USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1862 > Part 3
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Number of births where mothers were natives of the United States, and fathers foreign, . 12
118
Number of births where both parents were foreign, . 267
Number of births where both parents were natives of Weymouth, . 25 Excess of births over deaths, 152
5
34
DEATHS Registered in the Town of Weymouth, for the year 1862.
AGE.
Date of Death.
NAME OF DECEASED.
Disease or Cause of Death.
Place of Birth.
Years.
M'ths.
Days.
Jan. 3,
Benjamin Bates, Edward Ashton Lane,
75
3
24
Paralysis,
Weymouth. 66
8. 10,
George Henry Coolidge,
24
8
8
66
10, 11.
Susan Adams Kingman,
37
3
9
13,
John Carson, Sarah Caroline Smith, Hosea Hollis, .
6
11
12
Tuberculosis,
16,
19,
Ann Maria Dyer,
5
13 3
14
Scarlet Fever,
20,
David Moore,
48
Feb. 4,
Willie Sprague,
1
4
13
Whooping Cough,
1 9.
Lucy L. Barrett, Betsey N. Loud,
63
27 Inflammation of Lungs,
17,
Elizabeth Lawler, Lucy Ann Vining,
35
5
1
4
75
22
73
1
10,
Ilannah Moore,
7
-
10
23
15.
Oliver H. Houghton, Emina C. Hunt,
1
6
21,
Reuben Blanchard, .
77
10
17 Teething, - Palsy, .
27, 25, 30, 4, 8. 9,
( Child of Augustus W. and Eleanor F. Clapp, S Johanna Hogan, Louisa French, Sarah W. Cleverly, . William Kelly, Catharine Moore, Alice Viola Pratt,
43
1
2
Paralysis, .
Fit,
6,
Ebenezer Pool, .
8
31
-
Consumption,
Ireland. Weymouth.
10,
Lucy M. Merritt,
43
4
10
Carcinoma Uteri,
24,
William Henry Phillips,
4
1 Congestion of Brain,
27,
Mary C. Guerting, Elizabeth White,
72
- Consumption,
Quincy. W. Boylston.
Lois P. White, . William Cronin,
74
Lung Fever,
Ireland.
14, 14, 17, 24,
Emily A. Richards,
32
1
19.
Daniel Laughton,
41
Anna G. Reed, .
9
15
2
10 11
Disease, Kidney,
.
13,
40
10
13 Drowned, (accidental,)
.
17,
1
11
Not given,
.
20,
14
Dysentery. .
31, 8
Lucy Dyer,
Thomas Welsh,
1
8
16
John A. S. Reed,
5
2
65
-
-
Rheumatism,
Unknown, .
-
Appoplexy, .
11,
John Henry Burns, . Mary Ann Lonergan,
2
21 Cholera Infantum,
16,
1
13 Cholera Infantum,
16,
Addie M. Cloutman,
1
11
2
( Summer Bowel Complaint } and Dysentery, .
.
10
4
27
Phthisis Pulmonalis, .
66
Mary Lynch,
3
8
Inflam. of throat and lungs, Dyspepsia and Scrofula, Consumption,
28
10
-
Braintree. England. Weymouth. 66
Braintree. Ireland.
7
12
Typhoid Fever, Erysipelas, .
Weymouth. 66
24, 26,
Err Cushing, Nancy Porter, .
Ellsworth L. Loud, . Jane Tirrell,
62
2
20 Paralysis,
Consumption, Phthisis Pulmonalis,
Ireland. Weymouth. 66
66
66
-
10
33
10
Consumption,
66
May
Hingham. Weymouth.
4, 7, 8.
Margaret McCarty, Augustus Burrell, . Rebecca Bates,
75
Old Age,
W. Hartf'd, N.Y Weymouth. W. Boylston.
9, June 4, 3,
Lizidord Guerting,
1
Croup,
27 Bronchitis, .
N. Bridgewater.
13,
( Child of Alexander and } Johanna White,*
Weymouth.
