children whose parents are unable to send them to the public schools for want of means to clothe them; 3,952 pupils are on the rolls here.

Those under the care of the American Female Guardian Society are of the same character, but are attended exclusively by girls. The whole number of pupils on register in these schools at the time of the examination was 1,881 and the average for the previous week 1,443.

Besides the city-schools proper, the Children's Aid Society reports, in the fall of 1873, that it has had in the 21 day- and 15 evening-schools under its charge 9,584 children who were taught and partly fed and clothed; 3,701 of these were sent to good homes, mainly in the West. Total number under charge of the society during the year, 24,788. There have been 5,115 orphans in the lodging-houses and 1,366 were provided with homes.

The following are industrial schools of this society which are open to all children who cannot attend the public schools:

Cottage Place School, 204 Bleecker street; East River School, 206 East Fortieth street; Hudson River School, 350 West Twenty-seventh street; Avenue B School, 607 East Fourteenth street; German School, 272 Second street; Italian School, 44 Franklin street; Lord School, 207 Greenwich street; Park School, Sixty-eighth street, near Broadway; Fifty-second Street School, Fifty-second street near Eleventh avenue; Fifty-third Street School, 340 West Fifty-third street; Water Street School, corner Dover and Water streets; Avenue C School, coruer Fourth street and Avenue C; Phelps School, 355 East Thirty-fifth street; Newsboys' School, 49 Park place; Girls' School, 120 West Sixteenth street; Fourth Ward School, 52 Market street; Fifth Ward School, 141 Hudson street; Eleventh Ward School, 709 East Eleventh street; Thirteenth Ward School, 327 Rivington street; Fourteenth Ward School, 93 Crosby street; Sixteenth Ward School, 211 West Eighteenth street.

These and other industrial schools receive aid from the city-school-fund in proportion to the number of children whom they educate.

COOPER UNION, NEW YORK.

This noble foundation has had, during the year ended May 31, 1873, in its free art-school for women, 198 pupils, of whom 100 received certificates and 13 were advanced to the Academy of Design. In the free school for women for wood-engraving were 42 pupils, of whom 27 received certificates and 34 continued to the close of the term. In the free school of telegraphy were 32 pupils, 2 of whom were dismissed, 9 obtained situations, and 21 remained at the conclusion of the term. The free night-school of science admitted during the term 1,134 pupils, gave certificates to 278, and had remaining at the close 547. The free school of art (for males) had in it a total of 1,591, certificated 289, and had a remainder of 732 when the term ended. Besides all these, 516 have availed themselves of the privilege of free consultation with the professors of industrial chemistry and mechanics, there has been a large attendance on the Saturday-night-lectures on scientific subjects, while during 1872 no less than 397,728 readers partook of the advantages of the library and reading-room. A total of 1,910 is given, of various trades and occupations, as having been the pupils in the different schools.

BUFFALO.

[From report of J. N. Larned, esq., city-superintendent.]

School-system. The chief faults in the organization of the municipal school-system are: (1) That it exposes the schools to political influences more directly and with less protection than any other municipal system of public education that exists in the United States within the knowledge of the superintendent. (2) That it brings too small a number of persons into official contact with the schools, and so does not enlist for them, in an intelligent and responsible way, enough of a representative interest. This difficulty stands in the way of measures of educational advancement and is also believed to be largely the cause of the deficient popular acquaintance with, and popular interest in, the public schools. The superintendent says: "I know of no other important city in the country in which the government of the schools is not separated from the general organization of municipal government and committed to a board of education; and I am convinced that the exception which our city exhibits is not in its favor and that experience is against our present system. The schools are very much harmed by the frequency of change which occurs in the direction of them."

