USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1877-1878 > Part 14
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The central idea of the system seems to be a brave, earnest
101
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
effort to train their pupils up to the fair proportions of a full, well-rounded programme of studies, not a vain attempt, by adding a blemish here, or marring a beauty there, to adapt a programme to the countless idiosyncrasies and incapacities of its possible pupils. Hebrew is made elective.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The supervision of the High School by the able sub- committee having it in charge, and their full reports to the Board as to the general excellence of its work, and also as to results obtained in each particular branch of study, after careful examination had by some one member of the com- mittee, might seem to excuse me from any extended obser- vations thereon. The High School is a most important and powerful element in the public school system, essentially modifying its whole character, its influence extending to the lowest grade. Not only is its broadening and elevating influence felt upon society by the culture and character of the graduates annually sent forth from its halls, but another and important influence is felt immediately upon the pupils of the lower grades, exciting and stimulating them to more faithful efforts in their present work, that they may be prop- erly qualified to reap the advantages of a more advanced course of study.
It would be superfluous for me to speak of the ability and faithfulness of the accomplished principal and his able assistants in the discharge of their several duties; for this is well known to all the members of the Board. By the wise direction of the committee having special charge of this school, the general English course is given the most prominent place in its composite curriculum, while the col- lege course, the special and mixed courses, are secondary ; yet the results obtained in the college course are of the highest order, as is abundantly shown by the success of its graduates in their subsequent career. To carry forward so many separate and mixed schools really in one organization involves great strength and great industry. That the work
102
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
is too much for the same corps of teachers to carry, who could easily manage the same number of pupils devoted to either course of study, has been sufficiently presented to the attention of the Board. There is no economy in overwork- ing teachers: time is not the only element in school-work, hardly the most important. A high school is not established for the feeble in body or mind : it is, on the contrary, intended for the abler and stronger, both physically and men- tally, and for whom further progress in literature, science, and art, will be a positive gain to themselves and to society ; and, to secure these ends, its curriculum of studies is generally framed. For this reason, time to the pupil is an important element : leaving the work of the lower grades, he expects, with increasing strength and age, to labor more diligently, and give more time to the crowning work of his school-life. But he has not yet outgrown the assistance of his teacher, and the teacher must have time to investigate and supply his intellectual wants. To maintain this school at its pres- ent high standard of excellence requires, under its present complicated organization, the additional force of at least two assistants.
It is also recommended to the Board that pupils whose parents will certify that they are to take a college course be allowed to enter the High School from the seventh class of the grammar-school, or, in exceptional cases, from the sixth, or that such pupils be allowed to begin at that time some of the studies of the college course. The greater ease in learn- ing another language, the more lasting impressions received at an earlier age, would abundantly justify such a step, to say nothing of the greater pleasure and thoroughness that would be gained by the pupil. Neither is it to be overlooked that not only are the mental habits and character of the pupil fixed by the High-school course, but his habits of industry will be largely influenced by the work required of him during the same period.
It is of the first consequence then, that, while his time is fully and pleasantly occupied with work suited to his years
103
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
and ability, he be not overtasked nor misled in his judgment as to his real strength and what he may reasonably be expected to perform.
GRAMMAR GRADES.
The work of the grammar grades has proceeded in the usual channels or by the usual methods, modified only or mainly by adapting it to the prescribed course of study. The results obtained in these grades, as well as in the primary, are by no means commensurate with the time and effort given to them by pupil and teacher. It was not thought advisable to require any material departure from previously established methods until a complete and perfect understand- ing of the actual work done had been obtained, and then, only after full and free discussion upon any modifications thereof. At the teachers' meetings a most commendable spirit has generally been manifested in freely canvassing the methods of each other, and different methods of accomplish- ing the required work. Special efforts have been made to enable these and the primary grades to perform their work in the most satisfactory manner. It is confidently expected that the present year will show results in some degree com- mensurate with the efforts thus put forth.
Here the pupil, in great degree, forms his habits of mental action, and it is of the first consequence that they be correct. A confused, halting manner of expressing his thoughts is sure to accompany an uncertain, hesitating mode of thinking. To enable the pupil to think clearly, he must be required, as often as may be, to express his thought in his own way, in as clear, distinct, and fluent a manner as possible. We have entered upon the present year's work with this end distinctly in view, and shall carefully watch the progress made in this direction.