Mary M. West,
15
20
Betsey Lovell, .
77
Consumption, Broken Hip,
Fall River. Weymouth. Vermont.
30, July 9, 10,
Elizabeth S. Stoddard, James Hawes, . Francis Barrett, Mary Ellen Connors, Sarah Newell Bicknell, James Hayes,
5 1
20
43 32
7
8
Delirium Tremens, Childbirth, . Consumption, Indigestion,
Weymouth. Nantucket. Weymouth. 66 Scotland. Weymouth. 66
Aug. 1, 3, 5. 19, 9,
Margaret Fraher, Lucy Pratt Raymond, Ebenezer Perry,
42
-
51
1
Typhoid Bilious Fever, Inflammation of Lungs, Consumption,
Hallowell, Me. Abington.
48 70
6
7
Unknown, .
66 Halifax, N. S. Weymouth. Hingham. Weymouth.
Mar. 2, 2.
Stoppage,
Weymouth. 6
Apr. 2, 12,
2 Unknown,
23 24
Scalded,
66
21
1
28
Consumption,
9
Scarletina,
11
Old Age,
15,
5
1 Unknown, ·
35
11|14 1 1 4
59
10
4 13 Congestive Fever, Consumption,
20,
John Donally,
Whooping Cough, Bright's Disease, . Consumption,
Boston.
24 3
6 1746
89
Old Age,
14,
* Stillborn.
1
66 Ireland. Middleborough. Boston. Weymouth. 66
·
1 1 89
35
Deaths registered in the Town of Weymouth-Continued.
AGE.
Date of Death.
NAME OF DECEASED.
Disease or Cause of Death.
Place of Birth.
Years.
M'ths.
Days.
Aug.18,
Rebecca White,
86
2
17
Dysentery, .
Weymouth. 66
21,
Isabel Hayes, .
1
3
6
Cholera Infantum,
22.
Mary Cuniff,
43
Inflammation of Bowels,
.
24,
Wm. C. Lonergan,
-
1
21
Cholera Infantum,
.
5, 26,
Joseph Dunbar,
71
9
1 Rheumatism,
27,
Eleanor Florence Young, Mary Welch,
70
29
1
2
1
9
1
11,
24,
Bridget Welch,
40
Sept. 2,
Ella Josephine Bodge,
11
4
3
20
Cholera Infantum,
.
14,
Thomas Spilsted,
40
7
6
19,
Edward Howell,
35
1
22,
Frances E. Partridge,
1
11
15
Consumption,
Marshfield.
23,
18,
1
22
Chicken Pox,
Weymouth.
Oct. 8,
78
1
8
27
Ireland.
12,
Etta M. Lovell,
1
39
3
Dysentery,
Hingham.
20.
Jeremiah Stetson, James White, 2d.,
76
1
20
Old Age,
Weymouth.
Nov. 4,
Child of Stephen R., and Alice Willis,*
1
-
11,
Emma Bayley Webster,
11
3 Lung Fever,
66 Bridgewater.
5.
Mercy Huntress,
80
8
Old Age,
9,
Robert Sealy, .
30
Heart Disease,
Ireland.
11,
Thomas Burrell,
77
7
-
1
18,
Jairus Vining, .
55
6
18
Not given, .
Weymouth. 66
18,
Margaret Keating,
22
Inflammation of Bowels,
16,
Daniel Desmond,
4
- Croup, .
66
29,
Edward E. Bartlett,
4
10 Scrofula,
66
17,
Mary Alice Graves, .
7
16
10
20
Heart Disease,
Randolph. Weymouth. 66
2,
Augustus W. McAllister,
8
3
( Pneumonia 3 weeks, Men- Į irgitis 8 days,
5. 8. 10,
George R. Healy,
26
8
29
11
13
1
8
4
Diptheria, 48 hours,
17,
70
6
Consumption,
28,
Thomas R. Hanson,
65
17
Consumption,
Kennebunk Port.
