and forms, is liable to the same objection. The scholars cannot write, without leaning their chests on the forms. But neither of the above postures should ever be allowed. The scholars should sit so as fairly to rest their feet on something, either floor or stool; and never be allowed to lean on the forms when writing.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-CALEB BELCHER, William GreeNE.

HARWICH, .

(1) Population, 2,771. Valuation, $160,824 66. Number of Public Schools, 13.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 762-In Winter, 868. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 419-In Winter, 537.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 985.-No. of persons under 4

years of age who attend School, 24.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 118. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 105 mths. 21 days.-In Summer, 72-In Winter, 33 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 12.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 12—F. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $26 42-To Females, $10 89. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $6 00. (9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 42—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, $1,000.

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

(12) No. of incorporated Academies,

Aggregate of months kept, -Average number of

Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 1.—Aggregate of months kept, 3.-Average No. of Scholars, 45.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $157.

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

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's. Reading-Moral and Political Class Book, Worcester's 2d and 3d Books, Rhetorical Reader. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Woodbridge's. Arithmetic-Smith's and Colburn's.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * Your committee do not wish to be understood to be advocating the employment of unqualified teachers; on the contrary, it is their opinion that the want of competent teachers is a serious evil, an injury to the cause of education which they would gladly remedy, were it in their power; but so long as parents continue to manifest that indifference to the subject of education, which has for a long time retarded its progress, and so long as the want of competent teachers is considered as a matter of no importance, will the efforts of school committees be unavailing. The evil must be felt by the whole community in order to have the remedy properly applied. Next to that of a parent, the relation which an instructer of youth bears to his pupils is the most important and interesting which one human being can sustain to another. Immortal mind is committed to his care to be fostered and cherished, and fitted for usefulness. How interesting the thought! And yet the indifference to the intellectual and moral qualifications of teachers, and their methods of instruction, which is manifested by most parents, is little less than criminal. Some idea of the interest which parents feel for the prosperity of our schools, may be drawn from the fact, that in one of our district schools, in which there were 112 scholars, the average attendance was only 54; and in another, in which there were 101 scholars, the average attendance was 31. * * So that the advantages of these schools, which are in fact the only conservatives of our republican institutions, are totally lost to many of our interesting and promising youth, through the criminal negligence of their parents. Much of this evil arises from the circumstance that parents seldom, if ever, visit their respective schools for the purpose of coöperating with and encouraging the teacher, and showing to their children that they feel a deep

interest in the success and prosperity of the school. And here permit us to urge upon parents the duty and necessity of visiting their schools for the purposes above named, as frequently as they possibly can, consistently with other obligations. How often is the heart of the teacher ready to despond, at the coldness and neglect with which he is treated by those to whom he should look for encouragement and support. Nor is the effect upon the pupils less deplorable; for they cannot consider that of much importance, about which their parents appear to feel so little concern. On the contrary, the child seldom fails to set a proper value upon that which is highly esteemed by the parent, so that if parents would have their children feel deeply interested in their studies and pursue them with ardor, they must demonstrate to them, both by word and example, that they feel an anxious solicitude for the welfare of the schools as a means of forming the mind, and giving stability to the character, and also of elevating the standard of moral feeling and action. Your committee are fully aware of the fact, that some parents do visit the schools, and considering the object for which such visits are made, they do not wish to encourage their frequency. When parents visit the schools for the purpose of finding fault with the teacher, and his order and discipline, and that too in the presence of his pupils, we would respectfully suggest to such parents, if they cannot change the object of their visits, never to renew them; for they cannot take a more effectual method of destroying the confidence of their children in the ability and discretion of the teacher; and when such confidence is shaken and destroyed, the teacher's usefulness is at an end. It is also the duty of parents to use their influence to make the schools as pleasant and agreeable to their children as they possibly can; and as this cannot be done without the aid of the teacher, we would again urge the necessity of an active coöperation of parents and teachers in order to bring about this desirable end. But so long as parents send their children to school for the purpose of learning them that subordination which they have never taught them at home, and thereby converting it into a house of correction, their children can never think of the school with any degree of pleasure, but regard it with feelings of disgust and abhorrence.

Want of punctuality is another evil with which our schools are sorely afflicted. This is a subject which we fear is not duly considered by those who have the care of youth. When scholars are continually entering a school for half an hour after its commencement, its order and harmony are seriously disturbed. The teacher is obliged to defer the opening of the exercises until the classes are all in, or be disturbed by the entrance of the scholars, and the consequent confusion attendant on being "too late,❞—such as shuffling the leaves of their books in search of "the place," and of getting their proper station in the class.

