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The District School Journal,

is published monthly, and is devoted exclusively to the promotion of Popular Education.

EDWARD COOPER, EDITOR. TERMS.-Single copies 50 cents; seven copies $3.00; twelve copies $5.00; twenty five copies $10.00; payable always in advance.

All letters and communications intended for the District School Journal should be directed to the Editor, Albany, N. Y., Post Paid.

[No. XII.

room, and hence he entertained no chimerical schemes. Himself a practical man, and possessing the experience of twenty years' teaching, all his suggestions in regard to the management of a school were practicable: and the committee, very soon after his appointment, formed the opinion of him-which they never altered-that he was a safe man, and that his judgment in regard to educational matters could be relied on. In addition to all this, he was a loborious teacher. Regarding his office as the most honorable and important which any person could occupy,

From the Steam Press of Weed, Parsons &Co., 67 State-street, he never grew weary of his work: fatigued he often was

Albany.

ANNUAL REPORT

by his severe labors, but the consciousness of doing right not only sustained him, but caused his flagging powers to rally, and he returned to his pleasant toil, refreshed and

Of the Executive Committee of the State Normal buoyant, as if his crushing cares were a light and easy

School.

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To the State Superintendent of Common Schools, and
Regents of the University of New-York:
The Executive Committee of the State Normal School
RESPECTFULLY REPORT:

the teachers of the State.

The last report which was presented to your honorable body, bears date December 13, 1847. Shortly after the school experienced a severe loss in the death of its principal, David Perkins Page, Esquire. The committee need not say much in regard to the laborious and successful services of this gentleman; for, it is believed that those services are duly appreciated by you. It may be well, however, to make mention of them, for thus the late principal of the school may serve as an example to One of the prominent excellenencies of Mr. Paige was his remarkable self-possession. While he was quick in noticing an intentional insult, still no one could under any circumstances, move him to display the least ebullition of anger. Thus he was prepared to govern others; for no one can govern a school who cannot govern himself. Mr. Page never called his students dolts, or blockheads, or fools; and none of the pupils of the Normal School had reason to complain of him, as manifesting impatience on account of their slowness or inaptitude to learn. Sloth he would reprove; but the youth of small capacity was regarded as deserving commiseration, and he always received a larger share of attention.

Mr. Page was not a mere theorist in regard to education; he had learned the wants of a school in the school

burden.

It would be easy to say much more in praise of Mr. Page, but it is not the province of the committee to write his eulogium-thus much duty to the dead required them to say; and thus much duty to the living also requires, for in the late principal of the Normal School, teachers have an example worthy of their imitation.

In selecting a new principal, the committee felt that they had an important duty to perform, and yet it was not a difficult duty, for within twelve days after the death of Mr. Page, George R. Perkins, Esq., was unanimously elected his successor.

From the first opening of the school, Mr. Perkins had filled the Professorship of Mathematics, and had most diligently co-operated with the committee in forming and exe cuting the plans of the school. Besides, they had enjoyed an intimate acquaintanceship with him for about three years; they had seen him in the school room, by the fireside, and in the street, and their knowledge of him caused his unanimous appointment, and now after the lapse of a year, the committee are happy to add, that they have never repented of their selection.

The following is a list of the names and duties of the present corps of instructors.

George R. Perkins, A. M.,

Principal and Professor of Mathematics. William F. Phelps,

Permanent Teacher of Experimental School.

Darwin G. Eaton,

Teacher of Mathematics, &c.

Sumner C. Webb,

Teacher of Arithmetic, &c.

Silas T. Bowen,

Teacher of Grammar, Mathematics, &c.

William W. Clark,

Teacher of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry. Truman H. Bowen,

Teacher of Vocal Music, &c.

Elizabeth C. Hance,

Teacher of Reading and Geography. Ann Maria Ostrom,

Teacher of Drawing.

