,
2 00
15 pounds Cheese, Ashes and Grease, .
5 00
1 Scraper, .
4 00
3 barrels Soap.
12 00
Ilorse Fetters, 1 00
50 pounds Lard, .
6 50
4 Ox Chains, .
2 50
40 pounds Coffee, .
4 2)
1 Halter and Blanket, Lot of Posts and Rails,
2 00
28 gallons Vinegar, Molasses.
1 50
1 Meal Chest,
6 00
6 bushels Meal, .
6 60
1 Cart Saddle,
3 00
16 bushels Barley,
14 40
3 Ladders, .
4 00
40 pounds Butter,
10 53
Stone Tools,
11 00
1 Lantern, .
1 20
2 Axes, .
1 50
5 Hatchets,
2 00
1 Bush Hook,
3 00
4 bushels Beets, .
1 60
1 Iron Square,
25
12 Dunghill Fowls,
4 00
4 Shovels,
3 00
6 'Turkeys, .
5 00
1 pair Hay Poles, .
1 00
1 Ice Chest,
7 00
1 Grindstone, . 6 00
1 50
Patent Balances, Hay Chopper, .
2 00
1 Hay Rope, . 1 00
1 Wheelbarrow,
5 00
3 Ploughs,
14 00
$1,818 51
ALVAH RAYMOND, JAMES TIRRELL,
SAMUEL CURTIS,
Overseers of the Town of Weymouth.
3 92
4 Wood-saws and Horse, Beetle and Wedges, 3 00
3 00
87
4 Iron Bars, 3 00
6 pounds Tobacco, Lot Manure,
300 00
Saddle and Bridle,
1 25
2 hand Stonehammers, . Tackle and Runner, 5 00
3 bushels Beans, Outstanding Bills, .
24 62
1 Harness,
18 00
1 Draught Harness,
4 00
1 barrel Beef,
20 00
1 Horse Wagon,
12 00
6 tons Hard Coal, 48 00
100 bushels Potatoes,
23 62
Ox Yokes,
5 00
3 barrel Crackers,
2 50
1 95
2 Narrow Hoes, 1 00
2 00
75 00
4 00 3 Bush Scythes and Snaths, Carpenter's Tools, . 1 00
25 00
7 00
25 00
27
STATISTICS
FURNISHED BY THE TOWN CLERK.
Marriages in the Town of Weymouth from Dec. 31, 1853, to Jan. 31, 1855.
Israel D. Wildes and Almena Nash,
·
January
1
Sumner D. Dodge and Eliza A. C. Pratt,
1
Franklin C. Marston and Abigail S. Butts, George B. Pierce and Mary W. Derby, . Henry Ritchie and Emeline Ford,
66
15
#Quincy Burrell and Lucy M. Holmes, . Jason Gardner and Mary M. Sherman, . Winslow Raymond and Levinia Maconney, James Reed Vining and Nancy J. F. Porter, Levi L. Barker and Sarah J. Hawes,
February
10
11
19
March
13
James McFann and and Lucina Griffith, William Stoddard, 3d, and Ann Fernald,
April
2
* Josiah Martin and Sarah R. Ford,
16
Abner P. Nash and Rachel B. Pool,
18
Samuel W. Hunt and Sarah R. Pool,
20
James W. White and Louisa M. White, .
23
- Thomas Hill and Eliza Loud,
26
Woodbury P. Sanborn and Lanorah F. Mosher,
May
6
Isaac N. Pendergrass and Nancy Ann Tirrell, William Burrell and Mary H. Holbrook,
7
Clinton W. Tirrell and Ellen M. Richards, Oran Sherman and Amanda M. Gardner,
12
27
John W. Nelson and Sybel H. Leach, . Eliphaz W. Arnold and Mary W. Lovell, James W. Gowell and Mary E. Niles, .
June
15
66
17
Edwin Jacobs and Emily T. Blanchard, .
22
Benjamin R. Beals and Lucy A. Cushing,
July
8
Jackson V. B. Bates and Betsey A. E. Smith,
14
Kenneth Hickey and Helen F. Pratt,
16
Franklin Sprague and Sarah E. Hatch, .
August
2
Edward Bates and Nancy Pratt, .
13
William H. Hodgdon and Martha J. Oakes,
.
