in the pronounciation, the pupils should begin this study much earlier. Those who continue the study of German after they enter the high schools should be allowed the option of omitting one of the regular studies of the D Grade.

The subject of drawing should have more prominence in the course of instruction of our high schools than it has had during the past year. Although few of the pupils will ever be able to enter the domain of art, all should receive such a training of the eye and the hand as will enable them to see objects in their true relations, and to outline them readily to the eye of another. The ability to do this is no longer a mere accomplishment; it has become a necessity in many of the practical walks of life. This department, in both schools, should be placed in the hands of one teacher, and every pupil should be required to take at least one lesson in drawing every week.

The addition of the Goshorn collection to our other cabinets has enabled us to make our instruction much more interesting and practical in the subjects of conchology, paleontology, and mineralogy; but there are two other branches of natural history which are very meagerly represented in our school cabinets, namely, entomology and ornithology. A small appropriation would enable us to purchase a few cases of the most common and typical insects and birds of this region-all that we would need for the purpose of class instruction. The larger and rarer species of animals can be seen and studied by the pupils by visiting the museum of the Natural History Society of this city. These subjects of study are not of so much practical importance, perhaps, as some others; yet a habit of attention and close observation of the natural world about them will be at least a source of pleasure to these pupils long after they have gone out from our schools.

The classes in French, owing to their increased numbers, are no longer able to be accommodated in the small room heretofore occupied by that department. The classes in drawing also have been somewhat inconvenienced for want of a suitable room.

The prizes for superior excellence in scholarship were awarded as follows: The Ray Medals for Mathematics: Gold-ROBERT DUNLAP; Silver-J. C. MCCLAIN.

The Unknown Medal for General Scholarship: Gold-Louise C. Nourse.
The Graduating Class rank as follows:

ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, ABSENCE, AGE, ETC.,

No. OF EACH AGE ENROLLED, WITHDRAWN, AND REMAINING.

HUGHES HIGH SCHOOL.

To the Union Board of High Schools:

GENTLEMEN-In conformity with your rule I submit the following as my Thirteenth Annual Report of the history and condition of Hughes High School for the year ending June 27, 1873.

The enrollment for the year is four hundred and thirty-five-ten more than last year.

In November last Miss Lucy S. Patrick, owing to ill health, was compelled to relinquish her school duties. Miss Ellen M. Patrick has since that time filled the place thus made vacant. This arrangement was acceptable to the committee of gentlemen having special charge of this school. I regret that continued ill health compels Miss Lucy S. Patrick to entirely sever her connection with this school. She was an earnest, faithful teacher. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Isabella C. Porter was filled by Miss Augusta M. Hawley; that caused by the resignation of Miss Mary Clarke, by Miss Jane Howison. With these exceptions, the corps of teachers remains as last year.

That feature of our course of study which requires each pupil to do an amount of work equal to fifteen recitations per week, but does not prohibit him from doing more, if able, I still believe to be correct; but have very grave doubts as to another leading feature, which allows the pupil entire option as to the branches to be studied. My belief is, that a plan which would give the pupil the choice of one of two or three specified courses would be better. I am not, however, as yet prepared to recommend any change, but think it better that the course be tried another year. The principals can, I think, with the experience of this year, better regulate the choice of the pupils, and thus avoid some of the mistakes incident to the adoption of a plan entirely new.

We have this year entirely discarded the daily record of recitations, and made the pupils' standing depend upon examinations held every five weeks. In doing this we have been controlled by the conviction that the amount of available knowledge any pupil possesses is that which he can, after having ample opportunity of studying a subject, express in his own language on paper. This is, I believe, sound educational doctrine. Results under this system have been quite satisfactory.

The following is the list of graduates from the Hughes School, alphabetically arranged, the rank in scholarship not having been reported:

The Ray Gold Medal for mathematical attainments was awarded to WILLIAM E. BROOKS, and the silver medal to MILLER OUTCALT.

No. OF EACH AGE ENROLLED, WITHDRAWN, AND REMAINING.