USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1860-1887 > Part 9
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wholesome influences for the well-being of the Republic, and the right ordering of life.
The fact has often been impressed upon us, in view of the actual work demanded of the superintending School Com- mittee, that some better provision ought to be made for doing that work. No one who has some other profession on his hands can really do all that ought to be done. He cannot spend the necessary time to fit himself for this work. The superintendence of the schools ought to be as much a profession as anything else. One needs to be familiar with the best methods of teaching, so as to be prepared to advise teachers. He needs to know, from actual examination, without depending on the representations of interested book agents, the merits of the different text-books. As a writer in the "Massachusetts Teacher " justly observes, "Even admitting that the person or persons appointed to fill the office of School Committee are the best qualified of the intelligent citizens of the town or city, are there not many things which tend to render, and commonly do render, them incompetent to judge of just what the school should be and should do? Let them, if you please, be the clergyman, the lawyer, and the doctor of the place. These gentlemen, in attending to their official duties, will be able to give to the schools only those remnants of time which they can secure from their professional occupations. They will, therefore, be generally unable to spend any extended length of time even with those teachers who need their guidance and suggestions the most. They will be liable to do their work in an indifferent, prejudiced, or slip-shod manner ; and this not because they mean to be unserviceable, but because their minds are necessarily directed in other channels." Now, we submit our schools deserve something better than this. What business interest, what railroad company would prosper, to be superintended in this way ? There should be a superintendent of schools appointed, who can fit himself thoroughly for that work, and give his whole time to it. He should make a
24
profession of it, and consequently be supported by it. This is done in some of the cities and large places. But it ought to be done throughout the Commonwealth. Two or three or more towns, as sparsely populated as ours, might be formed into one district, and a superintendent be appointed to give his whole time to the schools in them. He could thus be pre- pared to originate and carry out a variety of suitable, and really popular, measures for benefiting the schools and the teachers under his charge, and enlisting more fully the interest of the towns themselves in their own schools.
During the past year, the ordinance of the Legislature respecting the abolition of the district system has been pro- mulgated. Perhaps nothing more need be said in regard to this change, so far as it affects our own town, than what is contained in the Governor's message of January last : -
" The law passed by the Legislature, at its last session, abolishing the district system in all parts of the State, has been carried into effect cheerfully, and with the best results. There may be cases of hardships and inconvenience in a few instances ; but a new order of things will soon be established, better suited to the wants of the times, and more in accordance with our enlightened system of public instruc- tion."
We are convinced that after the change has been fully es- tablished, and we have become familiar with it, it will com- mend itself to all as the most simple and common-sense way of managing the schools. The people in due time will be quite as averse to giving it up, as they were here, or in any other single town, to giving up the district system.
We are pleased to report a good and prosperous condition of the schools in town during the past year. Without any exception they have been carried forward in the most pleas- ant and harmonious manner, with gratifying attainments, and with a better degree of co-operation on the part of parents. In no previous year have we had better schools, or better teachers. Indeed, we think, taking the schools as a whole,
25
there has been a growing improvement for several years past in good order, good deportment, and thorough instruction.
The teachers have been as follows : Miss Caroline E. Wood in the North School, Miss Rebecca Eames in the East, Miss Charlotte K. Gowing and Miss Clara E. Bancroft in the South, Miss Eliza J. Norris in the West, and Miss Elona A. Eames in the Centre School. Without stopping to discrimi- nate between the different methods pursued, or the different degrees of success, it is enough to say that they have all been faithful and untiring in their labors, all beloved and success- ful. As would naturally be expected, those who have had the most experience have accomplished the highest results, and, if possible, have gone on farther than ever toward per- fection. We desire to record our belief that few committees have had so good a corps of teachers. They have sought to carry out all our wishes, and make our labors as pleasant and easy as possible, and have given us the greatest pleasure in witnessing the results of their devoted efforts. They will be long remembered.
With regard to expenditures. for repairs and outlays upon the school-houses, no report will be given here, as the Se- lectmen were specially appointed a Committee to attend to those matters. The appropriation by the town for school pur- poses has been faithfully applied and equally distributed. The amount received the present year from the State school fund has also been equally distributed among the five schools. The sum of forty dollars, of last year's appropriation, was not ex- pended during that year, in the West School, by the Pruden- tial Committee. It consequently comes back to the town's treasury, and cannot be spent in that school, or any other, without special vote of the town. Whatever balance of any year's appropriation is not expended during the year for which it was appropriated reverts to the town, and cannot be expended at any other time than during the year covered by the appropriation. Such is the decision of authorities at the State House. A portion of the amount received from the 4 w
26
State school fund in 1867, and again in 1868, was not called for by the Prudential Committee for the West School. The same still remains in the treasury, subject to the control of the School Committee.