14,
( Child of Edw'd L., and } Elizabeth Doten, * Stella Cushing,
3
Scarlet Fever,
Randolph.
24,
Alice Adelaide Lane,
8
7
4 Diptheria,
Weymouth.
23,
§ Child of Nathaniel B., and Lois Derby,*
I
1
31,
Catherine F. Mead, .
3
13
Congestion of Lungs, .
* Stillborn.
A true copy of the original Record of Deaths.
FRANCIS AMBLER, Town Clerk.
27, Dec. 2,
Mary Eliza Ford,
3
11
13
Not given,
29,
69
2
17
Apoplexy,
27,
Lucy Bates,
75
4
18
Dysentery, .
Worcester.
Abington.
9.
Weymouth. .
11, 11,
Helen Morton Tirrell,
7
1 1
4 Teething,
15.
Daniel Hersey,
37
7
11 Cholera Infantum, Cholera Infantum, Brain Fever,
Weymouth.
13,
Frances G. Ford, Carrie Emily Lovell,
1
4
29,
24,
Lillie Sidaway,
11
26
Consumption,
16 Cholera Infantum, - Old Age, Fit,
Hingham. Weymouth. Ireland.
7,
Addie Maria Toombs, Jacob Clapp,
14 1 Inflammation of Bowels,
Ireland. Weymouth.
9,
Hattie Bowditch,
Pulmonary Consumption, Dropsy,
Enhurst, Eng. Ireland.
John Henry Blanchard, Joseph Wm. Larmey, Warren Pool, . George N. White, Mary Fitzgerald,
Not given,
20 Congestion of Brain, . - Hemorrhage of Lungs, Cholera Infantum, 9
Weymouth. 6
66
Paralysis,
( Enteritis 6 month, Pleu- risy 72 hours,
Abington.
3 9 1 001
Lung Fever,
Typhoid Fever, . Dropsy of Chest,
66
Sterling. Weymouth. 66
Weymouth.
6,
Oliver M. Kendall, Abby Maria Bicknell, Josiah Thayer,
1
1
66
15 Rheumatism and Dropsy,
Ireland. Weymouth. 66
Mary Dillon,
36
TOWN OFFICERS
CHOSEN FOR THE YEAR 1863.
TOWN CLERK. FRANCIS AMBLER.
JAMES HUMPHREY,
SELECTMEN. Z. L. BICKNELL,
NOAH VINING.
ASSESSORS.
WILLIAM W. RAYMOND,
NOAH VINING,
HENRY PETERSON.
SAMUEL CURTIS,
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. JAMES TIRRELL, LEMUEL TORREY.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-For three years.
LEONIDAS F. PRATT, DR. C. C. TOWER,
BENJAMIN T. DOWSE.
JACOB N. BATES.
CONSTABLES.
WILLIAM STODDARD, JOHN BLANCHARD, JR.,
JACOB N. BATES,
GEORGE W. WHITE, JR.,
WILMOT CLEVERLY. (THOMAS H. HUMPHPEY, Resigned.)
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS.
WILLIAM STODDARD, LORING TIRRELL,
CHARLES HUMPHREY,
JAMES MATHEWSON.
SAMUEL CURTIS.
COLLECTORS OF TAXES.
SAMUEL CURTIS,
DAVID S. MURRAY.
PRUDENTIAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
District 1-L. F. PRATT. District 7-B. F. WHITMAN.
2-WILLIAM WHITE.
8-JOSEPH DYER.
3-WILLIAM W. RAYMOND. 9-SAMUEL CURTIS.
66 4-F. H. TILDEN.
10-JAMES CLAPP,
5-WILLIAM G. NASH. NOAH T. JOY.
66 6-LEVI L. BARKER. 66 11-MARTIN DERBY, JR.
1
37
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER, WOOD AND BARK.