Upon the transference of Mr. Perkins to the principalship, no addition was made to the number of instructors, but a considerable increase of duties was imposed upon the teachers; and the committee are happy to state, that their wishes in this respect were cheerfully acceded to, and the duties imposed have been faithfully performed.

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The arrangements of the institution remain substantially Onondaga, the same as at the date of the last report, a few changes Orange, have, however, been made, which will now be mentioned. Ontario, One change has been, the introduction of Wayland's Orleans, Elements of Moral Science, abridged," as a text book. Oswego, Moral Philosophy had been previously taught by lectures Otsego, alone, but it was found that mere oral instruction was not Putnam, sufficient to give the student definite ideas upon the all Queens, important subject of man's moral relations; a text-book Rensselaer, was therefore introduced, to which the lectures of the Richmond, teacher will hereafter be subsidiary. Another change Rockland, has been the arrangement of the course of study to suit Saratoga, the division of the students into classes. The school is Schenectady, divided into three classes, called Junior, Middle and Se-Schoharie, nior, and each class has now its own appropriate studies, Seneca, which are taken up at a fixed time, and which follow each other according to a fixed order. This change is found to be of decided advantage; there is now a time for every study, but before this arrangement was made, the studies were left somewhat to convenience, and each did not receive the measure of attention which it deserved. For a list of the studies pursued in each divsion, and also of the text books, see Appendix (A.)

STATISTICS.

The school began its ninth term on the first of November. The following table will show the number of students in each term, and also the sex and number of the graduates.

1st. Winter,.......

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St. Lawrence,
Steuben,
Suffolk,
Sullivan,
Tioga,.
Tompkins,
Ulster,
Warren,
Washington,
Wayne,.
Westchester,
Wyoming,
Yates,

Total,.......

In addition to the above, the executive committee have 34 appointed eight males and thirty-six females, making in all 952 persons, who have enjoyed the advantages of the Normal School.

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Total.

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2d. Summer,... 185

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3d. Winter,...

....... 197

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4th. Summer,

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63

5th. Winter,

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6th. Summer,

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In appointing these forty-four persons, it will be noticed, that the committee have departed from the rule which was made by themselves, and approved by the Regents. This rule limits the number of pupils, who may at any one time be admitted to the school, to 256; each county having the privilege of sending twice as many students as it has members in the assembly: this rule furthermore enperintendents in each county; the following direction, trusts the selection of pupils to the county and town suamong others, being given, to govern them in making ap pointinents: "That the appointments in each county should be made at a meeting of the county and town superintend ents, called by the county superintendent for that purpose." This duty, the committee take pleasure in stating, was always most cheerfully and faithfully performed by the above named officers. At the close of each term of the school, the State Superintendent was accustomed to send a circular to each county superintendent, informing him of the number of vacancies, which it would be necessary to fill, and upon the receipt of the same, the county superintendents immediately called a meeting and examined the applicants who presented themselves.But they did more than this; they made diligeut inquiries in their respective counties for suitable persons, and having found them, tried to induce them to avail themselves of the advantages of the school. By this means, the representation of the counties was kept up, and it may be added, they were represented by the most suitable persons that could be obtained. It is also nothing but justice to say still further, that the duty of seeking out and selecting such suitable persons was mainly, if not entirely discharged by the county superintendents; the town superintendents seldom doing more than attending the meeting and giving a vote.

From a knowledge of these facts, the committee regarded with deep anxiety the debates of the Legislature in regard to the county superintendency, and when these debates were ended by the abolishment of the office, they were seriously apprehensive, that the change would be very detrimental to the Normal School. The committee regret to add that these apprehensions have been proved to be well grounded, for the number of the students in the Normal School has most sensibly diminished since the county superintendents went out of office.—

That the Regents may have the facts in the case fully pre-seen, that the school has experienced a serious diminution sented to their view, the following table is subjoined, which will show the actual state of the school since the county superintendency was abolished. The first column of figures shows the number of students which each county has a right to send to the school. The second gives the number which were in the school from each county during the term beginning May, 1848. The third gives the number of empty seats in each county during the same terin. The fourth gives the number of students from each county, who are now in the school, the term having begun November last, and the fifth gives the vacant seats:

No. of pupils
each county

is entitled to
send.

