are getting their own manual training as a means of livelihood long before they reach the grammar schools. Our problem seems to be, as regards the great majority of our youth, to give them enough mind culture to enable them to read English and work the fundamental rules. I think, however, drawing should be introduced as soon as possible. The expense would be small and the advantages nowhere greater than in a manufacturing town.-F. E. McFEE, Superintendent.

EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS.

CRANSTON.-Teachers' Meeting.-Only one teachers' meeting was held during the past year, but that was sufficient to prove that they would be a great help to our teachers, and we hope to have at least three meetings during the next year. This meeting was held in February, at Knightsville, all the teachers being present except one. It was arranged with the teacher of the grammar department to have her school in session for one hour and a half, during which time the scholars creditably acquitted themselves in recitations in reading, spelling, geography, arithmetic, and music. After the scholars were dismissed, the teachers listened

to an address by the Commissioner of Public Schools upon "School Work," which was well received; and I believe much good will result, for several have expressed a desire for other meetings in the near future.-A. S. HAVEN, Superintendent.

JOHNSTON.-Regular Teachers' Meetings.-Meetings of teachers have been held as frequently as it has seemed practicable to call them together. At the beginning of the year the teachers of all the ungraded schools met and an afternoon was occupied in talking over the work just begun, and in planning to work together toward a definite and common end so far as practicable. Good results of that meeting have been apparent through the year. The teachers were brought into acquaintance and sympathy with each other and most of them I think received some stimulus or some needed encouragement. During the year meetings were held as nearly monthly as the weather and other hindrances allowed; sometimes the primary teachers, sometimes the intermediate and grammar teachers, and sometimes all who could come were summoned. It is very difficult to find a time out of school hours when the teachers can be assembled without great inconvenience to some. The meetings have been held in the evening and have been attended usually only by the teachers of the graded schools, but sometimes by others who came at the cost of considerable inconvenience. I think these meetings are of much value and that provision ought to be made for them without exacting additional labor from the teachers.-W. E. WILSON, Superintendent.

TIVERTON.-Teachers' Institute.-An Institute for the benefit of the teachers of Tiverton and Little Compton, was held June 3, at the Congregational Church at the Four Corners, conducted by the Commissioner of Public Schools, assisted by Gen. T. J. Morgan, Principal of the State Normal School, and Mr. George A. Littlefield, Supt. of Schools, Newport,

Teaching exercises were given, and subjects relating to school education were discussed during the day, which could not fail to prove suggestive and helpful to the teachers present. It is to be regretted that any should have failed to attend. In the evening, in addition to speeches from the above-named gentlemen, readings were given by Mr. John Matteson, an elocutionist from Providence. Several songs were sung by some of the pupils from the neighboring district schools, the whole forming a very interesting and enjoyable occasion.

Meeting at North Tiverton.-On Monday evening, October 3d, the Commissioner held a meeting at Baptist Temple Chapel to address the voters of North Tiverton in regard to school matters. Very few being present, the meeting resolved itself into interested listeners to readings by Rev. Wm. N. Ackley, Supt. of Schools, Warren, R. I., and to singing by the Chapel Choir.

The following week, another meeting of the same kind was held, at which Mr. Stockwell and Mr. Ackley gave addresses to a much larger audience.-Committee.

EVENING SCHOOLS.

BRISTOL.-Good Results.—While not as strict as the day school, good discipline has been maintained, and without punishment. Disorderly or particularly idle scholars have been sent out, but allowed to return for another trial. Rapid progress has been made by a number of especially studious ones, notably some that came without knowledge of letters or numbers. Singing, lately introduced, was received with marked pleasure, and promotes punctuality.-R. F. RANDALL, Teacher.

CHARLESTOWN.-Demand for Evening School for Older Pupils.-For the instruction of scholars over sixteen years of age, who have made all the progress possible in the district school in the common branches usually taught therein, a night school is desirable. And I recommend, as early as convenient, the opening of a school where chemistry, with special reference to agriculture, and practical subjects which will be of benefit to a farming community may be taught, and where advantages of fertilizers may be more fully appreciated, and the knowledge of making and testing fertilizers may be thoroughly gained by lectures and simple experiments; thus forming a preparatory school to the Agricultural College which is to be founded before long.-H. K. GARDINER, Superintendent.

