USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 23
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Paid John Fletcher, Jr., and W. D. Tuttle,
for East Cemetery,
$69 10
Isaiah Reed, for West Cemetery,
39 62
laying wall, 354 50
$463 22
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Paid James Tuttle, South District, $1,344 53
Geo. C. Wright, West
942 94
F. Rouillard, North
2,995 61
Daniel Fletcher, South East District,
1,282 45
Luther Conant, Centre
156 85
James E. Billings, East 66
50 78
$6,773 16
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid Joseph Noyes, services as Selectman for the year 1872, $45 00
F. P. Wood, superintending schools,
90 00
W. D. Tuttle, for taking inventory,
making and copying taxes, writing bond and warrant, and making return to State, 36 00
C. A. Harrington, taking inventory and making taxes, 30 00
transcript of records, 14 40
horse hire, 4 00
Simon Tuttle, taking inventory and making taxes, 24 75
William D. Tuttle, services as Town Clerk one year,
25 00
J. E. Cutter, collecting taxes, 1872, 66 notifying Town Officers to
25 00
take oath of office, 1872 and 1873, 5 76
James E. Billings, services as Selectman, 57 00 Hiram J. Hapgood, services as Selectman, 46 00 Simon Tuttle, services as Selectman, 42 00
$444 91
7
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid S. M. Osgood, rent of school room, $50 00
O. E. Preston, damage by defect in road, 14 00
C. M. Lawrence, “ " 66 30 00
T. G. F. Jones, sealing weights and measures, 37 00
F. P. Wood, journey to Lowell, in refer- ence to printing, 1 50
N. E. Cutler, damage to settees used in West School, 10 00
J. B. Porter, for gravel, 6 00
Road scraper and repairs, 56 74
Selling South school house, 2 50
W. Littlefield, varnishing hearse, 15 00
W. D. Tuttle; recording deeds, 1 30
Do., copying records on school house case, 3 00
Do., express and postage, 2 55
W. D. Tuttle, journey to Sudbury to
make out certificate of election,
$2 50
Do., recording 18 marriages, 2 70
24 deaths, 4 65
66 33 births,
16 30
James D. Wright, guide post,
13 52
F. Dwight, attending funerals for 28 persons,
84 00
Making return of 23 deaths,
5 75
Geo. W. Sawyer, taking care of town clock, 10 00
23 gallons oil,
7 38
Washing floor,
5 00
13 chimneys,
1 63
3} feet wood,
1 50
Opening hall,
34 00
Repairing furnace,
4 40
Painting Town Hall,
4 50
pump, .
50
Tolling bell for 15 deaths,
3 00
Shingling Almshouse and barn,
68 67
J. E. Cutter, for coal and wood, Town Hall, 29 70
Express,
90
Expenses in Aaron Wood's case,
3 50
Military May Parade,
51 50
Discount on Taxes, 1873,
684 15
Express, postage and stationery,
6 24
$1,275 58
8
RECEIPTS FROM FEB. 26, 1873, TO FEB. 26, 1874.
Unexpended balance as per report of Feb. 26, 1873, Appropriations and receipts,
$5,104 16
27,403 . 41
$32,507 57
EXPENDITURES.
Support of schools,
$2,791 32
Repairs on highways and bridges,
2,088 27
Breaking roads,
657 50
Support of the poor,
939 21
Town debt,
5,105 34
Interest on town debt,
1,914 00
Printing,
126 25
State aid,
264 00
Cemetery expenses,
463 22
School houses,
6,773 16
Town officers,
444 91
Miscellaneous,
1,275 58
State tax,
1,777 50
County tax,
1,012 64
$25,632 90
Balance in treasury Feb. 26th, 1874,
$6,874 67
TOWN DEBT.
