"

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 192.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 5.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 38. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 25 mths. 21 days.-In Summer, 12-In Winter, 13 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M.-F. 5.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 5—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $24 00-To Females, $9 94. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 20—Of Females, $4 13.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 80-Of Females, $5 81. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $450 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 15.-Average No. of Scholars, 93.—Aggregate paid for tuition, $357 00.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $550 00.-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.- Spelling-National. Reading-Young and Introduction to the National, American First Class, Book. Grammar-Ingersoll's. Geography-Olney's, Smith's, Parley's and Brinsmade's. Arithmetic-Adams' and Colburn's. All others-Webster's and Walker's Dictionaries, Watts on the Mind, &c.

SELECTION FROM REPORT. * * Your committee would suggest the propriety of each district's selecting a committee, from among the parents of the children, for the purpose of visiting their school at least once a week during the term, which will, as we believe, encourage and stimulate both teachers and scholars.

* * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-ASA SAWYER.

BOLTON,

{

(1) Population, 1,186. Valuation, $402,181 13. Number of Public Schools, 8.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 234-In Winter, 324.

(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 190-In Winter, 259.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 246.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 28.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 65.

(5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 44 mths.—In Summer, 20-In Winter, 24.

(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, $29 62-To Females, $11 00. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $9 00—Of Females, $500.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $20 62—Of Females, $6 00. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,020 00.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's. Reading-Emerson's Series. Grammar-Ingersoll's and Brown's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Smith's and Colburn's. All others-Comstock's Philosophy and Chemistry, Goodrich's History of the U. S., Flint's Surveying, Day's Algebra, Wilkins' Astronomy, Watts on the Mind, Foster's Bookkeeping, Playfair's Euclid, Webster's Dictionary.

SELECTION FROM REPORT. We would recommend to the town the importance and usefulness of a suitable apparatus for the use of each school, in order more readily and clearly to impress upon the minds of the pupils a correct knowledge of the subject of their studies. * * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-ISAAC ALLEN, CHARLES H. NOURSE, Oliver Barrett, JR., CALEB NURSE, N. A. NEWTON.

BOYLSTON,

{

(1) Population, 797. Valuation, $241,985 57. Number of Public Schools, 5.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 183-In Winter, 275. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 136-In Winter, 215.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 212.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 12.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 71. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 31 niths.-In Summer, 17-In Winter, 14.

(6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 5.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3-F. 3. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $27 85-To Females, $11 28. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $6 68-Of Females, $4 20.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $21 17—Of, Females, $7 08. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $400 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $38 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 5.-Aggregate of months kept, 103-Average No. of Scholars, 120.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $95 84.

(15) Income of Surplus Revenue appropriated to Schools, $52 59.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's New National. Reading-Testament, American First Class Book, Rhetorical and Intelligent, Child's Guide. Grammar-Ingersoll's and Pond's Murray's. Geography-Olney's, Mitchell's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Colburn's, Adams' and Smith's. All others-Watts on the Mind, Whelpley's Compend, Blake's Philosophy.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * Another cause, to which we ascribe the prosperous state of our schools, is the principle upon which our district agents act in procuring our teachers. There appears to be but one opinion among our agents, and, indeed, but one opinion among our townsmen, concerning the practice of securing the best of teachers. If they could be secured for a moderate compensation, we have been happy to have our schools lengthened by this advantage; but if they insisted upon having high wages, we have regarded it as good economy to pay all they asked, and have a short school under a well-qualified instructer, rather than have a longer school, under an instructer who had nothing to recommend him except the simple fact that he would keep school cheaply.

In two of our schools, the West and the Centre, we have tried the experiment, this year, of employing females to teach our winter schools; and we feel confident in saying that it is no disparagement to those who have had the charge of those schools in winters past, to say that we have never known them to be more ably managed, more successfully governed, or more faithfully instructed. The scholars have made all the proficiency that we could have expected under teachers of the other sex. The large scholars have, uniformly in the West school, and generally in the Centre, been more cheerfully submissive to the rules and regulations of the school, than in former winters, when these schools have been under the instruction of male teachers.

