with this great improvement in school accommodation the average cost per pupil for the year, based on average attendance, was only $15.82. The city training school and evening drawing school were continued.

Danbury, with 114 more school youth, enrolled 121 more in public schools, had 97 more in average attendance under 4 more teachers, with an expenditure of $1,547 less. In private schools there were 78 reported; in no school, 650.

Derby added 89 to its school youth, 59 to the enrollment of the previous year, 106 to its average attendance, and 3 to the number of its teachers; expenses were $12,800 below the reported expenditure of 1883-84. Under private tuition were 46 pupils; in no school, 646.

Greenwich, from some cause unexplained, declined by 103 in school population, 306 in enrollment, and 16 in average attendance, yet more than held its former rank in expenditure for schools. Private and church schools enrolled 162 pupils, while 374 did not attend school.

Hartford shows a falling off of 322 in enumerated youth, of 122 in such youth enrolled in public schools, yet more than held its own in average attendance; diminished somewhat the number of teachers, and by $15,237 the expenditure for schools; this last probably through completion of such expenditure for its new and excellent high school building. The State board of education, however, calls attention to the fact that through Hartford's retention of the district system, instead of a city system proper, its expense per pupil is $10.34 more than that of New Haven, where the arrangements for instruction and the character and thoroughness of that instruction are generally held to be of higher grade. Beside the public school enrollment, there appear 2,000 in private and church schools and 1,200 in no school.

Meriden, in a special return, presents figures differing somewhat from those in the State report, the former indicating 130 more children than in the previous year, 333 more enrolled in the town schools, 174 more in average attendance, and $74,276 more spent for the schools; this last largely from the erection and furnishing of an elegant and substantial high school building that looks as if it might endure for centuries if duly cared for. It reports also monthly meetings of the teachers, with lectures or familiar talks on methods of teaching, followed by discussions in which all present may partake. For other exercises of this kind see Normal training", further on. In addition to the enrollment in public schools, 940 were reported in church and private schools, and 557 in no school.

66

Middletown, with 46 fewer school youth, enrolled in public schools 37 more than in the previous year, but had 18 less in average attendance, while in private and church schools were 456, and in no school 320. Whether the inmates of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, Middletown, are included among those in private and church schools, does not appear, but is possible, as this school, though aided by the State, is governed by a benevolent association.

New Britain, in a return, reports 521 fewer children but 48 more enrolled in public schools, average attendance less by 13, and expenditure by $4,067. In private or church schools 1,300 were reported; in no school, 430; in evening schools, 295.

In the model schools connected with the State Normal School 40 children, under 3 regular teachers, were at once receiving instruction and giving candidates for teachership an opportunity to improve their methods of training. The evening schools were devoted to the rudimentary branches for such as could not attend the day schools, and were open from early in November till the second week in March. Teachers' meetings were held throughout the year, sometimes for the full corps, sometimes in divisions, with good attendance.

New Haven, in a return, presents an advance of 5022 in school youth, of 747 in enrollment in public schools, of 74 in average attendance, and yet a decline of $30,184 in expenditure for school purposes, though 16 more teachers were employed. Private and church schools had an enrollment of 2,031 pupils, while out of school were 3,609. Special efforts appear to have been made during the year to improve the spelling and reading of at least the younger pupils through steady drill in the spelling of words with which each child was familiar, till correct spelling became mechanical, and through a like drill in easy reading from fresh and racy reading matter- not committed to memory, but read till a habit of scanning a sentence rather than a mere word was acquired-and then letting each tell, in his own way, the fact or story he had been dwelling on. It is said that where principals have given this matter constant personal attention great progress has been made, but that where teachers have been too eager for quick results, and have pushed pupils into reading books too hard for them, there have naturally been failures. The manual training noticed in 1883-84 was continued and extended, improved arrangements bringing in a larger number for instruction, so that 48 boys had the advantage of this training every week during the school term, while 118 in all had the opportunity of working 2 months or more, with apparently great advantage. A class of 40 to

1 The town report says 62.

2 The State report gives 929.

50 girls met also once a week, under a lady teacher, for instruction in sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and other work in such lines. Classes were formed, too, for wood carving, repoussé work, and modeling. Evening schools had an attendance of 434, with an average of 181 under 10 teachers.

New London, with 150 more children to be taught, seems to have gathered only 65 more than in 1883-'84 into its public schools, though average attendance was somewhat better in proportion than the enrollment. In private schools 91 pupils were reported; in no school, 208. Of these last 35 were of the age for compulsory attendance. The 150 gain in school youth above noted came after a loss of 101 in the preceding ten years, and seems to indicate a decided turn in the tide.