The preseut plan of districting the schools requires the maintenance in each district of a school fully organized and equipped for the entire graded course, from the primary to the highest grammar-class, thus making it necessary to maintain as many grammarschools as there are primary schools, notwithstanding that only 17 per cent. of all the pupils in the schools are found in the grammar-grades, while there are 48 per cent. in the primary grades. It is recommended that there be either a consolidation and reconstruction of school-districts as they now exist or else that district-divisions be entirely abolished. The latter course is considered preferable. Fewer teachers would be needed and the work of supervision could be better performed by eight or nine male prin

cipals than it is now performed by twenty-three. The superintendent has taken some steps in the direction of these views during the year, and the results have fully demonstrated the advantages to be derived from a reorganization of the schools. School-accommodations.-Two new school-buildings have been opened during the year, and a further increase of school-accommodations is imperatively demanded. The reconstruction of many of the buildings now occupied is absolutely necessary. There is scarcely a school-house of six years' standing in which the work of the teachers is not seriously impaired by the inconveniences of the rooms; and the defective method of heating and entire absence of proper means of ventilation make many of them utterly unfit for use.

Compulsory education.-The school-statistics give evidence of great irregularity in the attendance at the schools, and also of an enormons, fluctuating mass of children, who attend school at brief intervals only, for a term or for a few weeks. Making allowance for those who attend parochial and private schools and for those who are employed in industrial occupations, there still remain from 15,000 to 20,000 children, whose absence from school cannot be satisfactorily accounted for. Under existing school-regulations, there is no adequate restraint placed even upon the truancy of pupils who are nominally in school. The law should interfere in this matter. Juvenile vagrancy should be totally prohibited and suppressed. Education should be compulsory and it should be made the duty of the police of the city to take into custody and commit to school all children found in the streets during school-hours whose absence cannot be satisfactorily accounted for by circumstances of exemption, which the law should strictly define.

Study of German.-A graded system for the study of German has been adopted during the year, with marked success. Monthly and term-examinations are now held in the German classes, as in other classes, and the work of teaching in this department is thus tested, as it has not been heretofore. German is an elective study in all the schools.

Music.-During the past year a systematic course of instruction has been adopted, under the supervision of two visiting teachers, assisted by the teachers in the schools. The charts prepared for the Boston public schools have been introduced in some of the. schools, and the result proves their excellence. At the close of the term an examination in music was held for the first time. Great and unexpected progress was shown in most of the schools.

Drawing. The teaching of drawing in the schools is working ont the results anticipated from it as rapidly as can be expected. Every term develops more interest in it among the pupils and a heartier reconciliation to the requirement of it on the part of parents. No pupils are allowed to be excused from the drawing-exercises except such as are suffering from defective eyesight or some form of disease.

Graded course of instruction.—A revision of the course of instruction prescribed for the graded schools went into effect on the 1st of September last. The course is still far from perfect, and many experiments of revision, with much experience under each, will be required to produce even a nearly perfect graded system of teaching. Much improvement has, however, been effected in several important particulars by the changes which this last revision introduced. The greatest weakness of the schools is in the primaries, owing, chiefly, to the low standard of qualifications required of primary teachers. It is mainly on behalf of these schools that the request is made for "some established, regular system of education and preparatory training, defined and instituted by law, to control the admission of candidates into the public educational service.” Evening-schools.-Ten evening-schools were maintained for two terms, nineteen weeks in all, during the year. Two of these schools contained large classes of Germans, taking lessons in the English language and pursuing no other study. To make the evening-school-system complete, there should be established an evening high school or evening industrial school The improvement which the industries of the city would derive from such an institution cannot be overestimated.

The colored-school.—An amendment to the city-charter, adopted last April, opened all the public schools to children of color; but very few, comparatively, have taken advantage of this justly-conceded right. The colored-school is so well conducted and rendered so satisfactory and attractive to them that the majority of colored pupils prefer to remain in it. In December the colored-school registered 49 pupils, against 30 colored pupils in all the other schools of the city.

The central school.-The central school, which crowns the public-school-organization of the city, has maintained throughout the year its high reputation as an academic institution. Two courses of study are sustained, the English and scientific and the classic.

