pupils able to make practical use of it in the schools which they may be called to teach. It is hoped that the appropriation for this purpose will be sufficiently enlarged to realize fully this idea in actual results. Near the commencement of the last term, a Teachers' Institute was held in Bridgewater, which was regularly attended by the pupils of the Normal School, with both interest and profit. During the present term, Professor Guyot delivered a course of nine lectures, which were of signal benefit to the school. Notes of these lectures were taken by the pupils for future examination in the school. He also delivered one course last December, subsequently to the annual meeting. The Board has appropriated fifty dollars per annum for a course of lectures either on botany or chemistry. This appropriation has not been used the past year, because no suitable time occurred. It is proposed to have a course on chemistry next week, to be given by Mr. Sharpe, who has already given one course there. It is expected that either this appropriation will be continued, or that a new appropriation for the purpose will be made at this session. Improvements have been effected, to some extent, in the apparatus designed to aid scientific study. A valuable donation was also made for the cabinet by Mr. George B. Emerson, just before his resignation as a member of the Board. Six boxes of geological specimens were presented by him, which will tend to stimulate personal observation and further accumulation. The Visiting Committee has been gratified to notice the deep nterest of the pupils in the excellent advantages afforded them in this school. Evident diligence and thoroughness characterize their studies, and their general deportment is correct and earnest. The relation of the school to the great cause of popular education, seems to affect their minds with due impressiveness. The idea of the Principal is, we trust, becoming inwrought into the constitution and habits of the school. "I am anxious," he says, "to fit our young people to do faithfully the work that must devolve upon them in training the youth in our public schools; that they may be specially instrumental in developing a type of citizenship that shall not be the shame, but prove the glory of the Commonwealth." For the Visitors, EDWARD OTHEMAN. し Report of the Visitors of the Westfield State Normal School. Mr. William H. Wells has recently completed his first year in charge of the school, as successor to Mr. Rowe. Mr. J. W. Dickinson has completed his third year in connection with it, and Miss A. G. Parsons continues as female assistant. The number of pupils has been steadily increasing during the year, and now has as large a number as has ever been connected with it at any one time, viz. about one hundred, of whom about four-fifths are females. The central district, having erected new buildings for its use, has withdrawn from the normal building, leaving the lower story free for occupation by the Normal School, which is greatly needed. The whole number of different pupils in attendance during the year has been 183; 42 in the male department, and 141 in the female department. The whole number admitted during the year has been 106. Of this number 30 were admitted in the fall term, 31 in the winter term, and 45 in the summer term. Of the whole number, 50 had had more or less experience in teaching, previous to their admission. The number of those who have regularly completed the course of studies during the year, is 27; 10 at the close of the winter term, and 17 at the close of the summer term. The number in attendance during the differnt terms of the year has been as follows: fall term, 85; winter term, 73; summer term, 101. Westfield has furnished 41; Lunenburg, 7; Leverett, 6; Great Barrington, 5; Southampton, 5; Lancaster, 5; Worcester, 4. The number from other towns is, in each case, less than 4. The occupations of the parents of those who have been admitted during the year, are as follows: An attempt has been made during the year, to establish a standard of qualifications that shall be attained, as a condition of graduating. Pupils that reach this standard are entitled to the regular diploma of the institution. The whole number of applicants during the year for the aid afforded by the State, has been 109; 25 in the fall term, 31 in the winter term, and 53 in the summer term. The average age of the pupils in school during the summer session, was 20 years, 10 months. Previous to the fall term, a year ago, the amount applied for was less than the sum appropriated to this school, and each applicant received the highest sum allowed by the rules of the Board. The amount applied for during the last fall and winter terms was considerably greater than the amount appropriated to this school for those terms; but, as there was a balance from previous terms, in favor of the school, each applicant still received the largest sum allowed. Recently, the number of applicants has still further increased, and having no balance from previous terms, each applicant received only one-half the sum that has been furnished heretofore. This large and sudden reduction falls quite heavily upon some of the pupils, who are entirely dependent upon their own efforts and the aid afforded by the State, to meet the expenses of their course. We may be allowed, with propriety, perhaps, to suggest to wealthy, benevolent individuals, that there are few objects to which they can devote their contributions, that shall have so extensive and lasting influence for doing good, as in giving efficiency to means of instruction, by assisting worthy and promising individuals in their preparation for their vocation. This school, it is confidently believed, is accomplishing a good work. Its teachers are all earnest, devoted laborers, and appear to appreciate the responsibility resting upon them in view of the great object to be effected. The pupils, also, manifest an excellent spirit, and are evidently striving to qualify themselves in a thorough manner, for their future duties. A. PARISH. State Normal School at Salem. At the opening of this school, in September, 1854, Richard Edwards was appointed a temporary Principal. In the month of the following April, his appointment as Principal was unanimously confirmed by the Board. In April last, the visitors were authorized to appoint an additional assistant; Miss Lucy A. Tefft was selected for the situation. The school is accordingly organized with the following teachers: R. Edwards, Principal; Miss Martha Kingman, Miss Elizabeth Weston, and Miss L. A. Tefft, assistants. Mr. E. Ripley Blanchard has given instruction in music during the past year. A course of lectures on Physical Geography has been delivered during the month of November by Prof. A. Guyot. The number of pupils in the school at the last report, was 65; since admitted, 69; retired or dismissed, on account of illness or want of proper qualifications to become teachers, 13. The present number in the school, 121. Of this number 27 have had |