USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 43
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At present the only exception to this rule is the
THOMAS BOYS' SECONDARY. The favorable effects of the small-school system is certainly here exhibited, though the · merits of the result are probably to be divided between the system and the teacher. This is certainly, in most respects, a model school. Miss Walker has had charge of it for several years, and under her direction everything moves on, from day to day, with quiet regularity and admirable order.
THOMAS GIRLS' SECONDARY. This School, though some- what larger, deserves scarcely less commendation. Under the kind and efficient direction of Mrs. Coe and Miss Moore, the pupils appear orderly, industrious and happy.
PLEASANT ST. SECONDARY. The history of this School, during the year, has been very encouraging. A year ago
97
there was great and just complaint, among parents and Committee, of disorder, irregular attendance, and indiffer- ence to study. Miss Mary J. Turner, was appointed prin- cipal, with Miss C. Crane and Miss M. A. Smith as her assistants. The energetic labors of these teachers have been rewarded by much success; there has been constant improvement during the year ; and the School now presents a very different appearance.
SUMMER ST. SECONDARY. This School, during the first and second terms of the year, was under the care of Miss Jenks, assisted by Miss Whiting and Miss Hewitt. Dur- ing the third term, Miss Norwood has filled the position occupied by Miss Jenks, and Miss Dickinson has taken the place of Miss Whiting. This school has always con- tained an unusual amount of troublesome material. It has also suffered considerably from external annoyances and untoward influences. At the commencement of the year, its condition was very low. During her administra- tion, Miss Jenks labored with great assiduity and perse- verance, and a very considerable improvement was mani- fest. The favorable change has continued under the ear- nest endeavors of Miss Norwood. The year has been marked with a decided progress towards a more healthful condition in the School. The closing examination clearly showed that in a considerable portion of the School, the attainment made was quite respectable. There is still, however, much occasion for wise and patient effort.
ASH ST. SECONDARY. This School remains under the management of Miss Follett, assisted by Misses Rice and Bigelow. No bad cases of insubordination have occurred this year. The principal is one of our most laborious and
4
98
devoted teachers. But she has some peculiar difficulties to surmount, in the character of the population in that region of the city, which is unusually shifting and variable. Nevertheless the order of the School is very creditable. But the highest results of discipline demand, that the hearts as well as heads of the pupils should be reached and controlled by the teacher, and that they should not merely render obedience, but a cordial and affectionate obedience. In this respect, perhaps, this school has something yet to gain. Great allowance is however to be made, for all teachers in Secondary Schools.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
THOMAS SCHOOL. Mr. Metcalf and Miss Baker have still the care of the first or highest department of this im- portant School, while at the same time Mr. Metcalf has a general oversight of the other four Schools in the same building. This supervision, we are happy to say, is exer- cised by him with most judicious care ; and although five or six hundred pupils daily congregate under its roof, wind up its dark stairways, and cross and re-cross in conflicting currents, to find their own place, yet order is brought out of confusion ; and, in spite of architectural blunders, and hourly inconvenience, quiet reigns.
The number of pupils in Mr. Metcalf's room at the be- ginning of the year was 100. The number of permanent seats with desks, is 96. Temporary seats were provided for the remainder. But in the natural course of events, as observed in all our Schools, (except perhaps the Primaries,) the number was diminished in a few weeks to a figure within the limits of our permanent accommodations.
The reasons of this diminution are to be sought for, not in the state of the school, but in the circumstances and ex-
99
igencies of those who send to it. A large number of the pupils never go to any higher school. They graduate from it into business, and here finish (alas !) their education. With the hot haste, so characteristic of our nation, they are pressing into active life, and count the time half lost which they spend upon their books. Every month in the year, transfers some from this school, to the workshops or the counting room. It would be a great thing gained if more of our young people would avail themselves of a thor- ough course, and pursue it to the highest point. The great irregularity now prevalent, has a very depressing in- fluence upon the general standard of scholarship.
With respect to the characteristics of this department of the Thomas Grammar School, we can only repeat the com- mendations bestowed upon both the accomplished teachers, by previous visiting Committees. Instruction is here so successfully systematized, that the whole routine of the school is substantially the same from year to year. Quiet steady working, without bluster or friction, is the law of this room. And the closing examination was highly satis- factory. It was conducted mainly by the Committee, and exhibited very plainly the thoroughness of the instruction and the precision of the drilling to which the school is accustomed.
Average of first class in written examination ;- Spelling, .69; Geography, .58; Arithmetic, .46; Grammar, .55; History, .76. Mean average of first class, .61. Mean av- erage of all classes examined, .61. There were three perfect papers with all the ten questions answered correctly. All these were in Grammar.
