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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OP THE
CITY OF CHARLESTOWN,
DECEMBER, 1856.
CHARLESTOWN :
PRINTED BY WILLIAM W. WHEILDON,
1857.
SCHOOL REPORT.
The School Committee in conformity with the require-
ments of law and custom, submit the following as their
Annual Report.
The condition of the Schools is on the whole, favora-
ble ; and if during the coming season the City Council
provide, as it is now understood will be the case, a new
Grammar School-house, and better accommodations for
some of the Primary Schools, there can be no doubt
that our institutions of instruction, will at the end of
another year, maintain fully the reputation which they
have heretofore enjoyed, and it is hoped that they will
compare favorably with the Schools in other cities and
towns in the Commonwealth.
The general feeling in our community is believed to
be in favor of the most liberal appropriations for pur-
poses of instruction, and City Councils and School
Committees will fail to meet the expectations and de-
mands of those who place them in authority and entrust
this precious interest to their charge, unless they pro-
vide fully for the comfort and the thorough instruction of
every child whose home is within the limits of our city.
At the commencement of the present financial year,
4
the City Council complied with the request of this
Board, and appropriated the sum of thirty-three thou-
sand dollars for the support of schools. We were then
of opinion that we could get through with the year with
that amount of money, which was the aggregate of the
expenses, as estimated by us at the time. Our estimate
was based upon the expenses of the previous year, with
such additions as it occurred to us at the time would be
necessary ; but we did not calculate for an advance in
the salaries of the teachers, which we have since found
it necessary to make. Soon after the Appropriation Bill
had passed the City Council, the salaries of the teach-
ers in the neighboring cities were raised by votes of
their School Committees ; and this fact, taken in con-
nection with the increased expenses of living, induced
us to raise the salaries of most of our teachers, which
we did by vote of the Board, after carefully weighing
our obligation to keep within the bounds of the appro-
priation, and also our obligation to be just to the schools
and the teachers. The crowded condition of the Gram-
mar Schools, and the necessity for providing for the
surplus scholars outside of the School-houses, has also
occasioned expense which we did not anticipate when
our estimate was made up, and we fear that at the close
of the year our expenses will be found to exceed the
appropriation. But we confidently express our opinion
that no money has been unnecessarily expended, and if
any additional provision for school expenditures has to
be made by the City Council, it will be for actual ad-
vantage received by the city ; and if any fault is charge-
able to the School Committee, it must be the fault of
mis-judgment in their estimates, and not of carelessness
or extravagance in the actual expenses of the schools.
At the close of the term ending October 31, 1866,
the Schools were as follows :
27 Primaries, with 27 teachers, 1854 scholars.
1 Intermediate, 1 " 67 "
8 Grammar, 35 " 1771 "
1 High, 4 " 137
37 schools, 67 teachers, 3829 scholars.
We present herewith statistics of these schools, with
necessary and interesting information concerning them.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The semi-annual examinations of the Primary Schools
have been made by the Sub- Committees and reports
made to the Board. With a few exceptions, they have
been represented as in good condition. Some of the
teachers have more experience, tact and fitness for their
occupation than others, and some of the schools are
very highly spoken of. The teachers generally are rep-
resented to be faithful, and in most cases successful. —
The Sub- Committees make mention of various things
essential to the welfare and success of these schools,
such as patience and perseverance, devotion to their
work and pleasing manners on the part of teachers. —
They dwell upon the importance of regularity in the
attendance of the scholars, and the healthful and cheer-
ing influence of a lively and manifest interest on the
part of parents. During the past year, a change has
been made in the districts, and one of the Schools,
No. 4, has been discontinued.
6
1
Q
„ , , iWint.Term.endin?ADrill856.
""""'^■""'^ 1
("c
Primary Schools.
C
[°
2 s
Ss
i ■
S§
d "
Z o
»•
cd (Q
c3 .X
2S
NiMES OF
1
Teachers Names.
° £
o
6
n
3
> 2
<
C C
o o
Z o
Suh-Committes.
'l 1
Elizabeth N. Lane,
115
57
58
91
45
46
57
75
10
David Foster.
|2
M. B. Skilton,
79
40
39
64
34
30
53
64
2
Frank A. Hall.
1 3
Hannah H. Sampson
90
43
47
67
36
31
49
51
6
" "
1 4
Ellen Hichborn,
61
32
29
56
30
26
48
50
12
George B. Neal.
|5
Lizzie Deblois,
84
42
42
67
35
32
52
64
7
ti 11
1 6
Frances Hichborn,
58
32
26
48
25
23
35
47
12
Edwin F. Adams. 1
1 7
Susan L. Sawyer,
80
33
47
65
30
35
54
58
8
<1 U 1
1 8
Alice S. Wiley,
50
22
28
45
20
25
39
42
13
Isaac W.Blanchard.