F. Rouillard,
$2,622 50
J. E. Billings,
214 00
Luther Conant,
1,052 11
J. W. Livermore,
630 60
Charles Morris,
367 15
Patrick Farrell,
416 17
Phineas Puffer,
2,626 87
Isaac Reed,
1,254 80
Ebenezer Conant,
2,067 66
Joel Hanscom,
703 80
J. E. Billings,
2,138 07
David M. Handley,
3,054 25
I. T. Flagg,
106 38
Calvin Harris,
203 03
Oliver Whitcomb,
507 58
J. K. Putney,
693 60
James A. Billings,
217 00
John Goldsmith,
2,642 18
Amount carried forward,
$21,517 75
9
Amount brought forward,
$21,517 75
Joseph Barker,
1,025 46
D. J. Wetherbee,
1,241 00
H. J. Hapgood, Lewis Rouillard,
205 63
Joseph Noyes,
206 02
J. A. Piper,
616 05
Luther Billings,
217 34
Simon Tuttle,
610 50
Josiah Dow,
606 53
Patrick Farrell,
1,158 05
John Grimes,
303 50
Geo. Reed,
457 87
Geo. H. Harris,
200 70
John Wilson,
500 00
Geo. W. Gates,
212 75
Daniel Harris,
822 40
Sarah C. Noyes,
800 00
Thomas F. Noyes,
400 00
Mrs. M. P. Hosmer,
1,200 00
Mrs. P. V. Hapgood,
424 74
$33,137 25
Amount due from State aid,
300 00
Estimated value of old school houses,
700 00
From State, care of State paupers,
158 00
Due from Town Treasurer,
6,874 67
8,032 67
Balance against the town,
$25,104 58
JAMES E. BILLINGS,
Selectmen of
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, SIMON TUTTLE, Acton.
ACTON, Feb. 26, 1874.
410 96
10
REPORT OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES AT THE ALMSHOUSE IN ACTON, For the year ending April 1st, 1874.
ARTICLES ON HAND, APRIL 1ST, 1874.
1 horse,
$200 00
9 cows,
477 00
4₺ tons of hay,
99 00
41 hens,
30 75
4 turkeys,
6 00
2 shotes,
32 00
Lard,
1 50
Pickles,
2 00
125 lbs. salt pork,
12 50
150 lbs. ham,
19 50
78 bush. potatoes,
48 36
Soap,
3 75
6 bush. oats,
4 20
6 bbls., .
1 32
$937 88
RECEIPTS.
Milk,
$484 34
Apples,
433 07
Berries,
24 10
Poultry,
81 76
Calves,
72 45
Eggs,
36 26
Potatoes,
108 56
Squash,
1 91
4 cows,
179 50
Pickles,
83
Tomatoes,
49
1 shote,
8 80
Straw,
4 26
Peas,
80 50
Hay,
1 60
Grapes,
8 25
Wood,
2 80
Oats,
-
-- $1,534 13
3 60
Ashes and grease,
1 05
11
EXPENDITURES.
Corn and meal,
$225 05
Plaster of Paris,
1 92
Labor,
92 08
Horse collar,
5 50
Bug poison,
1 95
4 cows,
211 00
Feed for cows,
16 00
Expenses laying out Mr. Thorp and Mr. Lumb,
3 00
Putty,
10
Rope,
50
Oil,
2 27
Scraps,
3 00
Crockery,
3 40
Nails,
3 45
Matches,
65
Lime,
50
Barrels,
4 36
Pails,
60
Soda,
42
Tobacco,
4 69
Yeast,
08
Vinegar,
3 81
Saleratus,
75
Spices,
6 01
Raisins,
2 48
Bread,
3 90
Rye meal
3 84
Onions,
1 88
Beef,
90 99
Grass seed,
11 28
Newspaper,
2 50
Wicking,
08
Tea,
6 40
Candles,
3 41
Blueing,
10
Cream Tartar,
1 37
Fish,
4 93
Starch,
66
Saltpetre,
15
Rice,
88
Coffee,
5 19
Cheese,
22 49
Flour,
75 50
Beans,
6 51
Amount carried forward,
$835 63
12
Amount brought over,
$835 63
Salt,
5 21
Cloth and Clothing,
34 16
Books,
08
Tools,
4 78
Soap,
11 31
Sugar,
36 83
Butter,
45 77
Molasses,
15 33
Calves,
12 50
Sawing lumber,
75
Use of bull,
3 00
Repairing shoes,
1 78
harness,
37
Butchering,
2 25
Brooms,
1 06
Snuff,
22