PRIMARY GRADES.
The primary grades, requiring really the most varied skill, untiring patience, and unbounded resources, in the teacher, have made commendable progress during the past year in
104
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
reading and number, though not equal progress in each in the same class. A great step has been attempted, and suc- cessfully accomplished by some, in teaching reading. The pupil is employed busily in printing from book, board, and memory, all that he reads, and not allowed to suppose that simply calling the words forwards or backwards is reading. The sentence, word, and phonic methods, variously combined, according to the skill of the teacher, are used, remembering always that the child must know the separate words with the associated idea in order properly and thoroughly to know the sentence. Intelligent teachers do not now attempt to teach the child to read by first learning the names of the let- ters. Clear, distinct articulation is of first importance, with an easy, natural utterance of the word and of the whole sen- tence containing it, following in their order.1 Printing is to be continued for three months or more, to fix clearly in the mind of the pupil the forms of the letters as he will often- est find them in type, and then script is introduced, and the writing of what is read continued, for the aid it gives in learning to read, write, and spell. Teachers can begin with script if they prefer.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Fortunate is the city or town in possession of a public library, more fortunate still if its library be wisely managed and intelligently used. For children of school-age, too much reading hinders the formation of correct mental habits, even of books of an entirely unobjectionable character. The pupil's reading should be, like his regular studies, entirely under the direction of a competent adviser, which his teacher ought to be. At the request of the School Board, the Trustees of the Newton Public Library have published a list of books of reference and books to be read, and distrib- uted it through the schools. It is a wise and generous step.
1 By which it is not meant that each word must always be taught sepa- rately, but better often, as it stands in a simple sentence, conveying some thought to the pupil.
105
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
With proper restrictions as to the kind and quantity of these good books to be read by any one pupil, much good may come from the possession of a public library. Could the trustees purchase, say, twenty copies of a book, each set of twenty copies containing reading-matter suitable for each of the higher grades of all the schools, and loan them, each set all at once, to a single school or class, to be read and criticised by pupils and teacher, during which time the pupils should have no other reading, an incalculable advantage would be gained. The pupil would acquire a taste for good reading, and leave school with the ability to use the library to advan- tage in his subsequent leisure, for which it was originally intended. We have no doubt every thing that can be done will be done, as has been already done, by the trustees of the library, to multiply its usefulness to the greatest possible extent. Non-resident pupils are now allowed free use of the library.
CONCLUSION.
After all the teacher's anxiety and labor for the pupil's intellectual progress, there still lingers in the mind of the conscientious the thought that possibly his moral nature has not been sufficiently cared for; and the overshadowing fact that what he is to be depends upon the character he forms, forces itself upon the teacher's mind with painful weight. To such we offer the following considerations. Would you awaken in the pupil that trait of character termed by Dr. Arnold " moral thoughtfulness," or "the inquiring love of truth going along with the divine love of goodness "? ex- hibit that trait in all your dealings with him. Would you have him sincere, sympathizing, courteous, and just to others ? let him see that you are such in all your relations to him and to others. Would you have him high-minded, generous, noble in conduct to others ? he will not fail to be such, in- spired by the irresistible influence of your example. Would you strengthen his faith in the Infinite ? by your works show him yours. You cannot prevent the pupil from catch- ing these traits of character as they are daily exhibited in
106
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the schoolroom ; for their influence is positive, and cannot be resisted. This is due to the imitative nature of the pupil, and his great susceptibility to impressions from visible ob- jects ; and you need not despair because you have little or no time to weary him with so-called moral stories, which may please or vex him according to his mood, and are of little worth when contrasted with your own example. Yet further : it is not to be forgotten that the best moral discipline is not separable from the mental, but psychologically a part of it. Correct habits of mental action are as essential to clear thinking in moral acts as in the purely abstract. The pupil must be taught to be true to his own memory, to reproduce his own thoughts in the precise language he has once formu- lated them, that he may acquire the habit of repeating to others the precise words, if he attempt it, that he may have heard or read. To this end he must not only be faithful to his own thoughts and imaginings in giving them expression, but must cultivate the habit of giving an earnest, exhausting attention to whatever he may be called upon to reproduce,. that he may learn to do exact justice to others' as well as to himself. Teach him to form correct estimates of his own merits, and he will not be eager to under-estimate the merits of others. Teach him to state clearly and fearlessly his own motives, and he will be less likely to mistake or misrepre- sent the motives of others. So that the moral discipline to external and internal honesty inevitably accompanies every school-exercise, and the moral training of the child should no longer be dissociated from his intellectual training, as though it could be, in any efficient degree, accomplished as a separate object of pursuit by simply repeating nursery-tales, or glibly rehearsing graver moral precepts. These have their appropriate place and influence, but are no substitute for the overpowering influence of example, supplemented by earnest, devoted teaching by philosophic methods.
