COMMON SCHOOLS. 233 



ars in replying to our questions was remarkable. In mental 

 arithmetic great proficiency was shown in complicate reduc 

 tions of sterling money. In geography their knowledge of 

 America was limited to the more important points of infor 

 mation, but so far as it went was very accurate and ready. 

 With regard to Great Britain, their information was very mi 

 nute. The boys were particularly bright, ready-witted, and 

 well-behaved, and surprisingly free from all excitement or 

 embarrassment before strangers. 



O 



The schoolmaster was also parish-clerk, and his pay from 

 the two offices was about $500 a year.* I judged that he 

 had intended to make teaching his business for life, and had 

 thoroughly prepared and accomplished himself for it. His 

 manner to us, and two or three incidents which it would be 

 impossible to relate, gave me the impression that his position 

 in society was far from being a pleasant, or what we should 

 deem a proper one for a teacher. 



The &quot; National School&quot; for girls was a building of more 

 highly finished architectural character, and had a dwelling for 

 the schoolmistress attached to it. The whole school was 

 engaged in sewing when we entered, the mistress, assisted by 

 some of the older scholars, going from one to another, giving 

 instructions and examining the work. It was not interrupted 

 by our entrance, though the girls all rose, curtseyed, and con 

 tinued standing. There were one hundred and thirty present 

 in a room about twelve yards by six in area. The girls were 

 neatly, though exceedingly plainly, dressed, and were gener 

 ally very pleasing in their appearance. They seemed well 

 instructed, and without the least want of desirable modesty, 



* Advertisements for common-school teachers, &quot; capable to instruct in 

 reading, writing, arithmetic, and the principles of the Christian religion,&quot; 

 appear in the Times, offering salaries of from $150 to $300, with lodging 

 and board. 



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