We are not prepared to say that it would be advisable to dispense with male teachers altogether in our winter schools, but we are satisfied that female teachers might be employed to a far greater extent than they have hitherto been, without any detriment to our schools. And, by adopting this course, our schools might be lengthened one fourth or one half.

* * *

By referring to the "Abstract of the Massachusetts School Returns," for the year 1839-40, we find that our experience, in reference to employing female teachers in winter, perfectly accords with that of other towns in this Commonwealth which have made the experiment. We learn from the reports of 1839-40 that nearly fifty towns in our State employed females, more or less, in their winter schools. And, almost without exception, their reports are decidedly in favor of the practice. * * *

But though our examinations have been neglected by the parents, the natural guardians of the children, yet there has appeared a new interest among the scholars of the different districts in reference to the successive examinations at the close of our winter schools. Visiters have not been wanting;-the larger

scholars, throughout the town, have poured themselves in at our examinations, and occupied those places that would have been better filled by parents. *** Your committee would again invite your attention to the subject of school apparatus. There are studies which cannot be successfully pursued without the benefit of some apparatus. In arithmetic, a good black-board is almost indispensable. In geography, a small globe, in the hands of the teachers, would do more, in a few minutes, to give their scholars a correct idea of the figure and motions of the earth, than hours of explanation would do without it. The expense of these, and, perhaps, some other cheap articles, would be but a trifle, while the benefit would be incalculable.

*

*

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-Wм. H. SANFORD, WM. H. MOOR.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 507-In Winter, 718. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 376-In Winter, 584.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 628.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 40.—No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 61. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 83 mths.-In Summer, 39 21-In Winter, 43 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 15.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 13—F. 3. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $23 80-To Females, $10 57. (8) Average value of board per month—Of Maies, $6 50—Of Females, $5 15.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $17 30-Of Females, $5 42. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,600 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $121 00.

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.-Aggregate of months kept, 6.-Average No. of Scholars, 45.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $400 00.

BOOKS USED.

Spelling-National and Webster's. Reading-Worcester's 2d, 3d and 4th Books, Child's Guide, Intelligent. Grammar-Pond's Murray's. Geography-Hall's and Olney's. Arithmetic-Emerson's, Colburn's, Smith's and Adams'. All others-Bible, Watts on the Mind, Goodrich's History of the U. S., Day's and Colburn's Algebras, Blake's Philosophy and Astronomy.

REMARK.-There have been small select schools, but no particulars are given.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * In districts Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7, the schools, both in summer and winter, have received the decided approbation of the committee. The teachers in these districts were well qualified, earnest and devoted. They possessed not only the necessary qualifications, but were endowed with the equally necessary and indispensable tact, or talent, of communicating knowledge and controlling their schools. And such was the appearance and improvement and intelligence of the scholars, in general, in the schools, that the committee are more and more convinced of the practicability of raising our Common Schools to the standard of the most approved academies and high schools. * * *

In the foregoing review of the state of our Common Schools, it is at once apparent how much depends upon competent teachers. Though such may not always be successful on account of local causes and unavoidable interruptions, still incompetent ones can never succeed even under the most favorable circumstances. * * All must perceive the paramount importance of judicious, skilful teachers for our children. Let no others, then, be employed. Give no countenance or encouragement to the inadequate and incompetent. If, however, one of this character should be accidentally engaged, dismiss him without hesitation, as soon as his unskilfulness is apparent; for, of the evils attendant on such a case, this is decidedly the least. * *

*

The loss of time and money, by non-attendance, would be scarcely credited were it not for the evidence which the registers afford.

* * *

In the first district there has been a new schoolhouse completed during the

year, at an expense of nearly $1300, which speaks well for the intelligence and enterprise of the inhabitants, and is already affording an intellectual income that is gratifying in a very high degree. * More preciseness in teaching, we are happy to observe, is securing more interest and accuracy on the part of the pupils.

