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but one house, the size and condition of which, justified it.
In the remainder, it would have been a waste of space and
money, as the houses were either too small to admit sufficient
desks to accommodate the children attending, or too dilapi-
dated to preserve the furniture from injury. The only course
left us for the present, was to put the primitive furniture we
found, in as good condition as possible; and this was done.
Black-boards—those indispensable auxiliaries to intelligent
teaching—are being supplied as rapidly as possible, to all
the schools. In evidence of zeal in procuring illustrative ap-
paratus, I would mention that Schools No. 3, first Commis-
sioner District; No. 5, second Commissioner District, and
No. 4, in the third Commissioner District, have furnished
themselves, by voluntary subscription, with Pierce's Magne-
tic Globe. We hope to see other schools following this corn-
mendable example. It is the intention of the Board to fur-
nish each school with a State map, and a set of outline maps
as soon as they can be procured.

SCHOOL HOUSES.

The objectionable condition of our buildings has been a
subject of frequent and earnest solicitude to the Board. With,
the utmost willingness to pursue your judicious advice " to
give all possible attention, and secure all attainable means
to building the Teacher's Workshop," we had reason to fear
that the resources at our command were wholly inadequate
for the purpose. To attempt it, in our circumstances, seemed
but a repetition of the Egyptian task of ' making bricks with-
out straw.' To invoke the aid of voluntary subscription
from the people, or to look to that ' improved public taste,"
so confidently predicted at our last State Convention of Com-
missioners, was equally hopeless. Alas ! " since the Fathen
fell asleep, all things continue as they were:" in evidence of
which, we could poiut to more than one unsightly structure
which had cumbered the ground for years, and for aught we
could eee, would continue to do so, while wind and weather
permitted. Though I ought, perhaps, to add in extenuation
of the unmitigated ugliness of one of these so-called school
houses, that it was not born such, but from a barn, ' growed
up, topsy-like, to its present use. After a careful estimate
of our means, we determiaed on repairing the old houses as
fully as their condition and value justified, and erect two
new houses, urgently needed. This was all we dare attempt,
and more than we would have attempted, had we been as-
sured of the failure of the County Commissioners to lend us
the pecuniary aid we had a right to expect. Nevertheless,
we have the gratification of knowing that something has
been done towards placing the system on a firm footing.
During the vacation, the old houses were, more or less,