District 1-JOHN WHITE, WILLIAM BICKNELL.
2-LOT W. BICKNELL, EDWIN PRATT.
66 3-J. E. RICE, JAMES FORD.
4-STEPHEN S. FOYE, FRANCIS RICHARDS, GEORGE M. HUNT.
66 5-JOSEPH D. GARDNER, LEONARD B. TIRRELL, LEONARD GARD- NER.
6-JACOB HOLBROOK, ALLEN VINING.
7-W. H. THOMAS, J. A. ROGERS, JOHN SHORES.
8-FRANKLIN DERBY, DEA. JACOB LOUD.
9-IRA CURTIS, M. M. LEONARD, JOHN O. FOYE, SAMUEL CURTIS, W. P. SANBORN.
66 10-B. F. SHAW, THOMAS H. HUMPHREY.
11-MARTIN DERBY, ELIPHALET LOUD, JR., WARREN THAYER.
FENCE-VIEWERS.
GEORGE W. HUNTRESS, JAMES TIRRELL.
FIREWARDS.
SETH CURTIS, DAVID S. MURRAY, ABNER HOLBROOK.
FIELD DRIVERS.
District 1-CHRISTOPHER WISE, LEWIS A. BEALS, JESSE DYER.
2-WARREN SALISBURY, JOSHUA VINAL, JAMES BLANCHARD.
66
3-ALBERT JOYCE, JAMES LOVELL.
4-MUNROE THAYER, WARREN COLSON, JACOB LOUD.
66 5-AUSTIN TIRRELL, N. A. SARGENT, PRINCE E. CUSHING, BEN- JAMIN C. TIRRELL.
66 6-ROBERT RICHARDS, RICHMOND A. HOLBROOK, BENJAMIN WHITE, LEANDER C. LOVELL.
7-B. F. WHITMAN, B. A. WHITE, JONATHAN PACKARD, MELVIN BATES.
66 8-CHARLES H. LOUD, GEORGE T. LOUD, WASHINGTON ORCUTT, MARTIN THOMAS.
66 9-FREEMAN WHITMARSH, ALLEN THOMPSON, JAMES WHITTE- MORE, GEORGE S. BAKER, GEORGE BICKNELL.
66 10-HENRY SINCLAIR, EZRA TIRRELL.
66 11-CALVIN PACKARD, BENJAMIN WALES ORCUTT.
ELIAS RICHARDS,
AUDITING COMMITTEE. G. W. HUNTRESS, ORAN WHITE.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. GEORGE W. PRATT.
WEIGHER OF VESSELS. WILLIAM RICE.
POUND KEEPER. FRANCIS TIRRELL.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee of Weymouth submit to the town the following Report.
Having been instructed by the town at the last annual meet- ing to establish one High School and six Grammar Schools, to be taught by male teachers, the Committee proceeded at once to make the necessary arrangements. They engaged Mr. L. Z. Ferris to teach the High School at the Town Hall, at a salary of eight hundred dollars, and furnished him with an assistant for a part of the year at an expense of seventy-eight dollars.
They made appropriations for the Grammar Schools and located them as follows : $350 for a school for the First and Second Districts, to be kept in the First District; $400 for a school for the Fourth and Ninth Districts, to be kept in the Ninth District ; $325 for a school in the Fifth District; $275 for a school in the Sixth District; $450 for a school for the Seventh, Eighth and Eleventh Districts, to be kept in Mrs. Rogers' hall, and $100 for the rent of the hall.
For the other schools, the Committee made the following arrangement: Length of the Intermediate and Mixed Schools to be forty weeks, and pay of teachers $4.50 a week. Length of the Primary Schools to be thirty-eight weeks, and pay of teachers $4 a week. Length of the Sub-Primary Schools to be thirty-six weeks, and pay of teachers $3.50 a week. The Committee were under the necessity of making a considerable reduction from the wages hitherto paid to female teachers, on account of the increased expense of the Grammar Schools under the new system. They have expended under the above arrangements $8,000, which, deducted from the whole amount appropriated for schools, leaves about $1,460, a sum amply sufficient, it is believed, to pay all the other school expenses.