) 9
IVIary J. Emerson,
51
29
22
45
26
19
39
43
12
" "
JIO
Louisa A. Pratt,
97
45
52
67
32
35
42
55
8
William B. Morris,
?H
Joanna S. Putnam,
78
3i
45
68
41
27
55
60
13
4. 11
)12
P.ul.ne B.Neal,
64
37
27
52
32
20
44
47
6
George E. Eiiis.
,113
C VV. Trowbridge,
100
56
44
7b
41
35
56
66
7
Anthony S.Morss. '
114
Sarah E. Smith,
88
52
3fl
67
38
29
52
63
8
11 11 1
il5
Ellen M. Rugg,
90
35
55
80
31
49
67
74
6
George E. Ellis. '
116
Abby E. Hinckley,
82
48 34
73
41
32
54
55
7
James G. Fuller.
117
E. H. Rodenburgh,
80
44
36
65
34
31
49
53
9
John Sanborn.
118
Elenora Butts,
88
43
45
64
25
39
52
60
9
11 11
19
Louisa W. Huntress,
94
47
47
75
44
31
58
65
4
" "
\\iO
ElizabethC. Hunting,
65
33
32
60
30
30
34
42
3
William B. Morris.
;i2i
F. E. Kverett.
85
48
37
82
47
35
55
63
12
George P. Kettell,
122
Frances M. Lane,
8:i
45
38
75
40
35
52
63
12
11 11
23
Helen G.Turner,
59
31
28
51
27
24
43
45
6
David Foster. ,
124
Susan T. Croswell,
64
33
31
51
22
29
40
44
5
James G. Fuller. ,
125
Adaline M. Smith,
71
38
33
68
38
30
48
58
7
0. C. Everett.
1-27
ath. M. Kimball,
84
42
42
70
38
32
48
62
6
Isaac W.Blanchard.
128
Mary M. Decoster,
80
38
42
70
30
40
4!
5-
8
O. C. Everett.
29
Mary J. Underwood.
77
46
31
70
41
29
45
62
4
Frank A. Hall.
2197
11-24
1073
1832
953
879
1366
1587
220
.|
ri \
|Sun
1. Tei
m, er
iding
Oct. 1856.|
ill Primary Schools.
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c
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Teachers Names.
Location
o
5
o
a
O
>l
ili° I
I 3
.a —
D O
TT.
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^T
Elizabeth N.Lane, NearB. H.S. H
ouse,
131
62
69
85
38
47
67
68
17
i2
M. B. Skilton,
VIead street.
78
42
36
69
38
31
52
60
2
'3
Hannah H. Sampson,
Ward Room No
.3,
95
49
46
6b
33
35
54
64
8
?4
Discontinued.
16
I^izzie Deblois,
Elm street,
150
68
82
80
37
43
56
60
4
1 6
Frances Hichborn,
Vledford street.
106
53
53
76
41
35
50
70
16
' 7
Susan L. Sawyer,
3oylston Chape
I,
99
51
48
66
36
30
52 (;o
9
1 8
Alice 8. Wiley,
Cross street.
96
61
45
69
38
31
52
66
13
1 9
Mary J. Emerson,
" "
103
51
49
C6
33
33
49
60
14 I
I'lO
Louisa A. Pratt,
Common street
115
4!)
66
68
27
41
41
54
3
?11
Joanna S. Putnam
«i 11
86
45
41
73
40
33
60
66
6
)12
Pauline B. Neal,
Bow street,
108
64
44
59
28
31
45
51
12
|I13
C. W. Trowbridge,
"
117
66
51
76
39
37
67
71
6
'<-)
Sarah E. Smith,
"
126
61
65
(;2
29
33
50
62
9'!
)15
Ellen M. Rugg,
"
J 25
57
68
51
27
24
45
40
4 1
16
Abbv E. Hinckley,
Common street,
97
51
46
71
36
35
51
53
6
hi
E. H. Rodenburgh,
B.H. street, at E
oint.
85
39
46
70
32
3«
68
60
8
18
Elenora Butts,
.' 11
95
43
52
58
26
32
51
52
7
Jl9 Louisa VV. Huntress,]
Moulton street.
114
52
62
73
35
38
61
64
2
m
Elizabeth C. Hunting,
Soley street,
140
64
76
78
40
38
431 59i
2
>21
P. E. Everett,
Bartlctt street,
11!