22
John J. Redman and Roxana Blanchard,
27
10
29
29
"
25
30
Edward Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis,
6
-Asa Pool, Jr., and Sarah F. Bicknell,
27
31
.
28
Nelson E. Hayden and Mary A. Stiles, . John G. Campbell and Mary Shehan, Andrew J. Baker and Francis M. Pray, . Royal Norton and Susan M. Tirrell,
George W. Torrey and Eliza J. White, .
October
1
4
4
8
>"George Burrell and R. Emily Robbins, . Peter Cushing and Emeline Shackford, .
November
2
Thomas Conners and Alice Upton,
21
Samuel Pratt and Abby A. Bates,
22
Jairus S. Sprague and Susan J. Lovell,
28
Edwin Martin and Elizabeth Ford,
30
Thomas Barnard and Almira A. Joy,
30
Charles H. Loud and Lucinda S. Bass, .
December 20
28
>Ansel Burrell, 2d, and Catharine Pratt, . Paul Nadal and Eunice B. Cushing,
66
8
September 1
19
29
Deaths in Weymouth from December 31st, 1853, to January 1st, 1855.
Age.
Date.
Name.
Years.
Months
Days.
January
3,
Mary Keohane,
36
6
1
66
6,
Eva Maria Marden,
-
7,
Julia C. Gay,
42
4
-
-
1
-
66
19,
Ezra Holmes,
21
6.
30,
Patrick White,
February 4,
Seth Pratt, .
30
4
11
66
6.
Sally V. Boydcu,
36
-
9
John Phillips,
25
8
66
15,
Jacob Clapp,
59
3
28
22,
Arthur Holbrook,
4
5
11
March
3,
Francis Stoddard, .
18
7
14
5,
Jacob Austin Clapp, Sally W. Freeman, .
26
2
-
6
12,
Charles Henry Raymond,
3
5
-
66
19,
Elizabeth F. Cushing,
31
6
25
66
21,
Lizzie F. Cushing, .
4
8
22
April
6.
Maria L. Dunbar, .
41
5
28
17
--
Leavitt Torrey,
34
2
13
66
19.
Loring Pool,
18
11
20
23,
Mary Derby,
48
2
6
23,
Mary Cushing,
73
6
12
24.
Horace Greely Cleverly,
2
8
10
66
25,
66
26,
David Franklin Joy,
5
3
8
May
9,
Mary Anna,
3
2
21
16
21,
Samuel Healey,
56
2
24
June
1,
Johanna Keohane, .
6
6
7
66
5,
William Our,
5
11
23
7,
Edgar White,
6
7
12
66
21,
John Badlam,
79
-
July
2,
George Williams Gardner,
1
4
17
4,
Ann Caroline Pratt,
21
1
22
4,
John Luddy,
28
-
x10,
Charles William Lougee, - Chubbuck,
(3 hours.)
-
-
22,
George H. Pratt,
21
1
14
Vinson Tirrell,
69
4
24
"
29.
Hannah Nash,
63
9
August
1.
Isaac P. Sampson, .
58
7
20
3,
Lydia Alice Tirrell.
-
4
8
-
1
14,
Minot Holbrook, .
Betsey Pratt,
96
7
2
16.
George Franklin Freeman,
1
6
24,
Maria Antoinette Shaw,
-
-
5
26
7
Amos Wheelock,
Martin Henry Huntress,
-
-
5
-
14,
Jeanie Jackson,
6
7
15
14,
Lydia Olmstead,
22
9
18
1
1
25
66
11,
12,
Patrick Caten,
-
5
28
12,
Charles E. Gay,
32
-
-
11
25.
Susan Sophia Farrington, . Mary White,
2
9
23
26,
Charles Worster,
.
8
×9,
1,
Susan Eldana Pool,
5
19
28.
5,
2
-
17,
25,
30
Age.
Date.
Name.
Years.
Months
Days.
August 13,
Betsey Bisbee,
68
2
-
60
14,
Edith Thais Nash, .
14
66
15,
Alice Alvina Lovell,
10
8
66
23,
Mary Elizabeth Thayer,
-
4
5
66
25,
Roswell Trufant, Jr.,
23
11
25,
Mary Randall,
52
11
25
Willie H. Stoddard,
-
-
15
Septem.
