(12) No. of incorporated Academies, Aggregate of months kept, Scholars, -Aggregate paid for tuition, $

-Average No. of (13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 15-Average No. of Scholars, .-Aggregate paid for tuition, $

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $ -Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.— -Spelling-Perry's and Kelley's. Reading-Porter's Rhetorical Reader, Emerson's First Class Book, Pierpont's National Reader and Introduction, and Young Reader. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Smith's and Olney's, and Peter Parley's for Children. Arithmetic-Adams', Colburn's and Emerson's. All others-Goodrich's, Phelps', and Worcester's Histories, Watts on the Mind, Comstock's Philosophy.

REMARK. The return respecting the Private School is incomplete.

* *

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * Your committee have generally visited, at the commencement and close of each school, as a body, and, in the intervening weeks, separately, so that each should determine the progress the schools were making; and we are happy to state, that, in our opinion, the money, voted by the town, has been judiciously expended, with regard to the selection and employment of teachers.

* *

* * * A few dollars, for establishing a school library, might be judiciously expended in our opinion. As nothing would tend to promote the cause of education more than this, it is to be hoped, that the several districts may be induced to exercise the power, granted to raise money for this purpose.

The separation of the younger, from the older scholars, and placing the former entirely under female teachers, will contribute much to the correct discipline of the schools, and progress of the children in education. We would

suggest, to your consideration, the propriety of raising more money, and establishing a school in this town, under a suitable male teacher, for the instruction of the older scholars. If we may not surpass, it is certainly worth while to try not to be behind, other towns, in our vicinity, in educating all the children in our own. No means ought to be spared, to make the rising generation proficient in literature, practical knowledge, manners and morals.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-PETER KENDALL, ROBERT DUREN.

* *

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 596—In Winter, 612. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 476-In Winter, 473. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 794.-No. of persons under 4

years of age who attend School, 43.—No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 66. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 80 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 42 14—In Winter, 38. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 13.—No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 11-F. 4. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $31 72-To Females, $16 24. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $10 00-Of Females, $800.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $21 72-Of Females, $8 24. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $2,105 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 103.-Average number of Scholars, 55.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $979.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 11.-Aggregate of months kept, 15.-Average No. of Scholars, 260.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $174 41.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National, Introduction to do. Reading-National, Mount Vernon and Young Readers, New Testament. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Malte-Brun's and Analytical. Arithmetic-Adams' new, Emerson's N. American and Colburn's. All othersWebster's Dictionary, Parker's Guide to Composition, Marshall's Book-keeping.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * And to this end, the committee can only say, that every thing hangs on the selection of brisk, business-like individuals for teachers, who are not only competent to their work, as teachers, but will infuse, into their scholars, something of the wakeful, industrious spirit, with which themselves have gained an eminence. "Like priest, like people," was never more true, than in relation to the business of school teaching. We cannot, indeed, expect bright scholarship from all the stupid, vacant, indolent ones, that present themselves in our district schools; but experience has taught, that much may be gained over these deep-laid, not to say natural disabilities.

Natural dulness is an evil that must be borne with. The main question with the committee, and with all, is, whether each school, under existing circumstances, is making its best possible progress. This being done, the remaining infirmities and shortcomings, though very undesirable, are things to be borne with.

*

Bating the unusual detention by sickness, the past winter, the committee have still to regret a painful want of constancy, in attendance, with many families, and would bring it forward as one of the crying evils that retard the best progress of our school operations. Whether from incapacity in many parents, to get out their children, or whether from a sheer negligence in the matter,such is the fact, as may be seen from the bills,-that many scholars are absent a very large proportion of their time. * We know, that, from the different economy of families, or rather, the flagrant want of it in some families, these evils will occur; but they are such as to demand the attention, as well as severe remonstrance of all; and the remedy of the evil will be found, in part, by rousing up the remainder of the community, whose rights are thus outraged, and who are liable to be flooded with unlettered children, to do, for delinquent parents and guardians, what, it seems, they had not a heart to do for themselves.

Another impediment to the best profit of our school operations, is found in the want of mutual coöperation between the parent and the teacher; or, rather, the embarrassment the former is constantly throwing in the way. Many a worthy teacher is crippled in his operations, and often sent away in disgrace, by the sympathy against him on the part of those whose interest, with his own, is involved in having their children, in some way, reduced to order.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-ISAAC HOSFORD, William Barry.

* * *

GROTON,

{(1) Population, 2,057. Valuation, $551,142 00.

