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<br />has for years been a large school, and a hard one to teach.
<br />His manner is kind, but earnest; his action prompt, but
<br />decisive : he is apt and patient at explanation and illustra-
<br />tion. We have been pleased with the condition of his
<br />school at our repeated visits, and not less so with the care
<br />manifested in the neatness and preservation of the room.
<br />Some listlessness and lack of studious zeal is yet manifest
<br />on the part of some of his scholars ; but, on the whole, we
<br />think the teacher has labored well and successfully, and
<br />we feel great confidence, that, under the same guidance, the
<br />school will soon rise to that state of moral excellence and
<br />intellectual acquirement, which will command the admira-
<br />tion of all ; and we predict this with more confidence,
<br />knowing as we do the material that underlies and feeds it,
<br />— we mean the
<br />Primary School. — This department has fortunately en-
<br />joyed the instruction of Miss Lucy A. DOWNING the past
<br />year, a teacher too well and favorably known in this town
<br />to require extended comment from us ; yet we cannot with-
<br />hold some expression of our admiration for her efforts so
<br />patient and well directed in resuscitating a school nearly
<br />extinct, in establishing the most perfect order, in awakening
<br />a lively interest, and securing a willing attendance, where
<br />before was apathy or truancy. In our visits to this school,
<br />which have invariably been so pleasant as to make us forget
<br />for a time all that is irksome in the discharge of our duties,
<br />we have been embarrassed to decide whether we most
<br />admired the general neatness and quietness of the room,
<br />the intelligent accuracy in recitation, the analytical strength
<br />and clearness in solving arithmetical problems, or the air
<br />of happiness and content radiant from every face. We
<br />think Miss Downing has never done better service than
<br />during the past year, nor been entitled to more credit.
<br />SOUTH DISTRICT.
<br />This district has but one school, which is therefore a
<br />mixed one. During the summer season, it was taught by
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<br />Miss LOUISA M. WELLINGTON, who was the teacher of the
<br />same school the previous summer. She is a young lady
<br />of good education and refined manners, zealous and faith-
<br />ful in her calling, kind and indulgent almost to a fault in
<br />the discharge of her duties, pleasing in her address ; and
<br />with discipline a little more stringent, and care for the pre-
<br />servation of the room a little more watchful, her services
<br />cannot fail to be appreciated wherever rendered. Her
<br />scholars were much attached to her; and their parents, so
<br />far as we know, were well satisfied.
<br />The Winter Term was taught by Mr. ARTHUR P. SMITH,
<br />a well-qualified and devoted teacher. Though yet young,
<br />Mr. Smith brought some experience and many of the requi-
<br />sites of a successful teacher with him. Full of enthusiasm,
<br />he infused a portion of it into his scholars ; thoroughly
<br />acquainted with the studies pursued, he has developed
<br />thoroughness on the part of his pupils ; and his affable
<br />manners and genial feelings made their impression on
<br />parents and scholars. The discipline and progress of the
<br />school have been good; and the Committee have been well
<br />satisfied with the result of his labors, and predict that a
<br />bright future is before him.
<br />WEST DISTRICT.
<br />This school, in the summer, was under the charge of
<br />Miss HARRIET E. RICE, a teacher of very ladylike manners,
<br />of amiable and even temperament. She entered upon her
<br />duties under very favorable circumstances. The school,
<br />with the exception of some recent accessions, had enjoyed
<br />for several years uninterruptedly the instruction of the best
<br />of teachers. During the summer, the number of scholars
<br />was small ; but the order was invariably good, the room
<br />quiet, and the application to study commendable. The
<br />school made fair progress, and the Committee and parents
<br />generally were satisfied.
<br />The school, in the winter, was under the tuition of Mr.
<br />GALEN ALLEN, a gentleman of good qualifications, and
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