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ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

OF THE

CITY OF CHARLESTOWN.

DECEMBER, 1852.

CHARLESTOWN : PRINTED BY CALEB RAND.

1 S 5 3 .

R E FOR T .

The School Committee of Charlestown respectfully sub- mit the following Annual Report :

At the commencement of the fiscal year, the Board pre- sented to the City Council its estimate of the amount of money that would be needed to carry on the schools, name- ly, twenty-five thousand dollars and the City's portion of the school fund. This sum, however, was not sufficient to meet the total of the current expenses ; but there was in the hands of the treasurer funds that had accumulated mostly from the interest on the notes held by the board ; and most of this, one thousand dollars, it was thought best to use for the annual expenses. So that the above sum of twenty- five thousand dollars was all that the committee required, and this was appropriated by the City Council.

During the past year the Board voted to establish an in- termediate school. It is sometimes the case that pupils of eight or ten years of age in the primary schools, who come from abroad without previous school advantages, and others from neglect or absence,are unable to keep up with their class ; but are too old to attend the primary schools and too little qualified to' enter the grammar schools. It is the object of this school to receive such pupits, and qualify them for the grammar schools. This school will be kept in the new building on Winthrop street. With this exception, there Jias been no change of the organization of the schools.

As this school has not yet been opened, there are now but three grades of schools, the Primary, Grammar, and High Schools ; twenty-seven primaries, eight grammar schools, and one high school. At the close of the October term, there were 2029 pupils in the primaries, 108 more than in 1851 ; 1330 pupils in the eight grammar schools, 1 18 more than in 1851 ; 94 in the high school, 18 more than in 1851. The total number of pupils in the schools is 3453 ; increase over last year, 204. As the expense of the schools is about $27,- 000, it follows that the city pays about eight dollars a head for the instruction of its youth ; and as the population is be- tween sixteen and seventeen thousand, it follows that one- fifth of it consists of pupils in the schools.

This increase of children, points clearly to an increase of schools. The tables of the primary schools will show how crowded they were at the October examination. A new school was established in November in Ward Two, and is kept in the Ward House; and a new school will be required in this locality. The houses in the neighborhood of Law- rence street have much increased, and some of the grammar schools are also too full; thus the Winthrop has about sixty more pupils than it has seats. Hence the annual appropria- tion for the next year must necessarily be increased.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

The following tables contain statistics of the Primary Schools at the close of the winter and summer terms :