It may not be out of place to remark here that the amount annually received from the State fund is not subject to the action of the town, but is wholly at the disposal of the School Committee, under restrictions from the State. See Gen. Stat., chap. 36, sec. 4. "The income of the school fund received by the several cities and towns shall be applied by the School Committee thereof to the support of the Public Schools therein ; but such Committees may, if they see fit, appropriate therefrom any sum not exceeding twenty-five per cent. of the same, to the purchase of books of references, maps, and apparatus for the use of said schools." We herewith subjoin a table showing the length of schools, attendance, etc.
Respectfully submitted.
SAM'L H. TOLMAN, SYLVESTER CARTER, JR., WILLIAM H. CARTER,
WILMINGTON, Feb. 23, 1870.
27
TABLE.
Months' School.
Whole Attendance
Summer.
Whole Attendance
Winter.
Average Attendance
Summer.
Winter.
North School.
Miss C. E. Wood, Teacher,
6
41
40
33}
31ą
East School.
Miss R. Eames, Teacher,
6₺
31
41
27
35}
South School.
Miss C. K. Gowing,
Miss C. E. Bancroft, Teachers,
7
26
36
19星
24៛
West School.
Miss E. J. Norris, Teacher,
7}
22
17
15 1-7
11
Centre School.
Miss E. A. Eames, Teacher,
6
39
34
34
27
Average Attendance
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF WILMINGTON,
FROM FEB. 1. 1870. TO FEB. 1. 1871.
AND THE
Report of the School Committee,
FOR THE
SCHOOL-YEAR 1870-1.
WOBURN : PRINTED BY JOHN L. PARKER. MIDDLESEX COUNTY JOURNAL OFFICE 1871.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Names and ages of the Inmates of the Almshouse :-
Betsey Tweed. 85 years.
Nancy Alexander,
82
Frederick Butters, 75
*Lucy Alexander.
67
died Oct. 16, 1870.
Louisa Burtt,
66
66
Elbridge Butters,
65
Albert Carter, 51
66
Fanny Butters, 30 ..
John Bancroft.
28 ..
H. Orn Bancroft.
38
*James Bonds.
76 .. died Sept.30.1870.
Whole number.
11
Average number
10
Lodgings.
153
Meals furnished poor strangers, 362
1
Expense at the Almshouse :-
To Cash paid for flour and grain, 211 50
.. groceries, 135 94
. .
46 86
..
fish.
40 68
salt pork,
108 03
. .
fresh meat, 112 08
. .
boots and shoes. 21 25
clothing and dry goods, 48 57 glass, tin & earth'n ware, 16 31
Amount carried forward, $741 22
1
Amount brought forward, $741 22 To Cash paid for baker's bread, 10 50
..
snuff and tobacco.
20 09
..
spirituous liquors 1 00
.. eider and vinegar. 8 66
.. medicines,
6 95
. . Dr. Drew's bill, 25 00
. .
soap,
11 00
..
plaster and seeds, 10 66
. .
farming tools,
13 65
hay,
13 56
.
butchering, 4 00
. .
vegetables. 5 45
..
horse hire and car fare, 14 75
..
saw'g shings. & lumber, 30 34
66
sundry expenses, 11 73
shingling building, 14 00
..
painting and repairs on
Almshouse, 207 10
2 shoats, 18 00
66
1 cow, 40 00
1 pair of oxen, 140 00
..
salary of superintend't, 200 00
Dr. Toothaker's bill. 11 50
funeral expenses.
26 55
$1.588 71
Credits.
By 1 pair of oxen sold. 275 00
1 cow sold, 30 00
labor of superintendent and team. 82 85
butter sold, 55 02
poultry, eggs, and milk sold,
10 48
potatoes,
3 58
old junk, 2 00
Amounts carried forward, $458 93 $1,588 71
Amounts brought forward. $458 93 $1,588 71
By lumber, 21 49
keeping pedlars. 25 60
2 calves, 22 00
cash for 11 weeks' support of H. (). Bancroft, 22 00- 550 02
Net amount of expense.
