they would be highly valued, and have a salutary effect on the minds and morals of the community. * *

*

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JOSEPH ALLEN, MARTIN L. STOWE, JOHN F. FAY.

NORTHBRIDGE,

{

(1) Population, 1,448. Valuation, $294,054 67. Number of Public Schools, 8.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 317-In Winter, 292. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 208—In Winter, 206.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 396.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 28.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 35. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 37 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 21-In Winter, 16 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. 1-F. 3.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 6—F. 3. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $20 16-To Females, $11 87. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 00—Of Females, $5 68.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $14 16—Of Females, $6 19. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $550 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $1500.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 3.-Aggregate of months kept, 15.—Average No. of Scholars, 65.—Aggregate paid for tuition, $224 00.

BOOKS USED-Spelling-Webster's and Cummings'. Reading-Angell's Series, Bible. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Smith's and Olney's. Arithmetic-Smith's and Adams'. All others-Watts on the Mind, Comstock's Philosophy, Wayland's Moral Science.

SELECTIONS FROM REPOrt. * * Your committee regret to be obliged to say that many of the schools in town have not been what they should have been, during the past year. There has been a failure on the part of several of the teachers, both in their government and mode of instruction,-and a great deficiency in interest on the part of the parents, which will appear evident from the fact that the average attendance, in some of our schools, has not been more than half of the whole attendance.

Your committee recommend that, in district No. 2, another school room be provided, and the school divided, as one hundred scholars, crowded into one small room, can learn comparatively but little under the tuition of the best teachers.

*

* *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-MICHAEL BURDITT, LEWIS PENNELL.

N. BROOKFIELD,

{

(1) Population, 1,485. Valuation, $429,600 23. Number of Public Schools, 10.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 295-In Winter, 447. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 223-In Winter, 349. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 397.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 43.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 57. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 55 mths. 7 days.-In Summer, 26 14-In Winter, 28 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 8.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 8—F. 2. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $24 56-To Females, $10 55. (8) Average value of board per mouth-Of Males, $6 75-Of Females, $5 15.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 81-Of Females, $5 40. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,000 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 8-Average No. of Scholars, 80.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $162 00.

BOOKS USED-Spelling-Webster's. Reading-Testament, Worcester's 2d, 3d and 4th Books, National and Rhetorical. Grammar-Pond's Murray's and Smith's. GeographyOlney's and Hall's. Arithmetic-Smith's, Adams', and Colburn's First Lessons. All othersDay's Algebra, Blake's Philosophy, Watts on the Mind, &c.

SELECTION FROM REPORT. ** Most, who stand at the head of households, have learnt that it is characteristic of children and youth to magnify the dangers that threaten and the wrongs done them; and, not unfrequently, to make such frightful representations as, if believed, would fill the minds of teacher and parents with alarm. Even the judicious measures of a teacher may thus become a subject of complaint, and be looked upon as undoubted evidence of incompetency, if not of deep depravity. If parents would not render a school worse than useless to their own children, let them, before listening to their complaints, or speaking against their teacher, ascertain, to their full satisfaction, that he is much in fault, and unworthy to be entrusted with his important charge. As soon as a parent opens his mouth, in the hearing of his children, against their school teacher, that teacher can do them but little, if any more good in the matter of instruction. The parent has paralyzed his very best efforts; and, if the complaint be groundless, that parent has done an essential injury to others, no less than to his own children. * *

*

SCHOOL COMMITTEE -THOMAS SNELL, FREEMAN WALKER, Bonum NYE.

OAKHAM,

{

(1) Population, 1,038. Valuation, $284,341 27. Number of Public Schools, 8.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 225-In Winter, 362. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 184-In Winter, 280.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 311.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 16.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 45. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 40 mths. 17 days-In Summer, 20 10-In Winter, 20 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 8.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 8-F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $22 60-To Females, $10 68. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $5 60-Of Females, $4 76.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 00-Of Females, $5 92. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $707 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $52 25.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 4.-Average No. of Scholars, 60.—Aggregate paid for tuition, $130 00.

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-Webster's. Reading-Bible, Rhetorical and Intelligent, Child's Assistant and American Primer. Grammar-Pond's Murray's and Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Hall's. Arithmetic-Colburn's and Adams'. All others-Goodrich's History of the U. S., Child's First Book of History.

