USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1853-82 > Part 22
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JAMES E. BILLINGS, JONAS K. PUTNEY, J. K. W. WETHERBEE,
Selectmen of Acton.
Acton, Feb. 26, 1866.
2
REPORT OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
AT THE
ALMSHOUSE, IN ACTON,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 1ST, 1866.
ARTICLES ON HAND APRIL 1st, 1866.
9 cows $540,00 ; 1 horse, 125,00,
$665 00
3 shotes, 48,75 ; 12 fowls, 7,44, 56 19
375 lbs. pork, 75,00 ; 50 do. beef, 6,00, 81 00
4 1-2 tons hay, 67,50 ; 10 bush. rye, 10,00,
77 50
17 bush. corn, 17,00 ; 11 do. oats, 6,60,
23 60
50 do. potatoes, 30,00 ; 100 lbs. ham, 20,00,
50 00
6 lbs. butter, 3,12; 30 do. lard, 6,60, 1-2 bbl. flour, 6,12 ; 2 lbs. tea, 2,50, 3 lbs. coffee, .36 ; 15 lbs. candles, 2,40,
2 76
1-2 bbl. soap, 3,00 ; 1-2 do. pickles, 1,00,
4 00
1 bush. beans, 3,00 ; 2 galls. molasses, 1,46,
4 46
1 bush. rye meal, 1,00 ; 2 do. Indian meal, 2,00,
3 00
skewer timber, 2,00 ; 15 bush. ashes, 2,50, 2 lbs. sugar,
4 50
34
$990 09
RECEIPTS.
For oxen, $488,00 ; milk, 427,18,
$915 18
horse, 150,00 ; skewers, 75,80,
225 80
calves, 23,15 ; beef, 33,25,
56 40
peaches, 23,83 ; apples, 12,40,
36 23
potatoes, 3,50 ; eggs, 4,63,
8 13
squashes, 1,32 ; hide, 5,04,
6 36
drag plank, 1,50 ; keeping pedlar, 1,00,
2 50
straw, 10,45 ; work at cemetery, 15,00,
25 45
9 12
8 62
$1,276 05
11
EXPENDITURES.
For flour, $50,75 ; butter, 85,44, $136 19
molasses, 37,68 ; sugar, 19,18 ; tea, 11,04,
67 90
coffee, 10,82 ; meat, 96,13 ; fish, 20,15,
127 10
meal, 53,32 ; cheese, 19,63 ; bread, 3,03,
75 98
shorts, 28,49 ; oil meal, 4,20,
32 69
cloth and clothing, 60,06 ; shoes, 13,39,
73 45
tools, 14,03 ; nails, 2,53 ; oil, 4,81,
21 37
corn, 7,60 ; vinegar, 2,50 ; spices, 5,28,
15 38
cream tartar, 1,78 ; yeast, .56 ; saleratus, .12,
2 46
matches, .65 ; solder, .57; rosin, .42 ; whips, .20, 1 84
potash, 2,64 ; soap, 2,04 ; brooms, 1,35, 6 03
rope, .30 ; wicking, .57; onions, 4,50, 5 37
camphor, .48 ; beans, 7,75 ; plaster, 7,02. 15 25
tallow, 2,80 ; medicines, 1,84 ; bone dust, 1,32, 5 96
4 83
raisins, .86 ; seeds, .50 ; rice, .56 ; tobacco, 11,65,
13 57
milk, .14 ; tin ware, .35 ; stove polish, .25 ; ink, .10,
84
candles, .10 ; earthen ware, 3,27; stationery, .25, 3 62
lead pipe, 9,72 ; plow points, .55 ; apples, .25, 10 52
salt petre, .22 ; wheel grease, .25 ; barrels, 1,65, 2 12
blacksmith's bill, 15,40 ; pasturing oxen, 19,85, 35. 25
skewer timber, 4,82 ; sawing lumber, .27,
5 09
newspaper, 2,50 ; doctor's bill, 3,00 ; shotes, 15,00,
20 50
use of bull, 2,25 ; use of winnowing mill, .50,
2 75
weighing oxen, .12 ; expenses to Boston, 7,69,
7 81
expenses on well, 8,13 ; cash to paupers, 3,00,
11 13
oxen, 190,00 ; horse, 146,00 ; cow, 50,75,
386 75
horse cart, 25,00 ; wagon, 54,00,
79 00
cart harness,
4 00
services of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Wetherbee,
300 00
James E. Billings' services,
6 00
Jonas K. Putney's 66
6 00
J. K. W. Wetherbee's “
6 00
$1,492 75
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1865,
$1,033 67
Interest on farm, 239 40
$1,273 07
$2,765 82
RECAPITULATION.