	Primary Schools.	■				E^	i ■	3^	1-	«i	1 j	si	:§
		liocation.		^s	s	o	t 5i	n	3	Ma	s|	^o
®	Teachers Wames.										2	cu »	d^
"A					II			°4			>	H	^M
T	Mary J. Brown	Bunker Hill School House	83	42	41	60	■^9	~3T	46	55	7
2	Malvina B. Skilton	Mead street			83	42	41	77	37	40	57	69	9	^
3	Hannah H. Sampson	Rear of 187 Main street	99	51	48	63	30	33	50	57	IP
4	Cliarlotte M. Moore	Warren School House	68	41	27	54	33	21	40	48	13
5	Mary J. Chandler	Elm street			64	37	27	.54	31	23	39	41	14
6	M. L. Everett	Elm street			97	56	41	70	40	30	50	53	14
7	Susan L. Sawyer	Rear of 187 Main street	114	50	64	94	40	54	52	84	n
8	J. M. Ranstead	Bartlett street			72	42	30	58	34	24	43	51	2{
9	S. E. Woodbridge	Bartlett street			73	31	42	70	30	40	49	52	9
10	Frances E. Smith	Common street		69	36	33	57	31	26	45	55	fi
U	Joanna S. Putnam	Common street		82	42	40	75	38	37	50	62	9
12	Catherine D. Flint	Bow street			84	46	37	73	43	30	52	60	9
13	M. E. Lincoln	Bow street			75	38	37	64	35	29	44	49	10
14	Sarah E. Smith	Bow street			110	47	63	86	41	45	60	80	11
15	Jane E. Rugg	Bow street			72	35	37	67	34	33	42	58	7
16	Abby E. Hinckley	Common street		96	46	50	75	40	35	55	62	8
17	Emily S. Pernald	Bunker Hill st	., at Point	127	62	55	82	39	43	56	72	IC
18	Ellenora Butts	Bunker Hill st	., at Point	122	59	63	106	60	46	67	85	13
19	Louisa W. Huntress	Moulton street			113	54	59	84	41	43	50	72	9
20	Elizabeth C. Hunting	Winthrop street		62	30	32	58	26	32	35	42	4
21	Louise P. Hunting	Bartlett street			80	44	36	75	42	33	45	66	9
22	Frances M. Lane	Bartlett street			92	45	47	75	37	38	50	64	12
23	Mary A. Osgood	Haverhill street
34	C. M. Chamberlain	Common street		66	38	29	59	32	27	40	50	4
25	H. M. Sanborn	No. 2 Ward Room		103	56	47	83	55	38	51	52	('
26	Charlotte Poole	Elm street			61	37	24	25	16	9	32	34	13
27	Louisa A. Pratt				101	42	59	67	25	52	43	57	3
	Primary Schools.	2 u	S.	4	II il	1	•S	4	S.s	1 > g	Names or
2	Teachers Names.	■3 S	n	5	n	t3	5I	2 1 a< S		Sub-Committees,
1 Mary J. Brown	99	43	56	68	38	30	50	59 3	Charles D. Lincoln.
2 Malvina B. Skilton	117	51	76	95	40	55	67	81 5	George Bradford.
3 Hannah H. Sampson	107	52	55	84	43	41	58	64	9	it (4
4j Charlotte M. Moore	82	46	36	66	40	26	53	61	17	Andrew K. Hunt. i
5; Charlotte Poole	92	53	39	70	43	.27	58	58	14	a u
6 M. L. Everett	100	46	54	79	35	42	.59	68	10	William Williams. |
7 Susan L. Sawyer	128	64	64	96	48	48	69	90	8	a «
8 J. M. Ranstead	72	41	31	61	33	28	52	56	10	Lemuel Gulliver.
9'S. E. Woodbridge	69	31	38	61	27	34	44	54		1( (C
lOjPrances E. Smith	95	46	49	76	37	39	55	68	9	Nathan Merril	.
111 Joanna S. Putnam	93	45	48	76	37	39	56	66	8	ti il
12 Elizabeth A. Lord	93	57	42	72	41	31	51	64	7	0. C. Everett.
13 M. E. Lincoln	81	37	44	51	26	25	42	50	13	William Tufts
14 Sarah E. Smith	121	59	62	87	43	44	66	74	9	a £.
15 Jane E. Rugg	89	41	48	78	33	45	52	65	8	O. C. Everett.
16 Abby E. Hinckley	122	63	59	84	43	41	63	67	4	James Adams.
17 Emily S. Pernald	100	44	56	86	39	47	64	72	7	J. G. Puller.
18 Ellenora Butts	122	68	64	101	53	48	73	76	7	« ti
19 Louisa W. Huntress	113	62	51	98	53	45	68	80	5	Edw. Thomdike.
20 Elizabeth C. Hunting	63	39	34	49	20	29	50	50	2	J. G. Fuller.
21	Louisa P. Hunting	97	50	47	75	37	39	60	66	5	John Sanborn.
2S	Prances M. Lane	100	55	45	80	41	39	60	75	5	U ii
3C	Mary A. Osgood	95	45	50	65	29	36	56	53	2	Charles D. Lincoln.
2^	C. M. Chamberlain	74	41	33	65	35	30	42	51	4	James Adams.
2^	H. M. Sanborn	129	76	53	96	58	38	59	76	5	Edward Thorndike.
2C	E. H. Rodenburg	115	67	48	23	13	10	26	23	6	John Sanborn.
2-	Louisa A. Pratt	129	43	69	87	40	47	60	60	4	James Adams.
_		2696	1321	1375	2029	1026	1003	1513	1727	19S

The reports of the sub-committees of the several primary schools, represent some of them to be defective as to man- agement and progress, but state that the^ost o^ them are teaching well the few and simple, but still important and interesting studies, that are required in them. Here the pu- pils may acquire habits, which, if good, will materially aid their future culture : but if bad, will as materially retard it ; and hence it is necessary that those who assume the office of teachers of these primary schools, should aim for themselves at a thorough self-culture. Take the accomplishment of reading. In these schools the voice may be trained proper- ly ; the pupils may learn how to attain command of it ; may acquire habits of distinct articulation ; may be taught to read carefully and distinctly ; and no small progress may be made, thus early, in giving proper expression in those pieces which can be fully comprehended. In all this, at least, the right way may be pointed out. It is feared, however, that it is not every teacher who has given this subject that atten- tion its importance demands. This surely ought not to be the case. While good judgment in governing a school is one requisite, another, no less important requisite, should be careful study of the subjects that are taught.

