rooms for outer garments, where pupils may exercise in unpleasant weather, and in which, whenever occasion may require, cases may be placed for the reception of mineralogical and geological specimens, without obstructing the use of the rooms for the purpose to which they are now devoted. The edifice is substantially and thoroughly built of brick; it is spacious, convenient and well adapted, in all its arrangements, for the purpose for which it has been erected. A beautiful dome surmounts the building, which was incorporated in the plan, not so much for the improved architectural appearance it would impart, as an actual necessity to give sufficient light to the school room. The architect, Jason Washburn, Esq., of this city, and the contractors, Messrs. James Newton and Sons, of Greenfield, have fulfilled their contracts with great fidelity, and deserve special credit for their energetic efforts to complete their work within the limited time of the summer vacation, under the great embarrassment occasioned by the erection of two brick churches and gas works in the village, at the same time, which absorbed all the building materials and workmen in the vicinity. It has been the object of the committee to expend the funds placed at their disposal, in a manner which should be permanently advantageous to the institution and creditable to the State. The first object was to obtain a general plan which should contribute most to the convenience of the school, while the external appearance should present a chaste specimen of architecture. The next was to bring the cost within the amount appropriated by the legislature. The plan adopted by the committee and architect, after long and mature deliberation, was the best they could devise under the circumstances. It could not have been reduced, in dimensions, without so contracting the rooms as to retain the very objectionable features of the building which the enlargement was designed to obviate, and leaving the structure, a permanent inconvenience, an ill-proportioned, contracted building, a lasting discredit to the committee who planned it and to the State which provided for its erection. It was decided therefore to give the building ample size, but to omit, for the present, the porticos over the two main entrances, which convenience and architectural proportions require; also, the dome, which appeared to be an unavoidable necessity for securing suitable light for the school-room, was excluded from the plan for want of means. But so indispensable did it seem for the purpose named, that efforts were made to raise the sum required from private resources. This failing, the whole expense was assumed by one individual, who, from an unwillingness to see a defect of such magnitude admitted into the plan, was induced to provide from his own limited means the amount needful to cover the expense. Since the completion of the building it is very apparent that, without the dome, the school-room would not have been light enough to use without inconvenience and prejudice to the eyesight of the pupils. With it, a beautiful light is obtained, also an excellent means of ventilation; to which we may add, what will be obvious at a glance of the eye, a graceful, symmetrical finish is imparted by it to the external appearance of the whole edifice. So far as improvements have been made every thing has been done with a view to thoroughness and permanency. Doubtless, the building in all its arrangements for convenience, and adaptedness to its purposes, is not inferior to any in the State; but full and adequate provision has never been made for this, and perhaps it may be said, for any of the Normal Schools, so as to give them a thorough test of their capability. The importance of completeness and perfection cannot be easily overrated even in the building occupied by a Normal School. It stands, year after year, a silent teacher of school-architecture, impressing daily lessons on the minds of all who resort to it for instruction. To them it should be a model. Through their influence many a town should have more beautiful and convenient structures for school-houses, from the mute suggestions it imparts, and more elegant school buildings should induce a more refined taste, improved manners and morals in thousands of those who are to be the future citizens of this Commonwealth. Located as this school is, in one of the most beautiful of the lovely villages in the valley of the Connecticut, in the midst of a people whose deep-felt interest and kindly sympathy for pupils temporarily residing in their families, are proverbial,—with numbers in constant attendance always quite equal to its capacity to accommodate, and with the prestige of success which has so uniformly characterized the institution, it is safe to affirm that a stinted provision for its wants cannot be a wise one. If a welleducated community is desirable, and if such an institution is clearly producing good results to this end, then a proper endowment to give it a free and full working power is true wisdom, on the part of the State. The principal expenditure for the building has been made; and with the exception of the two items named above, one of which, for want of funds has been omitted, and the other assumed by an individual who ought not to be burdened with what belongs to the State, little remains to be done except to provide for the current wants of the school. The floor plans and exterior view of the Normal School building at Westfield as it appears since