Number of Public Schools, 14.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 484-In Winter, 661. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 328—In Winter, 453.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 608.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 46.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 93. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 80 mths. 1 day-In Summer, 44 14-In Winter, 35 15. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 14.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 13-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $26 70-To Females, $9 39. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $7 78—Of Females, $4 50.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 92-Of Females, $4 89. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,500 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $12.

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 11.-Average number of Scholars, 70.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $850.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 4.-Aggregate of months kept, 13.-Average No. of Scholars, 24.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $158.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $620 00.-Income from same, $37 20.

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-North American, Worcester's Primer. Reading-Porter's Rhetorical Reader, Sequel and Easy Lessons, Young Reader and Testament. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Malte-Brun's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Colburn's and Emerson's. All others-Webster's and Worcester's Dictionaries, Goodrich's History of the U. S., Wilkins' Astronomy, Blake's Philosophy.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT.

* * * Your committee take pleasure in stating, that in their opinion, the condition of the Public Schools, during the past year, has been progressive. In several schools, great interest has been manifested by parents, teachers and children. In order to render the schools more profitable, it has been deemed proper to elevate the standard of the qualification of teachers. In attempting this, an acquaintance with a greater number of branches has not been required, but a more accurate knowledge of the primary ones, which are the foundation of all good learning. The practice of devoting but little time or attention, to the exercises of reading and spelling, is believed to be pernicious in its influence. No person can ever be a good scholar, without a thorough knowledge of these elementary branches. Too often has it been the case, that the exercise of reading has been hurried over, without any explanation on the part of the teacher, or acquaintance with the subject, ou the part of the scholar. No person can read well, unless he first understands the meaning of the writer. This, in a majority of cases, cannot be conveyed to the minds of children, without the particular effort of teachers. Hence it is desirable to have more attention bestowed upon this branch of education. The end is not, however, to be attained by reading more, than is the custom in our schools at present, but by reading less, in a more intelligible manner. There is no fault more common than bad spelling. This is to be attributed, in a great measure, to defects in early education; defects which can hardly be eradicated, by the most persevering effort in after-life. It is, therefore, highly necessary, that the first principles implanted in the mind of the child, should be correct. To these departments of education, the attention of your committee has been particularly directed.

A great obstacle to the progress of scholars, is the want of discipline in the shools. By discipline, we do not mean that obedience to rules, which is the result of fear, but rather that which proceeds from the attachment and respect of scholars for their teacher. Want of discipline has been observed most frequently, in the schools of young teachers. This is naturally to be expected. It shows, however, the propriety of placing young teachers in schools, where the numbers are few and the scholars small. * * The committee are not aware that any attention has ever been paid to the study of the nature of our state and general governments. The opinion has been entertained, that such an exercise would be productive of beneficial results. It certainly is important, that those who are to perform the duties of freemen, should possess some knowledge of what those duties are. It is, however, believed, that all efforts in the cause of public education, will be comparatively unavailing, without the interest and cooperation of parents. In many of our districts, parents manifest a deep interest in the intellectual culture of their children; in others, there is a lamentable indifference. In the schools of the former, the scholars are constant and punctual in their attendance, and zealous in their efforts to cultivate their minds. Parents thus infuse a stimulus into the minds of their children, which can be derived from no other source. On the other hand, where parents are indifferent to the intellectual welfare of their children, the scholars are irregular in their attendance at school, languid in their efforts, and tardy in the acquisition of knowledge. It is sincerely hoped, that no one will lose sight of the importance of public instruction. By sustaining the institution of Common Schools, we sustain every institution, whence we derive our social, moral, political and religious blessings. The great majority of the rising generation, must receive their education in our Common Schools; it is, therefore,

of paramount importance, that it be of such a character as shall best fit them for the various duties which will devolve upon them in after-life. * * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-CARTER LAWRENCE, GEO. W. WELLS, AMASA SANDERSON, GEO. STEARNS, GEO. I. BOUTWELL.

HOLLISTON,

{(1) Population, 1,775. Valuation, $309,392 00.

Number of Public Schools, 9.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 360-In Winter, 477.

(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 292-In Winter, 372. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 418.—No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, -No. over 16 years of age who attend School, (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 60 mths. 7 days.-In Summer, 35 7—In Winter, 25. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. .-F. 11-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 5—F. 4. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $28 60-To Females, $14 26. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 20-Of Females, $6 55.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $20 40—Of Females, $7 71. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,100.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $

(12) No. of incorporated Academies,

Scholars,

Aggregate of months kept,

Aggregate paid for tuition, $

-Average number of

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 3.-Aggregate of months kept, 20.-Average No. of Scholars, 85.—Aggregate paid for tuition, $1,035 00.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-National, and Introduction to do. Reading-Bible, American First Book, Introduction to National Reader, and Young do. Grammar-Smith's. Geogra phy-Olney's and Hall's. Arithmetic-Emerson's, Colburn's, Smith's. All others-Worces ter's Primer, Goodrich's History of the United States, Whelpley's Compend, Blake's Philosophy, Little Philosopher.