The anxiety which some parents feel to get their children forward, induces them to put books into their hands, in which both the subjects treated of, and the style of writing are utterly beyond their comprehension. Now in order to have a child learn to read well, the books which he studies should be written in such a plain and simple style as to be easily understood by those to whom it is addressed. It would require an uncommon grasp of intellect in a child of 8 or 10 years of age, to understand the style of reasoning in "Sullivan's Moral Class Book," so as to be able to give his teacher the ideas of the author, clothed in language of his own. And yet this book is used in some of our schools by some of the younger classes.

* * *

In many of our schools there are from eighty to one hundred scholars, which, in the opinion of your committee, is quite too large a number for one school; and we would recommend to such districts to divide such schools, putting all of the younger scholars into the primary department. Our schoolhouses are not sufficiently large to accommodate so large a number with comfort, and it should be the duty of parents to see that proper arrangement be made for the health and comfort of the body as well as for the improvement of the mind. *

*

It is customary in our schools to call the younger classes of scholars "out on the floor" to hear them read, spell, and recite their lessons; and this practice is so full of utility, that we would suggest the propriety of having the seats and stove so arranged as to make a large area in front of the seats, so that the teacher can have free access to every scholar in the class. The arrangement is

such, in most of our schoolhouses, as to render this very difficult. The area being only a narrow aisle, with the stove occupying the middle, so that in passing from one end of his class to the other, the teacher is under the necessity of climbing over the seats; or what is worse, not paying proper attention to those scholars who are most closely blockaded by the stove and seats. Your committee are pleased to observe the change which has taken place, in regard to that wantonly destructive use of the jack-knife, which has proved so fatal to the external covering, and not unfrequently to the internal finish of most of our schoolhouses. * * *

There is, in the minds of our youth, a growing thirst for knowledge, which we hope will be properly encouraged by their parents; for mind needs to be cultivated with much care to be properly developed. In those districts where parents feel and exhibit an interest in the progress and success of education, their children pursue their studies with eagerness and avidity; while in the districts where a majority feel but little interest on the subject, and in the one which has recently voted "not to have any grammar taught in the school," the children tread in the footsteps of their parents, and of course the cause of education, under such circumstances, can make but little progress among them. We are happy in being able to state, that the school districts in this town, of the last mentioned character, are few.

* * *

Notwithstanding the numerous "evils" to which our schools are subject, your committee feel a pleasure in being able to represent them in a flourishing condition. The standard of education is much higher than it was, a few years ago; and the attainments which were considered ultra then, are now considered the medium. Then, if a scholar could read fast, (the faster the better,) write a fair hand, and cipher "through the book," he was said to have " great learning." Now, these attainments, with the change of "read well" instead of "fast," are considered the rudiments on which "great learning" is founded. Now, females enjoy equal advantages with the males. Then, it was not thought of "any use” for girls to learn to write, and accordingly, we find many adult females among us who are wholly ignorant of this useful and elegant accomplishment.

Your committee would respectfully suggest to the town, the propriety of be ing careful in the selection and choice of their school committee; because they consider the office an important one, full of important trusts and high moral obligations. The care of all the youth in the town is, in a measure, committed to them. How important it is, then, that they should be men of superior dis cretion, sound judgment and unquestionable morals. "To have the general care and oversight of all the schools in the town," is no easy task; and we hope it will not be lightly imposed on any who are not duly qualified, merely for the purpose of answering the law.

* * *

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-LORING MOODY, EDWARD SMALLEY, JR., S. P. BOURNE.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 426-In Winter, 710. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 271-In Winter, 451.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 610.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 55.-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 100. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 50 mths.-In Summer, 23 7-In Winter, 26 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 8.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 9—F. (7) Average wages paid per month including board-To Males, $26 11-To Females, $8 09. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $400. (9) Average wages per month exclusive of board-Of Males, $18 11-Of Females, $4 09. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $900 00.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $60 00.

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

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 10.-Aggregate of months kept, 36.-Average No. of Scholars, 400.-Aggre. gate paid for tuition, $625.

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Webster's Dictionary, Alger's and Perry's Spelling Books. Reading-English and National Readers, Worcester's Reading Books. Grammar-Smith's. Geography-Parley's and Olney's. Arithmetic-Smith's and Colburn's.

SELECTIONS FROM REPORT. * * Notwithstanding the general appearance of the schools has been good, and that the town has done much for the support thereof, and for the promotion of the cause of education, yet there are many evils existing in them.

The greatest evil now existing in our schools, appears to be inconstancy in attendance. The extent of this evil may be clearly seen from the above table. It thus appears, there is a loss of 35-100ths in consequence of non-attendance, to which may be added 5-100ths in consequence of tardiness, making an aggregate loss to the town of 2-5ths of the money expended in the town, in consequence of tardiness and non-attendance. Let those parents, then, who feel interested in the education of their children, inquire into the cause of this evil, and do what they can to remedy it; for, if the farmer, who neglects to improve the season for sowing his seed, must suffer in consequence of the blasting frosts of autumn, in cutting off his crops, so must your sons and daughters, who neglect to improve the seed-time of life, suffer in consequence of the blasting frosts of ignorance, in cutting short their usefulness and happiness in the world.

