1667

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teachers' capacity for imparting instructions. I generally
desi ed the teacher to proceed with the School in the usua|
mannrer, an! to ignore my presence ai much as possible.
When the teacher manifested a want of knowledge of meth-
ods of instruction, i would, at the close of the visit, endea-
vor to present what I believed to be betcer methods and cor-
rect views.

Our County is sparsely peopled; consequently our schools
are generally small, located at great distances from each
other, separated by creeks and marches. There are three
schools upon islands in the Chesapeake, and two others are
reached by public ferries. Therefore my visits have not av-
eraged more than two Schools a day—and their duration
from forty minutes to two hours.

As the duties of President commenced after the commence
ment of the summer term and my health was at that time
very feeble, i was unable to visit the whole County : I can,
therefore, give authentic information of the progress of pu-
pils and improvement of teachers and the success of the sys-
tem only in my own district. Every school is opened with
reading the Holy Scriptures by teacher and pupils alternate-
ly. In more than half the Schools of my District, pupils,
teachers and patrons are more than meeting my expecta-
tions.

INSTITUTES.

There was none held in the County the past year. So
lately assuming the charge of the Schools, I was not satis-
fied that we could make an Institute successful. I found it
impossible to secure the requisite accommodations at any
central point. I attended the " Institute'" held in Talbot
County, under Professors Newell and Leakin, and became so
well satisfied of its utility, that I at once engaged the servi-
ces of the Professors for an Institute tor our County in No-
vember. I am satisfied it will supply one of our needs moro
than any other mode or atrrangement we could adopt, to fur-
nish us with competent and accurate teachers, and I trust,
will prove an incentive to some to make application for the
Normal School. I regret to state that there has not been
a single application for the Normal School from our County.
I have made it a speciality in my visitations and at the ex-
aminations.

SCHOOLS FOR COLORED PEOPLE. . ,

I am more, than ever convinced that these schools should
be encouraged. Divcst the subject of its "politics" and I
can see no reason why the colored people should not be in-
structed. Educated labor gives most satisfaction—is most
sought—is the cheapest and always pays the best.