Expenses marketing,
17 50
Blacking,
12
Stove,
3 00
Cider,
50
Poultry,
5 50
Oats,
5 60
Blacksmith's bill,
8 69
Filing saws,
80
Repairing pump,
2 50
Dr. Harris Cowdry's bill,
12 50
James E. Billings, services as Overseer of the Poor,
16 00
Hiram J. Hapgood, יי
12 00
Simon Tuttle
66
12 00
Services of Charles Morris,
350 00
$1,457 74
Total amount of receipts,
$1,534 13
Tatal amount of expenditures,
1,457 74
Due the treasury from town farm,
$76 39
Interest on the farm,
$239 40
Due the treasury from town farm,
76 39
Cost of supporting poor on farm,
$163 01
,
13
Victualling 351 travellers, Deduct support of poor on farm,
$175 50 163 01
$12 49
Whole number of persons, exclusive of travellers, supported in the Almshouse, eight; average number, four ; present number, four.
Had it not been for victualling travellers on said farm, for the past year, the farm would have paid a net profit of $12.49, in- cluding interest on said farm.
JAMES E. BILLINGS, HIRAM J. HAPGOOD, SIMON TUTTLE, of Poor.
Overseers
Acton, April 1, 1874.
14
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK FOR 1873.
BIRTHS IN ACTON IN 1873.
No. Date of Birth. Name of Child. Names of Parents.
>1. Jan 5, Arthur L. Reed, son of Isaac G. and J. Maria Reed.
2. " 8, Grace Norton Houghton, daughter of Warren and Lydia A. Houghton.
3. " 19, Mildred Estelle Handley, daughter of William S. and S. Lizzie Handley,
4. Feb. 2, Grace Annie Richardson, daughter of James E. and "Sara R. Richardson.
5. " 3, Eva Bassett, daughter of Joseph R. and Clara W. Bas- sett.
6. 6 17, Robert S. Wilson, son of Robert and Mary Ann Wilson.
7. “ 18, Charles Thomas Calder, son of Thomas and Maria Calder.
8. 66 22, John Ryan, son of John and Catherine Ryan.
9. 27, Frank Clement Soper, son of Joseph and Lucy J. Soper.
10. March 25, Jonathan S. McCarthy, son of Daniel and Mary McCarthy.
11. April 15, Sarah Annie Edwards, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Edwards.
12. " 25, Herbert Ervin Temple, son of John and Lottie A. Temple.
13. " 28, John Wm. Davis, son of John and Elizabeth Davis.
14. May 3d, Gertrude May Guilford, daughter of Samuel A. and Nellie M. Guilford.
15. " 21, Joanna Raddin, daughter of Patrick and Hannah Raddin.
16. " 28, Mabel Elmira Tyler, daughter of Fred and Mary Tyler.
15
17. June 1, Emery Stanley Preston, son of Herbert E. and Emma Sophia Preston.
18. " 2, Thomas Daily, son of Michael and Ann Daily.
19. July 10, Benjamin Rice Caunter, son of John W. and Eliza- beth J. Caunter.
20. Aug. 14, Eliza Ann Yapp, daughter of George and Sarah Yapp.
21. « 25, John Henry Manion, son of John and Julia Manion. 22. Sept. 11, Clara B. Robbins, daughter of Simon and Nancy D. Robbins.
23. « 21, Maud Sawyer, daughter of Thomas J. and Kate W. Sawyer.
24. « 26, Catherine Daily, daughter of John and Ellen Daily. 25. Oct. 3, Louis Guy Mead, son of Oliver W. and Lucy M. Mead.
26. . 13, Hattie Mabel Decoster, daughter of George H. and Lucy A. Decoster.