It was this consideration, as to the importance of the pri- mary schools, that induced a special committee, appointed to consider the qualifications for the admission of scholars to the Grammer and High Schools, to remark :

•'Your committee are happy to learn that the graduates from all the schools the last spring have appeared better pre- pared than in any former year. Still there is a deficiency, especially in reading, which seems to point to the Primary Schools, where more attention should be paid to enunciation and articulation, as it is well known that the voices of the young are more pliant and easily trained than in after years. We would therefore recommend, that geopraphy be discon- tinued in the Primary Schools, in order to give more time for the thorough use of Tower's books, which are the only reading books approved by the Board."

The following is the qualification which the Board haye adopted for admissions to the Grammar Schools :

" Each candidate shall be able to Read fluently from some easy lesson in the Intermediate Reader ; to Spell common words of one and two syllables ; to repeat the Tables of the Vowel and Consonant Elements, of the Abbreviations and Numbers, of the Points and Characters used in Writing; to answer, promptly, simple questions in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division."

GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

The following table comprises statistics of the High and Grammar Schools :

iHigh School, Bunker Hill, - - - No. 3. do. - - - - No. 2. Warren, - - - - No. 1. do. No. 2. Winthrop, - - - - No. 1. do. - - - - No. 2. iHarvard, - - - - No. 1. do. - - - - No. 2.	SCHOOL RETURNS, AT THE SEMI-AIfNUAL EXAMINATIONS. HIGH AND GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
t— ' o	JOio^^iOlOJOl-'l-' ^ iOJOOl— v300irf^<! C5 -vj Ct C; i,1 -^ 05 M M	Whole Number of Scholars for the Term	H a> B ^ i CTQ ! > >-> >-" GO ^ ll 1 1
00 oo CO	iCH-ioI^-'i-itOVICO •^?a»JOiOOc;i*>.:cn;i	Boys.
00 ox	COl-'OOiO-.CVIOS*!. '0}ocoi^&<>;^j0i(^to	Gh-ls.
1— '	1— ii— '1— 11— 'iOi— '1— '^^ Cj 00 C2 QD O -^ CO CO Ci CCU1OC«MOC0**0T	Number at its close.
	CC --O M CO 'i O V! M JO 1— '•t'CCvjcr. H-i— •^■joo	Boys.
00 CB	1—1 VlOOOOD-'ODOiOtCO JOH-i — OC— i-^JO-^M	Girls.
1— 1 to JO 00	OT^OOOO-^OOOJO	Average attendance.
1—'	)<i. VJ rfi. Cj M M I— Oi CO CT CO "^1! c;i JO Oi JO	Present at Examination.
CO 8	JO*i.C0C0C5rfi.*>.C0IO M CO ^l :c C-. 00 Ci vl 3;	Number of visits of School Committee.
	JO JO JO JO JO JO 1-1 1-" ^ C0C0>^Cnt«^J04^0iO JO Ci M O Cl' CO Ol VH-	Whole Number of Scholars for the Term	2 i B i o S' ! o o O o- CD 00 at
{O H- 1— ' (to <0 H- iO "<J oo *»■ ^ vj ci c: 00 Ci o i4^ oc io	Boys.
§	►-JOJOJOCOOvlvjOi CTO^JOOCOl—OO	Girls.
1— ■ to	^1 VI M "-C CO C5 JO CO 'sC JO <C OT OT JO CC iT *. ^	Number at its close.
	OODOC'.£OOODC5*>JCO •fr'OOCOODi-'rfi-MiOO	Boys.
o VI tc oc •£! o VI c« cr, oi iO 001— O'-Jl-'^-ODiOCn	Gu-ls.
1— ' 1— '	JOOiJOOOOO^CO	Average attendance.
00		Present at Examination.
JO	►-'•-'I— 'JOCiCOl— 'H-irf^ OOrf^COOtOCinQOi^JO	Number of visits of School Committee.

BUNKER-HILL SCHOOLS.

The Bunker-Hill School, Number One, is under the charge of David Atwood,* Principal; and Dorcas E. Farnsworth and Caroline Phipps, Assistant Teachers. Number Two, is un- der A. B. Saunders, Principal ; and Sarah J. Knights and Ann Nowell, Assistant Teachers. The sub-committee are Charles D. Lincoln, Lemuel Gulliver and George Bradford.