Term beginning Term beginning
Νον., 1948.

May, 1843.

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COUNTIES.

Albany,

8

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Allegany,

4

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Broome,..

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Cattaraugus,

4

Cayuga,

Chautauque,

Chemung,

Chenango,.

Clinton..

Columbia,
Cortland,
Delaware,
Dutchess,..

Erie,
Essex,...

....

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Kings,

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26

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Ulster,

Warren,

Washington,

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Wayne,

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Westchester,.

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in the number of its students. In the eighth term, which
of office, there were fifty-seven vacant seats, and at the
was the first after the county superintendents went out
beginning of the present term, the school lacked one
hundred and twenty-two of having a full representation
from the counties.
counties were partially represented, four had no repre-
In the eighth term, twenty-six
sentation, and twenty-nine were fully represented. In
the ninth (the present) term, thirty-five are partially re-
presented, eleven have no represention, and but thirteen
are fully represented.

In view of these facts, the question may very properly be asked, what is the cause of this diminution? If the committee are called upon to answer the inquiry, they will say, that it is the firm and settled conviction of their minds, that it arises from the want of the faithful, fostering care of the county superintendents, and that the normal school cannot answer its designed end, unless there be in each county some competent and efficient supervising and auxiliary agency. That the diminution has not been caused by any loss of the public confidence in the school is manifest, first, from the often repeated expressions of favor which have been made to the committee and teachers by respectable citizens residing in every part of the state; and secondly, from the communications, which have been received by the committee and teachers, from persons, inquiring how they may secure appointments and avail themselves of the advantages of the school. There is, indeed, no reason to doubt, that there are now a hundred persons living in the different counties of the state, who would have been registered as students in the normal school, had the office of county superintendent been continued.

It is a duty, which the committee owe to themselves to state still further, that in as much as they had anticipated this diminution, they used every precaution and exerted all their energy to prevent it. A circular was prepared and printed, which was signed by the State Superintendent, and sent to every town superintendent in the state, urging the calling of a meeting for the examination of applicants. But in as much as the names of these officers were not known, the circulars had to be addressed "to the town superintendent," &c., and hence there is reason to fear that a large number of the circulars never reached the hands of those for whom they were intended. But whether the circulars were received or not, this is an undoubted fact, that in many counties no meeting of the town superintendents was held; and where they were held, few, and in some cases, no applicants appeared. And yet from some of these counties, letters have been received from persons asking to be admitted to the school. From these facts, the committee feel warranted in concluding, that the diminution, in the number of students, has been caused by the want of the faithful guardianship of the county superintendents.

Under these circumstances, the committee were obliged to depart somewhat from the former rule of selection, and since the town officers failed to appoint, the committee have admitted to the school all suitable persons, residents of the state, who have applied to them; such applicants having been in every case examined, and having given a pledge, that they would devote themselves to the work of teaching common schools. The number of persons thus appointed, were six during the eighth term, and forty-one during the present term. Several others, upon examination were found incompetent, and rejected, thus being subjected to much trouble, expense and mortification, the greater part of which might have been avoided, if the meetings of the town superintendents had been held in every county.

Library and Apparatus.

There are at present seven hundred and forty-five volumes in the miscellaneous library, showing an increase of thirteen volumes since last report. The text book library numbers six thousand one hundred and thirteen volumes, showing an increase of four hundred and three

From a careful examinatian of these tables, it will be volumes since last report.

No additions of any importance have been made to the promise and agree to and with the parties of the second philosophical and chemical apparatus.

Experimental School.