$1,038 69
Expense of the Poor out of the Almshouse :-
Supplies furnished James Bonds, 74 23
Balance for board of Eldad Butters and wife at the House of Correction, 17 71 Mrs. Alexander, part expense going West, 18 00 Dr. Toothaker, attendance on R. Upton, 11 00 Wm. Stickney, 4 50- 125 44
Total amount of expense of the Poor in and out of the Almshouse, 1,164 13
('r. by amount refunded for supplies furnished James Bonds, 162 40
Total net expense of Poor, $1,001 73
LEMUEL C. EAMES. Overseers H. ALLEN SHELDON. of
HENRY SHELDON, Poor.
Wilmington. Feb. 1. 1871.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Orders drawn for Expenses of the Poor, $1,001 73
Expenses of Town Officers :-
Paid Win. H. Carter, services as Town
Clerk, 30 00
L. C. Eames, services as Selectman,
Assessor, & Overseer of the Poor, 172 00
H. Allen Sheldon, do.,
125 00
Henry Sheldon, do., 164 00
Warren Eames, services as Treasur- er and Celleetor, 100 00
A. P. Pearson, as Constable,
20 00
Warren Eames, Wm. H. Carter, L.
C. Eames, as School Committee, 30 00
S. B. Nichols, care of Cemetery. 10 00 do., return of deaths to Town Clerk, 1 80 Geo. T. Eames, care of Town House, 15 00 C. L. Carter, auditing Treas. acc'nts, 5 00 Wm. H. Carter, do .. 3 00
L. C. Eames. do., 2 00
677 80
Extra Expense of Roads :- .
Paid J. K. Pearson, for railing, 10 00
breaking out road, 16 80
Levi F. Manning, "
11 00
Amounts carried forward, $37 80 $1,679 53
Amounts brought forward, $37 80 $1,679 53
Paid Charles Hopkins, breaking out road, 11 40 Charles Buck. 34 06 ..
S. B. Nichols, breaking out roads, 8 00
T. D. Bond, 22 30
Hiram Bancroft. ..
14 00
Solon L. Johnson. . .
11 50
Hugh Murray, 1869, 5 20
for gravel, 3 04
Henry Sheldon, repairing bridge,
near William E. Gowing's, 25 00
Levi Manning,rebuilding bridge near Newton George's, 32 00
Sylvester Carter, breaking out road. 8 80
William H. Boutwell. 14 00
John French, 22 50
249 60
Repairing Town House : -
Paid Eugene DeJean for stove funnel, 38 85
John N. Eames, carpenter work, 17 75
N. H. Turner, mason work and ma- terial furnished. 103 28
for lumber. 13 99
painting and material, 351 70
nails, glass, and plaster. 11 26
repairs on the East School House. 18 58
555 41
Miscellaneous Expenses: -
Paid Sweetser & Gardner, attorneys in
the " Sandy Pond " case, 200 00
George Studley, for hearse, 450 00
Horace Sheldon, for transportation. 2 00
Amounts carried forward, $652 00 $2,484 54
S
Amounts brought forward, $652 00 $2,484 54 Paid C. L. Carter, for services in examin- ation and purchase of hearse. 5 00
abatement on tax list 1869. 11 59
.. .. 1870. 14 37
stove & funnel South School House. 12 15 for school books. 17 49
742 60
Amount of State Aid paid to the Widmes and Orphans of deceased Soldiers, and those partially disabled in the service :-
Mary A. Chapman. 96 00
Mary A. Phelps, 96 00
Stephen Frye. 72 00
Willie R. Batters. 36 00
D. R. Upton, guardian. 48 00
Widow Ambrose Upton, 96 00
Jane Blaisdell. 64 00
508 00
The Committee for building a School House in the south part of the town have not made re- port of their expenditures, but have drawn from the Treasury the sum appropriated for that pur- pose,
1.500 00
Schools :-
Appropriation by the town.
1,075 00
State School Fund, 146 96
Dog License Fund, 63 24
1,285 20
Amount carried forward. $5,235 14
9
Amount brought forward. $5,235 14
Expense of Schools :-
Paid teacher for North School. 234 00
for fuel and incidentals. 22 95
teacher for East School, 215 00
for fuel and incidentals, 23 85
teacher for Center School. 208 00
for fuel and incidentals. 17 83
teacher for West School. 182 00
for fuel and incidentals. 12 13
teacher for South School, 194 00
for fuel and incidentals, 19 30
for printing by-laws, 3 00
for Watson's maps for the schools, 15 00
Balance unexpended, $138 14
1.147 06
Total amount of expenditures,
$6.382 20
LEMUEL C. EAMES. H. ALLEN SHELDON. Selectmen. HENRY SHELDON.