The questions used in the examination of applicants for admission are supplied by the regents of the university. Of the 171 who passed last year 35 attained fully to the standard exacted by the regents, which is called passing "full regents." The previous year only 13 "full regents" were passed. The increased number shows improved work performed in the graded schools. The average daily attendance in this school is 95 per cent.

SYRACUSE.

[From report of Edward Smith, esq., city-superintendent.]

Attendance. About 70 per cent. of the school-population between the ages of 6 and 16 are in attendance at the public schools. Those attending private schools on the same basis number about 10 per cent., leaving only 20 per cent. of youth between the ages of 6 and 16 not in attendance on any school.

During the past year a gain has been made of 26 per cent. in diminishing the absences and 33 per cent. in diminishing the tardinesses. But notwithstanding this improvement, there were lost by absence 40,877 whole days and 28,653 half days. Taking into consideration the fact that the total enrollment is only 8,014 and the average number belonging 5,931, these numbers are very large. More stringent rules are needed to more effectually check the habit of absence and tardiness. "If any part of a pupil's education is more important than another, it is the education to prompt and punctual attention to his duties and engagements, and this should be a part of education in the public schools."

Drawing.-Drawing has been taught in the public schools for a long term of years, but, owing to a lack of system and a want of proper education on the part of teachers, it was not, for a long time, attended with any very satisfactory results. During the past year a change has been made in the method of teaching; the teachers have received regular instruction; and the examination at the close of the term-the first examination ever held in drawing in the city-was very creditable to pupils and teach

ers.

Music. The introduction of music as a regular branch of study was accomplished about a year ago, and it may now be considered as permanently established. The progress during this period has been far greater than could have been expected. Experience proves that, "as music is perfected and used in the daily routine of schoolduties, just in that proportion are the deportment and general appearance of the schools improved; aud, where it is relied upon as an instrumentality for these results, it has never failed."

The evening-school.-The evening-school was continued for fifteen weeks. The registered number was 220, with an average attendance of 70. The application, recitations, and discipline were all better than last year. The irregularity of attendance greatly interferes with the successful working of the school; nevertheless it is doing a vast amount of good for a large class of pupils.

ROCHESTER.

[From report of S. A. Ellis, esq., city-superintendent.]

School-houses.-The character of the school-buildings has not kept pace with the general improvement of the city. A rigid economy has always been observed in the construction of these buildings, and to such an extent as to preclude the possibility of securing good ventilation, light, and air, the best means of heating school-rooms, and a respectable style of architecture. Several of the school-buildings are in a very dilapidated and unhealthy condition and demand immediate attention. The success of the schools is greatly hindered by the want of sufficient and suitable accommodations; but the funds at the disposal of the board are too small to keep up with the increasing demand for more room. In one district over 100 scholars are occupying an unfurnished

store.

Condition of schools.-The schools were never in better condition than now. In almost every respect the past year has been the best in their history. Strenuous efforts have been made to reduce the amount of absence and tardiness and the statistics of attendance are more satisfactory than for any previous year.

Corporal punishment.-Corporal punishment is permitted, but there is a growing public opinion against it and among teachers an increasing unwillingness to resort to it. It is thought best that it should die a natural death. It is not believed possible, as yet, without substituting a worse expedient in its place, to do away with it entirely and secure the necessary obedience and order. Suspension has proved ineffectual.

German.-The study of German has been introduced into three schools during the year. No little misgiving was felt as to the success of this experiment, but the results of the examination, at the close of the year, were in the highest degree gratifying and satisfactory. The continuance of the German classes is recommended.

Erening-schools.-For several years the board of education has refused to organize evening-schools on account of the disorder which prevailed in them in former years and by reason of which they were abolished. Last winter two schools were organized and remained in successful operation three months. The pupils were orderly and quiet, earnest and studious, and the progress made was very satisfactory. There were nearly six hundred in attendance upon the two schools. This experiment may be regarded as a success in all respects.

AUBURN.

[From report of B. B. Snow, esq, city-superintendent.]

