BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

ADAMS.

Mechanical and Industrial Drawing.-At the last annual meeting, it was voted "that the school committee be empowered and authorized to carry into effect the provisions of chapter 248 of the Acts of 1870, in relation to instruction in mechanical and industrial drawing, and that the expense of the same be defrayed from the sum appropriated for miscellaneous expenses." No particular sum having been indicated by the town, it was left to the discretion of the committee to decide what amount of expenditure would be reasonable and proper to carry the vote into effect. The sum of three hundred dollars was set apart for this purpose. Arrangements were made for a course of twenty-five evening schools at South Adams, and for a like course at North Adams, to meet the expense of which the sum above mentioned was thought to be sufficient. These schools were placed under the charge of Mr. Alfred Lovell, a graduate of the Worcester Technical Institute, and a gentleman of considerable experience as an art-teacher. The success of these schools was quite beyond our most sanguine expectations. The attendance both at North Adams and South Adams was larger than we had reason to anticipate, comprising many of the leading artisans of the town, and teachers of the Public Schools. The opportunity was evidently eagerly embraced, the work earnest, the desire for improvement genuine, and the results, in the opinion of those competent to judge, highly satisfactory.

General Remarks.-Our Public Schools were never in a more satisfactory and prosperous condition than they now are. The supervision is thorough and systematic, the teachers qualified and efficient, the pupils studious and generally exemplary in conduct. Let no one suppose, however, that our system of public instruction is what it should be; it lamentably fails in the accomplishment of its real end. In theory, it bestows upon every boy and girl of school age, within the limits of the town, the inestimable boon of a free education; in its practical working, a large number, as the percentage of attendance discloses, fail to be the recipients of this invaluable gift. This fault demands for its removal the application of every corrective influence that can be brought to bear upon it.

Two facts illustrative of the training our children are receiving in the Public Schools deserve special mention. At a competitive exami

nation of candidates for an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Frank Sprague, a member of the North Adams High School, stood highest, and bore off the appointment. Thirteen candidates contended for the honor. At a similar examination for candidates for a cadetship at West Point Military Academy, the appointment was won by Harry Mowbray, also a member of the North Adams High School. Sixteen candidates presented themselves for examination. Both the successful young gentlemen received their education in our Public Schools.

School Committee.-J. ROCKWELL, F. P. BROWN, A. H. CRANDALL, O. A. ARCHER, A. G. POTTER.

Evening Drawing Schools.-The establishment of the free evening Drawing Schools, last November, relieves the town from the imputation, so long borne, of not complying with the law of 1870. The school in North Adams numbered over one hundred in all, though there were but eighty-five who ought to be counted as actually belonging to the school. These were of all ages from sixteen to forty-nine, comprising fifty-two gentlemen and thirty-three ladies. There were twenty-eight teachers, fifteen carpenters, thirteen operatives, six machinists, six engravers, four shoemakers, three carriage-makers, two book-keepers and two clerks. The other occupations represented were painters, moulders, packers of shoes, carders, overseers of spinning, masons and exploder manufacturers.

The instruction was given by Mr. Alfred Lovell, a graduate of the Worcester Technical Institute.

The class was so large, that, after five lessons devoted to freehand drawing had been given, it was divided into two sections,-one to continue the study of freehand, the other to take up instrumental or mechanical drawing. The class in freehand, numbering fifty-seven (twenty-four men and thirty-three ladies), continued the training of the hand and eye, by the use of Prof. Walter Smith's drawing-books, numbers one and two. Beside this, the class was taught the elements of freehand perspective considered as a geometrical construction. Near the close of the course, the pupils' attention was directed to perspective as an imitative art, so that they spent the last five or six evenings in drawing from models. Near the close, a few hints in relation to shades and shadows were given. The mechanical class, numbering thirty-three men, spent two or three evenings in constructing some of the more important geometrical curves and problems. Instruction was then given in orthographic projection, showing the use of the terms, plan, elevation and section. The last part of the time of this class was devoted to making working drawings from actual measurement, so that the pupils would be able to

understand and read any working drawing that might be placed before them.

Seventeen attended both courses of lessons. The limited appropriation for this school did not admit of as long a course of lessons as is desirable in the future. There ought to be at least twice as much appropriated for the schools next winter. The exhibition of drawings at the close of the school did not attract as many to inspect the work as its importance merited. If we, as a manufacturing community, hope to keep abreast of the times, we cannot afford to deprive ourselves of the benefits to be derived from the pursuit of drawing either in the day or evening schools.

Superintendent.-H. M. HARRINGTON.

An evening Drawing School was commenced November 2, and continued twenty-five nights, closing February 4. The school was taught by Mr. Alfred Lovell. The average attendance the first five nights was fifty-nine; from the eleventh to the fifteenth nights inclusive, fortythree; from the twenty-first to the twenty-fifth, twenty-three. This large diminution of numbers was anticipated, and is easily explained. At the outset a large number "went with the crowd." Beyond this, gentlemen from the Gingham Ground and Maple Grove found it no small tax upon their energies to go to the High School room and work at the drawing-board until past nine o'clock, so that only those of a good deal of energy were present at the closing sessions. Those who expected to master the art of drawing in twenty-five "easy lessons" have been disappointed, while those who were less sanguine have generally realized their expectations.