its enlargement, have been printed on pages 19 and 20, in connection with the Report of the Board. A. PARISH. Report of the State Normal School at Bridgewater. During the past, which is really the twentieth year of its existence, the Bridgewater Normal School has shown a vigorous life, and has in spite of some difficulties that should be removed, accomplished all that could properly be demanded of it. At the close of the Summer Term, Marshall Conant, A. M., who had been Principal of the school for seven years, was compelled by ill-health to resign his place, and Mr. Albert Boyden was appointed Principal. During his long connection with the school Mr. Conant, by his accuracy of scholarship, his skill as an instructor, his industry and fidelity, had always secured and maintained the high regard of the pupils, and had given entire satisfaction to the Board of Education, and his necessary resignation of office was universally regretted. Mr. Boyden had been a teacher in this school six years, and is believed to be amply qualified to maintain the high character of his predecessors in office. Mr. James H. Schneider, a graduate of Yale College, has been appointed Assistant Teacher, and Mr. Charles F. Dexter, a graduate of this school, second Assistant. Miss Eliza B. Woodward remains as Preceptress, and Mr. O. B. Brown is teacher of Music. Mr. James C. Sharp, of Dorchester, delivered a course of twelve lectures on Chemistry in the summer term, and Rev. John L. Russell, of Salem, delivered in the winter term, a course of six lectures on Botany. All the faculty seem to have the greatest good of the school at heart, and enjoy a popularity founded upon ability, industry, and fidelity. The number of pupils admitted March 21, 1860, was as follows: males 14, females 22; total 36. The average age of the young men was 20 5-7 years, of the young women a little above 18 years. The number admitted September 18, 1860, was, males 9, females 7; total 16. The average age of the young men was 20 1-9 years, of the young women 20 years. During the year, there have been admitted 52 pupils; the average age has been 19 years. The number in attendance during the summer term, was, young men, 44, young women, 40. Senior class, 31; middle class, 17; junior class, 36; total 84. During the winter term, young men, 30, young women, 37; senior class, 14; middle class, 35; junior class, 15; graduates, 3; total 67. During the year the number of different pupils in attendance has been 136. A class of 32 graduated February 21, 1860; young men, 8, young women, 24. A class of 31 graduated September 24, 1860; young men, 23, young women, 8. Total graduated during the year, 63. The whole number that have graduated during the entire twenty years of the school, is 799; which is about forty a year. The pupils admitted in 1860, have come from the following counties and towns: Plymouth County has sent 18, as follows: Bridgewater, 5; East Bridgewater, 3; West Bridgewater, 1; North Bridgewater, 1; Middleborough, 2; South Scituate, 3; Mattapoisett, 1; Hingham, 1; Rochester, 1. Norfolk County has sent 5, as follows: Canton, 1; Dover, 1; Medfield, 1; Randolph, 1; Sharon, 1. Middlesex County has sent 3; Sherborn, 3. Suffolk County, from Boston, 1. Worcester County has sent 2; from West Brookfield, 1; Upton, 1Hampden County has sent 2; from Brimfield, 1; Monson, 1. Bristol County has sent 8; from Acushnet, 2; Easton, 2; Fall River, 1; Raynham, 1; Swanzey, 1; Taunton, 1. Maine has sent 7; New Hampshire, 2; Vermont, 1. 52. Total, The following are the occupations of the parents of the pupils that have been admitted during 1860: farmers, 26; tailors, 2; carpenters, 2; mechanics, 2; carriage manufacturer, 1; shoemakers, 2; shoecutter, 1; clergyman, 1; painter, 1; accountant, 1; fruit dealer, 1; cigar maker, 1; insurance agent, 1; millwright, 1; storekeeper, 1; lawyer, 1; deceased, 6. Of the 52 admitted, one-half had previously been engaged in teaching. Of the 32 who graduated in February, 29 are now known to be teaching; of the 31 who graduated so late as September, 23 are now known to be teaching. The demand for teachers from the graduates of this school seems to be as strong as ever. A graduation here is almost a sure passport to a good position as a teacher. The number of pupils that have received aid from the State this year is 56; young men, 27; young women, 29. The amount paid was $1,000. We have spoken highly of the instruction and training given in this school, but not more so than they deserve. The difficulties to which we have alluded, arise from the inadequacy of the schoolbuilding to accomplish its purpose. A Normal School Building should be a model school-house. The rooms, furniture and all the fixtures should be such as not only to afford all necessary conveniences but to give the pupils a correct idea of such things. The building at Bridgewater was the first erected for a State Normal School in this country, when the experiment of Normal Schools was new. It is too small, and has no suitable rooms for a library, or museums, or even for the reception of visitors. The furniture in the school-rooms is antiquated, and the seats are crowded too closely together. The high character of the school, won by a successful career thus far, and the large section of the State that is particularly accommodated by it, strongly demand an enlargement and improvement of its building. The actual usefulness of the school, and its promise for the future, were never greater than now. ERASTUS O. HAVEN. |