Amount of expenditures, $1,492 75
Amount of receipts, $1,276 05
Cash from town treasury to balance account, . 216 70
$1,492 75
lime, .25 ; salt, 3,55 ; soda, .73 ; starch, .30,
12
Total amount of expenditures,
$1,492 75
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1865, Interest on farm,
1,033 67
239 40
$2,765 82
Total amount of receipts,
$1,276 05
Amount of inventory, April 1, 1866,
990 09
$2,266 14
Expense of victualling foreigners,
$499 68
9 50
Total amount of supporting poor' at almshouse,
$490 18
Whole number of persons (exclusive of foreigners) supported in the Almshouse, 5; average number, 3 1-2; cost per week, $2,69.
JAMES E. BILLINGS,
Overseers
JONAS K. PUTNEY, of
J. K. W. WETHERBEE,
Poor.
Acton, April 1, 1866.
,
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN ACTON, IN 1865.
No. Date of Birth. Name of Child and Parents' Names.
1. Jan. 1; Charles Brooks, son of Henry and Harriet E. Brooks.
2. Jan. 6, William Charles Coughlin, son of John and Margaret Coughlin.
3. Jan. 27, Elmer Rouillard, son of Frederick and Sarah Rouil- lard.
4. Jan. 31, Minnie Sophia Harris, daughter of Francis E. and Mandana S. Harris.
5. Feb. 11, Nelson Augustus Cobleigh, son of Ephraim and Har- riet E. Cobleigh.
6. Feb. 15, Etta May Sawyer, daughter of Henry L. and Lucy A. Sawyer.
7. Feb. 28, Nellie Maria Frost, daughter of George H. and Su- san M. Frost.
8. April 18, Fannie Marcella Houghton, daughter of John R. and Martha E. Houghton.
9. April 20, Adelaide Louise Richardson, daughter of Osman D. and Mary E. Richardson.
10. May 7, Daniel Reddin, son of Patrick and Hannah Reddin.
11. May 20, Ana Sophia Jones, daughter of Elnathan, Jr., and Elizabeth Jones.
12. June 13, Florence Idella Noyes, daughter of Joseph and Dolly M. Noyes.
13. June 15, Agnes Wormsley Gammell, daughter of Robert and Agnes Gammell.
14. July 1, Jennie Louise Colman, daughter of George W. and Louise M. Colman.
15. July 13, Warren Henry Jones, son of James F. and Elizabeth Jones.
16. July 13, Fred Lyman Farrar, son of Henry and Lydia A. Farrar.
17. Aug. 23, Warren Edson Taylor, son of Thomas and Martha A. Taylor.
18. Aug. 23, Mary Ellen Haggerty, daughter of William and Catherine Haggerty.
19. Aug. 26, A daughter, to Nathaniel Y. Trickey.
20. Sept. 4, Susan Elizabeth Billings, daughter of Luther and Martha A. Billings.
21. Sept. 13, Edward Malloy, son of Thomas and Fannie Malloy. 22. Sept. 17, Arlon U. Jackson, son of Loring M. and Harriet S. Jackson.
14
23. Sept. 18, Carrie Bell Hayward, daughter of Cyrus and Mary P. Hayward.
24. Sept. 22, A son, to Luther, Jr. and Celeste J. Conant.
25. Sept. 30, Ida Lilian Reed, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Jane Reed.
26. Oct. 18, Delmon Gustavus Barker, son of Henry and Louisa M. Barker.
27. Oct. 31, Mary Josephine Hannon, daughter of Michael and Mary A. Hannon.
28. Nov. 1, Luke Harris Tuttle, son of Luke and S. Sophia Tut- tle.
29. Nov. 15, Herbert Arnold Hapgood, son of Andrew and Eliza A. Hapgood.
30. Nov. 18, Edwin Barker Hoar, son of John S. and Lydia P. Hoar.
31. Nov. 23, Rockwood Miles, son of Warren and Maria J. Miles. 32. Dec. 3, Katie Haggerty, daughter of William, 2d, and Mary Haggerty.