It was stated in the last annual report that more force was necessary in both of these schools ; and this, in the early part of the year, was supplied by placing an additional female as- sistant teacher in each of them. The April reports speak de- cidedly of the beneficial influence which these teachers ex- erted on the school, which was seen immediately in the pro- gress made by the pupils of the lower classes. The sub- committees state that both schools, under faithful teachers, were doing well. In April, they say that the exhibitions " were of an exceedingly interesting and satisfactory char- acter ; and although on both occasions the weather was un- usually boisterous, yet a large company of the friends of the schools were present, which showed that they were heartily cherished." In October, they state that the school under Mr. Atwood was maintaining its hitherto excellent charac- ter, with the exception of the classes under one of the assist- ant teachers, where improvement was needed ; and the one under Mr. Saunders, who has been more recently appointed, was a well drilled, well governed and well instructed school, making excellent progress. They present the Bunker-Hill Schools, as a whole, as " taking post in the very front rank of our grammar schools."

WARREN SCHOOLS.

Warren School, Number One, is under the charge of George

Swan, Principal ; and Elizabeth Upton, M. J. Chandler and

N. R. Sampson, Assistants. Number Two, is under Joseph

T.Swan, Principal; and Sarah T Chandler, MaryM. May-

2

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hew and Ann E. Chandler, Assistants. The sub-commit- tee are Andrew K. Hunt, Oliver C. Everett and William Williams.

The reports of these schools continue to be highly favora- ble. In April, the committee remark: "Excellent order, general punctuality, reciprocal confidence and studious at- tention, characterise these two nurseries of education, and in our opinion they^^augur well for the future." In October, after remarking on their general excellent condition, and that they were accomplishing all that might be expected of them, the report makes a discrimination that will apply to all the schools : " Those scholars who are constant in their attend- ance, and who are dilligent in the improvement of the ad- vantages which they so richly enjoy, are making commend- able progress ; while those whose seats are often vacant, and who, for slight and trivial causes, are permitted to absent themselves, find it difficult, and in fact impossible, to keep pace with the constant attendants."

WINTHROP SCHOOL.

Winthrop School, Number One, is under the charge of B. S. F. Griffin, Principal ; and Sarah E. Russell, R. S. Richardson and Anna Delano, Assistants. Number Two, is under S. S. Willson, Principal ; and Misses J. A. Bridge, A. M. Greg- ory and E. M. Richardson, Assistants. The sub-committee are Edward Thorndike, James G. Fuller and John Sanborn,

The sub-committee in April made an elaborate report of the appearance, recitations and general condition of each of the divisions in both of these schools on the examination. While there it is discriminating as to the merits of various classes, the state of both schools is characterized, as to pro- gress, as being highly gratifying; and the discipline and or- der in them, as entirely satisfactory. At the period of the October examination, school Number One lost the services of Mr. Luther W. Anderson, who had been in it over five years,

11

and had been a valuable teacher. He was succeeded by- Mr. Isaac Coffin, whose appointment proved unfortunate. He resigned his place in December, and was succeeded by Mr. B, S. F. Griffin, who is an able and experienced teacher. Changes like these are always unfavorable to a school ; and yet, so high has been the character of this school, that it is believed the pupils w.ill go on now in their accustomed suc- cess. The committee, in October, stated that school Number Two "exhibited continued assiduity of the several teachers in their various departments, and fair proficiency in the pupils generally."

HARYARD SCHOOL.

Harvard School, Number One, is under the charge of C. S. Cartee, Principal ; Misses A. 0. Robbins, S. J. Stockman and T. F. Kittredge, Assistants. Number Two, is under Joseph B. Morse, Principal ; and Misses A. M. West, Elizabeth Swords and H. E. Knight, Assistants. The sub-committee are William Tufts, James Adams and Nathan Merrill.

The sub-committee in April, reported both schools to be in a gratifying condition. Number One, in consequence of increased force being placed in it, having much improved. They state: "In summing up the results of their labors, they would, in general terms, testify to the excellent condi- tion of both schools ; to the ability, and successful efforts of the teachers, assistants as well as principals ; and to the good order, attention to studies, and exemplary deportment of the scholars." In October, ttie report was equally encour- aging. It says: " In the thorough training of the children in the principles and elements of the studies pursued, the teachers evince a fidelity, zeal and competency highly grat- ifying."

12

GENERAL REMARKS.