Attendance. The average attendance for the year is 1,705, some two hundred more than last year, and the most marked improvement which the statistics show is in regularity and punctuality in attendance. The number of days' absence for the year is 40,770, against 46,194 for the year previous. The number of cases of tardiness for the year is 8,072; the year previous, 13,016. The time lost by tardiness-nearly four hundred school-days last year—has been lessened about one-half. The importance of punetuality, as a feature of school-discipline, cannot be overestimated. "There may be a necessity for an occasional absence, but for tardiness there can be no excuse. It is the unpardonable sin."

There are in the schools confirmed truants, whom no discipline on the part of teachers or parents succeeds in reforming. A truant-school would be the means of saving many of these from the penitentiary and the prison. It has become a question whether it is not the moral duty of the board to establish such a school.

The evening-school.-The school opened with an attendance of 63, which was increased to 89, the highest number, the following week, from which date the number gradually decreased to 27. The total number registered was 146; number of sessions, 27. In consideration of the small attendance and the slight interest manifested, the committee recommends the discontinuance of the school. The superintendent admits that there has been great cause for discouragement, but, nevertheless, believes that more good has resulted from the school than may at first appear. The improvement of those who continued throughout the session was very marked.

REPORT OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The institutions subject to the visitation of the regents, and which are required to make annual reports in relation to their property and system of instruction and discipline, are (1) literary colleges, (2) medical colleges, and (3) academies.

That portion which relates to academies may be found under the head of secondary instruction in the present abstract, that which relates to literary colleges under the head of superior instruction, and that which relates to medical colleges under the head of professional instruction.

SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.

The institutions for secondary instruction, from which information has been received by the Bureau of Education, are 250 high schools, academies, seminaries, and institutes, of which 31 are exclusively for boys, 39 for girls, and 180 for both boys and girls, a majority of the latter being public free high schools and academies.

The 31 schools for boys, with 195 instructors-172 gentlemen and 23 ladies-report an attendance of 3,010 pupils, of whom 680 were in classic studies, 385 were preparing for college, including one for Annapolis. Drawing is studied in 23 and music in 21 of these schools. Eighteen have libraries, the smallest of which numbers 100 volumes, the largest 3,000.

The 39 girls' schools report 253 instructors-8 gentlemen and 165 ladies-and 3,748 pupils, of whom 249 are engaged in classic studies and 1,384 in the modern lauguages. Twenty-one only are specifically reported as preparing for college. In all but 6 of these schools drawing is taught and in all but 7 music; 23 have libraries, ranging in extent from 100 volumes to 6,000.

The schools for the joint education of both sexes, numbering 180, with 1,133 instructors-380 gentlemen and 753 ladies-have an aggregate attendance of 39,632 pupils— 19,356 boys and 20,276 girls-of whom 3,867 are engaged in classic studies and 4,795 in the modern languages; 1,125 are preparing for college and 349 for the scientific course. Drawing is taught in 129 and music in 139 of these schools. A large proportion of them possess libraries, the number of volumes ranging from two to 5,000.

The grand total attendance of pupils in these three classes of institutions for secondary instruction is 46,360-22,366 boys and 24,024 girls-4,796 studying the classic and 6,797 the modern languages, of whom 1,531 are preparing for college and 349 for the scientific course.

PREPARATORY SCHOOLS.

Engaged especially in the work of preparing for the university, the college, or scientific school are 14 academies, seminaries, and institutes, reporting an aggregate of 1,338 pupils in classic and 814 in scientific studies; 930 are in advanced classes, 147 are in the senior, 257 in the junior, 395 in the middle, and 235 in the fourth class. In six of these schools are libraries, ranging in size from 6 volumes to 3.000. Six have chemic laboratories, 3 have cabinets of natural history, 9 have philosophic cabinets and apparatus, and 5 have gymnasia.

REGENTS' REPORT.

