well by actual apprenticeship; but, that the same may not be said of the third mental function, we see, when we consider what powers are embraced in thought. They are perception, conception, memory, judgment, imagination, and some others. Every man is conscious that all these powers are important, and some of them invaluable, in the special business in which he is engaged. The ability to perceive accurately all essential details, to comprehend them and their relations, to carry them in the memory, to imagine what they will be under different circumstances, and to pass correct judgment upon their fitnesses,— this is an ability, the want of which disqualifies a man in a certain degree for a leading position in any calling. The development of these powers should begin in early childhood; and the training, which may be received at school, if neglected, is rarely obtained afterwards.

Library for Teachers.-To keep pace with the advancement of learning, our teachers ought to read; but the frequent purchase of books, as teachers are paid, is impossible. A member of this board has suggested the formation of a reading club, to whose library, for the common benefit, each teacher should contribute. Another member has suggested that the committee provide a room for their use, where the leading educational journals might also be kept for their perusal. Others than teachers would undoubtedly contribute to such a library.

Drawing. The numbers registered in the Drawing Schools this season are not so large as they were last year; but the average attendance is better. In the mechanical department 60 are enrolled, 57 males and 3 females; the average attendance has been 42. The class in the art-room numbers 32, 7 males and 25 females; the average attendance is 24. In the freehand class 58 have been enrolled, 27 males and 31 females, with an average attendance of 37. In both classes of the freehand department we have 90 members, 34 males and 56 females; the average attendance, 61.

Should there be any doubt in the minds of any citizens as to the practicalness or utility of the study of drawing, let them visit these schools and observe that among the most constant and diligent attendants are those who in their business life have learned its value. Mr. Morgan, superintendent of a manufacturing company in Worcester, says: "When a boy, I was one of a class of thirteen who spent all their leisure time in studying drawing. At the present time every one of that class has attained to an important position, either as a manufacturer or a manager; and each has owed power to seize the opportunity of his advancement to his knowledge of drawing."

Superintendent.-AUGUSTUS D. SMALL.

SALISBURY.

Your attention is called to the necessity of sustaining our High School, not only by voting appropriations for its financial support, but it must be remembered that it needs your moral support. Interest yourselves in whatever aids its welfare and success. Send your sons and daughters to fill the classes and give character to the school. There are scholars in all parts of the town who need the facilities it affords, and who would be benefited almost beyond human calculation by attending the course of study in this school.

We appeal also to the young men and young ladies of Salisburyout of the village as well as in-to attend the High School the coming year. If you do not find everything to please and instruct that you hope for, you will find plenty of study, a good teacher, and pleasant surroundings. If the school is well filled by intelligent and earnest pupils, the few little necessities which are not already supplied will soon be forthcoming, and in a short time we should have as good a High School as the county, or even the State, can boast of.

During the past year drawing has been made one of the regular studies in all our schools. From the progress already made, we expect in a few years that this branch of education will become so popular, that no one will be willing to have it dropped from the regular course of study.

School Committee.-J. M. EATON, Chairman; L. M. BEEDE, Secretary; D. L. BARTLETT, Superintendent; JOHN BURPEE, J. R. CHESWELL, W. H. AMES, JOHN F. CHESLEY, A. H. FIELDEN.

SAUGUS.

Your committee would suggest that the text-books for use in the High School be bought and owned by the town. In some cases the cost of the necessary books is a serious obstacle to a scholar's remaining in the school. Books are finished here more quickly than in the lower grades, and almost every term introduces scholars to some new subject, for which new books must be procured. The first cost of a set of books would not be very large, and by this method the same books would serve for several successive classes. Scholars would be held responsible for the care of their books, and fines might be inflicted where injury was unnecessarily done. This course would remove objections in some cases against the attendance of children at the High School, because of the great cost of books. While there might be a slight increase in the tax for school purposes, it would greatly relieve the pressure of the cost of education, where that cost is most

felt. Tax-payers should remember that the advantage of the whole town should be considered; and it certainly is for the advantage of the community that the poorest child should have every facility, equally with more fortunate children, for attaining the best education the town affords.

School Committee.-B. F. CALLEY, ELIZABETH W. BOARDMAN, J. PARSONS, Jr.

TOPSFIELD.