63
51
63
36
27
50
52
4 1
J22
Frances M. Lane,
" "
107
72
35
60
35
25
50
55
4
«3
Helen G. Turner,
Haverhill street
,
74
36
38
64
32
32
44
63
3
«4
Susan T. Cromwell, (IJommon street,
100
52
48
63
28
35
48
60
7
;25
Adaline M. Smith,
Ward Room, M
k2,
74
38
36
7(1
36
34 46
58
8
?27
Dath. M. Kimball,
Junker-Hill,
100
54
46
75
37
38 46 1 60 !
11
)28
Mary M. Decoster,
idgpworth Chaj
^el, 80
35
45
66
32
34
68
69
5
>.-9
Mary J. Underwood,
Ward Room No
3 85
43
42
75
41
34
49
67
8\
L
'^''.'-v.x^'^^x^w.-wrw^
2800
1414
I3S6
1854
930
,BL
1395
1573^1Q5J
£ « ^ ^ g^S
CD i^ 5' »= Sod
i I i i^?^
t: CO ^ OT I ffi!^
^ ^ OT n £g
CD tr' O g^ , J— £-
CO o o £-
o ^r^ o ^ ■ I ■
O I , ,111
o p p o p p p p
K) i-i TO _^ K) _^ K> ^
tri O <l CX) ^ I- ' tC Or ^^ i-t
*» •-' ^^ o o o i 00 63 ^^ cj<
I— I CO ui c» •"-} a> 4^ CO o CT>
^o>-'^^^^^^^^|-'^
o^ojomoitohscoco
SCHOOL RETUENS,
AT THE SEMI-ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS.
High, Grammar, and Intermediate Schools.
Whole Number of Scholars
for the Term.
Boys.
Girls.
Number at its close.
Boys.
Girls.
>fc>.tO~-?63COCO>-'tn*^0
OOCnOOOOOlCOWWOlCD
Average attendance.
tntooocoo^i-'<35>*^'£>
Present at Examination.
^^l-'l-'^o'^oo^l-'^^^^^-l
Number of visits of School
Committee.
CD
CO
B'
OO
05
oo^ooo^^^^^^^-'^5t-'
000--JOIU1COOOCOO*'
b3l-'OtntO*>-03i-' CO GO
Whole number of Scholars
for the Term.
Boys.
Girls.
itkK>i-'*»i-»C0OOC»tn
i^OO) -J tS O O 00 --t ga
totoocoot-'O-^oooo
Number at its close.
Boys.
Girlp.
^^^-.^0l-i^3^-»l-*l-'^-'
lt^OOOOOOD»->CI?Mi(^OJ
O O 1^ 00 ^ O O Ol »Oi-»
^^^-l^o^^^^^-ll--l-»^-»
UTtacoMOiwooit^cnoo
CnMi^POOiUtpk^O-^IOGO
Averaare attendance.
Present at Examination.
Number of visits of School
Committee.
CD
§
CD
h- '•
B
o
OO
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
MISS ANN NOWELL.
SUB-COMMITTEE,
JOHN SANBORN,
ANTHONY S. MORSS,
GEORGE P. KETTELL.
Under the care of its faithful and efficient teacher,
the Intermediate School answers weU the purpose for
which it was established ; and many good scholars have
been sent from it to the Grammar Schools. The class
of children which compose this school, is such, that
energy and patience to an unusual degree are requisite
for success in its government. Children too old for the
Primary and not qualified for the Grammar Schools,
are sent here, and the neglected and uncared-for, those
who fail entirely of good home influence, to be found
in aU communities, are placed here to receive their first
ideas of order and instruction. The same facts, how-
ever, which make the task of the teacher arduous and
difficult, also affi)rd increased encouragement and satis-
faction if she is successful — and this seems to be well
understood by Miss Nowell. The Committee close their
last report upon this School with the remark that its
condition is satisfactory in the highest degree, and the
teacher is entitled to full commendation for her faithful-
ness and efficiency.
BUNKER HILL SCHOOLS.
No. 2.
WM. H. SANDERS, Principal.
MARTHA A. BIGELOW, 1st Asst.
PHCEBE A. KNIGHTS, 2d do.
No. 1.
McLAURIN F. COOK, Principal.
ANNIE M. LUND, 1st Assistant.
CAROLINE PHIPPS, 2d do.
Sub- Committee— [. W. BLANCHARD,
DAVID FOSTER,
FRANK A. HALL.
The Sub-Committee, in May, report to the Board
as follows : ' ' The examination was an exceedingly
pleasant one, and the result highly gratifying to us.
The several classes in School No. 1, manifested a clear
and practical knowledge of their studies, and so testi-
fied to the faithfulness and thoroughness of their teach-
ers. School No. 2 was subjected to a thorough and
extended examination, every scholar in the first division
coming under the special supervision of the Committee.