REMARK-One hundred seventy-nine dollars, income from Surplus Revenue, is applied to the support of schools.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. *** In connection with this reference to their duty, the committee would expresss their opinion, with much gratification, that the Common Schools, in Holliston, have been decidedly improving, not only for this year, but for two or three years past. Improvement has been manifested in the mode of communicating instruction, in the studies pursued, and in the amount of discipline, the minds of our youth have received. Your committee are sensible of the importance of having such studies pursued, in our Common Schools, as shall best discipline the minds of our youth, and we have the pleasure to announce, that such studies have mainly been before them;-not but what much improvement, in this respect, may be made. As some evidence of improvement in our schools, we would notice the highly gratifying fact, that examinations are attended, by the parents and friends of youth, with more interest and increased zeal. * * *

* *

The committee would, also, respectfully suggest, that the town, by their acts as individuals, should sustain their future committees, in their efforts to elevate the character and qualifications of teachers. That our schools may become more beneficial to us and to our children, we must require more and more of teachers, until we bring, into the field, the most talented, the most worthy, and the most respected individuals in the community as teachers. So much should be required of them, from year to year, that no one, without keeping up with the spirit of the age, and the most approved methods of instruction, and without being well acquainted with the best system of education, would propose himself for this important employment. In thus elevating the character of

teachers, your committee must have the friendly support of the town, as well as the hearty coöperation of the agents in the several wards.

* * *

The committee would respectfully suggest the importance of parents and guardians assisting the teachers, in maintaining government and order in our schools. We would not recommend, by any means, a system of government, which is to be enforced by the rod, alone. We are sensible, that, if this is the only means of governing a school, its government will be miserable. Our opinion is, that the less the rod is used, the better; nevertheless, if it be needed to maintain order in schools, it should be used with judgment and prudence. At the same time, they would gladly have prevalent, in the community, among parents, teachers and scholars, the opinion, that, if needed for the purpose of due subordination, resort may be had to the rod. * *

*

The committee wish to speak, with approbation, of the employment of female teachers, four of whom have been employed in our schools, during the winter. The committee are of opinion, that, in some cases, female teachers of proper qualification, can be bad, who will be as serviceable to the cause of education, as would those of the other sex, and with much less expense. Yet we think, that the expediency of employing them, depends much on the character of the schools, and on the qualifications of the teachers themselves. Certainly, it is an object to prolong our schools as much as possible, and this can be done, by reducing the expenses by the employment, in some cases, of female teachers, not to the injury of the schools themselves.

We have only one subject more, to present to the attention of the town; this is the fact, that, in our opinion, Common Schools are susceptible of much greater improvement. Though, as we have already expressed, much has been done, within a few years, to elevate them, still much more remains to be done. We express, therefore, the sincere hope, that the town, in all their acts, will have their eye fastened on the advance of our school system. Let it cost labor, let it cost money,-let the town itself, your future committees, the teachers and the scholars, all be burdened, yet we desire, that your efforts may respect improvement in these institutions, so intimately connected with the good of our youth and the world. Improvement can be had in the manner of teaching, in the instruction imparted, in the discipline, government and arrangement of the several schools, in the construction of schoolhouses, in the character and requirements of teachers, and in the views and opinions of committees and people generally, relative to the subject of education. Allow then, nothing to stand in the way, on the part of the town, of our schools enjoying certain improvement.

In conclusion, the committee would tender back, most cheerfully, the special trust confided to them, with the unaltered feeling, as they close their report and their labors, that no institution, beside that of our holy religion, can be found among us, equal, in importance, to that of our Common Schools. *** SCHOOL COMMITTEE.—Gardner Rice, Sewall C. Burnap, Elias Bullard, ELIJAH B. CRAIG.

HOPKINTON,

{(1) Population, 2,166. Valuation, $443,906 00.

Number of Public Schools, 11.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 486—In Winter, 702. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 384-In Winter, 555. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 644.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 62.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 73. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 58 mths. 21 days-In Summer, 30 21—In Winter, 28. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. —F. 11.—No. of Teachers in Winter—M. 11—F. . (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $31 57-To Females, $13 09. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 48-Of Females, $6 27. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $23 09--Of Females, $6 82. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,100.