E. HUNT, Superintendent.
NEWTONVILLE, Oct. 21, 1878.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
STATISTICS.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole No. of
Pupils during
the Year.
Average
Average
No. of Pupils
under 5.
No. of Pupils over 15.
High School.
Francis A. Waterhouse
Ezra W. Sampson
Master. Sub-Master. Assistant.
66
S. Alice Worcester .
66
Louise A. Dennison
66
Carrie Spear
M. Isabel Hanson
66
District No. 1.
Albert L. Harwood
Master.
Mason School.
Mary L. Searle
Head Assist. Assistant. 66
8,9
Emma M. Lunt
7
Maria F. Wood
6
Clara A. Curtis
66
5
Maud McWilliams
66
4
Lottie P. Harbach
66
2
Ellen M. Cook
1
Prospect School.
Martha L. Perkins
Head Assist. Assistant. 66
8, 9
Marion M. Miller
6, 7
Ella F. Crooker
4, 5
Emma Taylor .
66
2
Mary P. Fanning
66
1
Hyde School.
Cevilla R. Richardson .
Assistant. 66
4, 5 1, 2, 3
Oak-Hill School.
Mary E. Minter
Principal.
1,3,4,6,7,8
Thompsonville School.
Agnes S. Carleton
Principal.
1, 2, 3, 4,
276
256
239.4
-
228
John F. Kent .
Thomas B. Lindsay
908
728.6
671.8
-
38
3
Ellena Thompson
3, 4
M. Ella Hildreth .
Alotta E. Stearns
Whole No.
Attendance.
-
108
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole No. of
Pupils during
the Year.
Average
Average
Attendance.
No. of Pupils under 5.
No. of Pupils over 15.
District No. 2.
416
323.1
303.9
3
39
Luther E. Leland
Master.
Hamilton School.
Ellen M. Leland .
Head Assist. Assistant.
6, 8,9 4, 5
Carrie L. Kimball
1, 2, 3
Williams School.
Elizabeth A. Pinnock .
Head Assist. Assistant.
8,9
Phebe W. Bunker
6, 7
Ella F. Brown
4,5
Susan E. Copeland
2,3
Ann B. Smith .
1
District No. 3.
935
757
699.7
-
45
Levi F. Warren
Master.
Peirce School.
Sarah A. Warren
Head Assist. Assistant. 66
8, 9
Mary J. Pickering
7
Eliza E. Simmons
6
Davis School.
Ella G. Bates .
Principal. Assistant.
3, 4
Lucy E. Davis
60
1
Franklin School.
Emma J. Thompson
Principal. Assistant.
5, 6
Susan P. Richmond
3, 4
Mary E. Tufts
2
Martha S. Stacy
1
Adams School.
M. Abby Smith
Head Assist.
8,9
Abby J. Warner
Assistant.
7, 8
Estella M. Haynes
3, 4
Lydia A. Brierly
1,2
Claflin School.
Alice Pitts .
Principal.
6, 7
Lilla T. Wilder
Assistant.
5
Mary R. Ware
3. 4
Lizzie Flint
66
1, 2
District No. 4.
819
676
612.3
1
19
H. Chapin Sawin
Master.
Bigelow School.
Clara C. Prince
Eudora Sanford .
Head Assist. Assistant.
8,9 7,8
5
Calista S. Wood .
2,3
Sarah E. Foster
.
Anna G. Swain
Whole No.
109
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Department.
Class.
Whole No. of
Pupils during
the Year.
Average
Average
Attendance.
No. of Pupils under 5.
No. of Pupils over 15.
Bigelow School- Con.
Martha M. Bakeman
Assistant.