In the experimental school there are seventy pupils, between the ages of six and sixteen years, of whom thirty-five are free pupils. The others pay for their tuition $20 a year. This school gives the senior class of the Normal School an opportunity of learning and practising the best modes of instruction and government. In regard to this school, the committee have nothing to add to the very full report of it, which was given last year

In closing this report, the committee would embrace the opportunity of reiterating the expression of their confidence in the normal school. After the lapse of another year, they are happy to say that nothing has occurred to diminish confidence in the system, but on the contrary; much has come under their observation, which has served to deepen former impressions of the absolute necessity of the normal school to give completeness and efficiency to our common school system.

By an act of the Legislature, passed April 12, 1848, chapter 318, entitled "An act for the permanent establish ment of the Normal School," the Legislature appropriated the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, for "the erection of a suitable building for the accommodation of the State Nor mal School." The second section of that act is as follows:

"The said building shall be erected under the direction of the executive committee of the school, upon the ground owned by the state, and lying in the rear of the Geological Rooms."

In accordance with this act, the committee immediately began their arrangements for the erection of said building. Their first business was, to obtain, from the corporation of the city of Albany, a release of their right to the lot upon which the Legislature had ordered that the building should be erected. This was accomplished without difficulty, the corporation cheerfully executing the necessary release. It is also due to the corporation of Albany to say, that they have always been ready to accede to every wish of the committee in reference to the school. Since

the establishment of the school, the city of Albany has expended over $8,000 for it. They have paid $5,000 for the rent of the present school building, and the release of the lot in the rear of the Geological Rooms, involved the city in an expense of over $3,000 in the purchase of a new site for the engine house, and the erection of building. They have also contributed $500 to the repairs and fitting up of the present school building.

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The plans for the building next demanded attention This duty called for much observation, consultation and thought, and at length the committee resolved on a plan of building, which they thought suitable to the wants of the school. But upon advertising for proposals, the committee, to their surprise, found that the appropriation would be wholly insufficient. This threw them into a great difficulty; for they did not feel themselves at liberty to enter into a contract, which would involve the state in a much larger debt than was contemplated by the act, nor did they wish to put up a building which would be wholly unsuitable. Under these circumstances they did that which seemed to them just and proper, and their action will be best understood by giving one or two extracts from the contract which they have made with the builders

"The said building shall be so far completed that it can be used for the purpose of keeping a school therein, according to the specifications aforesaid, and hereto annexed and the plans and drawings aforesaid, on or before the first day of July next for the sum of fifteen thousand dollars to be paid as hereinafter specified."

And whereas, it is understood by and between the parties to this agreement, that the said building is not to be fully and completely finished according to the annexed specifications, and said plans and drawings for the sum of $15,000, but is only to be so far finished for that sum, that it can be used for the purpose of teaching a school therein, and to the extent hereinafter specified; to accomplish that purpose, the parties of the first part

part, that if the Legislature shall hereafter appropriate
the further sum of seven thousand and five hundred dol-
lars for the purpose of having said building fully and com-
pletely finished, and shall put that sum at the disposal of
the parties of the first part, as such executive committee,
for that purpose, then and in such case, the parties of the
second part, covenant, promise and agree to and with the
parties of the first part, to fully and completely finish in
very respect and particular, the said building according
to the annexed specifications and the aforesaid plans and
drawings, and to do and complete said work within six
months after said appropriation shall be made."
In this contract there are two points to which the com-
mittee would direct the attention of the State Superinten-
dent and Regents.

1st. If the Legislature should be unwilling to grant any further appropriation, the school can be kept in the new building, though the arrangements will be very far from

commodious.

2d. If the additional $7,500 be granted by the Legislature, the full and complete finishing which the contract speaks of, is not the rendering the building what it ought to be, but the mere fulfilling the terms of the specifications. Now the specifications, upon which this contract was made, were drawn up with the thought ever present to the mind that even some necessary things must be left out, that the Legislature might not feel themselves requir ed to appropriate, or to speak more correctly, that the executive committee might not do a dishonorable action. The Committee feel no little inward satisfaction in saying, that if the Legislature should feel indisposed to make any further appropriation, the committee have done nothing which will hinder them from acting according to their wisdom and pleasure. But at the same time, they cannot for a moment believe, that the sum will be denied, which will render the Normal School a lasting blessing to the State of New-York.