Respecting the class of institutions making the above returns, the regents say: "The whole number of academies and academic departments of union-schools subject to the visitation of the regents and in operation at the date of the report is 218. These report a total of 31,421 scholars during the year, of whom 6,123 (males, 2,729; females, 3,394) are claimed to bave pursued classic or higher English studies, or both, for four months or more of said year. The number of pupils instructed, free of charge, in the theory and practice of teaching is 1,594. During the year 2,455 pupils have passed the preliminary academic examination; the whole number who have passed during the last six years is 20,940. There are employed in all the academies 1,183 teachers, of whom 462 are male and 721 female. The academy, lots, and buildings are valued at $3,912,081, the libraries at $162,564, the apparatus at $130,490, other property at $386,897; total value of academic property, $4,892,032. The total annual revenue is $1,048,639; total expenditure, $1,059,594; amount of debts of academies, $389,838. Amount of apportionment from the literature-fund in January, 1873, $40,000; rate of apportionment, $6.91. Amount raised by academies during the year for the purchase of books and apparatus, $3,000; amount apportioned by the regents for the same purpose, $3,000. Number of volumes in academy-libraries, 147,490.

"The reduction from year to year in the number of scholars claimed as classic is mainly due to the operation of preliminary academic examinations instituted by the regents. Of the whole number (6,123) claimed as classic scholars during the last year, 340 were rejected by the regents.

"The whole attendance on the academies, as shown by the reports, has varied but little from that of the preceding year. The number of academic scholars on whom the distribution of the literature-fund is made shows a continued diminution, being 876 less than the number of 1870. This reduced number is believed to be principally due to the more critical examination of the answers to the questions now made in the office of the regents. While it cannot be regarded as creditable to the elementary schools, it is believed that the examinations are exerting an influence in stimulating instruction in preliminary studies, which will soon appear in the increased number of scholars who pass them. This is being realized in the academies and union-schools in cities and large villages, whose scholars are comparatively permanent and many of whom pursue a systematic course of study. In the academies proper scholars are less permanent and frequently leave before they have an opportunity of perfecting themselves in the preliminary studies. Many pursue higher studies before elementary ones are completed and do not consent to subject themselves to the examination. A remedy for this condition of things lies in improving the instruction in the common schools. When those in the rural districts carry their scholars through the subjects of study which are appropriated to them and in which those under the age of 12 years should be perfected, the academies will be able to limit their work to instruction in the higher studies.

Instruction in the theory and practice of common-school-teaching is given, free of charge, in ninety academies appointed for the purpose by the regents. The number of scholars in any academy for whom such instruction is provided is limited by statute to 20 each year and the sum allowed by the State for such instruction is fixed at $10 for each full-term-scholar, no allowance being made for those who attend during a period less than thirteen weeks.

"The regents renew the expression of their high estimate of the academies in the system of education of the State and earnestly recommend more liberal appropriations for their support. The sum distributed to academies has remained as it was fixed in 1838. Since that time the number of academies has doubled and the scholars in them have increased threefold. The fixed capital invested in lots, buildings, libraries, and apparatus has increased from $830,187 to $3,674,275. A large portion of this has been raised by voluntary private contributions. This State has always encouraged such contributions. A continuance of this liberal and enlightened policy demands a large increase of the fund annually distributed among the academies."

FREE ACADEMY, ROCHESTER.

A high standard of scholarship has been uniformly maintained in this institution. It has been, and is to-day, a place for hard intellectual work. For three or four years past an effort has been made to elevate the standard for the entrance-examination and last year the per cent. required was nearly equal to that fixed by the regents of the university. Out of 176 candidates, 79 passed as "full regents." It is believed that a higher standard of admission will tend to increase the number of graduates. Many, finding themselves unequal to the work, drop out in the second or third year. With more thorough preparation the work would be easier and pupils would remain to complete the course. Three university-scholarships have been given to the academy, but comparatively little interest in the matter has been manifested by the pupils. For several years only two of the three have been taken. A new building is being erected for the academy, to cost $75,000.