Wilmington. Feb. 1, 1871.
10
DR. WARREN EAMES, TREAS. & COLLECTOR.
February, 1871.
To cash on hand in former settlement,
$2.006 93
Balance due on tax list, 1868, 3 51 . . 1869, 431 37
Tax list of 1870, committed, 7,474 42
Cash received for Town's note issued,
2,200 00
.. for account of State Aid, 500 00
.. for corporation tax,
122 01
.. from Stato School Fund, 146 96
: 1 .. for interest on taxes, 50 94
،، for lots in Cemetery, 16 00
.. of S. B. Nichols, for books, 30 00
66 of County Treas. for dog licenses, 63 24
cash refunded for advances to James Bond, 162 40
H. O. Bancroft. 22 00
cash received for lease of Silver Lake, 1 00
for wheels, &c., of old hearse, 25 00
for use of Town House, 24 00
for one yoke of oxen, 275 00
$13,554 78
11
IN ACCT. WITH TOWN OF WILMINTON. CR.
February, 1871.
By cash paid sundry notes of the Town, $1,610 00
.. Town orders. 5,222 35
interest on Town debt. 643 32
County tax, 600 47
· State tax. 1,475 00
insurance on Town House,
26 25
. . committee for building . chool House in south part of the Town. 1,500 00
Charles M. Gowing.
200 00
amount of taxes uncollected of 1869.
3 81
1870, 941 13 ..
cash in treasury, 1.332 45
$13.554 78
We, the subscribers, a committee chosen by the Town of Wilmington, to settle the Town's account with Warren Eames, Treasurer, have attended that service, and find the account to stand as above stated, and that there is due from him to the Town, one thousand three hundred and thirty- two and forty-five one hundredths dollars.
CYRUS L. CARTER, LEMUEL C. EAMES, WILLIAM H. CARTER,
Wilmington, Feb. 18, 1871.
12
OUTSTANDING NOTES.
J. L. Carter, May 1, 1863, $1,500 00
Mrs. Polly Parker, March 23, 1865, 138 00
Moses Pearson, August 10, 1865. 2,000 00
Darius Buck, August 9, 1865, 600 00
Benjamin Buck. May 1, 1866.
2,000 00
Rich Carter, May 27, 1866,
800 00
N. E. Buck, Oet. 24, 1866,
300 00
H. M. Eames, trustee, May 2, 1867,
60 00
L. A. Avery, June 29, 1867,
100 00
L. F. Avery, May 6, 1868,
200 00
S. J. Buck, June 1, 1868, bal.,
140 00
O. C. Buck, April 20, 1869, 500 00
200 00
Otis C. Buck, April 20, 1870,
500 00
" Dec. 3, 1870, 500 00
Benjamin Buck, Dec. 23, 1870,
1,000 00
$10,538 00
Due the schools on acc't school fund, Due Chas. M. Gowing,
138 00
200 00
$10,876 00
ASSETTS.
Cash in treasury,
1,332 45
Uncollected taxes, 1870,
941 13
ee 1869, 3 81
$2,277 39
$8,598 61
Amount due for State aid,
500 00
Nett indebtedness of the town, $8,098 61
C. M. Gowing, April 1, 1870,
STATISTICS FROM TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS.
Births Registered in Wilmington in 1870.
No.
Name of Child.
Name of Parents.
Date of Birth.
1
* Harriet Jane Willoughby,
John M. Willoughby and Pauline F. Phelps,
January 24, 1870.
2
Susannah F. McEnroc,
Bernard and Susan McEnroe, Silas and Harriet L. Buck,
January 30, 1870. April 7, 1870. March 15, 1870.
4
Nathan Osgood Eames,
George T. and Lucy E. Eames,
April 6, 1870.
6 George A. Sidelinker,
7 Myra Eames,
John M. and Francois H. Doweett, George W. and Mary A. Sidelinker, Horatio N. and Eliza M. Eames, Jeremiah and Ann D. M. Dowcett, simon and Francois D. Frointini, Timothy and Sarah Martin,
August 7, 1870. August 11, 1870. August 30, 1870. November 16, 1870. November 22, 1870.
8 9 10 11
Mary M. Frointini,
James F. Martin,
Louisa Gowing,
Thomas F. and Louisa Gowing,
December 10, 1870.
12
Ford Gowing,
Thomas F. and Louisa Gowing,
December 10, 1870.
* Informant, Pauline F. Phelps.
