By this it will be seen there is singing in nearly all of the schools, and that a large percentage of the teachers and pupils sing. Still, there is no real teaching of the rudiments of music; no system in the daily exercises. The teachers who cannot sing depend, in a great measure, upon some one of their pupils to lead the others; hence most children sing by rote. The answers to the fifth question are sufficient to show, conclusively, that a radical change is needed in conducting the musical exercises in the Primary Schools. As it now is, there is great danger that the minds of the children may become vitiated, to some extent, by the great variety and questionable character of some of the songs forming a part of the musical teaching. In the Report of the Committee on Music for 1861, the Committee say, in speaking of the importance of giving instruction to the children of the Primary Schools, "that much can and ought to be done here, — that, indeed, the Primary School is, of all others, the place where instruction in music, if we would ever expect it to attain anything like a satisfactory result as a part of our common school instruction, ought to begin. The child of five or six years, they believe, can easily be taught the first rudiments of music, and a few plain principles in the management of the voice. More than this, a very great proportion of them can not only be taught to sing by rote, but to understand somewhat of musical notation, so far as to perform respectably the singing of the scale, and the reading of simple music by note." CITY OF BOSTON. OFFICE OF GAS INSPECTION, 313 Washington Street, Boston, June 3, 1864. To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Boston. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to report upon the quality of gas supplied by the Boston Gas Light Company during the month of May, as follows: It was well purified from sulphuretted hydrogen and ammonia. It contained only a small quantity of carbonic acid, or from 7-10 to 2.4 per cent. The average per cent of the hydrocarbons condensed by bromine was 6.53, ranging from 5.7 to 8 per cent of the volume of the gas. The illuminating power varied from 16.31 to 22.29 candles. The average candle power being 17.67 candles. Respectfully yours, FRED. E. STIMPSON, |