In the second room of this school, Miss Stone has re- signed the place which she has so long creditably held, and Miss Parkinson has been appointed in her place, with Miss
100
Williams as assistant. The school is in good hands, and promises well in every respect.
In the third room, Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Gird have carried on their department very successfully. Especial progress has been made during the year in the important art of Reading. The closing examination was highly cred- itable, especially in the branches of Arithmetic and Geog- raphy.
WALNUT ST. GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This school has been large during the year, and in most respects highly satisfac- tory. Miss Perry has had to contend with great obstacles, in the crowded state of her inconvenient room and in the need of an assistant. Both these are now remedied, and to the manifest advantage of the pupils. At the close of the fall term, the school was removed to the lower room of the High School building, and at the same time, Miss Car- oline C. Andrews entered upon her duties as assistant. Much progress has been visible in this school during the year, especially in the thoroughness of application, and systematic labor, which are its most important desiderata.
Tested by the same written examination with the Thomas School, this institution acquitted itself very creditably. The examinations were not however so arranged as to af- ford ground for any accurate comparison. Average of first class in Spelling, .60 ; in Geography, .82; in Arithmetic, .61; in Grammar, .84 ; in History, .72. Mean average of first class, .72. Mean average of all classes examined, .67. There was but one perfect paper ;- in Geography.
It is understood that this school is to be removed, in September next, to the new school house on Sycamore St. where it will, doubtless, enter on a new career of use- fulness.
101
HIGH SCHOOL.
At the commencement of the year, the teachers in this School were as follows: George Capron, Principal ; Wil- liam E. Starr, James M. Whiton, Jr., Louise C. Harwood, Assistants.
Miss Harwood resigned at the close of the first term, and Mr. Whiton at the close of the second. The place of the former was filled in August last, by the election of Miss Maria S. Grant, who entered upon her duties in Sep- tember. At the last meeting of the Board, Mr. Capron declined being a candidate for re-election, and Mr. Metcalf was chosen in his place, but ultimately declined the ap- pointment. Owing to the diminution in the number of scholars, it was thought advisable to dispense with the ser- vices of the second Assistant, and that situation remains vacant. During the last term of the year, both depart- ments of the school have occupied the upper room of the Walnut St. School House. This change was made with- out any inconvenience, one room being ample for the num- ber of scholars, and allowed the use of the lower room to the Front St. Grammar School, which had become crowded in its former location ; and it is understood that this school will probably be accommodated in this way, until the com- pletion of the new school house at the south part of the city.
The average attendance of scholars in the school during the year, was as follows; Ist term, 104; 2d term, 64; 3d term, 65.
The usual course of studies has been pursued during the year. There have been no scholars in advance of the class
10
102
which was preparing for college, such as have in former years tended to give a higher character to the school. From the first class in the classical department, six were entered at different colleges, at the commencement of the present academic year. Their examination for admission proved very satisfactory, and several of them are now ex- hibiting very honorable scholarship.
In the English Department, the usual fidelity and accu- racy of instruction has been manifested, and commendable progress has been made. Less has been done than usual, in the French department, owing to the unavoidable inter- ruption of the study of that language during the whole summer term. The present teacher very rapidly acquired the confidence and affection of the school, is exerting a sal- utary general influence, and has given ground for hope of continued success.
The closing examination of the year, with the usual rhe- torical exercises, occupied two entire days. As many classes as possible were subjected to an oral examination, in which members of the Committee almost always took part. In addition to this, nine classes were examined by printed questions, namely, two classes in French, two in Latin, and in Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Natural Philosophy and Physiology, one each. The result of the experiment was, on the whole, such as to authorize a re- commendation of its continuance, as one of the means of testing the attainments of the school. It was not however in all respects decisive. In those studies in which answers could be given from memory, the average number of cor- rect answers was the greatest, as for example in Natural Philosophy and Physiology ; while in those which required some application of principles and the solution of new
103
questions, as in Latin, Algebra and Geometry, the average was much diminished. In some cases, the result for a class was lowered by a portion of backward scholars,-in others, by some unforeseen difficulties in putting the ques- tions. In every case, there were ten questions upon a sheet, and among all the sheets only five were found to be filled out with entire correctness, namely, two in Physio- logy, two in Natural Philosophy and one in French. Sev- eral whole classes gave an average of from 7 to 9.
As this was the first examination in which this meth- od has been used, and as it was not anticipated by the school during the year's study, it will probably be found more entirely successful in future trials. It is the opinion of the Committee, that by combining the results of the oral and written examinations, a more ac- curate estimate may be made, than by either of them separately.