Males, 16 ; females, 16.
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN THE TOWN OF ACTON,
IN 1865.
No. Date of Marriage. Names of the Parties.
1. April 9, Mr. L. V. N. Peck, of Acworth, N. H., and Miss Mary Jane Harris, of Acton.
2. May 14, Mr. William A. Walker, of Sudbury, and Miss Emma Louisa Merritt, of Acton.
3. May 25, Mr. George W. Davis and Miss Mary Jane Bur- roughs, both of Acton.
4. June 10, Mr. Samuel Oscar Lamcer and Miss Mary Frank Mann, both of Marlborough.
5. Sept. 3, Mr. David Calahan and Miss Ellen Calhyne, both of Acton.
6. Sept. 5, Mr. James E. Weston and Miss Ellen C. Hubbard, both of Acton.
7. Sept. 14, Mr. Henry Hanson, of West Cambridge, and Miss Elizabeth Hayward, of Acton.
8. Oct. 5, Mr. John Wayne, of Acton, and Miss Maggie Seelye, of Boston.
9. Oct. 22, Mr. Henry J. Rowe, of Candia, N. H., and Miss Lizzie S. Richardson, of Acton.
10. Nov. 26, Mr. Sanford Wheeler, of Acton, and Miss Susan E. Guptill, of North Berwick, Me.
15
11. Dec. 7, Mr. Nathaniel H. Penniman and Miss Eliza A. Rich- ardson, both of Acton.
12. Dec. 7, Mr. William B. Davis, of Acton, and Miss S. Maria Dwight, of North Wrentham.
13. Dec. 24, Mr. Benjamin F. Flint and Mrs. Sarah Jane Phillips, both of Acton.
DEATHS IN ACTON, IN 1865.
No. Date of Death. Name and Age.