3
Asa Minot Buck,
Mary Caty Dowcett,
13
William H. Dowcett,
Marriages Registered in Wilmington in 1870.
.
No.
Date of Marriage.
Name of Groom and Bride.
1.
Residence at time of Marriage.
Freeupation of Groom
Place of Birth.
Names of Parents.
1
Mar.29 Almon F. Cate,
26 Schooley's Mt. N.J. Professor Epsom, N. H. John S. and Jane M.
Elona A. Eames,
24 Wilmington
2 June 18 John S. Evill,
30 Denton, Md.
Mariner
Wilmington. Thomas P. and Elona M. Denton, Md. John and Mary A. V. Chelsea. Daniel and Ellen
3 June30 Ira O. Witham, Charlotte K. Gowing,
35 Boston,
Merchant
Blue Hill. Me. Ira and Betsey Wilmington. James and Mary H.
30 Wilmington.
4 Aug 27 Richard M. Mckenzie, 24 Boston, Abby A. Carter,
19 Wilmington.
20 No. Cambridge,
Conductor Epping. N. H. David and Nancy Andover. Ms. William F. and Vash
14
Deaths Registered in Wilmington in 1870.
No.
Date of Death.
Name of deceased.
Age.
Conditi'n
Place of Birth.
Names of Parents.
Disease or Cause of Death
1 Jan. 10 Edward Beard.
82y2m
marr'd Wilmington.
Edward and Mary
2 Jan 20 Lucy Pearson,
76y
widow Tewkesbury. John and Lucy Hardy,
3 Jan. 26 Ellen C. Simonds.
37y
marr'd Billerica.
Michael and Margaret Crosby consumption. Julius and Lonise Voigt.
heart disease.
4 Feb. 15 John JJ. Voigt,
63y
w'dw'r Prussia,
Carpenter St.John. N. B. Grant and Hannah Wilmington. Otis and Abby Ann
5 Oct. 24 Walter II. Stickney, Clara JJ. Holt.
17 Wilmington,
i
old age. paralysis.
Hannah P. Driscoll,
22 Chelsea.
5 |Feb. 17|James Buck, 6 Feb. 9 Mary B. Carter, 7 Mch 25 John R. Nickles, 8 Apr. 14 Martha Bonds, 9 June 8 Nathan Townsend, 10 |June28 Jane Sweetser, 11 July 20 Hannah L. Carter,
63y6m |w'dw'r Wilmington, 40y11m widow Tewkesbury, 61y marr'd Carlisle,
73y marr'd England,
79y w'dw'r Chester, N. H. Ebenezer and -
marr'd Turner, Me. H. Brigs,
83y 10m widow Milford, N. H. Benjamin and Sarah Lewis,
12 Aug 15 Susan A. Carter,
48y5m marr'd Bedford,
13 Sept.2 Asa G. Sheldon,
14 Sept. 9 Helen A. Pratt,
15 Sept 14 Adaline E. Sweetser, 11m
16 Sept 30 James P. Bonds,
76y
w'dw'r England,
17 Oet. 16 Laicy Alexander,
18 Nov. 1 Jessie McGuire,
6y9m
single Scotland,
19 Nov. 1 Katie McGuire,
5y2m
single Scotland,
w'dw'r Ireland,
92y 48y widow Orford, N. H. Horatio & Sophronia Roberts consumption.
21 Nov. 8 Margaret Wilcox,
22 Dee 13 Ford Gowing,
23 Dec 13 Louisa Gowing,
3 days
infant Wilmington,
Thomas F. and Louisa
dropsy.
24 Dec 31 Walter A. Eames,
2y
infant |Wilmington, George F. and Lucy E.
pneumonia. apoplexy. consumption. consumption. heart disease. liver c'mpla'nt pneumonia. heart disease. old age. consumption.
Daniel and Susan Butters, Jeremiah and Elizabeth, Caleb S. and M. L. Pratt. John E. and Addie Sweetser, chol. infantum George and Mary Bonds,
gen'l debility. dropsy. scarlet fever. scarlet fever. old age.
Peter and Lucy Alexander, James and Janet McGuire, David and Katie McGuire, John Brandon,
Thomas F. and Louisa
dropsy.
scarlet fever.
82y marr'd Lynnfield,
24y5m
single Boston,
single Chelsea,
67y single Wilmington,
20 Nov. 3 Patrick Brandon,
3 days infant Wilmington,
Nathan and Betsey Buck, ohn and Mary Bridges, bel and Sarah R. William and Phillis Oscar,
15
SCHOOL REPORT.