CUMBERLAND.-Rules and Regulations.—It was voted, that the superintendent have charge of the evening schools, and that the money appropriated for them be spent under his supervision; that they commence the second Monday in October, and that there shall be at least three sessions each week; that no scholars be admitted under the age of thirteen years, and that no member of the day school be admitted. The committee also at one of their meetings recommended that the trustees in the hiring of teachers give the preference-other things being equal to persons residing in the town.

How to Secure Regular Attendance.-The average age of the pupils was fifteen years. There is always a considerable percentage of those who attend who drop

out after the first few weeks. We think, however, that since evening schools have ceased to be a novelty, and it is coming to be understood that it is the set. tled policy of the town to have them every year, there is less falling off than there was at first. In some large towns and cities, to remedy this evil, and to secure regularity of attendance, a pledge is exacted from each pupil at the opening session, that he will try to be present at each session. Sometimes he is required to make a deposit of one dollar as a guarantee of good faith, which money is refunded when he withdraws, provided his conduct is satisfactory; otherwise it is forfeited and goes into the school fund. Such plans might work well where there is danger of the schools being overcrowded at the start, but we fancy that if put in practice here they would deter large numbers from coming at all. The only practical remedy is to secure good teachers, those who know how to arouse and retain the interest of their pupils. I am more and more persuaded that it needs teachers of peculiar qualifications, persons gifted with rare tact and judg ment, to succeed as principals of our evening schools.

Book-keeping.-In one of the schools, book-keeping was taught to quite a large class, and nearly all belonging to this class remained in the school till the closing session. I am convinced that if it were understood that book-keeping, and perhaps mechanical drawing, would be taught, more older scholars would attend. Lack of Books.-In one or two of the schools considerable difficulty was experienced owing to the scholars having no books and showing no disposition to purchase them. This of course threw an extra burden on the teachers, requir ing, as it did, a very large amount of blackboard work and oral instruction. This difficulty, however, did not pervade the schools as a whole.

How to Bring In Older Pupils.-The average age of the pupils is not very high, and how to secure a larger attendance of older pupils is a problem that does not so easily admit of solution. In Massachusetts they have invoked the aid of legislation here, and a law was recently passed compelling all minors between the ages of 14 and 21, unable to read and write the English language, to attend the evening schools. But allowing for all abatements and drawbacks, we feel that the evening schools are doing a good work, and are worthy of support and encouragement.-R. MURRAY, JR., Superintendent.

LINCOLN.-Fluctuating Attendance.-Without doubt quite a large number are benefited by the evening schools. They open well, both as to numbers and a seeming desire on the part of the scholars to learn, but long before the term closes the number and interest are very perceptibly diminished.-Committee.

NEWPORT.-- Unsatisfactory Results.-At the Clarke street building two terms of ten weeks each were conducted, one before the holidays and one after. The statistics of attendance were very unsatisfactory. The reduction from fifty to twenty five cents in the deposit required of each pupil, as a pledge of regular attendance, operated unfavorably by lessening proportionately the anxiety to recover the pledge through punctuality.-G. A. LITTLEFIELD, Superintendent. PAWTUCKET.-Measurably Satisfactory.-Evening schools were maintained during the winter months, and an effort was made to confine them to those for whose benefit they were opened, with results which were measurably satisfactory to the sub-committee having them in charge. The evening drawing school

meets a great want in our community. Last season one was opened, and many of our young mechanics eagerly seized the opportunity of being present at all the sessions. At the close of the term a public exhibition was given of the work done, and gentlemen inspecting the drawings expressed their approval of the success of the students.-B. EASTWOOD, Chairman.

PROVIDENCE. - Evening Schools an Important Element.-Evening schools are becoming more and more important to education in our cities. They may be maintained at far less cost than the day schools, because, since play-grounds are useless, large areas of land are not required; and again, they may be located in buildings used in part for other purposes. Yet it is advisable that, so far as possible, they should be in buildings devoted solely to school purposes. No department of our school system merits greater attention. They already furnish, to a large number of persons of all ages who are obliged to work during the day, the only possible means of acquiring an education; and many instances might be cited to illustrate the good work accomplished by industrious pupils. The underlying defect of the evening schools is that they are not sufficiently recognized by the city council as a part of the whole public school system, and hence they show results which, though good, are by no means equal to those within an easy possibility.-Committee.

