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authorize our County Commissioners to levy a small County
tax for the purpose of building, repairing, and furnishing
school houses. I know St. Mary's has suffered much in loss
of property by the war, and therefore, I merely advise per-
mission in the matter. I am not in favor of a local District
tax, as some neighborhoods, through penuriousness or indif-
ference, might be content with a house and furniture unfit
for their purposes. I am happy to say that teachers, very
generally, show increasing interest in their work. They are
not only attentive to the more general duties of their call-
ing, but to those details which mark the good teacher, and
are necessary to successful instruction. They are getting to
understand the system and the duties it prescribes. Hence
there is a decided improvement in the schools in respect of
order, discipline, and classification of scholars. Their teach-
ing is of a more scientific character. They attach import-
ance to principles, and are striving to teach them to their
pupils. I notice decided progress in both teachers and schol-
ars, and am hopeful of still lurther advance in the right di-
rection.

Nothing can well be more evident than that the present
compensated supervision is indispensable to the efficiency of
Public Schools. It is admitted by those generally whose
children are interested in the matter. The supervisors at
these visits learn the entire condition of the school: how the
scholars are progressing, and the method of instruction; the
discipline of the school, and the classification of the pupils;
whether there be enough of books and of the right kind and,
the condition of the house and furniture. At these visits the
teachers receive friendly advice and direction as to the organi-
zation and management of their schools and, indeed, upon
whatever connects with their calling. Children, too, are ad-
dressed upon the importance of education, and urged to regu-
larity of attendance and diligence in study, &c. The good
effects of these visits are seen in the greater interest of
teacher, scholar and parent. Surely the good effects of the
visits of the President, Commissioners, and visitors to the
schools are too manifest for any one to doubt them. Com-
missoners, visits to the schools are, in my opinion, the es-
sence of the efficiency of the system.

As it regards a High School we have, as yet, done noth-
ing. We have not the necessary funds. There is, however,
I am happy to say, no present necessity for one, as the higher
wants of this and the adjacent County are fully met by
" Charlotte Hall School," located in a village of the same
name in the upper part of this County. From time almost
immemorial this school has had a reputation second to no
other of the same grade. Always favored with an able
Board of supervision, and a Faculty of rare distinction, it
has had, to eay the least, its share of success, and has edu-