If it should be inquired of the Committee, how large an additional sum would be needed to make the building, what in the opinion of the Committee, it ought to be; they would answer that an addition of $10,000 to the original It may be proper to add appropriation will be sufficient that a further appropriation will be needed for the furnishing of the school rooms; for this purpose the unexpended remainder of the sum appropriated in 1844 for "the establishment of the Normal School" will be more than sufficient; the committee would therefore ask that they be allowed to draw as much of that fund as shall be necessary. Of the $15,000 appropriated for the erection of the new building, $9,000 have been drawn from the Treasury and paid to the contractors.

A statement of the receipts and expenditures for the support of the school from Sept. 30, 1847 to Sept. 30, 1848 is here with submitted, and the vouchers for every item are in the possession of the Committee. All which is respectfully submitted. Albany Jan. 8, 1849.

I concur in the above report.

GIDEON HAWLEY, WM. H. CAMPBELL, H. BLEECKER.

CHRISTOPHER MORGAN,
Supt. of Com. Schools.

Free Schools in the Town of Niagara.-The Journal of Education for Upper Canada says: At a late public meeting called by the President of the Corporaiion, it was decided, after a good deal of discussion, by a majority of the rate payers present, to continue the system of free Schools, and not petition the Legislature for the re-establishment of the old rate-bill system.

A Normal College for Wales is about to be erected at Swansen. Forty.designs for the new building were submitted to the Committee, and at the last meeting it was unanimously resolved to adopt the one sent in by Messrs. Fuller and Gingell, architects, of Bristol.-[London News

REPORT

Of the County Superintendent of Common Schools of the ing the year, and about one half of them have received City of New-York,

To the HON. CHRISTOPHER MORGAN,

Superintendent of Common Schools.

In compliance with the requirements of law, the following statements and report have been carefully prepared; embracing in the opinion of the undersigned, all such historical facts and statistics as are necessary to be communicated to the Superintendent of Common Schools.

The undersigned was appointed to the office of County Superintendent of Common Schools for the City and County of New-York, on the 8th day of December, 1847, and immediately entered upon the duties of the office; and, with as much expedition as was consistent with a faithful discharge of duty, went through and examined the whole 186 Schools and Departments subject to official visitation in this city.

It will be within the knowledge of the Superietendent, that it was omitted to be stated, in the summary of the School laws published by the department, that New-York was made an exception to the general application of the Law abolishing the office of County Superintendent; and, so far as this County is concerned, the law is the same as it was before the passage of that act.

The anomalous and complex character of the School organization of this City, made such an officer necessary in this City, while in the opinion of the legislature, it might be abolished without public detriment in the other counties of the State. It seems proper, therefore, under these circumstances, that the undersigned should go somewhat into particulars with regard to the several classes of Schools in this City which participate in the School Fund of the State.

they are incompetent to the due discharge of the duties of a principal teacher. I have licensed 160 persons durcertificates thus qualified. More teachers are allowed to the same number of scholars in these than the old Public Schools; and the teachers in the lower classes do not need high scholarship. The prejudice against the monitorial system of instruction is so strong, that the Trustees of these Schools do not allow it to be used in the primary department, where it really may be applied with advantage. These Schools are, in general, well conducted; and as these officers are emanations from the popular voice, they can hardly fail to enjoy advantages over schools differently constituted.

About eight or nine years ago, singing was introduced by a few teachers into some of the Public Schools, which was barely tolerated at first, but which has so grown into public favor, that it seems now to be necessary to the success of a School. Many of the Ward Schools have improved upon this, and have made music a regular branch, to be taught systematically in their Schools. The time is probably not distant, when a knowledge of the science of music will be considered here as in the German States, a necessary part of a Common School Education Singing has had its influence in cultivating the taste, in softening and improving the manners of the children, and thus making the government more mild and easy, and the attendance more punctual and cheerful.