The faithful and well-directed exertions of the Principal
and Assistants have placed this school in a position of
excellence and proficiency not before attained. To
exhibit the highest standard of success and advance-
ment has been the aim of the teachers of the Bunker
Hill Schools, and this end we think they have fully and
fairly accomplished." In November, after expressing
their regret at the resignation of the Principal of No. 1,
(Mr. Cook,) whose labors have always given satisfac-
tion, the Committee report as follows : "It was then
proposed to introduce the one Principal or single-
headed system; to unite the schools, appoint two
additional female teachers, and place the whole under
the charge of the Principal of School No. 2." A Com-
10
mittee was appointed by the Board to take the subject
into consideration, and after due deliberation they re-
ported in favor of the change. Miss Mehitable Foster
and Miss Caroline E. Bigelow were then elected as
assistant teachers, and entered upon their duties. The
school united consists of 376 pupils, arranged in seven
divisions of two classes each. The 1st, 2d, 4th and 7th
divisions, numbering in all 193, occupy the lower room,
and the 3d, 5th and 6th, in all 182, the upper room.
The Committee are confident that the operation of the
new system has thus far been favorable. They recom-
mend that such alterations be made in the building as
will give each division a room by itself. They also
recommend an addition to the salary of the Principal,
and they close their report with an expression of their
judgment, that all the teachers are faithful and fully
competent for the work in which they are engaged.
HARVARD SCHOOLS.
No. 2.
JOSEPH B. MORSE, Principal.
ELIZABETH SWORDS, 1st Asst.
CAROLINE S. CROZIER, 2d do.
HANNAH E. KNIGHTS. 3d do.
No. 1.
e. SOULE CARTEE, Principal.
ANN E. WESTON, 1st Assistant.
S. M. CHANDLER, 2d do.
MARTHA BLOOD, 3d do.
JOSEPHINE E. MISKELLY, 4th.
Sub- Commitiee— WILLIAM B. MORRIS,
ANTHONY S. MORSS,
EDWIN F. ADAMS.
In their May report, the Sub-Committee remark :
«*We are happy to be able to state that both these
schools continue to sustain the high reputation which
they have hitherto borne. The examinations were
conducted as on previous occasions, alternately, the
Committee passing from each division of one school
to the corresponding division of the other, that
they might be the better enabled to judge of
11
their relative merits. No important difference was
observed to exist between the two schools. In both
the result of the examinations proved, that the teachers
had been faithful, and that the pupils had made com-
mendable progress in their studies. Proper discipline
and good order are maintained in both schools. The
Committee allude to the crowded state of the fifth
division of School No. 2, and to the fact that it occu-
pies a small, badly ventilated room in the basement
story of the building. Considerations of health alone,
without reference to the great inconvenience, demand
that better accommodations should be provided with
the least possible delay. In November, the Committee
report the order and discipline as continuing to be good
in both schools. "With School No. 2, they were par-
ticularly well pleased. The examination of the division
under the care of the Principal, was in all respects sat-
isfactory. The scholars manifested an interest and pro-
ficiency in their studies alike creditable to their industry
and to the faithfulness of their teacher. In Geography
and Grammar they were found to be very thoroughly
instructed. In Reading, their style was natural and
easy, and in the no less important but often neglected
branch of Spelling, they acquitted themselves with great
credit. The other divisions of the school were exam-
ined with very satisfactory results. In Harvard, No. 1,
the first division, like the corresponding division in
No. 2, was examined by the whole Committee. The
discipline was found to be good ; the scholars diligent
and attentive ; and the teacher earnest in his endeavor
faithfully to discharge his duty. The examination was
very creditable and satisfactory, but the Committee
would suggest as an improvement that greater atten-
12 ^
tion should be bestowed upon the more elementary
branches, such as Reading and Spelling, which have
perhaps been made to yield too much to studies of a
more advanced character. The other divisions of this
school were found to be in a satisfactory condition."
WINTHROP SCHOOLS.
No. 1.
B. F. S. GRIFFIN, Principal.
SOPHIA W. PAGE, 1st Assistant.
SARAH A. RUSSELL, 2d do.
SARAH A. ODELL, 3d do.
No. 2.
SAMUEL S. WILLSON, Principal.
JULIA A. BRIDGES, 1st Assistant.
AGNES E. CASWELL, 2d do.
E. A. RICHARDSON, 3d do.
Sub- Committee— JAMES G. FULLER,
JOHN SANBORN,
GEORGE E. ELLIS.
