your experienced direction, and the cordial harmony of all engaged by you in this great work, with the gracious favor of our Heavenly Father attending your efforts, the future of the School shall even exceed the past, and save to the State and to God, a virtuous and refined manhood in these boys.

Respectfully sumbitted,

JAMES H. BAKER,

Acting Superintendent.

TEACHERS' REPORTS.

REPORT OF C. E. TAYLOR.

To the Honorable the Board of Control of the Michigan State Reform School:

GENTLEMEN-One hundred and seven boys have been received into the school during the year ending November 16th, 1866. They were placed in the following classes: In the Alphabet Class, 5; in the Primer Class, 19; in the First Reader, 11; in the Second Reader, 21; in the Third Reader 24; in the Fourth Reader, 14; in the Fifth Reader 13-total, 107.

Thirty-five of these boys had received no instruction in arithmetic, fifty could calculate in the simplest numbers, nine knew the simple rules, and thirteen had been through fractions. Sixty-four could not write, sixteen could write their own names, and twenty-seven could write their own correspondence. Only twelve had received instruction in geography.

Eighty-three boys have been dismissed during the year, and three have died, standing in their classes as follows:

In the Primer Class, 3; in the 1st Reader, 3; in the 2d Reader, 11; in the 3d Reader, 16; in the 4th Reader, 19; in the 5th Reader; 34; total, 86.

ARITHMETIC.--Received no instruction, 2; in Table Book, 3; in Progressive Primary, 12; in Progressive Intellectual, 32; through Simple Rules, 10; through Fractions, 17; through Robinson's Practical, 10; total 86.

Sixty-five could write their own correspondence, sixteen

could write their names, and five could not write. Nearly all have received some instruction in Geography, and nineteen had gone through Colton & Fitch's School Geography.

This statement shows, that while most of the boys received were placed in the lower classes, those dismissed were chiefly from the higher.

The boys dismissed from the lowest classes, were either those who had been in the School a very short time, or were such as want of mental capacity rendered incapable of receiving mental instruction.

Perhaps a casual observer might think we made but little progress in our school, but let such remember that the best boys are continually leaving as soon as their good conduct warrants an honorable dismissal, while their places are supplied by the more depraved and ignorant who are constantly coming into the school.

If but one were saved during the year from a life of felony and crime, and raised to one of virtue and right, even then the object of the school would be far from a failure. But when we take into account the many whom we know to go from us with higher and better views of life, and with the firm resolve to lead virtuous and upright lives, we think the most censorious can but admit that if the success is not all that might be desired, it is still grandly a success.

There are at present in the upper school room 184 boys, classified as follows:

READING.-In the 2d Reader, 27; in the 3d Reader, 61; in the 4th reader, 30; in the 5th Reader, 66; total 184.

ARITHMETIC.—In the progressive Primary, 56; in the Progressive Intellectual, 55; Practical Arithmetic, through Simple Rules, 23; Practical Arithmetic, through Fractions, 24; Practical Arithmetic, through, 26; total, 184.

WRITING.-Number can write, 151; number cannot write, 33; total, 184.

GEOGRAPHY.-Colton & Fitch's, through, 27; Colton & Fitch's, partly through, 27; total, 54.

GRAMMAR.-Clark's, in Analysis, 24.

All the boys are in Spelling classes. The general exercises in Geography have been continued. A Grammar class was formed during the Summer, for the more advanced boys, and I think, with good effect. There are at present, no writing classes, for the want of inkstand fixtures.

While, perhaps, the progress made in the instructions of the school-room, is not all that we could wish it had been, yet under the many discouraging circumstances with which we have had to contend, we believe that it is all and even more, than the most sanguine could have anticipated, and we earnestly hope has been such as will meet with Heaven's blessing, and your approval.

Mr. A. C. Thompson has most efficiently aided me in the duties of school.

LIBRARY.

No additions have been made to the Library during the year. Formerly, only the boys reading in the Fourth and Fifth Readers, were permitted to draw books, but since June last, all the boys in the Third Reader and the lower school room boys, have also been allowed to draw and read books from the Library. This has nearly doubled the number of those using books. Great interest is taken by the boys in reading these books, but still such a large number of thoughtless boys constantly using them, renders it necessary for many of them to be re-bound, and there are at present a considerable number which need repairing.

C. E. TAYLOR.

REPORT OF MISS ELLEN M. MILLS.

LANSING MICHIGAN, Nov. 10th, 1866. To the Hon. Board of Control of the Mich. State Reform School: GENTLEMEN-I commenced my labors in the Primary Department, on the 21st of March last, as successor to Miss C. S. Nichols; she having been obliged, on account of illness, to vacate her place temporarily.

The school is designed for the smaller boys; and, unlike other schools, is graded according to size, instead of mental attainment.

The number of boys in this department is fifty-six. Twelve have been received during the year, and were classified in the following manner: one in the Third Reader; five in the Second; four in the First; and two in the alphabet.

Eight have been discharged, and four granted "leave of absence;" one of whom has been returned for violating the conconditions of his "leave."

Of the number dismissed, seven were in the Fourth Reader; three in the Third; one in the Second, and one in the First. Ten could write their own letters.

Of those now in the School, twelve are in the Fourth Reader; twenty in the Third; thirteen in the Second, and eleven in the First. Twenty-seven boys study Geography; eighteen are in Intellectual Arithmetic; fifteen in the Progressive Primary, and thirteen in the Table Book.

Very little attention has been given to writing during the year, owing to a want of time for pursuing the same in connection with other branches. The hours of school are the same as last year, one hour in the morning and two in the evening.

Taking all things into consideration, commendable progress has been made by the boys, although they are of the class who never would endure the confinement of the school-room under ordinary circumstances, yet to the inevitable they must submit, and attend to those duties which are imposed upon them. A portion of the Sunday School lesson has been committed to memory each day. Saturday has been devoted to writing letters, singing, etc.

Many of the boys manifest a decided taste for reading, and were suitable books furnished them, I have no doubt they would be duly appreciated, and faithfully read.

Our work, in a measure, seems like "casting bread upon the waters," but we have the assurance that although it may seem

to be lost, eventually it will return; and we shall then know that we have not labored in vain, and spent our strength for naught." If one boy is elevated from a state of degradation and crime, to that of virtue and usefulness, we shall not consider our labor entirely lost.

REPORT OF CORNELIA S. NICHOLS.

LANSING, NOV. 16, 1866.

To the Honorable Board of Control of the Michigan State Reform School:

GENTLEMEN-The department of the school which has been under my charge during the past few months, was organized on the 21st of May last. It was composed of boys from the upper school, who from early neglect or incapacity, were unable to keep pace with the majority, in point of intellectual advancement, the main object being to give them more immediate attention; that if possible, they might be raised to an equality with their companions.

The results which have atter ded our efforts may be reported as follows:

The number of boys admitted to the School at its opening was thirty-three; seventeen of whom were in the First Reader, and sixteen in the Primer.

Since that time, four have been discharged and three have been granted "leave of absence," one of whom has been returned to the School. Five have been placed in the upper school to admit others who were not sufficiently advanced to enter there.

Eighteen boys have been received into the school, seven of whom could not read, making at present the whole number forty. Of these fifteen read in the Second Reader, sixteen in the First, and nine in the Primer.

Sixteen study the Progressive Primary Arithmetic, and eleven the Table Book, leaving a surplus of thirteen who do not study ⚫ arithmetic, owing to a deficiency of books adapted to their wants.

All of the boys have the privilege of writing after copies on