ABSTRACTS.

BARNSTABLE

COUNTY.

BARNSTABLE.

A few practical suggestions to parents and teachers seem to be called for. Few deny the right or expediency of a compulsory support of education. But there are too many who deny the right to compel attendance. The exercise of the former power is comparatively useless without the exercise of the latter. The same law of public necessity rules in both cases. The want of punctuality which reduces the average attendance to 75 per cent. or less, as in some of the schools, is an evil which demands the utmost rigor of the law. Nothing but sickness should be an excuse. Absenteeism takes the scholar from his class, retards his progress, subjects the teacher to additional labor, and deprives other scholars of the advantages which they would otherwise enjoy. Let the truant law be enforced.

For the Committee.-NATH'L HINCKLEY, Chairman; CHARLES F. GEORGE, Secretary.

DENNIS.

We are all of us aware that there are some branches taught in all our schools, that require the use of apparatus to be thoroughly understood; and even though the lesson be perfectly learned, the knowledge of the pupil must be very vague without such illustration; yet the blackboard is, in many instances, the only thing in the room that can be used for any kind of illustration, although a few of the rooms are furnished with globes and maps, by means of private contribution. We trust some action will be taken by which each room may have at least a globe and other necessary apparatus.

But one other inexplicable feature in some of our schools ought to be noticed here. It is that so large a number of those who ought to be pupils are not found in the school-room at all, and some of them are the very ones who can least afford to lose the benefit of our free schools. It seems to us that all argument in favor of the present system under which our schools are conducted would be superfluous. The superiority of the schools at present, over those in years past, cannot but be apparent to every candid and unprejudiced person who is acquainted with both. What then is the cause of the evil of which we have spoken? It seems that the fault lies somewhere outside of the school. We are led to believe that it is because education is not estimated at its full value by parents and guardians; because they have not taught their children that if they would win an eminence in society, they must improve the time in youth in gaining what will be better to them than wealth-a good education.

Superintendent.-MOSES BAKER.

EASTHAM.

Another evil, to which we can but briefly allude, is the frequent change of teachers. For several years, districts One and Two have not had the services of the same teachers for more than a single term. We have of late employed several young men, classmates in Dartmouth College, but who serve us but one term, and then are off where they can get better pay. As soon as they are fairly introduced they take leave of us, and then another set of strangers present their cards, and in turn go their ways, and we know them no more. Could we be so fortunate as to secure the services of acceptable teachers of both sexes for four or five consecutive years, marked improvement we are apt to think would be the result.

School Committee.-HEMAN DOANE, MICHAEL COLLINS, MYRICK Clark.

HARWICH.

We are at present in the transition state from the mixed district school to the graded system or method; and of an attendance of 884 scholars, 587 the past term have had the advantages of the graded plan, as far or as well as the schools could be graded under existing circumstances.

So far the work has been attended with good results. A better standard of school accommodations has revived an interest in school education, both on the part of parents and scholars; and adding to this the efforts of live teachers, whom, for the most part, we have been

fortunate in obtaining, especially the past term, our schools certainly in point of education are manifestly in a better condition than they have been heretofore,-which is an evidence positively in favor of the change which is being made.

School Committee.-ISAIAH CHASE, Warren J. NICKERSON, EVERETT HARRIS.

MASHPEE.*

The undersigned, school committee of Mashpee, respectfully submit their report of the two schools in said town for the school year of 1870-71, as follows:

North District.-The summer term of this school has been taught ten weeks by Miss Lucy Tandey, and three weeks by Rev. Lorenzo Tandey, the father of the former. Miss Tandey had to leave her school before she had finished her term, on account of a severe fit of sickness.

The whole number of scholars attending the summer school was forty-three. Average attendance, thirty-one. Under five years of age, none; over fifteen years, two. Wages of teacher, per week, $7.50, including board. Total cost of summer school, $97.50.

The winter term was taught by Rev. Lorenzo Tandey twelve weeks and two days, at $10 per week, including board; making in all, for tuition, $124. There was also expended for fuel and sawing the same, and care of school-house, by the school agent, $12. Expended for books, $25. Total expense of winter school, $161.

The whole number of scholars attending winter school, forty-six. Average attendance, thirty-two. Under five, none; over fifteen, six. The whole cost of school in this district: summer, $97.50; winter, $161. Total, $258.50.

Having stated cost and condition of this school, we would say that there has been a decided improvement in the government of the winter school, and your committee would say, that the change is very noticeable in the scholars paying more strict attention to their studies; when that is the case you may be sure of progress.

South District.-The summer term of this school was taught nine weeks by Miss Carrie F. Small, at $6 per week, board included; making the cost of summer school, $64.80.

Whole number of scholars attending summer school, ten. Average attendance, seven. Under five, none; over fifteen, none.

Winter term taught by Ellery O. Luce eleven weeks and four days, at $9 per week, board included, making tuition $106.20.

* I give entire the FIRST report of this town.-SEC'Y.

Whole number of scholars attending winter school, fifteen. Average attendance, eleven. Under five, none; over fifteen, three. There was also paid to S. E. Alvis for fuel and agency over school, $9.80; for books, $15; making the whole cost of winter school, $131.

In concluding our report of this school we would say, that we find on the register a large score of tardiness of the scholars. This is caused by the neglect of parents in not sending their children to school in season, or caring whether they go at all. We hope that parents will try and make a new effort to see that their children are in school in season, and, by so doing, remedy this evil, the complaint of teachers. The whole cost of school in this district: summer, $64.50; winter, $131. Total, $195.80.

The whole amount paid out for schools in the town for the year 1870-71:

School Committee.-SOLOMON ATTAQUIN, WALTER R. MINGO, SILAS P. PELLS.

ORLEANS.

Notwithstanding the committee seek to discharge their duty equitably and economically, there is a certain class who are continually harping, and are always ready to vent their vituperation in a tirade of abuse against the schools and school committee; one class complaining because they do not discharge their duty properly, and another class because they do; and some with certain "axes to grind" in the shape of a daughter, a niece or some other female connection they want to engage a school for, or some trader or farmer a cord of wood to furnish; and if all these various complaints and interests were complied with, woe betide the committee-man at the next election.

School Committee.-JOSEPH W. ROGERS, FREEMAN DOANE, FREEMAN MAYO.

PROVINCETOWN.

In accordance with a vote of the town at the last annual meeting, the school committee appointed a superintendent of Public Schools. The committee therefore present and recommend for the careful consideration of the citizens of Provincetown, the faithful report of the superintendent.