The school was composed largely of carpenters and those doing work about machinery. Accordingly, the copies given were, for the most part, adapted to these classes of workmen. Records of attendance are preserved, and also a schedule of the work done. During the coming year at least two classes should be organized,-one for advanced pupils, the other for beginners; and a consistent scheme of work for this and future seasons ought to be adopted. An appropriation of not less than $500 is needed.

Superintendent.-W. W. SPAULding.

ALFORD.

The worth of an individual depends on the strength of his thinking powers, and the use that he makes of that strength. Hence it is the first duty of the State, and your first duty, to seek to raise and expand the minds of the young, and create in them the noblest purposes of living.

We must discard our poor notions of education, of what we are to attempt and accomplish in our Common Schools. We have to do there with living beings, composed of body, soul and spirit; and our object should be, not to make of them computing machines, or memorizing machines, or excite any special mode of activity merely, but to increase the sum-total of their being, to call into exercise, and to invigorate every power of their complex nature. Why should children spend several years in our schools, and leave them, as they too often do, with a large part of their being torpid? They ought to be subjected to an influence there that will search every portion of that being, as the light searches the earth, leaving no nook unvisited. That school has miserably failed of its purpose which sends forth from it a lad expert in figures, but a liar or a thief. A teacher owes far more to his pupils than to give them certain formal instruction out of the books; he owes, himself, all the magnetism and inspiration that he can furnish. If he is fit for his office, not seldom is the power that he personally gives forth more vital and more valuable than all his instructions; certainly, without it, they are but dust and ashes. His function extends to the heart as well as the brain. To feel rightly is not less important than to think rightly.

The teaching in our common district schools should be of the best attainable quality, because many, if not most, of the pupils never enjoy any other, and because elementary knowledge lies at the foundation of all other acquirements, and is greater than all. What does

one ever get in the way of learning of so much consequence to him as reading and writing, and the correct use of his mother tongue? Shall we say, in deeds, if not in words, that any bungler is good enough to teach these? If we must have quacks and humbugs, let us put them elsewhere, and see to it that the elements of our mental life are of the best quality.

School Committee.-E. C. TICKNOR, M. L. GLEASON.

GREAT BARRINGTON.

Truancy prevails to an alarming extent in some parts of the town, especially at the upper end of the village, and at Housatonic. It is not a little matter that children are left to grow up uneducated and unrestrained. These little urchins running the streets may do no great mischief to-day, but ere-long they will be men and women. A young tiger is harmless and playful; will he always be so? It will doubtless now cost trouble and money to bring these truant children into school. It will by and by cost more of both to protect society against them, if they are suffered to grow up in ignorance. The dog law is enforced with inexorable severity. The unfortunate puppy with four legs that

appears on the street without being duly registered and collared is shot down like a wild animal. We trust the truant officers will hereafter collar and cause to be registered the wild animals with two legs that may be found running the streets.

Parents, and employers, too, no matter how high or wealthy, who persist in violating the law by keeping children of school age in the mills, and thus robbing them of the precious privileges of an education, should be brought to swift punishment. The law provides for this, and let it be enforced.

But one thing more. Having united your schools, employed your teachers by the year, seen that your children are early and regular in attendance, go there yourselves as early as possible. What neglected "orphan asylums" the Public School rooms usually are! No parent, no relative, no one save the grumbling committee, look in upon their imprisoned inmates. You visit your pastures to look after the feed and the stock. Are you raising any stock that it will pay better to look after than your children? Let it be said to the pupils of our schools as of old to Saul, "Thy father hath left the care of the asses, and careth for thee."

School Committee.-HERBERT C. JOYNER, CHAS. J. BURGET, JOHN A. Brewer.

LEE.

The Lee High School has attained a prominent position among schools of this class in the State. We have been accustomed to think and to say that it ranked No. 1 among the High Schools of Western Massachusetts. The pupils that have gone through the regular course of study in this institution have been found capable of filling almost any station in society, and many of them are occupying positions of honor and usefulness. Those who have gone to college have uniformly entered with ease and graduated with honor.

School Committee.-ALEXANDER HYDE, S. S. ROGERS, JOHN STALLMAN, C. C. HOLCOMBE, N. W. SHORES, H. C. HURLBUT.

LENOX.

The High School is the source from which the teachers are mainly supplied for the Common Schools. It has had a series of six excellent instructors. It has laid the foundation of a liberal education for several young men of Lenox of excellent promise. It has afforded a fair business education to a much larger number. We suppose our citizens are disposed to sustain this, as well as the other schools, with a proper regard to economy, but liberally and cheerfully.

School Committee.-JULIUS ROCKWELL, GEORGE M. MATTOON, JUSTIN FIELD.