S. Louise Shelton
7 5, 6
Josephine H. Waters .
5
Anna F. Gage
4
Mary H. Dwyer .
4
Underwood School.
Emma M. Cleary
Assistant.
3
Annie L. Wood .
66
1
Lincoln School.
Alotta C. Wilmarth
Assistant.
1, 2, 3
Jackson School.
John C. Lyeth
Principal. Assistant.
5, 6, 7
H. Augusta Millard
4,5
Louise W. Stearns .
=
3, 4
Ella M. Hotchkiss
2
Jeannette A. Grant.
1
Ellen F. Dalrymple
Special Teachers.
William S. Tilden
Mrs. Emma F. Bowler
A. Hun Berry
Music. Writing. Drawing.
2
Josephine W. Littlefield .
Whole No.
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance for School Year ending June 28, 1878.
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER.
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
Average Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
378.9 229
352 218.5
93 96
390.8 226.2
352.3 210.1 88.7 16.9 -
90.6 92.5 93.4 92.8 -
92.6 20.2
18.4 -
17.8 66.7
86.8 15.5 62.3
87
17.5
84
17.5
14.7
84
Thompsonville
-
-
-
-
-
District No. 1
717.7
674.6
94.7
730.5
668
92.3
730.5
675.9
92.3
729.2
686.4
91.9
719.1
640.9
88.5
711.1
658.2
91.8
Williams .
211.1
200.8
95.2
215
198.5
92.8
211.9
197.6
93.8
206.5
192.5
93.3
199.2
91.7
202.7
191.8
94.7
Hamilton .
109.7
195.3
96
107.2
103.3
96
100
95.3
95.3
109.4
106.4
97.1
109.1
94.8
116.9
109.3
97.7
District No. 2
320.8
306.1
95.6
322.2
301.8
94.4
311.9
292.9
94,5
315.9
298.9
95.2
308.3
286
93.3
319.6
301.1
96.2
Peirce
134
128.8
95.8
135
127
134.2
125.7
93.7
132.1
124.4
94.4
129
122
94.7
137.9
122.3
95.3
Davis
177.7
172.6
97.1
175.3
164.9
165.6.
156.8
94.4
172.7
162.1
93.8
153.2
140.1
91
149.7
141.7
94.2
Franklin
146
137.6
93.9
146.1
133.4
134
129.6
87.8 144
130.8
92
139
122.6
88.7
131.1
120.3
91.8
Adams .
152.9
146.1
95.6
161.1
153.3
95.1
149.6
91.8
157.4
145.4
92.2
154.8
139.7
91
157.4
146.4
92.8
Claflin .
162.9
154.3
94.7
163.5
150.7
91.2
142.4
89.9
156.7
140.5
89.7
148.7
122.1
81.3
147.6
137.4
92
District No. 3
773.5
739.4
95.4
781
729.3
92.9
755.6
704.1
91.5
762.9
703.2
92.4
724.5
646.5
89.4
723.7
668.1
93.2
Bigclow
298.9
284.9
95.3
307.1
278.1
90.5
293.3
264.6
90
290.3
262.1
90.3
283.6
251.3
88.6
299.2
258.9
89.6
Underwood
128.8
119.5
92.5
139
121.9
88
138.1
119
86.2
134
116.1
86.7
132.8
109.8
82.8
132.1
118.6
89.9
Lincoln
31.2
28.6
91.6
30.1
26.3
87.3
29.7
23.7
79.7
30.3
27.1
89.4
31.4
27.8
88.5
31.9
26.8
84
Jackson
247.3
227.9
92.2
232.6
201.8
86.8
221.5
190.6
86.2
208.2
175
84
207.2
173.6
83.6
209.1
182.6
87.7
District No. 4
706.2
660.9
92.9
708.9
629.1
88.2
682.6
597.9
85.5
662.8
582.3
87.6
655
562.5
85.9
672.3
585.9
87.8
High
270
264.9
98.1
266.5
253.6
95.1
266.7
251.7
94.3
265.5
249.6
94
254.7
231.7
90.9
249.2
234.9
94.2
Total .
2788.2
2645.9
95.4
2809.1
2581.8
92.5
2747.3
2522.5
91.6
2736.3
2520.4
92.2
2661.6
2367.6
89.6
2675.9
2448.2
92.7
92.4
87.6
94.8
92.8
89.9
93
87.9
94.7
Oak-Hill
17.4
16.5 -
94.8
95.3 18.2
Attendance.
