1857-1858 School Committee Report

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8 behavior. The recitations and general appearance of the school at the closing examination were fair. Miss Cutler carries with her the warm affection of her scholars, and the respect and goodwill of the public. The CENTRE GRAMMAR SCHOOL began the year in the charge of Mr. A. J. HUNTooN. The results of his labors were not satisfactory, and he left at the end of the first term. Under Miss DUDLEY'S care, the school has since advanced steadily and rapidly in the public esteem and in real excellence. The discipline of the school is of the most complete character ; the style of instruction thorough, and at the same time attractive to the pupil. With perhaps one or two exceptions, all the performances at the closing examination were entirely successful. Miss Dudley acts on the principle, of undoubted value, of confining the attention of her pupils to a limited extent of ground in each study, in advance of their previous acquisitions, within which limits she aims to make their knowledge such as to preclude the necessity of future re- viewing ; thus avoiding the tedious process, so well known to scholars in former times, of going over the same ground again and again in successive terms or years. The HIGH SCHOOL.—In reference to this school, the Com- mittee feel the difficulty of speaking so as to do simple justice both to facts and persons. It is certain, that, during the past year, the school did not secure the confidence and good -will of all even who were once friendly to it, and who might be supposed to desire its perpetuity. It did not come up to the requirements of public opinion. Why it did not we do not feel called upon to decide. Of the teacher, Mr. DAVID W. HOYT, we think it just to say, that his deportment was that of a Christian and a gentleman ; liis conduct to the scholars just and kind, if not cordial ; and that he was a fr 9 well informed and entirely adequate instructor in all the branches in which, at coming, he agreed to give instruction. Of the want of geniality of manner, which has been urged against him, a part was probably due to constitutional tem- perament. Is it not fair to suppose that a part was due to his consciousness of the ill -will of some, and the indifference of more to the school and himself ? Few, who have not tried it, can conceive the depressing power of such a consciousness upon one occupying a place where success must largely depend on the good -will and sympathy of others. The Com- mittee have the assurance of some parents, that their chil- dren were interested in the school, and found all desired help in their studies. We think, also, that while there was a degree of heedlessness and inattention in some of the pupils, yet, in the main, they studied with a fair degree of diligence, and, at the close of the year, gave evidence of a deep interest and of substantial progress. Without the High School, or one analogous to it, a considerable number of the rising generation would be precluded from very great advantages which have been enjoyed by their predecessors for some years past, and are enjoyed by the youth of such towns as Lexington generally. Tliis consideration is not conclusive of the expediency of maintaining the school ; but it is at least adapted to confirm in their convictions those already in favor of it, to conciliate to its support an honest pride in the good name of the town, and to diminish any unfavorable feeling which arises from the idea that the High School has been of no substantial utility. All the pupils of that school, we think, would bear witness to its value to them ; and this testimony would be most emphatically given by those whose regular conduct and studious habits approve them most worthy to enjoy the privileges of such a school. Upon a general survey of the year, the Committee judge that there is reason for much satisfaction in the condition 2