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want of suitable rooms for the Normal School, the Model
School and the Boarding-students, it is a matter of surprise
and gratification that the State is beginning so soon to see
the fruit of her liberality in the increased number and in-
creased efficiency of her Teachers. Let us hope that every
succeeding year will witness a similar increase, till our entire
State is occupied by an army of well trained, faithful and
devoted Teachers. I regard the success of the School under
all its drawbacks as a proof that the Legislature, by the es-
tablishment of the Normal School, manifested a true insight
into the wants of the people; and that the people have been
prompt in taking ad vantage of the liberality of the Legislature.
I do most earnestly hope that it may be practicable at an early
date to provide the School with more ample accommodations ;
but, if not, I can only promise, on behalf of myself and the
Teachers with whom I have the honor to be associated in
this noble enterprise, that we will not be discouraged by
difficulties, but will continue to make the best use of the
means under our control, so as to realize the earliest and
largest practical benefits to the State.

MEN AND WOMEN TEACHERS.

It will be seen by reference to the Table given above that
only ten per cent, of the students are men. This indicate?
very closely what may be expected to be the relative propor-
tions of men and women teachers in the State a few years
hence. It is not necessary to add any confirmation to the
fact which experience has amply demonstrated that women
make good teachers; that out of the same number of persons
of each sex, a far larger proportion of women than of men
will be found with the necessary natural gifts for teaching ;
and that within a certain range of subjects and scholars,
women are actually better teachers than men : but, yet it is
not to be denied that there are some prejudices against the
general employment of women. I shall refer only to two,
for the purpose of suggesting how they may be obviated.

1st. It is said that in a great number of cases women cease
to be teachers just when they have gained sufficient expe-
rience to make their labors valuable; that teaching is the
business of a man's life, but is seldom more than an episode
in a woman's; that no matter how poorly prepared a man may
be for the work of a teacher, when he begins, if he is honest
and industrious time brings the required fitness : but that
women seldom teach long enough to make use of the experi-
ence they have acquired. There are two ways of gaining ex-
perience; the first and best (for the teacher, not for the
scholar) is actual practice in the school-room; the other is by
such training as Normal Schools are designed to give. It is
worthy of consideration whether, now that the State Normal
School is open, all women who apply for situations as Teach-