Another evil existing in our schools, is the great variety of books now in use. Such is the extent of this evil, that a uniformity of books can scarcely be found in any two districts in town. Your committee, therefore, would earnestly recommend to their successors in office, that a uniformity of books be established throughout the several districts in the town; and it is sincerely hoped, that every parent will cheerfully acquiesce in, and assist in sustaining, such a

course.

There is another evil, still existing in some of the districts, that is, a disposition in some parents to disapprove of the teacher's mode of government, in the presence of their children. Every parent should feel, and give his children to understand, when he commits them to the care of a teacher, that with them he transmits his authority also, and that while it is the teacher's prerogative to command, it is the child's duty to obey.

In many schools there is but little attention paid to the study of grammar, one of the most important branches in a cominon education. Every scholar should feel the importance of being thoroughly acquainted with his own language, so as to be capable of speaking and writing it correctly. There is also a great want of attention to the study of geography, in most of our schools. * * * Thus we see there are many evils existing in our schools; but notwithstanding they are many, and some of them great, yet they are not altogether incurable. But in whose power is this remedy to be found? We answer, principally in the parents'. Are not parents in a great measure culpable for the tardiness and non-attendance of their children? They certainly are. Is it not the duty of parents to aid and assist teachers, by their influence, in establishing order and discipline in school. We answer, it is. Have not parents the means of supplying their children with those books, which it is necessary they should have, in order to become acquainted with the several branches of a common education? They have.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-JOSHUA SPARROW, LEWIS DOANE, JR., JONATHAN HIGGINS.

PROVINCETOWN, (1) Population, 2,049. Valuation, $192,015 00.

Number of Public Schools, 3.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 174-In Winter, 280. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 125-In Winter, 228.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 562.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, -No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 110.

(5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 19 mths.-In Summer, 10.—In Winter, 9.

(6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 3.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 3-F. 1. (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $30 00-To Females, $10 00. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $8 00-Of Females, $5 00.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $22 00—Of Females, $5 00. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $800.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $ (12) No. of incorporated Academies,

Aggregate of months kept, -Average number of

Scholars, Aggregate paid for tuition, $.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 2.-Aggregate of months kept, 20.—Average No. of Scholars, 180.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $1,720 00.

(14) Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $

BOOKS USED.-Spelling-Emerson's Spelling Book and Parson's Analytical Vocabulary. Reading-Pierpont's American First Class Book, National Reader, Introduction to do., Young Reader. Grammar-Smith's, Murray's and J. B. Dodd's. Geography-Olney's and Parley's. Arithmetic-Adams', Adanıs' New, Emerson's 1st and 2d Parts.

REMARKS. A return is made respecting three schools only. It is stated that the other district schools were kept six months each, including summer and winter; but the whole number of districts is not given.

Board and fuel were contributed, but no estimate is made of the amount.

NO REPORT from School Committee.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.-GODFREY RIDER.

SANDWICH,

(1) Population, 3,579. Valuation, $638,294 44. Number of Public Schools, 21.

(2) No. of Scholars of all ages in all the Schools-In Summer, 184—In Winter, 1,012. (3) Average attendance in the Schools-In Summer, 133—In Winter, 705.

(4) No. of persons between 4 and 16 years of age in the town, 1,067.-No. of persons under 4 years of age who attend School, 277-No. over 16 years of age who attend School, 58. (5) Aggregate length of the Schools, 96 mths. 14 days.-In Summer, 22 21-In Winter, 73 21. (6) No. of Teachers in Summer-M. -F. 5.-No. of Teachers in Winter-M. 20—F. 2 (7) Average wages paid per month, including board-To Males, $30 85-To Females, $16 16. (8) Average value of board per month-Of Males, $9 40-Of Females, $6 00.

(9) Average wages per month, exclusive of board-Of Males, $21 45-Of Females, $10 18. (10) Amount of money raised by taxes for the support of Schools, including only the wages of Teachers, board and fuel, $2,218 78.

(11) Amount of board and fuel, if any, contributed for Public Schools, $350.

(12) No. of incorporated Academies, 1.—Aggregate of months kept, 5.-Average number of Scholars, 30.-Aggregate paid for tuition, $150.

(13) No. of unincorporated Academies, Private Schools, and Schools kept to prolong Common Schools, 15.-Aggregate of months kept, 75.—Average No. of Scholars, 270.—Aggre

gate paid for tuition, $525.

(14) 'Amount of Local Funds, $

-Income from same, $