27. Nov. 2, Clara Louisa Hammond, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary A. Hammond.
28. Dec. 13, Varnum Pray Tuttle, son of Varnum and Mary M. Tuttle.
29. « 14, Raymond Otis Littlefield, son of Hanson A. and Florence M. Littlefield.
30. 16, Bernice Carrie Whitcomb, daughter of Elwyn H. and May F. Whitcomb.
31. 26, Ethel mine a daughter to David C. and Estella A. Cutler.
32. 31, Edward F. Brown, son of Charles and Elizabeth Brown.
Males, 16 ; females, 16 ; total, 32.
OMITTED LAST YEAR.
1. Nov. 20, 1872, Lilla Jane Hurd, daughter of Joseph and Ellen Hurd.
16
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN ACTON IN 1873.
No. Date of Marriage.
Names of the Parties.
1. Jan. 1, Mr. Calvin N. Holbrook and Miss Ellen A. Blanchard, both of Acton.
2. Jan. 17, Mr. George A. Handley, of Acton, and Miss Faustina H. Wright, of Chelmsford.
3. Feb. 27, Mr. F. Herbert Warren, of Stow, and Miss S. Jennie Wheeler, of Acton.
4. March 1, Mr. Henry A. Jenkins and Mrs. Sarah A. Lewis, both of Acton.
5. 15, Mr. William Morehouse and Mrs. Sarah L. Atwood, both of Acton.
6. April 16, Mr. German S. Lyon, of Acton, and Miss Sarah Lu- cinda Russell, of Westford.
7. May 6, Mr. Gilman F. Pickens, and Miss Almeda A. Litchfield, both of Acton.
8. " 20, Mr. Jonathan W. Loker and Miss Almira H. Burnham, both of Acton.
9. June 4, Mr. H. Waldo Tuttle and Miss Lizzie S. Piper, both of Acton.
10. July 24, Mr. Quincy A. Fletcher and Miss Augusta M. Wheeler, both of Acton.
11. August 3, Mr. George F. Burnham and Miss Agnes F. Brooks, both of Acton.
12. Sept. 21, Mr. John S. Potter, and Miss Susan R. Harris, both of Acton.
13. Oct. 11, Mr. Ebenezer Davis and Miss Mattie Snow, both of Acton.
14. Nov. 12, Mr. Granville Miles, of Concord, and Mrs. Lucretia E. Miles, of Marlborough.
15. Dec 7, Mr. Abraham Tuttle and Miss Martha A. Putnam, both of Acton.
16. " 7, Mr. Lorenzo E. Reed, of Boxborough, and Miss M. Ella Harris, of Acton.
17. Dec. 24, Mr. Joseph E. Dole and Miss Ida I. Chase, both of Acton.
18. “ 24, Mr. Henry W. Richardson and Miss Mary H. Wood- ward, both of Acton.
19, " 25, Mr. Edwin Tarbell and Miss Amelia D. Comstock, both of Acton.
17
DEATHS IN ACTON IN 1873.
No. Date of Deaths.
Name and age.
1. Jan. 20, Mr. James Harris, aged 68 years, 3 mos.
2. Feb. 1, Mrs. Sarah B. Tuttle, aged 75 years.
3. " 28, Mrs. Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Hapgood, aged 89 yrs. 9 mos.
4. March 15, William H. Hoffses, aged 14 yrs. 8 mos.
5. April 26, Mrs. Mary, wife of Simon Hapgood, aged 82 yrs. 3 mos. 1 day.
6. May 5th, Mr. Abel Farrar, aged 76 yrs. 26 days.
7. June 28, Miss Maria P. Hastings, aged 21 yrs. 10 mos.
8. July 2, Morris A. Lane, aged 3 yrs. 3 mos.
9. " 3, Mr. Jacob Houghton, aged 87 yrs.
10. 5, Mr. Elnathan Jones, aged 78 years.
11. Aug. 15, Mr. Michael Phelan, aged 51 yrs. 7 mos. 22 days.
12. « 17, Mr. William Reed, aged 69 years.
