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<br />the whole year in vacations, for rest and recruiting. It is
<br />the more reasonable, that the term -time should be entirely
<br />consecrated to the use and advantage of the schools.
<br />Teachers work for pay. It is right they should ; but the
<br />profession is one that cannot be justly regarded as simply
<br />a means of getting a living. No teacher can accomplish a
<br />really good work, who gives to his school only that tame,
<br />formal observance of hours and tasks which entitles him to
<br />his pay, while his heart is in other things. No childish
<br />spirit reaches to the height of this work. It requires dig-
<br />nity of mind, elevation of sentiment, conscientiousness, a
<br />manly or womanly calmness, self-control, and discretion, —
<br />some of that wisdom which is not the fruit of years only,
<br />but comes down from above, to all who seek it.
<br />COURSE OF STUDY.
<br />No changes have been made in the required course of
<br />study, beyond the substitution of Eaton's Common School
<br />Arithmetic for his larger treatise. This change was made
<br />with the expectation of requiring the pupils proposing to
<br />enter the high School to complete the Arithmetic in the
<br />Grammar School. The new book is better fitted for begin-
<br />ners, and yet is a complete treatise, including all that is
<br />necessary to make a thorough accountant. The change is
<br />also in accordance with the idea before advanced, of mak-
<br />ing the course in the Grammar Schools complete in the
<br />studies prescribed by law for our common schools.
<br />APPROPRIATIONS.
<br />The sum raised by the town last year for schools was
<br />forty-two hundred dollars, — nominally more, but really less,
<br />than in preceding years. Owing to the rise in the price of
<br />a
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<br />fuel, it proved, by a small sum, insufficient for the expenses
<br />of the year. In addition, the sum of one hundred dollars
<br />was raised by private subscription, and added to the salary
<br />of Mr. Scott. At the late annual meeting, the town appro-
<br />priated forty-six hundred dollars for the ensuing year, — a
<br />sum, notwithstanding the nominal increase, less, when mea-
<br />sured by any real standard, than in former years.
<br />In conclusion, we express our satisfaction in a general
<br />view of the state of the schools, with such qualifications as
<br />have been intimated. We are pleased to note the very
<br />general interest shown by the community, in the welfare
<br />of these our most important institutions,— those of religion
<br />excepted, even if those are to be excepted. If rightly con-
<br />ducted, our schools may be made nurseries of religion in
<br />its vital and practical power, by impressing on the young
<br />the principles of Christian morality, and the sentiments of
<br />a just and generous spirit. As to pressure on the mental
<br />powers, we think we have attained about as high a point,
<br />on the average, as is consistent with the best health of
<br />body and of mind. In the instilling of good principles, and
<br />the exercise of a truly refining, humanizing, and ennobling
<br />influence on the young, there is room for indefinite im-
<br />provement. Our schools will not be improved, nor the best
<br />interests of the young secured, by allowing them in any
<br />way to be made the channels for expressing personal pas-
<br />sions or prejudices. They should be sacred to the highest
<br />public interests, to knowledge, integrity, candor, generosity,
<br />and courtesy.
<br />L. J. LIVERMORE,
<br />CHARLES TIDD, Committee.
<br />JONAS GAMMELL,
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