TO STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



each member pvesentiug two exercises. Choice selections were also committed 

 to memory aud declaimed before the class. The class received occasionally 

 an elocutionary drill, in concert, in the chapel, all having committed the same 

 selection. 



During the summer term, 1883, twenty-eight juniors were under my instruc- 

 tion in the History of English Literature. Backus's edition of Shaw's text- 

 book was used, supplemented by lectures. Selections were read from Cham- 

 ber's Encyclopedia of English Literature, and formed the basis of familiar 

 exposition, criticism, aud essays. Morley's Tables of Literature, enlarged, 

 aii'orded aid in properly placing authors in epochs, and showing tlieir historic 

 relations. Three critical essays were presented by each member of the class, 

 as a part of the term's work. 



During the entire year the seniors met with me weekly for essays on liter- 

 ary subjects, previousiy assigned. Each senior presenting six essays during 

 the year. The study of English Literature was thus continued for three 

 terms. These essays were criticised in the class, aud the manuscript after- 

 wards carefully corrected. The juniors met me weekly for reading in Shakes- 

 pere's plays; Othello, King Lear, and Midsummer Night's Dream, were read 

 with critical comment and explanation. It has been also my duty to prepare 

 seniors and juniors for public orations. These exercises aggregate about one 

 hundred and twenty, during the year. This work, including aid in choosing 

 subjects, analysing them, collecting facts, illustrations, and arguments, criti- 

 cising the complete oration, and drilling in delivery, is fully equal to the 

 instruction of a class throughout the year. 



My work outside of the class-room has been but little. I have given two 

 Wednesday afternoon lectures; one repeated from the winter institutes, and 

 given at Armada, Jeddo, Trent, and Farmington, and the other on "The 

 Personal Character of John Milton." 



During the fall and spring terms, I still had charge of the library. The 

 routine work was done by student labor, one student being permanently 

 employed, and others employed as occasion demanded. Tlie data for a 

 detailed report were passed over to Mrs. Merrell, the new librarian, when she 

 took charge of the library, July 1st, and for a minute account of library mat- 

 ters, I refer to her report. 



Very respectfully submitted, 



E. J. MacEWAN, 

 Professor of English Lanfjuage and Literature, 



REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE. 



To the President : 



I beg leave to submit the following report from the department of history 

 and political economy for the college year closing on the 14th of August, 1883. 



HISTOET. 



Instruction was given daily in the autumn term to the freshman class in the 

 outlines of ancient history. The plan of tlie work Avas substantially that 