1. Jan. 7, Mr. Zoheth Taylor, aged 37 yrs.
2. Jan. 17, Winifred H. Hewes, aged 29 yrs.
3. Jan. 23, Milton F., son of Thomas and Martha A. Taylor, aged 3 yrs. 10 mos. 22 days.
4. Jan. 31, Mr. Silas Sweatt, aged 80 yrs.
5. Feb. 3, Mrs. Margaret C., wife of Mr. James Todd, aged 23 yrs. 8 mos. 10 days.
6. March 22, Dr. John M. Miles, aged 63 yrs. 5 mos.
7. March 26, Edmund F. Hannon, son of Michael and Mary A. Hannon, aged 5 yrs. 11 mos. 18 days.
8. April 10, Widow Charlotte H. Davis, aged 60 yrs. 8 days.
9. April 30, Mrs. Eunice Wilbur, aged 75 yrs. 1 mo. 20 days.
10. May 18, Mrs. Susan B. Davis, wife of Mr. Ebenezer Davis, aged 62 yrs.
11. June 16, Miss Lucy Barnard, aged 37 yrs.
12. June 17, Mrs. Harriet Handley, wife of Mr. Aaron C. Handley, aged 39 yrs. 8 mos. 9 days.
13. June 19, Carrie Etta Handley, daughter of Aaron C. and Har- riet Handley, aged 4 yrs. 5 mos. 10 days.
14. July 19, Mrs. Lydia Jane Wild, wife of Mr. William A. Wild, aged 37 yrs. 4 mos.
15. Aug. 3, Mr. George W. Robbins, aged 84 yrs. 6 mos.
16. Aug. 17, Mrs. Rebecca Billings, aged 84 yrs. 11 mos.
17. Aug. 17, Mrs. Caroline E. Wyman, wife of Mr. O. C. Wy- man, aged 37 yrs. 8 mos. 22 days.
18. Aug. 22, Frank C. Wright, son of George C. and Susan H. Wright, aged 1 yr. 9 mos. 9 days.
19. Sept. 7, Mr. Charles Robbins, aged 79 yrs. 10 mos.
20. Sept. 15, Mrs. Sally Haynes, aged 84 yrs. 6 mos.
21. Sept. 20, Widow Esther Barker, aged 82 yrs. 2 mos. 5 days.
22. Sept. 29, Mrs. Anna E. Robbins, wife of Mr. Luke J. Rob- bins, aged 27 yrs. 3 mos. 27 days.
23. Sept. 30, Mrs. Mary Robbins, aged 75 yrs. 4 mos. 9 days,
24. Oct. 2. Widow Sarah W. Noyes, aged 80 yrs. 8 mos.
25. Oct. 3. John, son of Patrick and Bridget Gallaghar, aged 1 yr. 9 mos.
16
26. Oct. 5, Mrs. Lucy Mead, aged 64 yrs. 2 mos. 9 days.
27. Oct. 6, Francis, son of Patrick and Bridget Gallaghar, aged 5 yrs. 6 mos.
28. Oct. 8, Mary Ellen Kelley, daughter of Joseph and Ellen Kel- ley, aged 7 yrs. 8 mos. 18 days.
29. Oct. 11, Mrs. Joanna Lynch, wife of Peter Lynch, aged 36 yrs. 30. Oct. 10, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Murphy, wife of Mr. Daniel Murphy, aged 34 yrs.
31. Oct. 17, Mrs. Celeste J. Conant, wife of Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., aged 32 yrs.
32. Oct. 20, Miss Lucy M. Robbins, aged 35 yrs. 4 mos. 16 days. 33. Oct. 25, Mr. John Powers, aged 38 yrs.
34. Dec. 29, Widow Hannah Butterfield, aged 87 yrs.
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE, Town Clerk.
Acton, Feb. 26, 1866,
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
EAST CEMETERY.
Expenditures.
For printing deeds and circulars,
$9 00
mowing brush,
16 37
raking and burning do.,
9 58
stakes, and lotting up squares,
6 38
grading avenues,
16 25
completing wall and putting up gate,
67 15
$124 73
Receipts.
For five lots deeded,
$5 00
wood sold,
3 00
Received of town, by order,
116 73
$124 73
WEST CEMETERY. Expenditures.
For laying out and grading avenues, mowing brush and setting bound stones,
$52 18
stakes for lots, and numbering,
4 11
deeds and circulars,
9 00
recording deed,
60
record book,
75
postage and envelopes,
88
$67 52
Receipts.
For thirty lots deeded,
$30 00
repairing lots,
4 50
wood sold,
2 00
Received from town,
45 00
$81 50
Balance in Committee's hands,
$13 98
NORTH CEMETERY.
Expenditures.
For mowing and raking brush, $10 50
3
18
It will be seen, by an examination of the Report of the Select- men, that a very large part of the expenditures incurred for the Cemeteries were for the purchase of land for the West Cemetery, and for building the wall and gate for the Cemetery in the east part of the town. But a small sum has been expended for im- provements in the interior of the Cemetery grounds. In the East Cemetery the avenues have been nearly completed, and many lots have been staked out. In the West thirty lots have been deeded and sundry improvements commenced. What is now wanted is the co-operation of proprietors in dressing up their lots in a neat and tasteful manner, and we cordially invite and earnestly entreat all owners of lots, either in the new or old grounds, to begin the good work the coming season. We spend large sums in the erection of monuments, testifying of our love for friends departed. Shall we not see the surroundings of these made attractive? We trust that it will soon be considered a moral, if not a religious duty, of every owner of a lot in our cemeteries to root out every brier and bush, as well as everything of an unornamental character, in his grounds. When this is done, and the town has completed the im- provements it has begun, we shall have cemeteries to which it will be pleasant to pay an occasional visit.
And should proprietors of lots take earnest action in this mat- ter, we feel sure the town will not grudge a small, annual expendi- ture for their general improvement.
WM. D. TUTTLE, SAMUEL HOSMER,
Cemetery Committee.
CHARLES HASTINGS,
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR, 1865-6.
CONCORD : PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN. 1866.
,
REPORT.
-
To the Citizens of Acton :
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report.
It is a matter of deep interest to the town of Acton, whether or not the cause of education is well carried on. Other. subjects may seem of more immediate importance, but, so far as its future prosperity or the happiness and use- fulness of the rising race is concerned, there is no greater interest to which it can attend. There is almost as much difference between an intelligent community and an ignorant one as there is between light and darkness. In the former we see thrift and enterprise, and everything to which the hand of industry and ingenuity is applied returning a rich reward, while, in the latter, a description of the customs, character and conditions of the people generations ago will substantially describe them at the present day.