In May, the Committee report upon these schools as
follows : "In the examination we confined ourselves
principally to the text books, and most of the answers
to the questions proposed were given correctly and with
promptness. The Principal of School No. 1 has various
methods of imparting his instruction, teaching much
outside of the text books, by doing which he interests
his scholars in their studies, and makes his own labors
more successful. The Principal of No. 2 also labors
faithfully and successfully. There is a marked im-
provement in his school since the last examination."
The Assistants are reported as being all faithful and
competent, and the Committee close their report with
the remark : "With the general condition of both
schools we were well satisfied." They entertain an
opinion, which they think the last examination of can-
didates for the High School confirms, that in all our
schools, in those studies which depend upon the mem-
ory, the scholars are much more thorough than in those
depending on the reasoning powers, and they express
an opinion that too great a proportion of the time is
13
spent in the study of History and Geography. This,
however, they lay to the charge of the Board rather
than to the teachers of the schools. In November, the
Committee say : "The several divisions of .this school
were examined by the different members of the Sub-
Committee, who concur in reporting them both as to
discipline and progress in a satisfactory condition. The
essential branches of Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic
appear to have been well attended to. Out of one hun-
dred and fifty words given out, but three were spelled
incorrectly, and most of the examples in Arithmetic
were not only readily performed, but by their explana-
tions the pupils demonstrated that they had been well
taught." Thoroughness was manifest in all the branch-
es, and the teachers were represented as possessing
ability, and as faithfully devoted to the improvement
of the morals and understanding of those under their
charge. The school has suffered some from repletion,
but this in a measure has been obviated in the occupa-
tion by a part of the scholars of the Ward Room in the
lower part of the building.
WARREN SCHOOLS.
No. 1.
GEORGE SWAN, Principal.
MARY A. OSGOOD, 1st Assistant.,
MARGARET VEAZIE, 2d do.
MARIA BROWN, 3d do.
No. 2.
JOSEPH T. SWAN, Principal.
ELLEN FOSTER, 1st Assistant.
MARY M. MAYHEW, 2d do.
ANN J. CHANDLER, 3d do.
H. A. T. DADLEY, 4th do.
Sub- Committee— OLIYKR C. EVERETT,
GEORGE B. NEAL,
GEORGE P. KETTELL.
In May, the Sub-Committee report as follows : "The
first division of School No. 1 was examined by us, and
gave good evidence of the teacher's earnestness and
fidelity ; but owing to the changes which have taken
14
place in the last six months and the severe illness of
the Principal, for several weeks, the appearance of the
division was not quite equal to what it had been in for-
mer years.',' The Committee speak of the good order
and regular attendance, and the high tone of feeling
which pervades the whole school ; of the lively interest
manifested by the pupils, and the charming influence
of music, and they add, "it is evident that the care of
the Principal has not been confined to his own division,
but that he has had a direct oversight of the whole
school. The lower divisions of the school have been
altogether too large, and their rank has been main-
tained only by the unusual and unremitted exertions of
the assistant teachers. The whole school is suffering
from its crowded condition, and deterioration and dis-
couragement must be looked for unless this difficulty is
soon remedied." Concerning School No. 2, they re-
port: "It gives us great pleasure to speak of the whole
school as maintaining its good name, notwithstanding
its crowded condition and the frequent change of teach-
ers. On the last account the second division has not
been fairly presented for two years. The Committee
bear cheerful testimony to the earnestness of the teach-
ers in their work, and to the consequent thoroughness
of the pupils as far as they have advanced." They add :
"We could wish, however, that the scholars were trained
to rely less upon their books and memory and more upon
their own judgment." The school met with a great
loss in the death of the first assistant teacher, Miss Jane
Rugg. "Her close application and conscientious fidelity
to every claim of her office, her great anxiety to keep up
the reputation of the school, undoubtedly hastened the
lurking disease which eventually took her away in the
15
midst of her usefulness." She was a faithful and devo-
ted teacher, and was much beloved by her pupils and her
associates. In November, the Committee say of school
No. 1: "Of the whole School it may be said that it
has been marked by the earnest interest of the teach-
ers, and by the punctuality, good order and improve-
ment of the pupils. Singing has been regularly prac-
tised, and its good influence seen in the quiet and moral
character of the whole School. We wish that music
might be introduced into all our Grammar Schools."
Of School No. 2, they say : "We were well pleased
and satisfied with the recitations and good behavior of
the scholars, and of the interest and faithfulness mani-
fested by the teachers." They refer again to the mode
of recitation in both schools, which they think would
be improved if the pupils were not so much confined to
their manuals. They also refer again to the crowded
condition of the schools, and to the need of a new
building for the accommodation of the surplus scholars
in the Grammar Schools.
16
HIGH SCHOOL.
Principal, A. M. GAY.
1st Assistant, C. E. STETSON.