These reports represent the condition of the Grammar Schools generally in a favorable light. There can be no wiser policy as to them than to elevate their character, to increase their attractions, to require and expect that their teachers should present their classes as making regular pro- gress, from the youngest to the oldest. This, albeit a severe test, ought to be the test, of a good school. Hence, in a well managed grammar school, it has been the policy to hold the head masters as evert accountable for a proper progress on the part of the lower classes ; to require them to exercise so much of a supervision as, ?.t stated periods, to hear the classes recite ; and in this way to infuse unity and spirit into the school. This is believed to be a sound principle. At any rate, every thing ought to be done that can be, to keep these schools at as high a standard as possible, for to thousands of children, a large majority of youth, these furnish all the school advantages they will enjoy.

Such considerations induced a sub-committee, in treating of the qualifications for admission to the High School, to re- mark: " The improvement of our school system, the large number of successful candidates, the increased expectations of the High School, seem to justify us in requiring now what was recommended and approved two years ago, to be pur- sued in all the Grammar Schools. We have added easy composition, which will only require a little more attention to the grammar exercises already introduced in some of the grammar schools. It does seem requisite for the larger part of the pupils who will go from the grammar schools intp active life, that they should be able to write a letter or com- pose a paragraph in a proper manner, conveying their own thoughts and opinions upon a question or subject on which they become interested. Without reference, then, to the High School, the committee would press the importance of composition and declamation, as originally designed to be a portion of the grammar school instruction, believing that

13

these studies may be pursued without any disadvantage to those already required, while they will prepare those who enter the High School to proceed more rapidly and satisfac- torily in the higher course of instruction."

The following qualifications were estabhshed for admis- sion to the High School :

Each candidate shall be able to pass a thorough examina- tion in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Modern Geog- raphy and Maps, Wilson's History of the United States, part I, n, III, omitting in part Hfrom chapter III to chapter XIX, inclusive; Colburn's Intellectual Arithmetic; Greenleaf's Common School Arithmetic, as far as section XXXVIIl ; Easy Composition.

HIGH SCHOOL.

The High School is under the charge of A. M. Gay, Principal; Charles F. McDonald, Sub-master, and Mrs. P. G. Bates, Assistant. The sub-committee are James Adams, James G. Fuller, O. C. Everett, and Lemuel Gulliver.

This school continues under the same organization that was described in the last annual report. It has three classes — the juinor class, which studies Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Physiology, and the Latin reader ; the middle class, which studies Natural Philosophy, Geometry, and Caezar ; and the senior class, which studies French, Natural History, and Virgil.

The -reports of the examinations, both in April and. in October, speak in the most gratifying terms of the fidelity of the teachers, and the prosperity of the school. The latter report thus alluded to the character and number of pupils : "It is with great pleasure the committee presents the re- port, confident that the school continues to maintain its high character, and is worthy of the highest confidence of the community. The progress of the scholars in the various studies is slow but sure. Your committee were very much gratified with the thoroughness of the recitations and in the

14

apparent interest in the pupils. It was a large class that was admitted, and with very few exceptions proved itself well trained for the higher branches which were pursued. It was thought by the board that a number would leave soon after entering, as has been customary in previous years. But it was not so. There have continued to be more pupils than there were desks to accommodate. This shows an un- usual interest in the new members, and we trust also the in- creased interest of parents to keep their children in the school, that they may enjoy longer the advantages which are offered."

This school, with all the advantages of a well appointed academy, is attaining a high rank. It has a cheering pub- lic opinion to sustain it ; while it affords to deserving pupils to attain a higher culture than it is possible for the grammar schools to afford.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The several sub-committees have devoted much time to the examinations of the schools. These have, hence, been really examinations and not exhibitions. They were com- menced without previous notice or previous special prepara- tion, and continued with the object of ascertaining what the pupils knew about the studies they had gone over, and to what extent they had been required to think and to work out results of themselves. An instance will serve to indicate this thoroughness. One sub-committee states: "In the ex- amination of the different divisions ai>d classes, the commit- tee were engaged some twelve or fourteen afternoons ; de- voting to each branch of study brought under review as much attention as circumstances and their own time would per- mit." Both schools were subjected to a careful scrutiny. This duty has been done twice during the past year. It has been continued, in the belief that the influence of it has been in various ways beneficial. The glistening countenances of the pupils of a school room, better than any words, speak

15

the welcome of the members of the committee ; while their presence serves to cheer and encourage the teachers in their arduous labors. After this scrutiny, reports more or less in'de- tail, are presented at the regular meetings of the board. Has a teacher been neglectful or lacking in ability ? The deficien- cies are detailed in the report and commented on in the com- mittee. Has a teacher been faithful and successful 1 This, too, is made known and remembered. This statement will serve to indicate the vigilant watch that has been kept over this important branch of our municipal service.

