towns for the paltry sum we can afford to pay, when teachers of this stamp can find situations in more progressive communities, with a salary equal to the outlay of time, money, physical and intellectual powers necessary in fitting themselves for their work? The rub is, How much are you willing to offer for a high order of talent? The question is not, Do we pay more than this or that town around us? but, Are we as willing to pay first-class wages as we are to clamor for first-class teachers? We can hardly expect that College and Normal School graduates will accept the situation of village teacher, with wages, when board is deducted, little above that of a kitchen servant. The great inequality existing in our system of education-the enjoyment of superior advantages in rich and populous portions of the State, while poorer and less populous places take back seats in the temple of literature, is receiving the thoughtful attention of many of the prominent educators of the State. It is greatly to be hoped that some scheme may be devised by which justice may be meted out, and like advantages be secured to all. But, until that time comes, is it just or generous to require your servants of the school-room to make brick without straw? And would it not be better to turn our attention to the remedying of evils within our reach, such as irregular attendance, a false estimate of the scholar's attainments, want of a proper recognition of the teacher's authority, and want of coöperation between parents and teachers?

For the Committee.-HENRY S. WARD, Chairman.

PRINCETON.

We are fully conscious of our inability to do our duty on this board, and shall be glad to give place to those who can. Other duties in life imperatively demand our time and strength, but private interests will in a great measure be sacrificed for public good. It is our purpose to personally organize each school upon the commencement of a term, see that the pupils are judiciously classified, and that they have proper and sufficient books for their different studies, not merely because the law requires us to do so, but because this is an important measure, which ought to have been in practice years ago.

School Committee.-M. H. BULLARD, A. T. BEAMAN, J. D. GREGORY.

SOUTHBOROUGH.

The standard of education should be always rising; not satisfied with the degree of excellence which our schools have already attained, we should be constantly seeking for higher qualifications in teachers,

better methods of instruction, more perfect discipline, and closer application to business in the school-room during the few hours of the day in which teachers and scholars are there employed. It will be only in this way that we can keep pace with the progress of the times, and prepare our children to cope with others in the arena of coming life.

It would be easy in this report to present a comparative view of our ward schools, to point out the excellences and defects of each, and suggest a remedy for all that has failed to meet our approval; but experience and observation have led us to believe that all excellences will be more effectually promoted, and defects more surely done away, by an early and judicious selection of teachers and an earnest coöperation of parents and committee, than by any other means.

School Committee.-A. BIGELOW, H. WILLSON, JONAS FAY.

SOUTHBRIDGE.

During the year, it was thought advisable to introduce freehand drawing into some of the schools. Miss Ruggles, assistant teacher in the High School, being fully competent to give lessons in drawing, was directed to devote a portion of her time in giving instructions to the pupils in the High and Grammar Schools. As was said of music last year, it may be said of the lessons in drawing during the year just closed: it has been no real interruption to the progress of the scholars in other studies; rather such a relaxation and change as gave elasticity to the mind, and enabled the pupil to return to other studies with greater energy. Great variety of attainment in drawing is discoverable. Some scholars display no taste whatever for the art, while others manifest truly wonderful capacity. The committee feel that the experiment has been successful, and point with satisfaction to results in all the schools where the instruction has been given.

School Committee.-E. M. PHILLIPS, GEO. H. HARTWELL, A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, HENRY H. RHEES, CHARLES HYDE.

STERLING.

School Visiting.-There is a great increase in the aggregate number of visits since the year 1871. This is explained in part by the fact of three terms of school as against the old plan of two; in part, also, by a possibility that now schools are more frequently visited. However that may be, it is evident, we think, that school visitation is not on the decline, and we hope that much of the increase is real. The fact alone, that those who are accustomed to visit, now do so three times a year, instead of two, is something. But there is

not visitation enough. We notice that in some schools where the record of attendance is bad, the record of visitation by persons belonging to the district, and therefore supposed to be interested in schools, is, to say the least, not good. Perhaps there is some connection between these two things.

School Committee.-WM. H. BURPEE, HENRY S. SAWYER, L. D. MEARS.

SUTTON.

We take this opportunity to present thanks and congratulation to the town for having, two years ago, inaugurated a High School; and if the success of the experiment for the first year was sufficiently satisfactory to procure a strong vote in favor of its continuance, much more does the experiment of the second year justify the town in liberally sustaining and advancing the interests of the Sutton High School.

On a general view, we have the satisfaction of saying, that in good character, scholarship and proficiency, our Common Schools have advanced to a higher standard than that which they have occupied in the few previous years. Our greatest regret is that we are compelled to maintain so many for so small a number of scholars. Much praise is due to the several districts for recent improvements in school-houses, and especially this year to the inhabitants of District No. 10, for having taxed themselves and otherwise contributed individually, so liberally, for the erection of a substantial, convenient and pleasant new school-house. The school-houses of Sutton, many of which were heretofore a disgrace, are now, with small exception, an honorable credit to the town.

