31

Kens took a marked interest hi the proceedings, and there is.
good reason to hope that in a few years the Institute will be
an established and popular institution.

In conducting the exercises I received valuable aid from
Prof. Leakin, late of the Agricultural College, who was ap-
pointed by the State Board for that purpose; raid also from
the Presidents of the several County Boards.

In some counties the Board declined holding an Institute,
being unwilling to offend popular sentiment by closing the
schools for a week. If popular opinion is mistaken on this
point, means ought to be used to set it right; and I have
found that the best means is to hold the Institute, and let
people see what it is and what it does. The Institute has
made converts wherever it has gone. One unbeliever, who
had been grumbling at the expense, declared when the In-
stitute was over, that rather than be without it, he would
pay the expense out of his own pocket. Popular opinion
recognizes the necessity of a workman's keeping his tools
in order. The mower who spends a reasonable time in
whetting his scythe is not wasting, but economizing the
time of his employers. The Teachers are the tools which
the various Boards use in working out the education of the
people; and the tools must be kept sharp and bright, else time
will be wasted and the work badly done.

In order to make the Circuit of the several Counties in
the time allotted by law (the months of April, May and
June,) it will be necessary to join two or more Cou'nties to-
gether in one Institute. For this purpose I respectfully sug-
gest the following scheme for the year 1867.

Baltimore County................. ....... .103 schools. April 8

Howard 27, Montgomery 41. ....... .... 68 •• " 15

Prince George's 43, Anne Arundel 42.. 85) •' " 22
Charles 85, Calvert 20, St. Mary's 31. . 86 •' "29
Cecil 65, Harford 76 ........ ...........141 " May G

Kent 32, Queen Anne 45, Caroline 34.. 114 •• " 13
Talbot 43, Dorchester 55................ 08 •• "20

Somerset 64, Worcester tiG............... 130 " -27

Carroll................... .. ............ 02 '• June 3

Frederick.................. . .............. 108 • " 10

Washington .............. ............. ..122 " "17

Allegany...................... ..........105 " "21

*All which is respectfully submitted,

M. A. NEWELL,
Principal State Normal School.

Before leaving those topics which refer to teachers, I have
something to say touching the personal comforts, especially
of young women, who go to the rural districts to take charge
of schools. It concerns

The "First Annual Catalogue"' of the State Normal School will be found in
the Appendix.