Norwalk, in a return, indicates a loss of 19 in enumerated youth and of 18 in average attendance, this last notwithstanding an advance of 436 in pupils enrolled and of 5 in teachers. Expenditure for schools was, according to the return, $11,828 greater than in 1883'84. Church and private schools had 417 pupils additional to those in the public schools, while 393 were reported as in no school, 34 of them of the age for required attendance. Norwich had 299 more youth of school age, and enrolled in its public schools 201 more than in 1883-'84, while the average attendance was only increased by 13. In other than public schools 465 were reported; in no school, 830.

Stamford, with a much smaller population than Norwich, went considerably beyond it in private and church-school attendance, while there were 553 of its children in no school. Its public schools enrolled 57 fewer pupils than in the year before, but had an increase of 59 in average attendance, of 4 in teachers employed, and of $3,434 in expenditure for school purposes.

Waterbury increased its school youth by 179, and its enrollment in public schools by

290.

Windham, with 70 fewer youths to be instructed, considerably increased its expenditure for schools, but drew only 7 more pupils into them, and lost more than four times that gain in average attendance, 557 being gathered in church and private schools, while there were 277 in no school.

PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.

GENERAL STATE REQUIREMENTS.

The school visitors in each town examine, as a board or by a committee, persons that desire to teach in the public schools of the town. To such as prove their good character and capacity to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, and history (with drawing, if required), the examiners give certificates to that effect. These authorize the holders either to teach in any district of the town so long as desired without further examination, unless specially ordered, or to teach in any such district during the next school term, or to teach in a certain specified distriot for that term. Persons found qualified to teach other and higher branches than those above mentioned are to have their qualifications indicated in the certificates given them.

Since 1884 the State board of education has had power to examine, in such branches and on such terms as it may prescribe, persons that seek certificates good throughout the State; to grant such certificates to those who prove their qualifications for them, and to revoke these certificates in case of need. It is still optional with town boards whether to accept the State board certificates in lieu of their own; but such acceptance will probably soon be general. The certificates given are of two grades, primary and advanced; the former for such candidates as pass in the studies mentioned above; the latter for such as pass also in algebra, geometry, book-keeping, physiology, physics, physical geography, and civil government. Successful candidates for the primary grade certificate, who have passed in studies more advanced than those required of them, may have the fact noted in their certificates. Both grades are valid only for a year, but are renewable on evidence of good work done.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.

The Connecticut Normal and Training School, New Britain, is the only one established by the State for training teachers in the art of instructing and governing the pupils of the public schools. Originally meant to be for both sexes equally, it has gradually come to be almost wholly filled with young women. Applicants for admission must be at least 16 years of age; must intend to teach in the State public schools, and must present certificates of good character from the school visitors of the town in which a residence is claimed, besides passing a satisfactory examination in 7 prescribed studies. The course after admission is largely in academic studies for one year, and for another year embraces, with these, the theory and practice of the art of teaching. A practice school was opened in 1883, and was enlarged in January, 1884; in April of the latter year a

1 Graduates of approved high schools are excused from this examination.

kindergarten class was added. Later information shows 3 model schools in operation in 1885. These greatly aid in illustrating proper methods of teaching and governing. A diploma is granted to students that complete the course.

The statistics of 1884-'85 show a total of 244 students, including a class of 25 graduated in June of that year. Teachers 14, including the principal.

OTHER NORMAL TRAINING.

At Bridgeport the teachers have been wont to meet for consultation and interchange of ideas as to the best methods of teaching and school management. In 1884-'85 there are presented in the State report such meetings with like exercises, including lectures and familiar talks, at Colchester, Bristol, Meriden, New Britain, Norwich, and Windham.

New Haven has a well organized training school for instructing in the same lines as at Bridgeport the graduates of its high school and others of acknowledged merit. For such instruction there has been, since 1883, a special building.

INSTITUTES.

Although teachers' institutes are not explicitly provided for by name, they are substantially required by a clause in the school law, which says that the board of education shall seek to improve the methods and promote the efficiency of teaching, by holding, at convenient places in the State, meetings of teachers and school officers, for the purpose of instructing in the best modes of administering, governing, and teaching public schools. There are indications in the State reports of such meetings being held, 17 in 1883-'84, with an attendance of 160 school officers, 953 teachers, and 2,646 other persons; 147 in 1884-'85, with 166 school officers, 874 teachers, and 2,273 other persons attending.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS.

Besides the elementary free schools required by law, any town may establish and maintain schools of a higher grade, purchase and hold property and buildings for them, levy taxes for school purposes and for support of the schools, and have a special school committee for their management. The powers of such a committee, however, do not vacate those of the town school visitors.

The number of such schools reported in 1882-'83 was 24; in 1883-'84 only 18; in 1884-'85, 21. Whether the apparent decrease is due to imperfection of reports or to a closure of some schools, does not appear. In 1883 a bill requiring towns with more than 400 families to maintain a high school was considered and continued till the next session. No note of its passage appears in the State report for 1884-'85.

OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

For the titles, location, and statistics of business colleges, private academies, and preparatory schools reported, see Tables IV, VI, and VII of the Appendix; for summaries of their statistics, the corresponding tables in the report of the Commissioner preceding,

SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION.

COLLEGES FOR YOUNG MEN OR FOR BOTH SEXES.

The colleges of the State in 1884-'85 were in number and titles as before reported: Trinity, at Hartford (Protestant Episcopal), Wesleyan, at Middletown (Methodist Episcopal), and Yale, at New Haven (non-sectarian).

Trinity, in its catalogue for 1884-'85, gives a brief history of itself, which shows that, chartered as Washington College in 1823, and established at Hartford because of large subscriptions from that city, it began its collegiate work there in the autumn of the same year, and held its first graduating exercises in 1827. In 1845 its title was changed from Washington to Trinity, to indicate more fully that it was meant to be a Christian college. In 1872 it sold its grounds in Hartford to the city as a site for a new State capitol, and purchased much more extensive ones, of 80 acres, on the heights just inside the city limits to the south. In this excellent location new buildings were begun in 1875, on a plan presented by a celebrated English architect, and as much of the intended noble structure as was needed for the time was finished and occupied in 1878. In 1883 an additional building, going toward the completion of the plan, was erected with funds furnished by a liberal friend. Others will be added as needs and means for them arise, till the whole imposing pile proposed shall be complete.

For 1885-'86 the college presents three courses additional to the four-year classical one

to which it has long held; one in letters and science, one in science, and one in letters, each with somewhat lighter requirements for admission than the older course.

Wesleyan presents, for 1884-'85, essentially the same elements as before in its classical, Latin-scientific, and scientific courses, but gives in much fuller detail a statement of what is expected or required in each. In either of the courses there is a considerable number of elective studies; but each student is required to attend at least 16 recitations weekly, besides the rhetorical exercises assigned to the respective classes, and studies once selected, with the approval of the faculty, must be carried through the year. Very fair additions appear to have been made to the means of illustration in the natural science studies. Young women are still admitted on the same terms and for the same studies as young men, and 2 more such appear in the catalogue, making 20 females among the 202 students enrolled, of which enrollment 6 were special students and 3 were graduates pursuing advanced studies. The faculty, including the president, numbered 3 more than in the preceding year, but instead of additional receipts to meet this increase of teaching force, there was a shortage.

Yale lost in 1884-'85 two experienced and faithful professors, Lewis R. Packard, Ph. D., of the chair of Greek, and Benjamin Silliman, M. D., LL. D., of the chair of chemistry; the former, an accurate and painstaking scholar; the latter, a scientist of high repute throughout Europe and America. Dr. S. Wells Williams, the venerable professor of the Chinese language and literature, and also Professor Northrop, of rhetoric and English literature, seem likewise to have dropped away. But in place of Professor Northrop appear a professor of English literature, without the rhetoric, and two prominent lectures on the same great topic, one of them Donald G. Mitchell, LL. D. Other changes, chiefly additions to the teaching force, appear in the list of faculty and instructors, among them a professor of dynamical engineering, one of physics, and an astronomer in charge of the thermometric bureau of the observatory, the full body of teachers being 113 against 109 in the preceding year.

The whole undergraduate academical course was also rearranged and greatly freshened, and many new elective studies were introduced for the junior and senior years, making no less than 78 in all. And this, it is pleasant to see, was not because the faculty sought to press more work upon the students, but because it was found that the students themselves were voluntarily taking more, many who were responsible for only 15 exercises a week having undertaken 20 and even 25, and prosecuted them with diligence. To foster this spirit of progress, a system of honors has been devised for giving clear tokens of approval to such students as, not neglecting their regular work in the last 2 years of the course, shall prove an extra proficiency in certain indicated studies of the earlier years as well.

The degrees of Ph. D. and A. M., since June, 1874, have been given here not as honoraria, but after two years of graduate study, the efficiency of which is proven by examination.

Additions of 8,120 volumes to the library and of $179,570 to the endowment funds were made during the year, $75,000 of the latter subject to the usual delays of settlement.

The total attendance of students in all departments for 1884-'85 was 1,086; professors and instructors in all, 113.

INSTITUTIONS FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG WOMEN.

The situation as to this class of collegiate students and instruction remains substantially unchanged. Wesleyan University still admits women to full collegiate privileges, and Yale admits them to its School of the Fine Arts. In the former, as above stated, were 20 in 1884-'85; in the latter 32 out of a total of 40.

For other schools that claim to be substantially for collegiate training of young women, see Table VIII of the Appendix; for a summary of their statistics, a like table in the report of the Commissioner preceding.

SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.

SCIENTIFIC.

Trinity College, Hartford, as before said, added in 1884-'85 a course in letters and science and a course in science to its long-held classical collegiate course; the former, with somewhat lower preliminary requirements; the latter, with fairly full ones in the line of scientific and English studies. Both courses are of 4 years. Statistics of attendance on these courses are not yet available.

Wesleyan retained its Latin-scientific and scientific courses, with additional instructors and apparently additional studies in them both.

Yale, in its revised classical collegiate course, retains a considerable proportion of such

In the second case it may be after a year of systematic study at the college under direction of the faculty, followed by a successful examination for students of two years' standing.

scientific studies as mathematics, astronomy, geology, mechanics, and physics. In its Sheffield Scientific School the trend is still more toward studies of this class, physics, chemistry, geometry, trigonometry, civil and dynamic engineering, agriculture, astronomy, biology, and geology prevailing in its courses, with large substitution of French and German for Latin and Greek. These Sheffield courses cover 3 years, the first of them being the same for all; the last 2 branching out into various specialties. A course in drawing extends through the 3 years. For entrance on these courses there is a thorough preliminary examination in English, Latin, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. On completion of the 3-year courses, the degree of Ph. B. is conferred on such students as pass the final examination; that of civil or dynamic engineer on such Ph. B.'s as have taken a first degree in engineering studies, pursued a 2-year higher course, and sustained a final examination, giving evidence of ability to design important constructions, with drawings and calculations. The degree of Ph. D. comes to those who have taken a bachelor's degree, have studied in the graduate department for not less than 2 years, have passed a satisfactory final examination, and have presented a thesis giving evidence of high attainment in the branches pursued.

The Storrs Agricultural School, Mansfield, which aims to give a scientific knowledge of agriculture, with a practical training in its processes, continued in 1884-'85 its instruction in these lines for boys of good character 15 years of age and upward, whose parents are citizens of the State. The full course, which must be prepared for by an elementary education, covers 2 years of 36 weeks each, about half the time of each week-day being spent in studies relating to farming; the other half, in good weather, devoted to the actual pursuits of farm-work in field, orchard, dairy, care and use of stock. For statistics, see Table X of the Appendix.

A “Meriden Scientific Association," organized in 1880 with 11 members, presents at the close of its fourth year a membership of 117, with evidence of well-arranged and apparently very useful work, mainly in natural science. The list of subjects treated at the monthly meetings in 1884 indicates careful study in practical lines, and gives promise of becoming a considerable educational force in the community in which it operates. Its fields of research are geology and paleontology, astronomy, archæology and ethnology, anthropology, biology, microscopy, botany, zoology, geography, chemistry, mechanics, technology, electrical science, entomology, ichthyology, and conchology. Each of these lines of study has a director, and chemistry has 2 such. Miss Emily J. Leonard, botanist of the association, a lady of evidently high acquirements in various lines, was lost by death July 16, 1884, in her 47th year, leaving, as one specimen of her scientific work in botany alone, a catalogue of no less than 749 species of plants, which, within 5 years, she had found growing in Meriden, her native town, some of them not noticed by even such botanists as Gray, Torrey, or Wood.

PROFESSIONAL.

THEOLOGY.-A 3-year course in this line was continued in the Theological Department of Yale College (Cong.) with a graduate course of a year in addition. Provision is made for elocutionary training throughout the 3 years by members of the faculty and by a specially trained expert; besides which, there are optional studies in German, intellectual and moral philosophy, evolution and cosmogony, history, and political and social science. At the Hartford Theological Seminary (Cong.) and at the Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown (Prot. Ep.) 3-year courses, kindred in essential points with that at Yale, were still existent, each meant to follow a collegiate course.

LAW. For students 18 years of age, of certified moral character, and of collegiate or other respectable training, there is a 2-year course at Yale College embodying all the most important points of legal study, with forensic oratory, forensic elocution, patent law, and corporations. At the close of the spring term each class is subjected to a written examination on the studies of the preceding year. A graduate course of 2 years is open to bachelors of law.

MEDICINE.-Since 1879, the course in this department at Yale College has been a graded one of 3 years. Each year at present covers 34 weeks, and throughout it instruction is given by lectures and recitations, combined with practical work in anatomical, chemical, physiological, pathological, and histological laboratories. Candidates for admission must prove their qualifications for medical study either by a degree in letters or science, or by passing an examination in mathematics, physics, grammar, spelling, and composition.

For statistics of theological, legal, and medical schools, see Tables XI, XII, and XIII of the Appendix.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

TRAINING IN THE FINE ARTS.

The Yale College School of the Fine Arts, New Haven, has for its end the cultivation and promotion of painting, sculpture, and architecture, in a course of 3 years. Under