Advanced Pupils.-The ages of the pupils in the evening schools vary from twelve to forty years-the average age being about sixteen. The studies vary to as great an extent—some are just learning to read, while others are striving to perfect themselves in some branch that may benefit them in their every-day life. For this latter class there is very little provision made. They are obliged to furnish their own books, and, in nearly all of the schools, study in the same room with pupils much younger and less intent on embracing the opportunity to obtain an education. If some measures could be taken to have in each school a room solely for such pupils, the efficiency of the evening schools would be greatly increased. In a few of the schools we have tried this plan with a great deal of success.

Special Reports.—The system of making “special reports" to the chairman was continued this year. Blanks were properly filled out by the principals and reached the chairman before the Saturday evening following any given week of the term. By this means an exact record of each school was kept, and the exact condition of each school was known at the close of each week.

Temporary Teachers. -We hired this year a dozen or more young women as "temporary teachers." As the schools increased or decreased in numbers, we transferred the temporary teachers to and fro from one school to another. This often saved hiring an additional regular teacher, and prevented any unpleasant feeling so apt to occur when a teacher is dismissed.

Length of School.—This year the schools were closed at the end of the eighteenth week, the appropriation therefor being exhausted. This is the most valuable part of the term. The pupils in attendance then are those who are making a determined effort to improve themselves. If it were advisable to have the appro priation for the schools increased, they could then be kept open twenty weeks, and thereby become of still greater benefit —A. F. BLAISDELL, Chairman.

WARREN.-Evening School Appreciated.-The committee believe that, while the evening school labors under many disadvantages, much good work is done, and that the opportunities afforded thereby are appreciated by quite a large number unable to take advantage of those offered by our day schools.— Committee.

Increased Results.-The evening school, which was continued for fifty-three evenings, has seldom shown a more uniform attendance than this year. At the beginning there was not that exceptionally large number sometimes attending during the first few days, but there was less falling off in numbers toward the close, and the interest was well sustained throughout. The majority were studious and thoughtful and evidently were determined to make the most of their advantages. Aside from the class instruction the teachers gave much attention to individual peculiarities and needs, a very essential feature in teaching scholars who have not been trained to think and have little ability to prepare their lessons unaided. The influence of this school upon that class of persons for whom it is intended is most wholesome and elevating, and doubtless is proportionately as fruitful in beneficent results to society as any department.-W. N. ACKLEY, Superintendent.

WESTERLY.-Schools Should Open Early in Fall.-The attendance decreased rapidly after the holidays, thus reducing the average attendance. The school should be opened early in the fall and continue to the holidays; as by that course the attendance would be greater and more regular. However, the percentage of attendance was 64, or considerably in excess of the average percentage for the other evening schools which are maintained in the State.-A. PERRY, Clerk.

Studies. The common and some of the higher English branches were taught; and book-keeping, mechanical drawing and penmanship as specialties. The scholars took a deep interest in their studies, and made solid progress in them. The school was a decided success. This well-begun and successful enterprise I hope will be continued each winter, so that many of the young people who cannot avail themselves of school advantages in the day schools may have and improve the advantages of a good evening school.-O. U. WHITFORD, Superintendent.

WOONSOCKET.-Advanced Class.-The school in the high school building was designed for an advanced class. The principal of the first grammar school was placed in charge, and the subjects taught were book-keeping, physiology, arithmetic and civil government. The number enrolled was not large, but the average attendance was good and considerable interest was aroused. The pupils were enabled to acquire a good knowledge of book-keeping. The facts of physiology were illustrated by frequent use of the skeleton and manikin. Only those who had a common school education were admitted, so that all were prepared to study understandingly the topics presented. The attendance at this school ought to have been much larger.

Methods.-The method of instruction in the evening schools is almost entirely individual. Each pupil can therefore receive but little of the teacher's attention, and unless quite diligent does not, I fear, get very much out of his evening's at