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<br />ble ? The present wretched system, which so divides and
<br />shifts the responsibility of the Committees that they become
<br />a nullity. And, unless this door is closed, this last purchase
<br />will soon follow the maps, charts, globes, and district -school
<br />libraries, that have already vanished from the school -rooms.
<br />This town has been liberal for several years past in its
<br />appropriations for instruction, and even more so in its ex-
<br />penditures for commodious buildings. Within three years,
<br />four new and elegant school -houses have been erected at
<br />the expense of the town ; and one other, at least, is to be
<br />built the ensuing season. So, at the summer's close, five
<br />of the six districts will have been furnished with new and
<br />ample accommodations within three years, the sixth school-
<br />house having been repaired and provided with new furniture
<br />a little earlier. The increased and constantly increasing
<br />expenses of living will doubtless make it necessary another
<br />year, should the present organization be continued, to in-
<br />crease the appropriation about $200 ; or, from the better
<br />encouragement held out by other towns, none but the poorer
<br />teachers will be accessible to us.
<br />The schools in this town for the past year have had a full
<br />share of vigor and prosperity, take them together. The
<br />teacher selected at the commencement of the year for the
<br />Centre Grammar School, has given marked satisfaction to
<br />all, and has received tokens of approbation from his scho-
<br />lars, as did the teacher for the winter in the North-east
<br />District, who has too long been known as a teacher of the
<br />first qualities to need other comment here. The teacher of
<br />the Centre Primary, although she had the disadvantage
<br />of succeeding one of great worth and acceptation to the
<br />district, has given entire satisfaction. Her musical talents
<br />have, in the estimation of some of the Committee, much
<br />enhanced the value of her instruction. Music has been
<br />taught, to a less extent, in the South-east Primary, and some
<br />of the other schools. We trust instruction will ere long be
<br />given in music to all the schools, either by the several
<br />teachers, or, where they are not competent, by some one
<br />especially delegated. The school in the West District has
<br />been under the guidance of the same teacher for the past
<br />two years, and no school in this town has excelled it in dis-
<br />cipline, quietness., or progress. Some of her classes in men-
<br />tal arithmetic are entitled to especial commendation. The
<br />teachers of the South School labored hard, but gave less
<br />satisfaction than could have been wished. The house in
<br />the winter season was quite too filthy when visited by the
<br />Committee, and the school was deficient in good discipline
<br />through the year. The instruction of the North School
<br />was altogether satisfactory in the summer, as it always has
<br />been under the same teacher. The gentleman who took
<br />charge of this school at the commencement of the winter
<br />season became discouraged, and suddenly left it; after
<br />which it was successfully 'continued and terminated by
<br />another. The schools in the South-east District have been
<br />under the charge of their former efficient and acceptable
<br />teachers, and have progressed well. The Summer School
<br />in the North-east District was very acceptably taught; and
<br />the large and elegant house recently erected is a great
<br />source of comfort and convenience to the district. It is
<br />warmed by a furnace, which is undoubtedly the best way
<br />of warming a building of that kind.
<br />For the Committee,
<br />HOWLAND HOLMES, Secretary.
<br />IRA LELAND, School Com -
<br />CHARLES HUDSON, mittee of
<br />HOWLAND HOLMES, Lexington.
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