ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL.

THE Committee on the English High School, in submitting their annual report, have much satisfaction in saying that the school is and has been throughout the school year 1869-70, in good condition, and has suffered less from the introduction of a new HeadMaster, and one or two new teachers, than might have been expected.

Mr. C. M. Cumston, acting Head-Master at the opening of the school in September, 1869, and elected to that office in November following, brought to the execution of that trust the experience of a long connection with the school as sub-master, great energy and force of character, a large executive ability, a hearty interest in the school, and a determined purpose that no efforts should be wanting on his part, not only to sustain its reputation, but to increase and enlarge its usefulness; and he has been carrying out this purpose with earnestness and fidelity, well seconded in all his efforts by an equal earnestness, fidelity, and a hearty co-operation on the part of all the other teachers.

The school is maintaining, therefore, the high standing and character it had reached under the late Mr. Thomas Sherwin, while some changes have been introduced in the course of study and instruction,

which give it greater breadth, and make it more interesting and useful to the pupils.

One of these is thorough and systematic instruction in English Language and Literature, begun when the pupil enters the school, and continued through the three years of his attendance. Some oral, desultory, and incidental instruction in this department has generally been given, particularly in the last year, to the first class; but as there was no system adopted and no special time assigned, the amount of instruction varied, was always inadequate, and was often entirely crowded out. Instruction in this department has now been systematized, with a text-book and a regular course of studies and lectures for each year; and the result thus far has been very favorable. The pupils are much interested in this study; it seems to refresh, invigorate, and enlarge their minds, so that in Algebra, Geometry, and the higher mathematical and scientific portions of the course, they have not fallen behind the attainments of former years, notwithstanding the time taken for English Literature. The same may be said in regard to another department, Physical Geography. The instruction given under this title has been enlarged and systematized, and the general elements or principles of Botany, Mineralogy, and Geology successfully taught.

The good effect of these and other changes is seen in the increased interest of the pupils, and their continued attendance through the three years' course. The school has suffered far less than usual the past year from pupils leaving or withdrawing

from the school, and the average attendance has been greater. For several years the number leaving the school without completing the course has been gradually diminishing.

But three boys have left from the first class during the year, and those from the second division; from the first division not a boy has left; and this, it is believed, is an unprecedented fact in the history of the school.

The number attending the school the past year was three hundred and sixty-one, of whom sixtyone, the whole of the first class, after a thorough examination, received diplomas and graduated at the annual exhibition in July last. To fourteen of these, Franklin medals were awarded, the award being determined not simply by the result of the annual examination, conducted by the Committee, but by this result in conjunction with the marks or credits given by the teacher during the year. The award is believed to have been in harmony with the judgment passed by the pupils themselves on their relative rank.

The exercises at the annual exhibition were interesting and satisfactory, enlivened, for the first time in the history of the school, by music, to which some attention has been given under the direction of Mr.