*

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-SETH ALDEN, FRANCIS HORTON, JAIRUS WALKER.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 437-In Winter, 562. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 306-In Winter, 415. (4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 470.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 52.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 60. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 76 mths. 7 days.-In Summer, 37-In Winter, 39 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 13 —No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 13-F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $23 51-To Females, $10 23. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $7 48-Of Females, $4 56.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $16 03-Of Females, $5 67. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $1,200 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $174 00.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 6.-Aggregate of months kept, 64.-Average No. of Scholars, 162.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $75 00.

BOOKS USED.- -Spelling-Lee's and Cummings'. Reading Young Ladies' Class, Worcester's 2d, 3d and 4th Books and English. Grammar-Smith's and Murray's. GeographyOlney's, Smith's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Smith's and Colburn's. All others— Goodrich's History and Blake's Philosophy.

NO SELECTION from Report.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-AURIN BUGBEE, JULIUS E. TUCKER.

DANA,

(1) Population, 691. Valuation, $117,983 73.
Number of Public Schools, 5.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 148—In Winter, 189.
(3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 114-In Winter, 155.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 179.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, .-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 10. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 27 mths. 7 days.-In Summer, 13 21-In Winter, 13 14. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 5.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 5-F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $16 28-To Females, $8 40. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $4 98-Of Females, $4 00.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $11 30-Of Females, $4 40. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $210 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $125 60.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 23-Average No. of Scholars, 45.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $70 41.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Perry's and Webster's. Reading-First and Second Class Books, Rhetorical, Testament, Child's Guide. Grammar-Murray's and Smith's. Geography-Ol ney's. Arithmetic-Adams' and Smith's. All others-Blake's Philosophy, Walker's Dictionary.

SELECTION FROM REPORT. * * But few of the rising generation can enjoy the advantages of our higher seminaries. Let, then, our Common Schools be elevated. Let no parent fail to do all he can to have his children acquire a good education; for what can be so beneficial to them? We answer, nothing. Why should they not delight in bestowing, upon those who are most dear to them, the richest of all legacies, the treasures of a well-cultivated mind? ***

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-NATHANIEL JOHNSON, ORSON TOWNE.

DOUGLAS,

{

(1) Population, 1,618. Valuation, $573,991 82. Number of Public Schools, 8.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 255—In Winter, 391. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 199—In Winter, 282.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 429.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, .-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 30. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 42 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 19 7-In Winter, 23 7. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. 1-F. 7.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 8-F. 3. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $21 86-To Females, $11 50. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $5 56-Of Females, $4 33.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $16 30-Of Females, $7 17. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $600 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, 60.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $100 00.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $900 00.-Income from same, $54 00.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's National. Reading-American First Class, National, Testament. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Olney's and Smith's. Arithmetic-Smith's.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. The committee have been pleased to witness, in both teachers and scholars, an appearance of a feeling of interest, such as they have never before seen, and which is one of the best proofs of a valuable and successful school.

*

Among the improvements which the committee think that they have witnessed in the schools, they feel it to be their duty to refer, for one moment, to the mode of instruction which has been pursued generally. Our teachers have evidently aimed at correctness rather than display,-to the establishment of a good foundation, rather than the rearing of a baseless superstructure. * It is a source of regret that any teacher should ever adopt a different course. The scholar of to-day is to be the man of to-morrow, and he needs to carry with him, into the labor and the business of life, such intellectual and moral qualities as will enable him to find, within himself, the resources which will aid him in the hour when such resources shall be needed. In order to render his education of any service to him, he must have it in form to be used when occasion shall require, and if he finds within him but a confused mass of ideas half formed, or but half acquired, he has studied to but little purpose, and has misspent the most precious moments of life. The true secret of teaching well, is to teach a scholar one idea at a time. A scholar never fails to be interested in

a subject which he can understand. * *The great reason why certain scholars dislike certain studies is, that they have never been so taught as to enable them to understand them. The best course is to begin thoroughly with the elements of knowledge,-lay the foundations broad and deep,-look to the inevitable law of cause and effect, and leave the result to take care of itself. One good idea, once clearly implanted in the human mind, will soon yield a rich and abundant harvest. * * *

No parent does his duty to his children who does not visit the school at least once during the winter. If the farmer were raising a young animal, upon which