Especial mention should be made of a class in Book Keeping, which appeared very creditably at the oral exam- ination. The female pupils, in this class, showed uncom- mon proficiency ; and in view of the increasing demand for female labor in this department, it seems especially de- sirable that this study should be encouraged among the young ladies of the High School. This same opinion has just been strongly urged by the New York City Superin- tendent of Schools.
Our task draws to an end. We commit the schools of the city to our successors, in the joyful conviction that some real progress has been made, in many respects, within the year, mingled with the sadder consciousness that much yet remains to be done, before the educational system of
104
Worcester can gain that noble position which befits the Heart of the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN G. ADAMS,
THOMAS MAGENNIS,
CALVIN M. BROOKS,
PHILIP L. MOEN,
GEO. BUSHNELL,
JOHN C. NEWTON, .
DANIEL E. CHAPIN,
JOSEPH PRATT,
HENRY CLARKE, A. B. DELAND,
WILLIAM W. RICE,
SAMUEL V. STONE,
GEORGE' A. DRESSER,
SETH SWEETSER,
JAMES E. ESTABROOK,
PUTMAN W. TAFT,
M. B. GREEN,
EPHRAIM D. WETHERBEE,
T. W. HIGGINSON,
JAMES O. WILLIAMS,
HORACE JAMES,
WM. A. WILLIAMS,
WARREN LAZELL, School Committee.
JOHN S. C. KNOWLTON, President.
APPENDIX.
No. of Pupils.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Salaries
Males.
Females
Total.
Average
Attend'ce.
1854.
1853.
High School,
W'm. E. Starr, Maria E. Grant,
$1200 1100 500
61
· 88
139
94
.68
.54
Grammar Schools.
Thomas
Caleb B. Metcalf,
1100
185
186
371
205
.54
.51
Nancy E. Baker,
350
Caroline Parkinson,
350
Avaline Williams,
300
Lois H. Wheeler,
350
Elizabeth L. Gird,
300
Walnut st.
Adeliza Ferry, Caroline C. Andrews,
350
93
93
57
.62
.52
Secondary Schools.
Thomas (Bovs)
Harriet M. Walker,
325
83
127
83 127
88
.61
.60
Sarah Moore,
250
Summer st.
Mary B. Norwood,
350
65
50
115
72
.63
.46
Julia E. Dickinson,
250
Caroline Hewitt,
250
Pleasant st.
Mary S. Turner,
350
90
94
184
101
.55
.50
Catherine Crane,
250
Mary A. Smith,
250
Ash st.,
Charlotte N. Follett,
350
73
74
147
77
.51
.48
Mary E. Rice,
250
Mary N. Bigelow,
250
Primary Schools.
Front st. East
Sarah W. Clement, Mary E. Thayer,
300
80
101
181
95
.52
.55
Front st. West
Caroline E. Clement,
300
9G
93
189
77
.41
.38
Caroline P. Barber,
250
Ash st. East .
.
Eliza A. Pratt,
300
76
80
156
64
.41
.47
Sarah Smith.
250
Ash st. West
.
Kate E. Cross,
300.
90
80
180
71
.40
.41
Lucy H. Mathews,
250
Pleasant st. South .
Lydia Wilmarth, Mary A. Lawrence,
300
75
89
164
85
.50
.69
Pleasant st. North .
.
Emeline M. Lovering, Josephine Shumway,
300
112
70
182
87
.41
.52
Main st,
·
Sophia S. Banister, Susan E. Jencks.
300
68
80
148
92
.63
.53
Summer st. South
Mary A. Slater, Susan Eaton.
300
102
82
184
97
.50
.44
Summer st. North .
Sarah P. Cutter, Esther G. Chenery.
300
106
88
194
94
.48
.49
250
Pine st.
Ella J. Doane.
300
116
116
232
92
.40
.41
250
10*
1
.54
.51
(Girls)
Elizabeth H. Coe,
325
250
250
250
4
250
250
300
43
Ratio of attend'nce.
106
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Males.
Females
Total.
Average.
Ratio of at- tendance.
1854. 11853.
Suburban Schools.
Tatnick,
(Teacher's Salary, $250.) Not permanent.
52
46
98º
65#
.66
.83
Parkhurst, .
Mary Ainsworth.
12
20
32
25
.78
.83
Leesville,
Ruth C. Thompson.
27
27
54
22
.41
.70
New Worcester, .
Martha A. Willard.
46
56
102
46
.45
.66
Hester E. DeLand.
47
60
107
55
.51
.77
South Worcester,
Martha G. Bigelow.