The School Committee of Wilmington respectfully submit to the Town their Annual Report :
EAST SCHOOL.
This school has been favored with the services of Miss Rebecca Eames, during the past year. Her reputation as a successful teacher is too well established to require any comment on our part. Miss Eames' school affords convincing proof of the advantage of employing the same teacher dur- ing successive terms.
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Miss Susie E. Littlefield, of Boston, taught this school during the summer term. Miss Littlefield entered the school under favorable circumstances, and it was hoped her labors would prove successful. Having been accustomed to graded' schools she found it difficult to adapt herself to the wants of our common mixed schools. A pleasant state of feeling existed between teacher and scholars ; but more thorough- ness of instruction and firmer discipline are necessary to insure perfect success.
The winter term was under the charge of Miss Mary E. Nichols, of Wakefield. Miss Nichols devoted herself to her school with commendable energy, and used every effort to stimulate the minds of her pupils. She trained her scholars
17
to depend upon their own merits; and it was a pleasing feature at the closing examination, that the questions pro- posed by the Committee were as promptly and correctly answered as those proposed by the teacher. The map draw- ing in this school, and also in the East School, is worthy of special commendation.
NORTH SCHOOL.
Miss Hannah M. Hart, of Wakefield, taught this school during the year. She was well qualified for the situation, and labored faithfully for the good of the school. Her in- structions were not wholly confined to the text-books, but she imparted to her pupils much valuable information upon general subjects. Had she been better supported, greater success would have attended her efforts.
WEST SCHOOL.
This school has been highly favored during. the year. The summer term was taught by Miss Clara E. Bancroft, and was very successful. She was patient and faithful in imparting instruction, and readily won the love of her pu- pils. It was regretted that her labors could not be retained.
The winter term was under the care of Miss Susie A. Greene, of Wakefield. Miss Greene came highly recom_ mended, and fully sustained her recommendations. Her school was characterized by thoroughness of instruction. gentle but firm discipline, and a minifest desir for the highest good of her pupils.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Miss Catharine J. Siller, of Boston, taught during the
18
summer term. Miss Siller appeared well qualified for the school, but failed to secure from her scholars that respect which is so essential to success. She imparted to her pupils much useful knowledge, and had she been a better disci- plinarian, might have had a prosperous school.
Miss Phebe G. Harnden, of Reading, took charge during the winter term. Considering that this was her first expe- rience in teaching, she succeeded well. She manifested a good degree of energy and perseverance, and bids fair to become a good teacher.
GENERAL REMARKS.
We commenced the year under unfavorable circumstances, from the fact, that with two exceptions we were obliged to employ new teachers ; yet we believe our schools in the aggregate have done well. In some cases the improvement has not been so great as we could desire, and in others the usefulness of the teacher has been materially lessened by influences outside the school-room. Whenever the Com- mittee have employed teachers of sufficient literary attain- ments, and those who came well recommended, it would seem the part of wisdom for parents to uphold them in the discharge of their duties. We must not look for perfection here any more than elsewhere. The teacher's work, rightly viewed, is a noble and ardnous one.
It has been said-" To educate a child is greater than to perform the duties of a Governor." It is not simply to teach the art of reading, writing and arithmetic, but teach- ing a child the great art and power of life ; how to use his intellect ; how to make the most of time, and how to train every faculty to the highest point of usefulness and strength. It is to stimulate the indolent, encourage the diffident; in short, to take children from different families with their sur- rounding influences. and strive to lay in their youthful minds the foundations of knowledge, truth and virtue.
19
This is the teacher's true work, and in the midst of these duties a word of encouragement from the parent, evincing an appreciation of the toils of the school-rooin, is most highly prized by the faithful instructors of our children.
The great want in our schools at the present time is per- manent teachers. It is detrimental to the prosperity of any school to be subjected to frequent change of teachers. Our terms are so short that the scholars hardly become accus- tomed to one course of instruction when another is intro- duced, and consequently but little real advancement is made. Any one who is skeptical upon this point is referred to the East School. The classification of this school is such as se- eures the best of results : for example, take a class of twelve scholars in arithmetic, and who does not see that the teacher can accomplish vastly more in the way of mental drill and explanation, than when this number is divided into three or more smaller classes ; and so with all the other studies pursued,-Grammar, Geography, Spelling and History ; the same scholars are not only in the same class, but recite the same lesson, thus doing away with the petty vexation of so many small classes, which are a serious hindrance to the teachers in many of our schools.
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