39
The Committee having requested the town to authorize them to appoint a Superintendent of schools, and to pay him a salary of $500, were instructed to appoint a superintendent, but not to pay him more than $400. A considerable time elapsed before they were able to procure a suitable person for so small a compensation. The first that was appointed, declined, like- wise the second. Rev. C. Terry was then chosen, who accepted the office, and immediately entered upon its duties, which the Committee are happy to say he has faithfully and satisfactorily discharged.
The new arrangement of schools imposed upon the Committee an unusual amount of labor. In order that all parts of the town might be equally benefited by the Grammar Schools, the Committee were obliged to give much time and thought to locating them and making a proper distribution of the money appropriated for their support. They performed also the usual work of hiring and examining teachers, opening and classifying schools, and visiting them, until the services of a superinten- dent were secured. They have since held monthly meetings to hear the superintendent's report, and transact any other business properly belonging to them. They are happy to know from their own observation, and from the superintendent's report, that the schools generally have been prosperous and successful. For particular information in regard to the schools they refer the town to his report, which they have ordered to be printed with this. The Committee recommend that the town authorize the appointment of a Superintendent for another year, and that they make a suitable appropriation for his services.
In behalf of the School Committee,
J. P. TERRY, Chairman.
D. F. GODDARD, Secretary.
40
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
During the year there have been thirty-two public schools in town, as follows: Sub-Primary, 5; Primary, 10; Mixed and Intermediate, 10; Grammar, 6; High School, 1; employing thirty-two teachers all the time, and one assistant teacher (in the High School,) a part of the summer term. The number of scholars who have attended at any time during the year is, males 877, females 863, total 1,740. Of these, all have attended to Reading and Spelling; a greater part, in some manner, to Writing; to Mental Arithmetic, 703; Arithmetic, written, 490; Geography, 560; Grammar, 439 ; Algebra, 91; Surveying, 3; Geometry, 11; Book-keeping, 1; Astronomy, 8 ; Physical Geography, 2; Natural Philosophy, 14; Mental Phil- osophy, 6 ; Moral Philosophy, 6; History, Ancient and Modern, 62; Rhetoric, 15 ; French, 17; Latin, 37 ; Greek, 9; Zoology, 4; Chemistry, 7; Physiology, 0; English Literature, 7; Com- position, 175 ; Declamation, 50; Debating, 6. Nearly all have practiced Singing.
The Superintendent, acting under the direction of the School Committee, has visited each school, at least once each month, spending in ordinary cases, a half day at each visit ; alternating from A. M. to P. M., so as to become acquainted with every part of the schools, and to inspect their condition and manage- ment from morning till night. He has also held stated monthly meetings for the teachers, to discuss such practical subjects as are involved in their daily duties. The topics considered are, Good Order, in what does it consist ? How can it be secured ? The jurisdiction of the teacher ; his manners; and modes of governing ; when and how should he punish ? The relative importance of, and methods of teaching Reading, Spelling, Writing, Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography. The manner of preparing for and conducting examinations. The advantage, from being in sympathy with the children, and through them, with the parents so far as practicable. These meetings, it is
41
believed, are adapted to be of great service to the teachers, and may contribute greatly to the improvement of the schools.
From his knowledge, gained by almost constant intercourse with the schools and teachers, the Superintendent is able and happy to testify, that the town has been favored with able, devoted and efficient teachers, and under their labors the schools have prospered, some of them in a very remarkable degree.