52
42
94
47
.50
.77
Quinsigamond,
Julia M. Perry.
22
38
60
46
.77
.71
Blithewood,
Melinda Andrews.
24
19
43
19
.46
.66
Pond,
Lydia A. Perry.
28
22
50
27
.54
.48
Adams Square,
Almira J. Fuller.
31
20
51
27
.53
.73
Burncoat Plain, .
24
25
49
16
.33
.62
Northville,
Not permanent.
32
36
68
33
.49
.61
Chamberlain,
Mary J. Mack.
12
15
27
14
.52
.72
North Pond,
Not permanent.
21
12
33
20
.62
.90
Providence Street,
Mary H. Williams.
42
46
88
40
.45
.75
Adult Schools.
Young Men's,
Nathaniel Eddy.
70
70
58
.83
.67
Evening,
Nathaniel Eddy. O. P. Gilbert.
900
90
500
.55
800
80
500
.62
2180
2085
4265
2251
.53
.59
Approximate. Register deficient.
(Primary,)
No. of Pupils.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF HOPE CEMETERY.
To the City Council of the City of Worcester :
The Commissioners of Hope Cemetery respectfully sub- mit their first Report, required to be made by them, in the month of January, pursuant to the provisions of the Statute Law of the Commonwealth.
They received their appointment, and the appropriation made by the City government was placed at their disposal, at so late a period in the advance of the season, as neces- sarily to postpone the commencement of the work upon the grounds, beyond what had been anticipated, or would have been desirable. The excessively high rate of wages, and the difficulty of obtaining suitable laborers, at any price, in the face of many pre-existing engagements, in midsummer, seemed, at least, to render it expedient to await the usual more leisure opportunity of the Autumn, for those operations, which were indispensable to the ap- propriate uses of the Cemetery. It was found, upon per- sonal inspection, that the grading which had been under- taken, under a former direction, in behalf of the City, had been inartificially and imperfectly executed ;- that the Avenues and Paths were washed by the rains, and
108
scarcely passable,-and that much of the work which had been attempted, especially near the entrance, and around the Tomb, required to be reconstructed. The passage ways had been greatly too far extended, while several of them were difficult, if not altogether impracticable, and not one of all was in a finished state. The Commissioners, at once, came unanimously to the conclusion, that it would best conduce to the interests of the City, and sub- serve the purposes of the appropriation of these exten- sive grounds, to designate a small portion for immediate improvements, and to cause whatever was undertaken to be tastefully and thoroughly accomplished. Accordingly, as soon as they were able to command the necessary labor, they selected an area embracing several acres nearest the entrance to the lot from the highway, including the mound about the Tomb, and levelled and graded the same, re- moving the surplus trees, stumps, and rubbish, and replac- ing and covering the surface sand and gravel with soil and compost capable of producing and sustaining vegeta- tion. In this manner, they have prepared a considerable space for the selection of eligible lots, by purchasers, and commenced a systematic plan of improvement, which con- tinued, under a reasonable appropriation, another year, will place the Cemetery in a situation to produce, by the future sale of family burial places, the means of its sub- sequent care and management, without further tax to the Treasury.
The amount of appropriation by the City Government for work at the Cemetery, the last year, was one thousand dollars. The expenditures by the Commissioners, of which an account is herewith presented, were five hun- dred and eighty-nine dollars and fifty-two cents,-leaving an unexpended balance, undrawn-for, of four hundred and
109
ten dollars and forty-eight cents. The Commissioners are of opinion, that to complete the necessary Pathways, and especially, to make safe and convenient the principal Av- enue to that portion of the Cemetery set apart for a free public burial place; injudiciously, as they think, hereto- fore located in the most remote part of the grounds ; and to clear and prepare for occupation an area of six or sev- en acres near the entrance where the work has already been commenced, together with the preparation for sale of some smaller selected localities, will require an outlay, the present year, of one thousand dollars over and above the unexpended balance above stated, remaining in the Treas- ury, and they respectfully submit this estimate, and ask an appropriation accordingly.
The selection and sale of lots have heretofore been under the direction of a Committee of the City Govern- ment, or more recently, of the City Treasurer, and the deeds have been given by the latter officer. The Com- missioners are advised, that controversies have arisen, and still exist, with persons who have taken lots in the Cem- etery in exchange for places of interment in the Raccoon Plain Burial ground, and also with other persons, who claim to have made purchases of the agent employed to lay out the grounds, which it will be the first object of the Commissioners, the present year, to bring to a satis- factory adjustment. The, Treasurer has furnished, like- wise, a list of lots, which have been taken by individuals, but for which no payments have been made, or deeds giv- en. As improvements progress, it is manifestly reasona- ble, that the prices of the lots should be moderately in- creased, and indeed, it will doubtless be found proper to revise the rate of prices, proposed on the first laying out of the Cemetery, and adapt them more justly to the rel-
110
ative value of the existing very disproportionate estimate of different localities. All these objects will engage the early and faithful attention of the Commissioners, under the provisions of definite rules and bye-laws, which will govern their future action.