In addition to the semi-annual examinations, there have been annual exhibitions of all the schools, when the exer- cises have been left to the judgment of the teachers and been witnessed by as large a number of the citizens as the several rooms would contain. These have been occasions of deep in- terest and pleasure both to pupils and friends; and, inasmuch as they constitute so many local practical lectures on the vari- ed advantagesof early culture, they are by no means without a salutary influence on the cause of education. In relation to them the committee make one remark ; they believe them to be advantageous to the pupils, and satisfactory to the community, in proportion to the impartiality that character- izes them. This will be manifested in the way in which all the scholars of a class are called on to take a share in them. The quick sensibilities of parents, no less than the keen eyes of youth, are jealous of favoritism; and all appearances of it should be carefully avoided in the schools.

It is after such examinations, that the committee would commend our excellent system of public instruction, with increasing confidence, to the community. If not perfect, it certainly has many things in the right direction. It aims to welcome all the children with a like encouragement. It meets them with a paternal yearning for their mental, moral, and religious well-being. It endeavors to make them realize the value of the intellectual mine that is within them, and presents every inducement that is just and proper, to persuade

16

them to work it and improve it ; and it begins to do this at almost an infant age, and ceases not until an age of maturity and action has been reached. Such is the open pathway, on- ward and upward, of the various grades of our schools. Such a system is worthy of the fame of this ancient place.

The evils that have been and are now connected with our schools — tardiness, absences, and defective descipline — have been so often commented on that the committee consider it to be inexpedient to go at length into a consideration of them. But another evil, that of truancy, is a great one in this city as it is in all large cities. In some esses it requires to be met by the stringency of law, but in a large majority of cases other modes of treatment, in connection with a strin- gent law, have been found most efficacious. Thus out of 625 cases of truancy dealt with by three agents appointed by the city of Boston, only 31 were sentenced to the House of Reformation and the Reform School — the larger portion of the remainder being persuaded to attend school. This ex- perience shows the benefit of a judicious agency appointed to look after habitual truants, and to confer in a humane spirit with their parents or guardians. It is an evil to take children away from their homes, collect them in large num- bers, and give to one person or a few persons that control over them which parents or guardians exercise ; and any well-considered plan that will obviate the necessity of this, and that promises to operate beneficially, merits a trial. And hence the committee recommend such an agency to be established in this city.

But however vigilent may be officers of the law, or how- ever valuable may be the advantages afforded by our schools, they be all vitiated or rendered nugatory by deficient home management. One instance of this is the habit of allowing boys of tender age, while yet attending the school, to be out evenings, and even until late at night. Groups of them for purposes of sport, or sometimes for worse purposes, may be seen and heard in favorite localities. Now this is the time

17

when juvenile criminals at large use most their entices and do their most mischief. Evening is the time for petty thefts, for early gambling, for corruption of all kinds. This is the time when much of temptation is first presented to youth. Now is this enough thought of by parents and guardians? Do they consider enough the fact that here is so often the beginning of the corruptions of boyhood 1 There could hardly be a more beneficial reform than to require boys to remain always at home or in doors during evenings. For this purpose let the home be made attractive; and then, while it will keep youth out ot the paths of temptation, it will serve to nurture in them good influences, and thus powerfully aid in promoting those high aims that our schools are designed to foster and reach.

This community need no argument as to the duty and necessity of supplying opportunities for the education of its youth that shall be free alike from sectarian or partisan in- fluences, be open alike to all, and be shared and enjoyed, like the bounties of Providence, in common. These are the foundation stones of our system of free schools. Public opinion here is fixed on their vital importance, and the only question is, whether, on such a basis, the superstructure has risen to the mark of the progress of the times ; whether here are enjoyed all the advantages that well tried experi- ence has sanctioned. In proportion as our schools reach this mark they will be accepted— in proportion as they fail to reach it, will the community be dissatisfied. The commit- tee have reason to believe that the closer the comparison be made between the advantages enjoyed here and those enjoy- ed elsewhere, the more will the result redound to the credit of the city.

By order of the committee.

RICHARD FROTHINGHAM Jr., Chairman.

Charlestown, Dec. 1852.