13. 23, Herbert E, son of John and Lottie A. Temple, aged 3 mos. 29 days.
14. 26, Mrs. Emeline, wife of Guilford D. Fletcher, aged 36 yrs. 9 mos. 21 days.
15. Sept. 24, Mr. George Tufts, aged 72 yrs. 10 mos. 6 days.
16. Sept. 27, Miss Hattie F. Gibbs, aged 23 yrs. 4 mos. 4 days.
17. Oct. 19, Mrs. Louisa O., wife of T. G. F. Jones, aged 46 years.
18. Nov. 9, Mr. Lyman H. Stevens, aged 24 years 10 mos. 15 dys .
19. 12, Mr. William Lamb, aged 52 yrs.
20. 16, Mr. Oliver Emerson Thorp, aged 76 years.
21. 66 18, Mr. Thomas G. F. Jones, aged 51 years, 10 mos.
22. 66 30, Mrs. Assenath, widow of Nathan Wright, aged 83 yrs. 8 mos. 11 days.
23. Dec. 9, Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and Mary A. Hannon, aged 3 yrs. 11 mos. 9 days.
24. « 9, Mary, daughter of Daniel and Ellen Calanan, aged 5 years, 8 mos. 9 days.
18
DOGS LICENSED IN 1873.
Name of Owner.
No.
Name of owner.
No.
Francis Hosmer,
1.
C. W. Fletcher,
1.
Henry Brooks,
1.
W. E. Faulkner,
1.
Silas Conant, Jr ..
1.
Edwin Tarbell, 1.
Daniel Tuttle,
1.
S. Taylor Fletcher, 1.
Tuttle, Jones & Wetherbee, 1.
A. Jones Fletcher,
1.
Elnathan Jones, Jr.,
1.
John C. Keyes,
1.
Varnum Tuttle,
1.
Theodore F. Karcher,
1.
T. J. Sawyer,
1.
John Fletcher & Sons,
1.
G. H. S. Houghton,
1.
Henry C. Wheeler,
1.
Levi Houghton,
1.
John Conant,
1.
A. & O. W. Mead,
1.
Aaron C. Handley,
1.
Daniel Harris,
1.
E. J. Robbins,
1.
B. R. Joyce, 1.
James W. Wheeler,
1.
Horace Tuttle, 2d,
1.
Lewis Beck,
1.
John W. Randall,
1.
Augustus Fletcher,
1.
Freeman Randall,
1.
Henry Haynes,
1.
Emery D. Lothrop,
1.
Abel Farrar,
1.
Daniel Wetherbee,
1.
Francis Robbins,
1.
Daniel J. Wetherbee,
1.
Joel B. Baker,
1.
Geo. C. Conant,
1.
Horace Tuttle,
1.
Solon A. Robbins,
1.
Henry M. Smith,
1.
Geo. V. Mead,
1.
Robert Fiske,
1.
Emerson F. Fuller,
1.
J. R. Houghton,
1.
Daniel H. Farrar,
1.
L. W. Piper,
1.
W. Wallace Wooster,
1.
Josiah Piper,
1.
Jos. R. Bassett,
2.
Jona. A. Piper,
1.
A. S. Fletcher,
1.
Samuel K. Williams,
2.
Henry Shapley,
1.
Moses Taylor,
1.
Chas. A. Harrington,
1.
Geo. C. Wright,
1.
Elwyn H. Whitcomb,
1.
Chas. Wheeler,
1.
S. M. Osgood & Co.,
1.
Males 61, at $2 each,
$122 00
Females 2, at $5 each,
10 00
$132 00
WM. D. TUTTLE, Town Clerk.
Acton, March 26, 1874.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1873-74.
BOSTON : TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, NO. 221 WASHINGTON STREET. 1874.
.
REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF ACTON :
We, the undersigned, as School Committee, would submit the following report :
In making this report it is very gratifying to us to be able to say that during the past year, although we have been obliged to introduce new teachers, and encounter the usual difficulties in making our schools completely successful, there has not been, throughout the year, what can be called a fail- ure, a thing which it is doubtless impossible to say at the close of very many school years. Though during the year we have lost from our board of instruction two of our most suc- cessful and experienced teachers, we have secured others in the different schools who have made our corps of teachers, taken as a whole, very efficient. We think that one reason why our schools have been so successful during the past year is owing to the fact that we have not only had good teachers, as a rule, but the same teachers have, in several instances, taught at least two consecutive terms, which is quite desira- ble. There seems to be springing up in town a sentiment in favor of retaining a teacher, if she has had a fair degree of success, at least two terms, which promises well for the future prosperity of the schools. We have been very much pleased with the forbearance, in the matter of crit- icism, which has characterized the people of the several parts of the town during the past year. It is sometimes the case that what would have been otherwise a successful school is utterly ruined by injudicious and unjust criticism. In one or two cases we think it probable that the success of schools has been imperilled and impaired by such criticism during the past year, but, on the whole, the conduct of the people in this regard has been commendable and a matter for congrat-
4
ulation on the part of all interested in the welfare of the schools. As we took occasion to say in our last report, we would say now, that, if any one sees defects in a school and thinks that in certain respects it might be improved, he would render the cause of education a great service by communi- cating the matter to those who have charge of the schools, instead of canvassing the matter in public, before scholars and others whose confidence in the school will be impaired thereby. The School Committee desire information respect- ing the state of the schools from those who may be able to inform them, viewing the schools from a different stand- point, and they invite criticism respecting any method in the management of the schools, which may have been adopted, but think it for the best interest, and essential to the success of the schools, that the matter shall be brought before them with as little publicity as possible.
We have been much gratified during the past year by the interest manifested in the schools by a full attendance upon the examinations, which were held at the end of the fall and winter terms. Moreover, we find from an examination of the different reports, that a large number have visited the schools during the term. Such visits on the part of parents and others are very stimulating to both teachers and scholars. We wish that others might aid in promoting the efficiency of our schools in this way. We have noticed that the most in- telligent and judicious criticism of the schools always comes from those who are most in the habit of visiting them. We think that the new school-houses in town have not only in- creased the teachers' and scholars' interest in the schools, but that they have also had a good effect in promoting a gen- eral interest in the matter of education, as shown by the vis- its.
NEW SCHOOL-HOUSES .- During the past year it has been our privilege to see the North and South-East Schools estab- lished in pleasant school-rooms, so that it is possible to
5
say now that every school in town is amply provided with school accommodations. There are probably few towns, if any, in the Commonwealth, having the limited population and valuation of Acton, which have more beautiful or expensive school-buildings, and, though the accomplishment of this fact may necessitate self-sacrifice on the part of some to pay the consequent taxes, it is something that we justly may be proud of, and which will, in more ways than one, promote the best interests of the town.
DIFFICULTIES IN SECURING PERFECT SCHOOLS. - But while the review of the past year affords us so many reasons for gratulation, we would not imply that we think the schools have been perfect during the year, or that the methods pur- sued have been faultless. This is not to be expected imme- diately. Though the committee may have very well-defined ideas of the qualities of a model school, and the qualifications of a model teacher, they may find the scholars so constituted as not to be easily moulded into such a school, and not be able to secure teachers whose methods are in every respect according to their ideas, or who can change their methods so as to conform to their ideas, without greatly impairing their usefulness. For example, in the matter of recitation, we think it very important, on the one hand, that scholars should acquire habits of accuracy, and, on the other hand, that they should acquire the ideas and principles of the subject rather than the words of the book. But the natural ten- dency is to an inaccurate and superficial committal of the recitations, or to a slavish adherence to the words of the text-books. Of the two evils just mentioned, of course the latter is to be preferred, as such a habit trains the memory and develops a habit of patient application, but we wish it to be understood by the teachers as well as the people, that this method is not according to our ideal of the perfect re- citation, and, should we continue in charge of the schools, we hope as soon as possible, to reach the happy mean between
6
the two extremes above referred to. However, there has come to be in our schools, with scarcely an exception, a thoroughness and accuracy, in the committal of recitations, which is most commendable, and which, if properly guarded, will secure to us an eminent degree of success in the future.