In behalf and by order of the Commissioners of Hope Cemetery.
LEVI LINCOLN, Chairman. Worcester, Jany. 23, 1855.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
CITY OF WORCESTER, January 22, 1855.
To the Honorable City Council :
GENTLEMEN,-The Commissioner of Highways has now the honor to submit to the City Council his Report of the expenditures made by him during the year ending Janu- ary 1, 1855.
Amounts expended in the outer districts of the City, by persons appointed for that purpose.
District No. 2,
-
-
737 54
3,
-
-
-
-
66
4,
5,
.
-
328 55
66
6,
449 73
66
7,
333 47
253 27
66
9,
171 25
66
66 10,
295 29
" 11,
-
136 80
" 12,
-
- 181 91
$3,635 46
Amount expended for ordinary repairs in the Centre
District, exclusive of grading, preparatory to paving, Amount paid for Oxen, Hay and Grain,
$4,012 54
-
$1,998 32
Amount paid for 2 Horses, 2 Carts, 2 Harnesses,
455 00
.
-
184 43
.
8,
-
-
563 22
112
For other than ordinary expenses, the account is as follows :
Total amount of brick paving, 1050 square yards, $175 00 To grading and setting 1341 feet of curb stone, 1095 yards of paving on Main street, on Capt. Mower's Hill, 821 29
" grading and setting 172 feet curb stone, 1199 yards of paving, filling side walk on Thomas street, from Union street to Mill Brook, - 453 31
" resetting 243 feet of curb stone, 532 yards of pav- ing on Main street, in front of Col. Isaac Davis', 200 00
" grading State street, setting 452 feet of curb stone, 269 yards of paving, 235 21
" grading and setting 723 feet of curb stone, and 462 yards of paving on the north side School street, from Main to Summer, 360 00
" grading, setting 1990 feet of curb stone, 1354 yards of paving on the west side of Summer street, from School to Front street, - 940 50
" grading Laurel street, and setting 295 feet of curb stone, 175 yards paving, digging and laying a sewer, cesspool, 935 40
" grading, setting 316 feet of curb stone, 197 yards paving on east side of Hanover street, 193 41
" grading, setting 268 feet of curb stone, 159 yards paving on the north side of Front street, 240 00
" grading, setting 863 feet of curb stone, 450 yards paving on both sides of Mechanic street, from Union street to Rail Road, 384 50
" grading, setting 770 feet of curb stone, 360 yards paving on both sides of Church street, 265 64 . " grading, setting 100 feet of curb stone, 56 yards of paving on Bridge street, 100 00
" grading, setting 520 feet of curb stone, 259 yards of paving on the east side of Southbridge street, from Main street to Rail road, 375 15
" grading, setting 174 feet of curb stone, 103 yards of paving on Elm street, 95 00
" grading, setting 135 feet of curb stone, 70 yards of paving on Pearl street, 118 00
" grading, setting 630 feet of curb stone, and 481 yards of paving on Green and Park street, 350 85
" grading, setting 752 feet of curb stone, 652 yards paving, digging and laying a sewer on Salem street, 983 56
" setting 589 feet curb stone in small amounts in dif- ferent places, 127 yards paving, as headings to streets, 104 27
113
To grading Prospect street, setting 211 feet of curb stone, 157 yards paving, 347 53 Building arch bridge near Wm. B. Fox's, by A. & L. M. Taft, digging for the foundation, and do- ing the stone work for the arch and bank wall, 2,199 50 Labor done by the City teams and men, digging for the foundation for bank wall, and grading the Square, 718 00
To grading the hill near Charles Allen's, and Madison and Chandler streets, 625 98
" grading Chestnut street and side walks, -
235 00
" grading Jackson street from Main to Southbridge street, 240 38
" putting in blind drain in Belmont street, near Mr. Willard's,
117 00
Digging and laying a sewer in Lexington street, 600 feet in length, -
786 59
Deduct subscription by individuals, 209 00- 577 59
510 00
To digging and laying a sewer in Central street,
Paying Amos R. Black for grading the hill near Long Pond, also for paying Mr. Baker for railing and putting on stones each side of the road,
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