Attendance.
Average
Whole No.
395.2 222.5
362.5 208 87
91.3 93.2 93.7 91
348.8 213.8
91.1 202.3 94.4
210.7
308.4 188.8
87.7 91.1
346.2 206.4
317.9
91.4
Prospect
192.4
92.7
Hyde
50
93
90
48
45.3
95
92.2
94.1
83.1 14.7 45.9
Per cent
Average
Attendance.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
110
SCHOOLS.
Per cent
Average
Average
Average
348.1
319.5
Attendance.
Per cent
Attendance.
·
·
182.4 103.6
94 93.3 91
162.9 157.9
The following Table gives the Statistics of Monthly Attendance, and the Aggregate Attendance for School Year ending June 28, 1878.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
YEAR.
Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason
344.8
312.2
91
364.4
333.9
91.7
365 222.1
334 211.8
92 95.3
354.6 221.4
317.2 211.1
89.5
Prospect
210.6
197.4
93.6
218.8
203
91.7
89.7
84.8
90.5
87
96
Oak-Hill.
15.9
13.8
86.7
20.9
18.5
88.5
18.5
83.2
16.5
14.8
89.6
Thompsonville
51
50.5
98.9
50
43.2
86.2
50
15.4 46.3
81.1
50
42.2
82.2
District No. 1 .
717.6
661.8
92.4
750.3
686.8
90.1
745.3
692.3
89.2
733
672.3
91.9
728.6
671.8
91.8
Williams
209.7
191.8
92.3
223.7
205.2
92.4
227
212.5
93.9
211.6
198.6
93.8
-
-
Hamilton
112.7
109.1
96.8
115.2
110.7
96.1
116.2
111.4
95.6
116.5
112.9
97
District No. 2.
322.4
300.9
94.5
338.9
315.9
94.2
343.2
323.9
94.7
328.1
311.5
95.4
323.1
303.9
94.8
Peirce
128.7
120.9
94.1
120.8
113.6
94.2
118.3
113.2
95.4
151.8
144.8
96.1
Davis .
164.9
155.1
93.7
204.8|
171.4
92.9
187.5
176.1
94.1
183.4
175.4
95.7
Franklin
132.1
122.5
93.2
150.6
138.9
92.5
161.8
150.9
94
123.9
114.7
93
Adams .
153
141.1
92.1
152.2
139.4
91.6
151.3
139.7
92.3
149.8
136.7
91.3
Claflin
151.9
134.5
88.4
151.1
136.6
90.5
155.4
141.6
90.9
155.6
139
89.4
District No. 3.
730.6
674.1
92.3
779.6
699.9
92.4
774.3
721.5
93.3
764.5
710.6
93.1
757
699.7
92.6
Bigelow .
288.2
258.2
89.5
281.7
252.9
89.7
280.7
257.5
91.3
260.4
234.8
90.2
Underwood
130.5
110.1
84.3
143.6
119.3
83.4
152
129.8
85.4
138.7
113.9
81.8
Lincoln .
28.4
24.5
86.2
32.7
29.2
89.2
34
29.8
87.6
30.6
19.2
62.7
Jackson .
210.6
178.1
84.6
217.5
184.4
84.7
222.9
189.7
85.1
220.1
192.5
87.5
District No. 4 .
657.7
570.9
86.1
675.5
585.8
86.8
689.6
606.8
87.4
649.8
740.4
80.6
676
612.3
86.9
High .
250.5
231.4
92.4
247.7
228.7
92.3
249
227.6
91.4
241
220.8
90.9
256
239.4
93.1
Total
2678.8 2439.1
91.5
2792
2517.1
91.2
2801.4 2572.1
95.2
2716.4 2655.6
90.4
2740.7
2527.1
91.9
.
.
.
·
.
·
·
·
94
86.5
91.9
96.2
88.2
92.1
Hyde . .
·
.
.
.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
111
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-
-
.
.
.
.
·
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·
SCHOOLS.
Whole No.
Per cent
Average
Whole No.
Per cent
Whole No.
Per cent
Average
Attendance.
-
.
95.6
94.4
Attendance.
112
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1878.