1st Female Assistant, Mrs P. G. BATES
2d do. do. Miss F. REED.
SUB-COMMITTEE.
GEORGE E. ELLIS,
0. C. EVERETT;
WM. B. MORRIS,
1. W. BLANCHARD.
The Sub- Committee in presenting their semi-annual
Report in May, reminded themselves that our citizens
entertain great expectations and set a very high stand-
ard for measuring the success of the institution. From
the throngs which attend upon its annual exhibitions,
and the interest connected with the admission and the
graduating of each successive class, it is evident like-
wise that what were vague and undefined expectations
from the School during the first few years of its trial,
are steadily becoming more definite in their shape. It
is properly claimed that the advantages of an advanced
education there afforded to pupils of both sexes who
have passed through our Grammar Schools shall show
some of their appropriate results. These are to be
looked for, first, within the walls of the school itself, in
the interest, the zeal and the kindled ambition of the
pupils, and in the proper pride of the teachers in ad-
vancing the work entrusted to them, and second, in
satisfactory evidence given to the parents that the in-
struction which their children receive is suited to the
desirable and the practical uses of life. In both these
directions the Committee are happy in being able to
pronounce the school successful. Marks of progress
appear, the aim is set higher, experience is improved
upon, there has come to be a spirit in the institution
17
which communicates itself to all who are attached to it ;
the instractors are heartily and zealously engaged in its
honorable distinction, and if our community were now
deprived of it, the vacancy caused by its loss would be
some test of the place which it now has in our affections
and hopes.
The Committee devoted three days previous to the
Exhibition to a thorough examination of each of the
classes in all the branches of study, and were gratified
with the proficiency and industry of which they saw
the tokens : observing nothing to call forth criticism or
censure.
The courses of study are arranged with as direct re-
ference as the necessary qualifications of the pupils will
admit to the objects which they have in view in life.
The Principal of the school has recently engaged the
attention of some of the pupils in committing to memory
a few of the choicest pieces of English Literature, por-
tions of which are tien recited and analysed, to show
their grammatical structure, to explain their local or
historical allusions, and to develope their beauties.
Very particular attention is also paid to the study of
Physical Greography and of the sciences which illustrate
it. Pains are taken to have the pupils understand the
processes and facts of such sciences, and when they
recite from the Text Books they are encouraged to use
their own modes of expression. Much improvement is
made by a more frequent recourse to the valuable ap-
paratus in possession of the institution. On the whole
the Committee report most favorably upon the condition
and conduct of the school.
The report in November is as follows : "The school
was examined during the last week in October. The
18
pupils were disposed into twenty eight classes, accord-
ing to the subjects and arrangements of their studies.
Evidence was abundantly offered to the Committee of
the peculiar adaptation of the teachers of this school to
their of&ce, of their devotion to their work, and of their
pride in the good appearance of their pupils. Among
the qualifications of good instructors ought to be num-
bered that of a willingness to identify their own repu-
tation with their schools, and a consequent sense of
obligation to lead their pupils on year by year through
the influence of personal sympathy and interest as well
as by the routine of hearing lessons. That teachers
may feel this pride and exercise this influence, their
services must be so estimated and rewarded as to satisfy
them to remain year after year where they are, without
looking for a change of place for the sake of a more
adequate remuneration.
" A very favorable token of the increased success of
the school in answering the designs of its friends, is in-
dicated in the lact that fewer pupils have broken off
their connection with it this year than in any previous
year. Their own ambition is thus proved to be aroused,
and they seem better to appreciate the value of the
privileges which the liberality of the city places within
their reach. The system of instruction has, with the
help of past experience, been so regulated with refer-
ence to the wishes of parents and the ability or the aims
of the pupils, that we have no change to suggest, and
can only express our earnest wish that an increase of
the same prosperity which the school now enjoys may
attend it for the future.
"Many hours were devoted by the Committee to the
work of examination, which was relieved of tediousness
19
by the variety and the interest of the subjects in which
the different classes offered to test their proficiency.
Of some of the branches of study our only reasonable
expectation will be that they may excite and exercise
the minds of the pupils to a fuller and a more practi-
cally useful pursuit of them in after life. It is only in
a somewhat generous use of language that such young
students can be said to be instructed in foreign tongues
and in high philosophy.