1,
Emma Clarke Crocker,
10
-
20
Catharine Lundergan,
13
7
13
66
13,
Fanny L. Dunbar, .
5
26
14,
Elizabeth Bates,
87
8
25
18,
Melvill F. Rice,
23
5
2
66
19,
Lemuel Lovell,
70
11
21
Loring Stetson Smith,
7
29
23,
Asa McPherson,
31
10
21
66
28,
John Hartigan,
17
-
66
29,
Michael Conners,
2
3
20
October
7,
Albert Loraine Clark,
57
3
16
11.
Alice Angenette Lothrop,
6
6
13
66
11,
George W. Porter, .
2
11
28
66
13,
Prescott Curtis,
4
10
-
60
14,
Betsey Tufts,
6
5
20
Sophia Curtis,
69
11
27
Novem. 10,
William Brown,
37
3
3
66
13,
-
"
15,
Harriet Abbot,
21
1
15
Decem.
7.
Ruth White,
71
7
14
$6
10,
Margaret Tobin,
Samuel Whitmarsh,
98
9
18
66
24
Rhoda Phillips,
73
5
24
66
-425,
Athanasius Stoddard,
72
-
7
27,
Joanna O'Neal,
6
5
23
66
28,
Lydia A. May,
·
17
3
21
66
25,
William Rice Cain, .
1
-
3
17
66
8,
Josiah White,
5
3
11,
George Walter Thayer,
66
-
10,
Arthur Harding,
44
1
25
Nabby Dyer,
91
16,
Lydia Vining,
78
11
23,
Margaret Dorney,
2
17
-
26,
Susan Elizabeth Hunt,
1
1
.
·
-
8.
9
21
13,
Sarah Josephine Ells,
21,
27,
Eva Sinclair,
29
17,
Caroline Eliza Hunt,
26,
23,
29,
31
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF WEYMOUTH,
FOR THE YEAR 1855.
Town Clerk. Richard Blanchard.
Treasurer. Gilman Burrill.
Selectmen. Prescott Lothrop, Minot Holbrook, Elias S. Beals. Assessors. Francis B. Bates, Elbridge G. Hunt, Charles Pratt.
Overseers of the Poor. Alvah Raymond, Elias Hunt, Enoch W. Smith.
Constables. Jacob N. Bates, George W. White, Jr., S. R. Small.
High School Committee.
E. S. Potter, James L. Bates, B. F. White, William Dyer, 2d, E. S. Beals, Calvin Terry, James P. Terry, John E. Davenport, John W. Loud.
Prudential School Committee.
William-Bicknell, James Blanchard, Joseph Stevens, David Hunt, Jairus Vining, George W. White, Jr., John S. Fogg, Jason Farrington, William K. Baker, Ezra F. Tirrell.
Highway Surveyors.
Capt. Jesse Dyer, William White, Stephen Bicknell, Jr., Jonathan D. Pratt, Alvah Raymond, Jr., Caleb Joy, Francis H. Tilden, William H. Richards, George W. Cloutman, Josiah Tirrell, Oran P. Shaw, George Reed, Loring Pratt, Asa Whitman, John S. Fogg, Solon Vining, Thom- as Hollis, John Bates, John Vinson, Ziba Chessman, Jr., Jolın R. H. Williams, Daniel Dyer.
32
Surveyors of Wood, Lumber and Bark.
Elias S. Beals, J. White, Lot W. Bicknell, Edwin Pratt, Josiah- E. Rice, Cyrus Washburn, Robert V. Barnes, Francis H. Tilden, Jerrymies Bayley, Joseph D. Gardner, Leonard Gardner, B. F. White, Jonathan Trufant, Chester D. Pratt, Samuel Bates, Austin Rogers, William H. Thomas, Reed Blanchard, E. S. Wright, Quincy Pool, Benjamin F. Shaw, Thomas H. Humphrey.
Field Drivers.