2 The Public School Society's Schools, from their numbers and importance are entitled to an extended notice. They are under the charge of an incoporated Society, whose business is in the hands of one hundred Trustees, chosen annually, by gentlemen who have paid into the funds of the Society ten dollars each, to constitute themselves members of the Society.

This Corporation, under various circumstances and deThe Schools of this City, in which instruction is free,gress of importance, has existed far more than forty years; may be classified as follows, viz: the WARD SCHOOLS, the PUBLIC SCHOOLS, the CORPORATE SSHOOLS, and the ASYLUMS.

The City consists of Eighteen Wards; in each of which there are elected two Commissioners, and these constitute the Board of Education, to whose care is confided the local and municipal legislation, applicable to the Schools of the City.

its Schools originally being purely Lancasterian.

The prevailing opinion in this City was not in favor of Free Schools for the people generally, until within the last 15 or 18 years. This Society was at its organization much in advance of public sentiment. After a few years of benevolent effort on the part of this Society, the School system of this State went into operation; and by a special enactment, the portion of this City in the School money, was allowed principally to this Society; and the bounty of the State was dispensed by the Public School Society as early as 1815.

1. The Ward Schools are the product of this municipal legislation, there being no power elsewhere vested short of an act of the State legislature by which Common The private pay Schools of the City educated the Schools can be established. These Ward Schools, being under the immediate management of the elected ward middling classes, and indeed the mass of the youthful officers, seem to many a little nearer the people; and population of the City, up to about 1828 or 1830; until where they are judiciously located and properly managed, the Public Schools, having improved in character, and have enjoyed a high degree of popularity. When the pro- increased in numbers, became to a considerable extent, rata allowance of public money has been insufficient to the Schools of the people. In 1829, the private Schools meet their current expenses, the Board of Education have had in them 15,320, and the Corporate, Charity, and not hesitated to recommend such further appropriations Public Schools, counted together, had but 8,632 scholars. as appeared to them right. These Schools are becoming Since that time, attention has been more turned to public numerous, In about twenty houses, with fifty-four de- instruction, and Free Schools have become more a matter These of general interest. The People have demanded changes partments, they have nearly 16,000 scholars. Schools, whose existence commenced within the last and improvements in the subjects to be taught, and in the seven years, under considerable opposition, have gone manner of teaching, as well as in the organization of the on prospering. Two or three of them are, in my judg- Schools. These Schools were originally designed for the ment, unfortunately located, either where they were not poor; and it was an object with the Society to do the needed, or where the neighborhood is unsuited to instruc- good that conld be done, with the least possible expense. tion. These will be sustained with difficulty. The pre- Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, were taught mostly sent apportionment of $6.22 cts. per scholar, will not be by Monitors, in one large room, with from 300 to 500 These scholars, with one Master and a Monitor of order. But sufficient to pay the teachers in these Schools. Ward Schools are, in general, supplied with good teach- even with these scanty means, much was accomplished ers. There are, however, departments of instruction in with a class of people who would not, but for these which there are exceptions to this last remark; and there means, have been taught at all; the imposing array of are instances both in these Schools and in others, in which large numbers, and the almost military precision of the the very lowest grade of acquirement that can be allowed evolutions and government which were necessarily adoptto pass, is used in the subordinate places. This error of ed in such Schools, in which there were few teachers judgment, or this mistaken economy, is not of that fla- and many scholars gave them a popularity with the uninigrant character which would sanction my official interpo- tiated in the business of instruction beyond what they sition, further than that I should qualify the certificate of intrinsically deserved. The teachers were generally men license, by inserting "primary teacher," or "primary as of considerable tact. There was system in their managesistant." The persons receiving these licenses being ad- ment, and although the course of instruction, which conjudged barely competent to this subordinate station, while sisted of Reading, Writing, and common Arithmetic, was

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