In the survey of the schools during the year, we have been impressed, more than ever before, with an apprehension of their value to society. They certainly cost something in care and cash in the selection of teachers, and in carrying out the details of our system as established by law. We need not attempt to show that to those who avail themselves of the privileges furnished by our schools, and to the community at large, the schools are worth all they cost. Our system is not yet perfect our schools are susceptible of great improvement; but in their present condition every child can obtain in them the elements of culture and education, which will give him access to all departments of knowledge, which will make him an intelligent, respected and useful member of society. We feel, then, that when children are kept from the school, not only is an injury done to them, but to society; not only is an individual shut off from the sources of knowledge, but the community is deprived of an intelligent citizen, and furnished with an ignorant, perhaps a vicious, man. We believe, then, that it is not only the duty of the town to provide good and efficient schools, but to see that all those who are within the limits of the ages prescribed by law shall be drilled and trained in the schools. This object can generally be secured by neighborly care and personal influence. But when these, having been fairly tried, prove unavailing, there should be a resort to whatever means the committee are empowered to use, that promise the desired results. We are not to admit the possibility of a child's growing up in our community without an education in the fundamental principles of knowledge.

School Committee.-A. McLOUD, J. BALCH, R. PHILLIPS, D. BRADSTREET, J. A. TOWNE, J. A. LAMSON.

WENHAM.

We have been sorry to ascertain that the opinion prevails with some, that the committee always sustain the teachers in their management, whether they be right or wrong. This is a mistake. All cases of alleged unfairness, injustice, or neglect of duty, that have been brought to our notice, have been promptly investigated, and if the teachers

have been found to be in the wrong, they have been told that a different course was expected. The reason why the committee sometimes seem to be one-sided, is because they have better facilities for knowing both sides of the question than others, and, as is well known, a decision based upon a knowledge of both sides of a question is very different from one where only one side is known. We have always found our teachers to be reasonable beings, willing to be put right when they are shown to have been in the wrong, and we believe that if there were more freeness of consultation between the parents, teachers and committee, there would be less complaint of injustice and arbitrary management.

We cannot forbear to again urge the idea that the conscience, as well as the intellect, needs to be educated. In these days of corruption in the political and business world, when crime of all kinds is increasing on every hand, it becomes a matter of the greatest importance to us, that the children of our schools should be taught those great principles of honesty, truth and morality, which will enable them to stand firm amid the temptations which will beset them on every side. Not a day can pass in any school in which many opportunities are not offered to the intelligent teacher to impress upon the minds of the children important and valuable lessons. Vulgarity, profanity, and low and mean actions should be held up to scorn and detestation, while good actions, kind deeds, and pure language should be praised and held up as models for the imitation of all. The two great commandments, and the golden rule, should be taught here as well as in the Sabbath school.

School Committee.-N. P. PERKINS, JOHN GENTLEE, JEREMIAH CHOATE, Jr.

WEST NEWBURY.

The Common School system was established upon the principle that it was cheaper and better to educate the children, to teach them to respect virtue and intelligence, to obey wholesome laws enacted for the common good, than have them grow up in ignorance and vice; that education was a better remedy than penal statutes to prevent pauperism, and protect the community from crime. It is upon this principle that every man is taxed for the support of the Common Schools, whether he has children to send or not. The wisdom and justice of this will readily be admitted by every intelligent person. Now, if the best interests of society demand the education of the children; if it be right to tax every one in order that they may be educated; then not only the community, not only justice to the taxpayer, but the law, also, should require that every child of school age should attend regularly the Public Schools, so long as they are kept at

the public expense. In this way only can our schools be kept up to the highest degree of efficiency, and it is the only way in which full justice can be done to the tax-payers, who may justly claim that the money taken from their pockets for the support of free schools, under the plea that the public safety demands that all shall be educated, shall accomplish the end for which it is taken.

School Committee.-MOSES C. SMITH, D. L. AMBROSE, S. S. CHASE.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

ASHFIELD.

A hopeful feature of the present outlook is a vague feeling of dissatisfaction with our schools. This is increasing. We are disappointed. We are beginning to acknowledge that our standard is too low. Our children are not receiving justice in this great interest at our hands. While the demands of the times have multiplied, we have allowed our schools to remain stationary. They are really suitable only for conditions that existed more than a generation ago. If our children wish to get ready for the common business of the present day, they must go elsewhere to school. Parents in town, whose eyes are open, and who can afford the expense, are sending their children abroad to school. This is neither patriotic nor economical, yet the town does not raise money enough to prevent it. Now we think that this is neither wise nor just.

Good schools, next to pure religion, are the great desideratum of the age. They are absolutely necessary to prepare our children to act easily and wisely their part in life. We are lamentably behind in this most essential interest. If we could really see ourselves as we are, as others see us, we would certainly act more seriously and far more justly when raising the annual school money.

School Committee.-F. G. HowES, JAMES DINGWELL, SILAS BLAKE.

BERNARDSTON.

or

Powers Institute.-Powers Institute is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, and is doing a very important work for the town. Eighteen pupils have been admitted on the free list, by examination, and seventy-four different town scholars have been in attendance some part of the time during the year.

School Committee.-S. J. GREEN, A. C. BROWN, H. A. SLATE.