R. F. Burrell, R. N. Cushing, Alvan Pratt, David French, Richard Humphrey, George G. Lovell, Hervey Pratt, Albert Joyce, Benjamin Burrell, Aurelius L. Tirrell, Edward Thomas, James A. Hunt, William Cooledge, Benjamin F. Richards, Minot Richards, Kingman Tirrell, Charles Orcutt, Samuel Tirrell, Elbridge G. Colson, J. G. Burrell, Wil- liam Cushing, Freeman B. Cushing, Jacob R. Lovell, Benjamin Hol- brook, Palmer E. Loud, John Shaw, Jr., Samuel Hunt, Albert Loud, Daniel N. Barrows, Ellsworth Harding, Benjamin F. Whitman, Charles S. Fogg, J. N. Hollis, Jr., Ferdinand Loud, Franklin Derby, G. N. Blanchard, Charles H. Loud, J. Dyer, Jr., H. Smith, John W. Loud, Tilley Willis, Josiah Litchfield, Noah F. Joy.
Tythingmen.
Jacob Pratt, Nathaniel Pratt, Samuel Healy, Isaac Lawrence, Jona- than E. Hartshorn, Ezra Tirrell.
Fence Viewvers. Jacob Shaw, David S. Murray.
Fire Wards.
John W. Thomas, James Tirrell, Josiah E. Rice, Simeon Cushing.
Weighers of Vessels.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Pound Keeper. John Tirrell.
Collectors of Taxes. Cotton Bates, Jacob Tirrell. .
Committee to Examine Treasurer's Accounts.
Noah Vining, Jr., James Humphrey, Prescott Lothrop.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
WEYMOUTH,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
MARCH 12, 1855.
BOSTON: WILLIAM WHITE, PRINTER, 4 SPRING LANE. 1855.
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
THE School Committee, having completed their service for the year ending March, 1855, submit the following Report, viz. :-
Before proceeding to the consideration of the several schools, we desire to express our opinion in regard to the manner in which examinations of schools should be conducted, and the basis on which our opinions respecting them are founded.
We feel this to be the more important, inasmuch as some complaints have been made, both by certain teachers and schol- ars, of unfairness on the part of the Committee, in asking the questions at the closing examinations of the schools. We con- sider those examinations designed to ascertain, as nearly as may be, the amount of knowledge which each scholar possesses ; and in order to this end, we have felt it important to prevent all collusion between the teacher and pupils. At some former times, it has been the custom for the teachers to ask the ques- tions, and we well know that sometimes the examination has been transformed into an exhibition in which each pupil Kad learned his part, and could only answer correctly such questions as had been previously assigned him; or, if the pupil did not know, with certainty, what questions might be put to him, the teacher, who understood the capacity of each scholar, would sometimes have the adroitness to ask only such questions as he knew the scholar would answer, and thus give an incorrect im- pression of the capacities and acquirements of the school. The
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object of recitation is, in part, to acquire a facility of expression, which will enable the scholar to communicate his ideas to others in a clear and lucid manner ; and if he fail to do this, it is gen- erally because he does not fully comprehend the subject. What he thoroughly understands himself, he can generally communi- cate to others with ease and fluency. But if he cannot answer a question unless it comes from a certain quarter, or unless it is proposed in a certain manner, or if he need prompting, he will find, when he attempts to apply his knowledge to practice, that it is very limited. He will then learn, if not before, that he had studied to RECITE, rather than to lay up knowledge, and that he has been exercising his memory, rather than improving his understanding. The Committee do not intend to assert that every teacher desires to practice deception, but they believe that the only way to detect or prevent occasional imposition, is to ask the questions themselves. And in making up their opinion of the merits of a school, the Committee are not more governed by what the scholar recites, than by the manner of his recita- tion. The application of knowledge is the test of possession, as the demonstration of a rule is evidence of its truth. With these explanations, we proceed to the consideration of the several schools.
First District .- The Primary Division has been under the care of the same teacher, both summer and winter, and she has succeeded in this, her first experiment in teaching, in gaining the confidence and esteem of her pupils and of their parents, as well as the approbation of the Committee. The appearance of the school at each of the closing examinations, and at other times, has indicated a very good degree of interest and progress in their studies ; and the order of the school, with the exception of a brief period at the commencement of each term, when cir- cumstances were unfavorable, has been very satisfactory.
