class they seemed to have an earnest determination to accomplish the work before them. Their spirit of devotion to study promises the best results for the future.

In this department, as in that of the Arts and Sciences, and of Medicine, we deem our University fortunate, in the ability, character, and eminent fitness of its Professors. All seem to aim at creating a high standard of scholarship and professional attainments.

With regard to the library of the Law Department, we would most earnestly repeat the suggestion made in a former report. It contains 1,300 volumes. Though excellent, considering the number and age, it is inadequate to meet the wants of the Department. We suggest as a method of increasing it with little expense, that the State Librarian should be requested, as far as possible, in the exchanges of State reports which he makes, to obtain duplicates. This be often does at present. Such duplicates being placed in the Law Library, would materially aid in its usefulness. A building is very much needed for this library, as well as for that of the department of Arts and Sciences. It would indeed be a calamity to see the accumulation of years swept away in a single hour. Yet such must be the imminent danger until a fire-proof building shall contain all the libraries of the University.

In addition to his duties as Professor of Law, Professor Cooley has been engaged during the past term in delivering a course of lectures on Constitutional Law, to the senior class of the under graduates. They are said to be of great interest, and evince a careful study and investigation in their prepa ration. Certainly it is time for constitutional law to be engrafted upon the course of study in every institution of a high grade.

We desire again to call the attention of the Legislature, through this report, to the want of some man of national reputation, as a scientific man, at the head of the scientific department of the University. This department we regard as one of the most important connected with the Institution, and

in thus recommerding a mature and ripened head, we by no means design to imply any want of ability in those now occupying chairs in this department. We regard them as fully competent for their position. In our recommendation we believe we not only give our own opinion, but express the desire of every Professor in the University. So important a feature should have strong support.

In conclusion we would say, our visitation during the past year has strongly impressed us in the opinion that the course of instruction has been very thorough; the students have evinced a good knowledge of what they have studied and the examinations have exhibited the zeal, fidelity and ability of the Professors in their various departments. We were especially pleased with the general deportment, and moral bearing of the students. Their sense of propriety, honor and duty seemed sufficient to restrain, as well as direct.

We learn with pleasure that the Regents have taken some steps toward the appointment of a Professor of Military Engineering and Science. Our day demands this, and they are not a step in advance of the popular will. We trust the movement will be early consummated.

To you, sir, to the Legislature, and to the people of the State, we beg to say, our University is nobly accomplishing its great work.

CHARLES NOBLE,

H. M. CHEEVER.

DETROIT, Dec. 1st, 1861.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORTS OF THE VISIT

ING INSPECTORS.

In the blanks for Inspectors' Reports for the past year, a space was left for such remarks and suggestions as might be made by the Visiting Inspector, under the following heading:

"REMARKS OF VISITING INSPECTOR.-Please state the general condition of the schools in respect to: 1st. Good order; 2d. Morals and behavior; 3d. Progress in scholarship; 4th. Regularity of attendance."

The duty of visitation has been performed in a large portion of the towns to a greater or less extent. But a portion of the visitors, however, have made any record of the result of their observation; some from being absent when the Report of the Inspectors was made out. The extracts here given will afford a nearer view of the condition of our schools than any heretofore presented in the annual reports of this department. In some cases the reports have been condensed to save room, while in others the facts given in mere tabular statements have been developed into sentences. A few remarks have been added in answer or explanatory of several of the reports, and ' some additional information given from the records in this Department. The credit of the preparation of these reports is due to the Deputy Superintendent.

ALLEGAN COUNTY.

The reports from Allegan county show an increase for the year of 665 children in school. But two towns report the receipts from fines. The County Treasurer reports $281 50 apportioned. Nino towns voted $310 00 of the two mill tax for

Libraries; which exceeds the amount voted in any other county. $10,014 30 was paid to 734 teachers-an increase of $521 74, upon last year. The total amount raised in the county for school purposes for the year, was $16,430 78.

Clyde." School was kept in but one district in this town. There were but a few scholars present the day I visited the school, but I think the order was good, as also the morals of the children. There appeared to be quite an improvement in most of the branches, but I cannot say it was more than would be expected. The average attendance small; owing probably to the want of the children at home-as is apt to be the case in all new townships."

Dorr.-"Order in the school generally good, and its maintenance particularly urged. Morals and behavior good. Progress in scholarship steady and sure. The attendance was generally punctual. The morals and example of the teachers cannot be overestimated in importance."

Ganges. "The schools are doing remarkably well, considering the crippled 'condition they have been in for two years past, on account of the impression that our main dependence, the "dollar a scholar tax" was repealed. If you have any influence with the Legislature, please caution them how they lay their hands on our main means to educate our children."

It is surprising, how difficult it is to undo the impression that the law under which the "dollar a scholar tax" could be raised, was repealed.

Gun Plain—"The order in our schools has been good; the morals and behavior of the children as good as the average; their progress fair, and attendance regular."

The reports show very nearly as many children attending school, (8 months), as are in the district.

Heath." Order good; morals and behavior, very good; progress in scholarship, fair; attendance good."

This town shows but four less children in school than in the town.