" It is to be allowed that the standard set by our cit-
izens for this school is a very exacting one: and that
their expectations of visible benefits and striking results
from the rich opportunities which it offers are increased
by every occasion that brings its quiet workings before
the notice of the community. Our citizens have come
to be as proud of it as our Commonwealth is of its col-
leges. We may expect too much of it, and may forget
that some allowances are to be made for the youth of
most of its pupils, and for the difficulties necessarily
attending the pursuit of so many subjects of advanced
study in the few hours given daily to the school. With
the commencement of the present term, and by the re-
quest of the Principal, the Committee sanctioned the
introduction of a course of instructive lectures on a vari-
ety of topics, to be delivered once a fortnight by com-
petent gentlemen who were willing kindly to give their
services. The scholars are required to write abstracts
of the lectures, and seem pleased to do so as an evidence
of their own appreciation of the favor.
"The Committee have yielded to the almost unani-
mous request of the scholars and their parents, to have
but one session of the school during the months of De-
cember, January and February. By the arrangement
20
which has been made, scarce any less time is to be spent
through a week in the exercises of the school than was
given to them before."
GENERAL REMARKS.
After offering this summary and abstract, as such a
statement of the condition of our schools as is required
by our statutes and as is expected by our citizens, we
add a few remarks of a more general character. It can
hardly be necessary for us to lavish terms of praise, or
to enter into the details of criticism, upon the present
standing or operation of our school system. We refrain
from eulogy because the work will secure its own praise
unclaimed, if it deserves praise. We also decline to
institute any comparison between the condition, the
standing and the results of either or of all the schools in
this city with those of any other city, or with them-
selves in previous years. Our citizens, with that natu-
ral thrift and prudence characteristic of our communities,
are apt to mark with special interest the steadily in-
creasing expenses of our educational system. Doubt-
less our schools and their supervisors may be held bound
to show that the necessary cost, and still more, the real
advantages of these institutions, increase at least as
largely and as steadily as do the amounts appropriated
from year to year for their support. We, of course, be-
lieve this to be the fact. There is, however, one ele-
ment in such calculations which may not always receive
a fair regard. While the residents of a city may be
taxed, whether moderately or largely, for the schools
within their limits, they may not always avail them-
selves of those schools, but have recourse to private
instruction for the education of their own chiklren; and
21
so whatever the amount imposed by tax, the payment
of it by such parents does not seem to secure an equiv-
alent to them. One test, therefore, for deciding the
relative expense to various cities and communities of
maintaining the public school system, would be to learn
what proportion of all those who are receiving an edu-
cation in each place receive it from public or from pri-
vate teachers. The Committee would be understood as
giving only their own impression, — not the result of
actual inquiry to be positively affirmed, — when they as-
sert, that at least as large, if nor a larger proportion of
the children of our own citizens receive their whole
education at the public schools, as can be found in any
other town or city to be equally independent of pri-
vate instruction. Private schools have not generally
been successful here. We would persuade ourselves that
this fact, which of itself might be of a doubtful charac-
ter in indicating our interest in education, is fairly to
be ascribed to the sufficiency and excellence of the pro-
vision made by the public.
It is always to be remembered that the work of edu-
cation is but an experiment made by human wisdom,
under its partial and improving knowledge, upon a
large variety and a wide diversity of human mjnds and
characters. Indeed, our methods and theories of edu-
cation are but experiments subject to that great, chief
experiment of developing, training and instructing
the intellect in young persons. We may not expect
that the greatest and best of all works shall be other
than one of the most difficult works also. The partial
success of the workings of our great school system
should be considered a fair offset to the difficulties
against which it is manifestly won. The members of
22
the Committee in their visits to the schools, if not
already well informed on the point, would be sure to
be forcibly reminded that a teacher's task is always an
arduous one, and is often more than doubled in its diffi-
culty by the hard materials on which it is spent. The
old heathen fable, that Minerva — the Goddess of Learn-
ing — sprang to the birth, fully furnished and equipped
with all her brilliant armor, is not to be verified, ex-
cept by contraries, in our Christian schools even in the
nineteenth century. Most unhappily, children — like
their parents only about other matters — do not always
know what is good for them, and so are not always
easily engaged upon their daily school tasks. Their
inattention and dullness are visitations upon the temper,
and exactions upon the time of their instructors.
We are also in the habit of taking for granted, per-
haps too readil/, that all, or even the large majority of
children are capable of being educated according to our
modern standard for a good substantial education in the
common branches of Grammar, Arithmetic, Geography,
and History. Experience teaches that large allowances
must be made for mental peculiarities and mental defi-
ciencies, as well as for infirmities of the physical con-
stitution in young persons. Our noble statute provision
that all children shall enjoy the opportunities of educa-
tion must not be interpreted as involving the condition
that all shall show the full advantage of those opportu-
nities.