SELECTION FROM REPORT. * * The teacher acquitted himself well while' in the school room, as far as your committee could judge, but did not interest himself sufficiently in the scholars at other times. Your committee think that a teacher should feel an interest in the youth committed to his care, and do what he can for their good, from the time they leave their parents till they return to them again. * * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JAMES KIMBALL, SULLIVAN DEAN, ISAAC H. JONES.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 373-In Winter, 328.

(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 268-In Winter, 233. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 460.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 40.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 47. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 76 mths. 23 days.-In Summer, 50 9-In Winter, 26 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 11.—No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 8—F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board—To Males, $21 68—To Females, $12 52. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 81-Of Females, $4 98.

(9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $14 87—Of Females, $7 54. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,000 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 3.-Aggregate of months kept, 19.-Average No. of Scholars, 60.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $554 00.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Webster's, New York and Franklin Primers. Reading-Testament, Worcester's Series, Young, American and Rhetorical, Child's Guide. GrammarSmith's and Pond's Murray's. Geography-Smith's, Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic— Smith's, Colburn's, Emerson's and Adams'.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * Your committee beg leave to suggest that, in their opinion, District No. 8 should either be divided, or that a house be erected for the accommodation of two schools; they would recommend the latter course. By dividing the school according to the acquirements of the pupils, much more benefit would be derived from the same money. The experience of all large districts which have tried the experiment of providing two or more schools, according to the number of their scholars, is universally in favor of the

measure.

No. 10 contains so few scholars that your committee would express an earnest desire that it may be united with No. 1. We cannot but hope that these two wards will so far consult their interest and the welfare of their children as to make provision for a speedy union.

The importance of good teachers, though a standing subject of remark, it is believed is but very imperfectly understood and regarded. Your committee are more and more convinced that teachers should be persons of maturity both of body and mind, or they will fail in receiving that respect from their pupils which is indispensable to their success.

The committee chosen by the town, whose duty it is to examine teachers, cannot, in many cases, prevent the introduction of teachers who are very unsuitable for the employment. A candidate may sustain a close examination, and at the same time be fitted for any thing else rather than a teacher. There may be such a want of common sense, of good disposition, of self-command and of a taste for teaching, as to render his efforts useless. Your committee know of no remedy for this, especially if the candidate be a stranger, unless it be found in the prudential committee.

The prudential committee is, in fact, the most important agent in the whole department of Common Schools; a fact which, it is believed, is but very imperfectly considered.

* * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-HORATIO BARDWELL, A. SMITH Lyon.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 154-In Winter, 181. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 122—In Winter, 143. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 184.—No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 13.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 26. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 25 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 9 21-In Winter, 15 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 4.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3-F. 2.

(7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $22 00-To Females, $13 17. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 33-Of Females, $4 83.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board—Of Males, $15 67—Of Females, $8 34. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $400 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 3.-Aggregate of months kept, 6.-Average No. of Scholars, 70.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $122 00.

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-Cummings' and Emerson's. Reading-Bible, Rhetorical, Intelligent and National, American First Class Book, Child's Guide and Franklin Primer. Grammar-Pond's Murray's and Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Emerson's 1st, 2d and 3d Parts, Smith's and Adams'. All others-Day's Algebra, Watts on the Mind, Worcester's Ancient and Modern Histories, Historia Sacra, &c.

*

SELECTION FROM REPORT. * It has been obvious to the committee, the past year, that the females held the preeminence among the teachers; and it is respectfully suggested to the consideration of the several prudential committee men, whether they would not promote the improvement of all the schools by seasonably engaging the services of the ablest female teachers. *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JAMES DAY, DAVID H. SMITH.

**

PETERSHAM,

{(1) Population, 1,775. Valuation, $644,607 74.

Number of Public Schools, 14.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 409-In Winter, 459. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 339-In Winter, 366.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 461.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 25.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 30. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 80 mths.-In Summer, 44 7-In Winter, 35 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 14-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 7-F. 4. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $24 64-To Females, $11 29. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 93-Of Females, $4 63. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 71-Of Females, $6 66. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,000 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $30 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 2.-Average No. of Scholars, 60.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $60 00.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $664 20.-Income from same, $39 85.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Lee's Primary. Reading-Pierpont's First Class Book, Improved, Young and Village, Introduction to English, Child's Guide. Grammar-Smith's and Pond's Murray's. Geography-Olney's, Smith's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Smith's, Adams', Colburn's and Emerson's. All others-Blake's Philosophy, &c.