The Grammar Division, in summer, was taught by an experi- enced teacher, and in the early part of the term appeared well, with the exception of a deficiency in order ; but the school was interrupted for some time in consequence of the death of the
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father of the teacher, which event unfitted her for the further prosecution of her duties in the school, and she was desirous of leaving at that time, but consented to remain till the close of the term. In addition to this, the interest of many of the older scholars, on whom the reputation of the school must mainly depend, seemed to decline with the progress of the term, so that, at the close, the exercises were not so creditable to the school as the Committee desired.
This division, in winter, was in charge of an under-graduate, who conducted it, so far as order was concerned, to the satis- faction of all; but there was not that evidence of progress in the several studies which was desirable or expected. The school had been over less ground than usual. The reading during the term had been confined to a few lessons, without producing corresponding accuracy in the exercise ; and we regretted to find that the class in grammar, composed of some the largest and most advanced scholars in school, had spent nearly the whole term on etymology, and had but just commenced parsing. These considerations make it apparent that, although several of the exercises at the examination were equal to those of some other schools of a like grade, there was in others a want of interest which is fatal to rapid improvement.
Second District .- During the summer this school was under the charge of the same instructor who had taught it successfully for several terms. At the first two visits of the Committee the order of the school was not entirely satisfactory, but afterwards it was uniformly good. The closing examination gave evidence of considerable progress in the several studies, although many of the pupils were not as prompt in their answers as at former examinations under the same teacher, owing, it is believed, rather to the different mode of examination, than to any consid- erable change in the character of the school.
The winter school continued seven weeks under the same teacher, who accomplished, both in regard to discipline and instruction, all that could reasonably be expected; but the great diversity in age, and the consequent multiplication of
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classes, rendered it necessary at this time to place the younger part of the school under another teacher. After the division, the Grammar Department improved more rapidly, and at the end of nine weeks from the time of the division, passed an examination characterized by readiness and thoroughness in all the branches taught. The classes in written arithmetic, especially, exhibited a familiarity with the principles as well as the processes involved in the several rules in which they were examined, highly grati- fying to the Committee. The order of the school was entirely satisfactory.
The Primary Department was assigned to one who was without experience as a teacher, and whose health proved unequal to the task; yet, at the end of seven weeks, the exercises of the school were very creditable, but the order was not satisfactory.
Third District .- The Primary Department, during the sum- mer, was under the care of Miss A. L. Bates, who appeared to be deeply interested in her school, which she kept in excellent order. She labored diligently and successfully, and at the closing examination the school appeared in all respects remark- ably well. Twenty-seven pupils in this school were under five years of age. The winter term was taught by Mrs. Marston, who manifested the same interest. in her school as her predecessor, and whose skilful management from the commencement to the close of the school, together with her peculiar facility in impart- ing instruction, assured the Committee that, in this case, no detriment had occurred from a change of teachers. The order was at all times excellent.
The Intermediate Department was conducted throughout the year by Miss Parrott, with her usual ability and success. The order was not always as good as could be wished, but at the sev- eral visits, the Committee found the school industrious, and gen- erally well prepared in their recitations. The examinations ex- hibited a marked improvement, quite gratifying to all concerned.
The summer term of the Grammar Department was commenced by a young lady, who resigned at the end of two weeks, and whose successor, Miss Poor, continued the school without inter-
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ruption. The manner in which the school was conducted, and the progress of the pupils in their several studies, furnished ample evidence of the superior qualifications of the teacher.
The winter school was taught by one who has long enjoyed the reputation of an efficient and successful instructor. The method of instruction which the Committee consider essential to thorough scholarship, viz. : the committing to memory, with perfect accuracy, the rules and definitions of any science, and also the analyzing and explaining every principle involved in the operation, he appeared fully to comprehend, and his suc- cessful exertions in this respect made his school appear, at the examination, a model for imitation. The exercises of all the classes were distinguished for promptness, accuracy, and per- spicuity,-and particularly so the first and second classes in arithmetic. The order was excellent, and the appearance of those present gave the highest satisfaction. The Committee were, however, pained to perceive that, though the register con- tained the names of sixty-four scholars, there were only twenty-nine present at the closing examination. This fact, to- gether with the irregular attendance, and the practice of many of the scholars leaving school, daily, before its close, shows conclusively, that many of the parents, as well as their children, undervalue the privileges of the school-room, and feel indiffer- ent to their highest and best interests.
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