The Committee have nothing to suggest to you on
their own behalf of the nature of asking sympathy or
consideration for their own labors, or for averting any
censure that may be visited on their measures. We
may safely affirm, that with whatever degree of interest
23
any member of the Committee regards the honor or the
trust reposed in him before he does any of his real offi-
cial work, he cannot pursue the routine of duties which
it requires without being made aware alike of its exac-
tions and of its importance. Our own experience jus-
tifies our assertion that each visit we have made to our
respective schools and each hour we have spent in lis-
tening to their exercises, has largely increased our in-
terest in their work, our pride in their good appearance,
and our desire for their improvement.
The recent session of the State Association of Teach-
ers in this city, was an occasion of much satisfaction to
ourselves, and as we believe, from their hearty acknowl-
edgements, to them also. Very many of the members
of the Convention were invited to the homes of our cit-
izens, and invited them in return to attend upon the
addresses and debates. An opportunity was thus afford-
ed to us to increase and deepen our respect and sym-
pathy for the assembled representatives of that noble
work the glory of which our Commonwealth leads off
in her early and continued and lavish patronage of edu-
cation. What the Commonwealth first did in the days
of hardship and effort, and when all her voters scarce
equalled in number the present population of one of her
smallest towns, her numerous and opulent municipali-
ties must now vie with each other in doing in a spirit
worthy of their parentage.
By order^^of the Committee.
TIMOTHY T. SAWYER, President.
Charlestown, Dec. 20, 1856.
24
TRUSTEES OF THE SCHOOLS.
1§47 to 1§5T.
1847. Henry K. FrotMngliam, Joseph F. Tufts, N. Y. Calbertson,
John Sanborn, James Miskelly, Edward Thorndike, George A.
Parker, Seth J. Thomas, Greorge Farrar, J. W. Bemis, Thomas
Greenleaf.
1848. James Adams, George A. Parker, Lemuel Gulliver,
Henry K. Frothingham, Seth J. Thomas, George P. Sanger, Joseph
F. Tufts, Edward Thorndike, Charles W. Moore, James Miskelly,
N. Y. Culbertson.
1849. James Adams, Henry K. Frothingham, Lemuel Gulliver,
Charles TV. Moore, George P. Sanger, Joseph F. Tufts, William
Tufts, Edward Thorndike, N. Y. Culbertson, James Miskelly.
1850. Hemy K. Frothingham, George P. Sanger, Henry Lyon,
William Tufts, George Cutler, James G. Fuller, Andrew K. Hunt,
C. Soule Cartee, Charles W. Moore, Isaac W. Blanchard, William
Sawyer.
1851. Richard Frothingham, Jr., ea; officio, President; Eliab
P. Mackintire, Seth J. Thomas, James Adams, William Tufts,
James G. Fuller, William Sawyer, Edward Thorndike, John San-
born, Charles W. Moore, Andrew K. Hunt, Charles D. Lincoln,
Charles B. Rogers.
1852. Richard Frothixgham, Jr., ex officio, President ; James
Adams, Nathan Merrill, William Tufts, Oliver C. Everett, James
G. Fuller, John Sanborn, Edward Thorndike, William Williams,
Andrew K. Hunt, Lemuel Gulliver, George Bradford, Charles D.
Lincoln.
1853. Richard Frothingham, Jr.. ez officio, President; Nathan
Merrill, Oliver C. Everett, James Fogg, James G. Fuller, Edward
Thorndike, Warren Rand, Isaac W. Blanchard, Abraham B. Shedd,
Solomon Hovey, James Adams, William Williams, John Sanborn.
1854. James Adams, ex officio, President; James Fogg, Wil-
liam Flint, Oliver C. Everett, William I. Budington, Hiram Hutch-
ins, George Bartlett, George Cutler, Isaac W. Blanchard, Hiram
P. Remick, Freeman C. Sewall, Reuben Curtis, Nathan A. Tufts.
1855. Timothy T. Sawyer, ex officio, President; James Adams,
George E. Ellis, Oliver C. Everett, James G. Fuller, John Sanborn,
Calvin C. Sampson, Abraham B. Shedd, Isaac W. Blanchard, Wil-
liam Flint, Nathan A. Tufts, Henry K. Frothingham.
1856. Timothy T. Sawyer, ex officio, President ; William B.
Morris, Anthony S. Morss, Oliver C. Everett, James G. Fuller, John
Sanborn, George B. Neal, David Foster, George P. Kettell, Isaac
W. Blanchard, Edwin F. Adams, George E. Ellis, Franklin A. Hall.
1857. Timothy T. Sawyer, ex officio. President ; George E.
Ellis, William B. Morris, William W. Wheildon, AJjram E. Cutter,.
John Sanborn, George B, Neal, Hiram Hutchins, Andi'ew J. Locke,
David Foster, Luke K. Bowers, William N. Lane, Franklin E.
Bradshaw.
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