It has been the aim first of all to secure and maintain good order; and that, in conjunction with the will and rational endeavors of the scholars, and by keeping all employed in some manner appropriate to their age and grade in the schools ;- those too young to be much occupied with their books, by making figures, letters, and drawings on the blackboard, or card slates ; by exercises suitable for drill in posture and move- ments ; and by occasional singing ;- taking care, always, to avoid keeping them more than ten or fifteen minutes in any one posture, at one time, or exacting any thing that would tend to the injury of body or mind. By thus " handling " them in concert, it has been found to be as easy to keep a company or class in order, as to take care of one, while acting without system.
Those of a higher grade have been required to be so fully occupied with study, recitations, and the ordinary drill, as to have no time or disposition to disturb the good order of school. In a school, as elsewhere, the secret of good government consists in securing the legitimate and useful employment of all under the jurisdiction. Teachers have been advised to use corporeal punishment only in extreme cases, and then to avoid inflicting needless pain or permanent injury. Punishment . should be adapted to produce moral effect rather than physical injury.
It has also been the aim to introduce, so far as possible, and without making any abrupt changes, a uniform system of drill or discipline, and instruction in all the schools. If any peculiar excellence lias appeared in the style, in any school, the others have had opportunity to profit by it ;- that thus all of the best ideas and methods may be combined in the prevailing practice.
No pains have been spared to improve the classification of the schools so as to give the largest possible amount of the
6
42
teacher's time, and of privilege, to each scholar. In some schools, the number of classes has been reduced nearly one-half. Though much less has been accomplished in this particular than might have been, had your Superintendent taken charge of the schools at the beginning of the year, and then had the entire control of grading the schools. The grading of the schools might be improved, particularly of the Intermediate and Grammar Schools,-there being some advanced classes in grammar and written arithmetic, now in the Intermediate, while some classes in Colburn's Arithmetic are in the Grammar Schools, where it should not be allowed.
Attention has been given to drilling the pupils in their general carriage and deportment; and above all, to thorough- ness in the rudiments of their studies ;- making Reading, Spelling, Writing and other studies of daily and common use more prominent than it is common to find them.
The schedule below gives the names of the teachers in the several schools, with the length of time employed, the wages, and the number and average attendance of scholars.
A majority of the teachers having had previous experience, entered promptly and understandingly upon their work. The others, having the practice all to learn, met with varied success. Some in a very brief time comprehending their position and duties, have exhibited rare qualities for managing and teaching school ; others, in less favorable circumstances in some cases, came more gradually to a satisfactory degree of success.
Public Examinations, in accordance with a vote of the School Committee, were generally postponed-excepting Primary Schools, and those whose teachers were known to be about to resign,-to the end of the year. They have been conducted with patience and thoroughness.
SUB-PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Two in the Third District, under the faithful and self-sacri- ficing labors of the same teachers as last year, have been gen- erally successful; though owing to great inconvenience in the situation and arrangements of the rooms, and serious interrup- tion by sickness among the scholars, the teachers have labored under trying disadvantages. For sanitary reasons, if for no others, better rooms should be provided for these schools.