General Appropriation for Support of Schools $71,000 00
Received from Dog Tax 811 33
Transferred from Appropriation for School Incidentals 383 79
Transferred from Appropriation for Industrial Drawing . 214 80
$72,409 92
Amount paid to Superintendent .
$2,700 00
Amount paid to Teachers
61,161 25
Amount paid to Janitors
3,928 00
Amount paid to Secretary
300 00
Amount paid for Fuel
4,320 67
$72,409 92
Appropriation for Repairs and Incidentals
$9,500 00
Transferred to General Appropriation
383 79
$9,116 21
Amount expended
9,116 21
Appropriation for Evening Schools
$600 00
Amount expended
600 00
Appropriation for Conveyance of Pupils to the High School
$900 00
Amount expended .
900 00
Appropriation for Industrial Drawing $500 00
Transferred to General Appropriation
214 80
$285 20
Amount expended .
180 50
Balance unexpended
$104 70
RECAPITULATION.
Expenditure for Support of Schools
$73,192 42
Expenditure for Repairs and Incidentals .
9,116 21
Expenditure for Conveyance of Pupils to the High School
900 00
Total Expenditure for 1878 *
$83,208 63
Expenditure for 1874 *
$97,353 65
Expenditure for 1875 *
96,649 23
Expenditure for 1876 *
86,533 64
Expenditure for 1877 *
83,917 89
ISAAC HAGAR, Secretary.
* Excluding cost of buildings.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY,
NEWTON, MASS.,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878.
W
TY AND
004.
FOUNDED
630
79.A CITY 187
IN
I.
N
ORAT
AT
BOSTON : FRANKLIN PRESS: RAND, AVERY, & CO., 117 FRANKLIN STREET. 1879.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1878.
AT LARGE.
JULIUS L. CLARKE . TERM EXPIRES 1883.
JAMES F. C. HYDE . TERM EXPIRES 1882.
GEORGE H. JONES TERM EXPIRES 1881.
JOHN S. FARLOW TERM EXPIRES 1880.
BRADFORD K. PEIRCE TERM EXPIRES 1879.
FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
WILLIAM I. GOODRICH TERM EXPIRES 1879.
FROM THE BOARD OF COMMON COUNCIL.
GEORGE D. ELDRIDGE TERM EXPIRES 1879.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1878.
PRESIDENT. GEORGE H. JONES.
SECRETARY. FREDERICK JACKSON.
COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE.
JOHN S. FARLOW. JULIUS L. CLARKE.
COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING.
PRESIDENT, ex officio. WILLIAM I. GOODRICH.
JAMES F. C. HYDE. GEORGE D. ELDRIDGE.
SUPERINTENDENT. FREDERICK JACKSON.
LIBRARIAN.
HANNAH P. JAMES.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN. CAROLINE B. JACKSON.
JANITOR. JAMES J. TOWER.
NEWTON FREE LIBRARY, Jan. 10, 1879.
HIS HONOR WILLIAM B. FOWLE, Mayor of the City of Newton.
SIR, - I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the Third Annual Report of the Trustees of the Free Library, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Ordi- nance of 1876 relating thereto.
Respectfully yours, FREDERICK JACKSON, Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
TRUSTEES' REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of Newton.
THE Trustees of the Newton Free Library have the honor to present their Report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1878.
The administration of the Library during the year has been uninterruptedly successful, and the Trustees have full confidence that it is highly appreciated by the citizens of Newton.
The very complete report of the Superintendent, herewith submitted, will serve to present the working and results of the Library and Reading-Room to your knowledge and consideration; and your confidence is earnestly invited to its suggestions.
In a community as progressive as ours, and which is not exceptionally so in our country, the public demands and expects constant improvement in the moral and æsthetic condition of all its institutions ; and, while the Trustees are mindful of the result of such demands in a constant tendency to increasing expenditure, they desire to take cognizance of the facts, and to give such expression and force to them as will bring to the atten-
10
tion of the city government the important interests involved.
While the statistics presented by the Superintendent do not show an actual increase of use of the books of the Library, the gratifying tendency to a higher class of reading is made manifest.
That one-third of the eighty thousand volumes taken from the Library during the year have been other than " prose fiction and juvenile " is alike creditable to the intelligence of the community and character of the selections made by the purchasing committee.
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