LATIN SCHOOL.

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THE Committee on the Public Latin School respectfully submit their annual report.

The average number of pupils in this school the past year has been two hundred and twenty-seven; the average attendance, two hundred and fourteen; the per cent of attendance, ninety-four. Twentyseven members of the first class received the graduating diploma at the close of the year, and the Franklin medal was awarded to eight young gentlemen who had distinguished themselves for good deportment and superior scholarship. Of the graduating class, twenty-one entered Harvard, two Brown, two Amherst, one Wesleyan University, one Institute of Technology, one St. Mary's, one Private School, one Medical School, and four went to business.

Francis A. Harris and William C. Simmons, submasters, resigned their positions at the close of the school year, 1869–70.

The Committee on High School Education for boys, after a careful and prolonged consideration of the course of studies suitable for an institution sustaining the reputation accorded to the Latin School, have matured a programme which it is expected will meet with the general approval of the School Board, and be adopted at the beginning of the next school

year. The changes contemplated are numerous, and embrace a much wider range of study than has heretofore been attempted by any classical school in this country. As extensive and varied, however, as is the course to be recommended, it is not superior or even equal to the curriculum of study adopted in schools of a similar class in England and upon the Continent.

The course of study, if adopted, will necessitate a preparation materially in advance of what has been heretofore required; and it is presumed that many who may apply for admission, will not be able to go on with the work as laid down in the new programme. It will be for the committee to determine how far to require such to come up to the standard marked out for the sixth class, or what disposition to make of them. Time and patience will be necessary, especially on the part of the teachers, to bring about changes so radical; and, perhaps, but little more than a beginning in the direction indicated, will be attempted the coming year. As the requirements for admission become known, we may look for a class of boys more mature and better fitted than have been the majority of pupils who have entered this school in past years.

The course of study suggested will require the addition of several new teachers to the already efficient corps of instructors. The whole matter is somewhat a question of experiment. Whether the boys of this city have the physical stamina requisite for the attainment of high scholarship, and whether

they will be willing to apply themselves to the hard work necessary for the successful prosecution of the plan of study proposed, and thus keep the institution where it has always been, foremost among the classical schools of this country, and on a par with European schools of a corresponding grade, are questions the future will determine. In the mean time, the Committee on High School Education for Boys, to whom the matter of study to be pursued in the High schools of the city has been committed, will receive the aid and assistance of the committee on the Latin school, in putting into execution whatever plan may be finally adopted.

The committee are working for the best good of the boys who may seek in this institution a suitable preparation for a university education; and should the changes proposed secure this result, they will find therein an ample recompense for the time and labor, by no means inconsiderable, which they are giving to this much respected and honored seat of learning.

HENRY S. WASHBUBN,

Chairman Latin School Committee

CATALOGUE OF THE TEACHERS AND PUPILS OF THE LATIN SCHOOL, SEPTEMBER, 1870.