43
Two in the Ninth District were in charge of the same successful teachers as last year, till the close of the summer term, when one teacher resigned to fill a vacancy in the Intermediate School. Her successor was inexperienced in the art of controlling and teaching so large a number as flocked to her charge, and it became necessary to reduce the number of classes and of scholars, by passing about twenty scholars into the other schools, and completely reorganizing the school. The results were speedily most satisfactory, and under the very cheerful and willing labors of this teacher, the school in its beautiful drill, perfect order, and great progress, will now rank as before, with the best of its grade. The other department was uniformly successful, as heretofore. The other Sub-Primary was in the Fifth District, formed after summer vacation, by dividing the Primary, and placing about forty scholars some- what younger than the average, in charge of one whose only experience in teaching had been as occasional assistant in the Primary. This has been a very pleasant and satisfactory school, and the wisdom of the arrangement is apparent also in the marked improvement of the school in the parent hive.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
There have been Primary Schools in all of the districts except the Second, where one Mixed school took the place of Primary and Intermediate. These have nearly all been very successful schools ; though some, owing in part to more favorable circum- stances, such as better rooms and conveniences, and perhaps better materials, have been superior to others. District No. 1 had for teacher a recent member of the High School, and this was her first experience in teaching. But having in charge all the elements and conveniences for a good school, no time was lost in becoming adapted to her station and duties ; the school immediately took rank with the best, and has continued in uninterrupted prosperity and improvement to the close. For cheerful ease and gentleness in the management, and for skill and efficiency in the drilling and teaching, this school deserves the highest commendation. The exercises of the closing examinations, witnessed by a crowd of friends, were of extraor- dinary excellence and beauty, and received deservedly the highest commendation. Districts 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th
44
and 11th, have enjoyed through the year the services of the same teachers as. last year. And when it is said that these teachers have been · uniformly faithful, thorough, and devoted in their labors, sparing no pains to bring their respective schools into the most perfect state of discipline and proficiency, it is but faint commendation compared with what might be uttered in respect to most of them. It has been pleasant to witness the daily movements and attainments of the schools, and the final results. Of that in the Eleventh District, it should however be said, that tlie inconveniences of the room, have prevented so great success as is desirable. The want of space to " handle " the classes, tends to dulness in the exercises of the school. In the Sixth, circumstances beyond the control of the teacher, as was said, have prevented the school from reaching so high a standard of order, drill, and general excellence as is desirable, while in some essentials it has exhibited great excellence. In the Fifth, summer term, the number was too great to manage successfully ; in the winter term, with a reduced number, the school improved in order and accuracy. The 3d, 4th, 7th and 9th, were excellent schools ; the improvement was very marked, and the closing examinations, both summer and winter, were interesting and beautiful; that in the Fourth was specially commended.
In the Eighth District, the school was in some respects a hard one, and [for a time it seemed difficult to secure satisfactory order and prompt attention ; but the youthful teacher, inex- perienced before, gave herself earnestly to the work, attended faithfully to the suggestions of the Superintendent, and ulti- mately succeeded in bringing the school into a very desirable and prosperous condition ; and the closing examination interested and delighted the large company of friends who were present. The Tenth District, during summer term, was in charge of the same teacher as last year ; her labors were entirely suc- cessful. The apparent lack of lively earnestness during the early part of the term, soon gave place to genuine enthusiasm on the part of teacher and pupils ; the progress was marked and satisfactory, and at the close the school sustained an examination of rare excellence. A new teacher was employed for the winter term, whose literary qualifications were known to be ample, though inexperienced in teaching. There was at
45
first a falling off in the good order and pleasant aspect of the school, and it was with much difficulty that such a state of discipline was secured as to warrant the hope of success. Every effort was made to remedy the evil which existed; the order was greatly improved, and the school seemed to prosper, yet there was a great falling off in the attendance of scholars ; some interference by parents ; and the school closed with only about one-half of the original number present; and the exami- nation did not equal expectations, there being a lack of mental discipline and ability to answer many of the ordinary questions given.
INTERMEDIATE AND MIXED SCHOOLS.
Those in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 8th (Randolph Street,) and 10th, were in charge of the same teachers as last year during the summer term, and with the exception of the 8th and 10th, during the year, and were in general successful schools.
First District .- Has been fully up to its general standard in former years; while in respect to the amount of study, thoroughness in drill, and promptness, self-reliance and accuracy in recitation and in reading, there has been a decided advance. The closing examination was very excellent.
Second District .- A Mixed School. In the early part of the year a considerable change was made in the organization and management of the school, and a reduction of the number of classes. This was followed by a very pleasant improvement in the general aspect of the school ; a new tone was manifest in the daily exercises ; increased life and energy characterized all. A vast amount of labor has been performed in this school- equal, almost, to that required in a Primary and Intermediate combined-and the results have been highly gratifying. No teacher could be more faithful or conscientious ; few, if any, more successful. The closing examination exhibited peculiar excellencies, and was very satisfactory.
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