It is an honor to a town to raise up good scholars, and the number of such scholars will depend upon the interest felt by the citizens in the cause of education. It is not to be understood when we are making efforts to educate our youth, that they are the only ones that will be benefited, for not a few of them will settle in other towns and other states, and an intelligent mind will have an influence wherever it goes. If wise legislation is applied to the states recently in rebel- lion, their fine climate, fertile fields and great rivers will, doubtless, attract thither not only great numbers from Europe, but not a few from New England will establish themselves here and there throughout its rich and wide domains ; and it will make a great difference respecting the future condition of the Southern people whether or not these emigrants are intelligent and God-fearing men. The subject
4
of education then is of national importance, and it may well be a source of satisfaction to feel that we are doing some- thing for the welfare of the whole country as well as for ourselves, when we are attending to the educational interests of the town.
We have not yet the number of families in town which makes it imperative upon us to support a High School, yet such a school would be a splendid thing for this town. It is just what our young people need, and some of them very much desire. Your Committee believe such a school would be worth more than it would cost to sustain it, - that, after it became established, it would prove a source of emulation, attraction and wealth. The High School, taught in the centre of the town last fall, was considered by all as a very profitable one. We wish we might have such a school for the year round, until such time as the town shall regard it for its interest to support a similar one.
State of the Schools. We think the prosperity of the schools, the past year, has been such as to afford encourage- ment to the friends of education in the town. Doubtless some of them might have been conducted in a more efficient manner, and many of the scholars might have better appre- ciated and improved their privileges. Although, with but one exception, taught by females, we have usually found a fair degree of discipline, and in most of the schools a com- mendable application to study.
The Local Committee have evinced an increased interest in their respective schools, thus showing that they feel, more than ever, the responsibilities of their office, which is one of . much importance. A great trust is committed to their hands. We think the teachers, without exception, have endeavored to exert a correct influence over the minds of their pupils. They have visited each other's schools to some extent. This is a good practice, for, however well we may think we understand our business, it is wise occasionally to observe how others manage who are engaged in a like occupation. We would call the attention of the town to the
5
fact that the smaller districts have the advantage over the larger ones with respect to length of schools, but, as they have no money to spare, we would recommend a small additional appropriation for the village districts.
We have occasion of gratitude to God for the general health the children of our schools have enjoyed the past year.
Care of School Houses. The additional schools, put in operation in the South and West Districts, have proved
highly satisfactory. It was somewhat expensive starting them, but it was money well expended. Nothing would induce the people of those districts to return to the old arrangement. These schools being established, it has been thought best to let the subject of new school houses rest a year or two. We would therefore recommend to the Local Committees, while the old school houses continue to be occu- pied, to keep them in comfortable repair. Let the doors and windows and all parts of the house be kept tight, with the exception of being well ventilated, so that the health of our children need not be jeopardized by sitting in a current of air. If the stove or chimney is out of order, let them be put in good condition if they can be ; if not, they should be removed and new ones put in their places. The grounds around the school houses should be kept looking respectable, and the teacher should be expected to see that the inside is as attractive as circumstances will admit. The young ladies should volunteer their services to assist in keeping the school room well swept. It is very unpleasant for the Committee, when they visit a school, to find the room covered with dirt. Many of our school rooms, however, are kept remarkably neat.
Reading. A good deal of attention should be given to this subject. Probably time enough is bestowed upon it, but we believe better instruction in many cases might be given. A scholar who understands well what he reads can get along better with any other branch to which he may attend. Children ought to be faithfully instructed in this branch while quite young. We have sometimes known
6
mothers to do a good deal towards making their children good readers, by reading to them, in a lively and interesting manner, such pleasant stories and dialogues as they can com- prehend, at the same time instructing them to read in a similar manner.
We have, also, often observed that the children of those parents who have a good understanding of their mother tongue, and using it correctly in conversation, have, as a general rule, a much better command of language, and appear better in society than other children. We see then that the teachers in our primary schools should understand well the art of teaching children to read. But a knowledge of this department is not to be learned from imitations merely ; the sense must be comprehended. They should there- fore strive to interest their pupils in the subject of the lessons, asking questions upon it, and frequently giving examples of the manner in which a sentence should be read; and when the scholar comes across a word with which he is not familiar, he should be required to spell it out, pronouncing one syllable after another, giving a good pronunciation of the whole word at the end. Poor readers, as far as practi- cable, should be kept in classes corresponding to their requirements, and no class should hurry from one lesson or text book to another until it is qualified to do so ..
Committing short pieces to memory, is a good exercise for young children in this department. The spelling book and dictionary should be freely used in connection with this branch of education.
