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cated many who have attained eminence in the several pur-
suits of life. It is justly the pride of the people of this
whole section, aad whether it may ever connect more inti-
mately with our new system, time alone will tell. Some of
our best teachers we get from it.

And now, Doctor, you have my Report. I have labored
hard, for my field is a laborious one. My colleagues have
done their duty and I bear record to their interest and zeal.
God knows my heart that it is unselfishly in this work, and
I know that my imperfect efforts have not been equal to my
interest in the cause. My intercourse with you has been
pleasant, and I know that you, too, have labored with a zeal
worthy of this great work.

JAMBS BUNTING,
- President of the Board.

TALBOT COUNTY.

REV. L. VAN BOKKELEN,

State Superintendent

of Public Instruction,
Sir:

I have the honor to report to you the condition of the Pub-
lic Schools of Talbot County.

Continued illness in the autumn of 1865 prevented me
from rendering a report of the Fall term of that year, and
responding to certain queries contained in your circular let-
ter of December last. I avail myself of this opportunity to
reply, in order that the record of the schools of this County
may be complete.

I. "The condition of the schools under the old local law;
" the school houses, teachers, and mode of supervising."

The people of Talbot County, from a very early period en-
joyed the advantages of neighborhood and parochial schools,
and though these were not public schools, in the sense of
being supported by public bounty, private beneficence of the
wealthy threw them open to their less favored neighbors and
tenants. It was the custom of the gentry of a neighborhood
to erect houses and empoly teachers for the education of their
own children, aad other pupils were admitted upon the pay-
ment of a nominal tuition fee, or, in necessitous cases, en-
tirely free of all charge. These private schools were formed
throughout the County, and were maintained for a long time,
diffusing the benefits, and fostering an appreciation of edu-