School Committee.-I. B. HARTWELL, J. W. STOCKWELL, PHILIP BERRY.

TEMPLETON.

A prominent event in the year was the session of the Teachers' Institute held in the last week of October. A large number of teachers in our own and adjoining towns attended, together with members of our High School, members of school committees, and others interested in the work from various places. Though it continued but two days and three evenings, yet a vast amount of valuable instruction was given our teachers. While all of the exercises were excellent, we wish today that the exercise given by Mr. Walton, on opening and organizing a school, could be, in the shape of a hand-book, in the possession of every teacher in town.

Drawing. The town generously made an appropriation, not to

exceed $150, for the purpose of giving instruction in drawing. Of this amount we have expended $81.25.

A school was held during the summer, for one week, under the charge of Prof. Lucas Baker. It was generally attended by our teachers and High School scholars, and we believe with most satisfactory results. Regular exercises in that branch are had daily, on every other day, in all our schools; and the proficiency shown by many of the scholars is very gratifying.

School Committee.-P. BLODGETT.

UPTON.

Let us here say some of our higher schools, the Grammar and High especially, are not so efficient as they would be and will be when we can attain a better classification of the pupils. Experience throughout the Commonwealth has demonstrated that well graded schools accomplish far more than others where this is not done. A teacher's time can be far better distributed so as to meet every need of the several classes. The work of a school is not mere recitation. Oral instruction, explanation and practice must be had to make principles or the instruction definite and inspiring to scholars. When the classes are few, though the pupils may be numerous, this can be done. Hence, where it is possible for a town to grade their schools and classify their scholars closely, it is very unwise not to do it, both on account of progress in study and economy in teaching. By a reference to the treasurer's report, it will be seen it costs but very little more to run a school with fifty scholars or more, as in the Primary in the centre of the town, than a school of eleven pupils in the south-west, or thirteen on Mechanic Street.

We have found, also, that to have good schools we must have good teachers, teachers who not only have a gift for teaching, but also are thoroughly trained for it. "What is worth doing at all is worth doing well," is an adage of much practical value. The State Normal Schools present opportunity for the best training of teachers for their work. We also have Institutes, Teachers' Associations and Training Schools, where many valuable hints could be given to aid our teachers in their work. We do not hesitate to say that we are sure our schools would be benefited if our teachers availed themselves more of such helps, and the town aided and encouraged them to use these means of improvement.

The school committee have acted as truant officers the past year, and we are not aware of any children who have not attended school at all during the year in the town. A very few, from various reasons, have not attended the full time required by law.

Superintending School Committee.-GEORGE S. BALL, HORACE FORBUSH.

UXBRIDGE.

We regard the employment of inexperienced teachers without special training an experiment which is too hazardous for the best interest of our schools to be generally followed, and that we should require of graduates who expect to teach a special training for the profession. We do not consider it sufficient for our mechanics to supply themselves with the necessary tools to carry on their business, but we expect them to be skilled in their use; and is it not as important for the teacher to whom we intrust the education of our children to be as well instructed to use the implements for their calling? We do not wish to be understood that a person may not become a good teacher without a special training for the occupation, or that all who have the training must necessarily be good ones; yet the advantages to be derived from it are so great, that none who wish to become successful in their profession, or secure the best positions, should neglect it. In addition to this training, teachers should prepare themselves for the daily lessons of the school, should be so familiar with the subject, that when difficulties arise in the lesson they will be prepared by a suggestion or explanation to bring them to the comprehension of the pupils without any waste of time.

For the Committee.-L. C. WHEELER, Chairman; C. A. TAFT, Secretary.

WARREN.

The educational interests of the country are indissolubly connected with Colleges, and the influence of these institutions permeates schools of every order. Without Colleges our Common School system would have no more value than a man of straw; for, from Colleges come those superintendents, teachers and authors who organize our school. system, who add to its improvements, and who furnish us suitable text-books. These carefully disciplined and broadly cultured men are the ones to detect and expose the errors and crudities which prove that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." College is also the goal which stimulates many a boy to improve all the opportunities within his reach. Even though he should never attain that goal, his own scholarship and mental habits are improved by the efforts inspired. A High School operates in a similar manner on all the schools and scholars in the town, provided it has a distinctive character, is well appointed, and is sufficiently elevated. For this reason, every family having children in the Primary Schools is interested in the High School. Every family, also, having no children for any of the schools, is interested in the High School, because it gives character to the