Classification. There should be as few classes in school as possible, consistent with the attainments of the pupils. The less the number of classes, the more opportunity for instruction the pupils will enjoy. It is usually very difficult keeping a school classified according to our liking, as some of the scholars are, more or less, absent, and a portion of them attend school only a part of the year, while others attend constantly. There is also a great difference both in the capacity and inclination of children to acquire knowl-
7
edge. Some learn easy and others hard. Some love to study, while others have little taste for it. Some have a great partiality for a particular branch, while others care about the same for one study as another. These differences in the attendance and characteristics of children make it necessary, in our upper departments, to have a good many classes. Still we should bring as large a number as practi- cable together at a recitation. A large class can see and hear as well as a small one.
In giving out a lesson, the most forward scholar should not be made a criterion, nor the most backward one, but the average abilities of the class should be considered. It is quite desirable to hear a recitation in each branch every day, but when they are so numerous that justice cannot, in good measure, be done them, it is better to hear them less frequently ; but regularity should be observed at any rate. We think if better scholarship was required before pupils were admitted to the upper departments, it might help this matter of classi- fication to some extent. Such an arrangement might also produce more of a spirit of emulation among the scholars.
Teachers. No matter how good school houses we may build or how much money appropriate, unless we obtain good teachers, the cause of education will not flourish. It is right that we should expect a good deal of our teachers. The position they occupy should not be sought by those who are not willing to labor. To give out lessons and see that they are recited precisely according to the book, does not constitute even a decent teacher. She may be remarkable for her power to communicate and explain definitely the sub- juct of the lesson, and still not do the whole work. She must get the scholars' attention, put a good many questions, and ascertain whether the scholar understands or cares to understand the subject. Because a scholar can repeat a rule in Arithmetic, or a demonstration in Geometry, does not make that he understands it. Not only his memory but his reason- ing powers must be brought into exercise, and principles established in the mind. A free use of the blackboard is indispensable in giving instruction in the Mathematics.
8
There are many questions in Geography to which the scholars' attention should be called. Beginners in Grammar need to be attracted to that study by something more than the text book furnishes, else they may pursue it for several terms without much profit. Writing Compositions is a good exercise for older scholars in this department. A scholar may go through Philosophy, reciting so well from memory as apparently to have a perfect lesson every day, and yet, if he is not questioned upon the principles of that science, and an interest in it awakened in his mind, the time he has bestowed upon it is nearly lost. Memory may make super- ficial scholars, but it takes knowledge to make practical ones.
What we should endeavor to secure, then, is laborious teachers, and those who are qualified to set before their pupils incentives to industry.
CENTRE DISTRICT. - UPPER DEPARTMENT.
MISS EMMA L. STEVENS,
" EMELINE JEWELL,
" ANGIE WHEELER, Mr. JAMES FLETCHER,
Teachers.
Miss Stevens taught the summer term. She was of pleasant manners, conscientious in her endeavors, and tried hard to keep a good school.
The ensuing term was commenced by Miss Jewell, a teacher of experience, and well qualified in all respects for her position. But, after teaching three weeks, it became necessary for her to relinquish her charge on account of sickness of friends. Her place was at once occupied by Miss Wheeler, whose good scholarship, fidelity to her work and love for her occupation, render her well qualified for the office of teacher. She carried the school through successfully. Good scholars made rapid progress, and dull ones improved under her instructions.
Mr. Fletcher taught the winter term. The school was fortunate in having so able and industrious a teacher. It was admirably conducted. At its examination the first class
9
in Mental Arithmetic, the class in Algebra, and several classes in Geography, attracted our attention.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
MISS ANNA F. BLANCHARD, S. ELDORA ESTERBROOK,
Teachers.
This school has had inexperienced teachers the past year. It is pleasant to give some of our more advanced scholars, who desire to teach and appear to have the requisite qualifi- cations, an opportunity to try their hand at it. By doing so we shall be likely to find some, at least, who will become an honor to the office.
Miss Blanchard taught the summer and fall terms. She was quite dignified among her pupils, - maintained a reason- able degree of order, kept her school room looking neatly, and, we believe, gave fair satisfaction to the district.
Miss Esterbrook took charge of the winter school. She manifested much interest in her business, and displayed a good degree of activity. At her examination several of the classes recited very well, especially a class of beginners in Grammar. The recitations were well chosen and attractive.
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