VARIETY OF STUDIES .- Some may think that we have too great a variety of studies in our schools, but it is our im- pression that it is necessary to the interest of the schools that there should be something of a variety. Scholars become tired of pursuing simply the common branches of knowledge which they have dwelt upon ever since they began to attend school, and to take up some new branch,- of natural science, e. g., secures to them a new interest in their other studies ; so that many claim a scholar will learn more in the fundamen- tal branches by pursuing some study that is usually consid- ered a little above the common range of studies.
NATURAL SCIENCE.
We would here take the opportunity to remark that it would afford us satisfaction to see more attention devoted to the study of Natural Science, in our schools. There is noth- ing more useful or practical than the principles of these studies ; and as we believe they will not detract from, but add to the interest in the other studies, we hope that if scholars are inclined to pursue them at any time parents will encour- age them in it. Several text-books, well adapted to the use of common schools, have been published of late. For ex- ample, we have been much pleased with a book upon Natural Science, entitled Hooker's Child's Book of Nature. We think that it would be well for some of our younger scholars to pursue such a study as this instead of beginning to study Grammar so early as to acquire a dislike for it.
It is said that, if it is desired to develop in a child a taste for reading, the best way to begin is by presenting something easily understood, and interesting on account of its subject
7
matter, and then to rise gradually to the more instructive reading matter. So it seems to us, if we would inspire our scholars with a taste for study (our schools can not attain to any great success unless the scholars have such a taste), we must proceed in a similar way. We hope that some im- provement may be made in our method of instruction in this direction during the year to come.
CHANGE OF TEXT-BOOKS.
During the past year, we have made no formal change of text-books, though we have prepared the way for a change of geographies by introducing a new series (Miss Hall's Our World), into the larger schools, as new books were wanted. The smaller book thus tried, is an assured success, and we think there can be no doubt but what the larger one will be equally successful. The larger one cannot be thoroughly tested until scholars pass into it from the smaller book, as the smaller is intended as a preparation for the larger. We are pleased with this book, not simply because we consider it an excellent treatise upon geography, but because it in- cludes so much, not usually included in geographies, which is of great interest to scholars. It is a compendium of his- tory as well as a geography. No doubt our scholars find it somewhat difficult at first, but as they become familiar with its method, it will be more easily committed and will secure, if thoroughly mastered, a collection of information which will be invaluable. We are happy to say that the change has been effected thus far, not only without any extra expense, but at an actual saving to those who have had books to buy, as it has been introduced into new classes only. We would recommend that the introduction of these books be continued until they completely replace those which have been used in our schools heretofore. Besides the change in geographies, a change in reading books seems imperative ; 1st, from the fact that these in use at the present time have been used so long that the pieces have become perfectly
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familiar to the scholars from hearing others read them ; and, 2d, from the fact that reading books of so much higher char- acter have been published that, in justice to those who have to purchase new books, a change seems to be required. Two new series of readers have just been published. One by the author of the book now in use, the other by Monroe, the eminent elocutionist. Each has points of superiority over the other, but in the selection of either, we cannot fail to secure a high order of books. It may be well to introduce the readers in the gradual way which has been pursued in the introduction of the geographies, so that the change will be hardly noticeable at first and will be brought about without extra expense ; though we think there should be no great delay in securing such a marked improvement in books.
MAP DRAWING.
In our last report we recommended that the people of the several districts should make an effort to secure some maps and charts for the use of the several schools. In the south- east district, largely through the exertions of Lester Fletcher, one of the scholars, a very pretty collection of maps has been secured by private subscription. But the want of maps in several of the schools has been supplied by maps drawn upon the black-boards, by the scholars. We consider this an excellent practice, and hope that it may be pursued in all our schools to as large an extent as possible.
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