* *

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. Four of our winter schools were taught by females, and, without any disparagement to the young gentlemen teachers, some of whom did very well, yet justice compels us to say that the schools taught by females, during the past winter, have made as good progress as those taught by males. And it is not too much to say that the school, which made decidedly the best appearance at the close, was taught by a young lady.

This superior success in teaching is not owing to a better knowledge of the sciences taught, but it is rather owing to a superior manner, a more agreeable way of giving instruction. A female is a more gentle and amiable being; possessing more of the tender impulses of kindness and affection;-she more easily wins the attachment of the young scholar to her; and, where that is once gained, the scholar is easily taught and easily governed.

When well educated, the female is as well if not better fitted to take charge of small scholars, as the male. And it is frequently the case that large and turbulent boys, whom it was quite difficult for men to govern by severe means, have been won into good behavior by the gentle treatment of a female teacher. Your committee are of opinion that it is not only matter of good economy, but for the advantage and improvement of your schools, especially those that are small and composed chiefly of young scholars, to employ well-educated and experienced female teachers to instruct them, not only in summer but in winter also. The scholars will learn as fast, and your schools will be greatly lengthened by such a plan.

It is much to be regretted that so many, of both males and females, engage in school teaching, with no other apparent object but to get a little money. They seemingly do not care for the progress of the immortal mind placed under their charge. If they can only keep the scholars and parents from complaining, they are satisfied. There is but one thought that absorbs the whole mind; it is not the amount of good they are doing to the rising generation, but the twenty or sixty dollars so tempting at the end of the term. They have a sufficient education to get a passport from the committee. They enter their schools as some persons do a workshop, to labor by the day,-glad to see the sun go down,-pleased when four o'clock comes. They count the hours, the days, the weeks, the months, and feel their duty well done if they are so fortunate as to get through, to the end of the term, without being turned out of their schools.

Scholars thus taught, or, we should rather have said, lulled and stupified by a certain spiritless and tiresome routine of reading, spelling and reciting, just so many times a day, make but little progress. There is a great waste of money and time in such schools. They are the sepulchres of intellect, where talents are buried. Such a merely mercenary spirit in school teachers is lamentable. The money given them is nearly all thrown away. Our children might as well stay at home, for they learn little else than deception, mischief and laziness.

The besetting sin in nearly all our schools is idleness. To obviate this, we think that a task entirely within the capacity of the scholar, should be assigned him daily, in all the studies he is pursuing, and he be required to accomplish it perfectly. The scholar can take no interest in lessons half learned, and without an interest in what he is learning he makes no improvement. Much depends on the life of the teacher; much on his manner and promptitude; much on the coöperation which parents can and should afford.

There is a better spirit abroad. We have less of those indifferent teachers now than formerly. There are yet too many. This evil has been too much encouraged by the people. The people can, if they will, remedy it. And how? By giving better encouragement to good teachers. To get a school master or mistress merely, is one thing; it is an easy thing;-but to get a good one is more difficult. Whenever you get a valuable teacher, one who loves to teach; one who "is apt to teach;" try to re-engage his or her service for another school, even if you have to pay him more. Good teachers can command good wages, and, like every other class of persons, they will work where they are the best rewarded. We do not blame them for this.

Think yourselves fortunate if you can secure the services of such teachers at any reasonable rate. It is absolutely cheaper to give a good teacher forty dollars per month, if you cannot get him for less, than to take a poor one for nothing. For he who works for nothing and does more evil than good, is an expensive servant to you, and there are just such school teachers. Whereas, he who does his work well, though he has but a little time to do it in, does some good. Yes, would it not be much wiser to give a good teacher forty dollars to teach our children WELL, one month, than to give a poor one forty dollars to teach him ILL, four months? The longer our children are badly taught, the worse for them. A poor school ought to be short,-the shorter the better.

Cheap teachers, like cheap goods bought at auction, are generally damaged property, and the buyer almost always gets cheated. Yes, they prove, in the end, the dearest articles found in the school-market. A poor teacher will pull down and destroy as much good, in three months, as a good one can build up in that time. There is much more than the money lost. It will take a long