Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-02-22
The Superintendent report fur
nisbes the following:
UEPOETEENE.

nishes the following;
DEPORrEENr.
During the past year, the Impr0v ement in
general conduct, ON the part OF he girls,
particularly those who have been longest
withus, has been very satisfactory. Even
those who came more recently, show evil
dent marks Of encouraging progress be.
coming more quiet, orderly and obedient,
and consequently grow more contented and
happy. As q whole they are as cheerful
and mirthful as any equal number Ordinarl-
ly found in our schoOls,a as their merry laugh.
cheerful songs. aud happy voices abundant
" testify. Asthey, ever those deemed the
most ineorrigible, lose sight Of their old
lives and associations. breathe the new at
mosphere and drink in the spirit Of the in
stitution, they begin 70 realize, many Of
them, their present privileges, the irksOme-
ness Of necessary, but to most, unaocustom-
edrestraint wears away, and hope for a bet
ter and brighter future, begins 10 spring mp
almost uncOnsciously.
Some had hitherto been viewed as excres-
cences upon society, and their removal a
blessing. No kind hand had ever been ex-
tended, no sympathIzing words whispered,
to lead them into the light OF truth, purity
and hope, and they seemed settled down to
reckless indifference or sunen despair. But
here to them is the dawning of better day;
to some, we trust, the day star has arisen,
and they begin to hall its Rdvents = the hsr-
binger Of a new being.
EDUCATION.
AfeW OF our girls had enjoyed respectable
advantages, some Of them having attended
good Union Schools more o~rless; some hav-
ing profted by their opportunities, on 9TH
ers they were seemingly almost thrown
away: while to most. school pr~iVilegeSwere
very stinted, 20 some entirely wanting.
Since entering the institution, their pro-
gress in their several studies has been very
encouraging, in some quite marked, and on
the whole quite equal to that witnessed in
our schools generally,
The exercises OF the classes In Nap Draw
ing are very c~reditable, as is the progress OF
the less advanced classes in Reading. In
deed it would behsrdly justto discriminate
where all have done well. In ability TO
learn. they would not suffer in comparison
with any ordinary collection Of girls OF their
respective ages, the average Of their intel
1ects not falling below the same standard.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The ordinary work OF the house is per-
formed by the girls; in addition to which a
sufdcieut number is detailed for definite pc
RODS, TO assist in the dining room, kitchen
and laundry, under the care and direction
OF competent and efficient ovsrseers in
those departments.
M-HE Ma-mm - Hha
morning, are devoted q sewing, during
which they make and repair their own
clothing and bedding. aided and instructed
by the teachers; while another hour, in the
evening, is occupied in the obsolescent,
nevertheless useful, employment OF knit
ting. OfthiE the Trustees Of the Massachu-
sets Industrial School for Girls sensibly
remark in their Report every girl should
be tauEht to knit Is an economy Of ume,and
a resource IN old age"
While the girls are thus employed, the
teacher, or one Of their number, when prae-
ticable, reads TO them from Eome interest
ing and useful book, 50 that while their
fingers ply the busy needles their minds
are instructed and a taste for useful read
ing cultivated.
The question OF remunerative industry.
adapted toeur inmates and circumstances.
though earnestly discussed from the organi-
zation OF the Institution, still offers serious
difficulties IN the way OF tns practical sold
ton. Time and observation, aided by the
experience OF others, viii, tits hoped. point
TO the best course to be pursued n this de-
partment Of our work. In this initiatory
period OF our history Il is Of1ess present i'm
portanee than Il viii be hereafter.
As much the largest number Of our pupils
must necessarily depend upon domestic Ia
Dor for a livelihood, It is necessary that
they should learn TO do Il well, for the
double purpose OF securing remunerative
employment IN good families, and remov-
ing all occasion for alapse into questionable
modes Of life. Neatness. thoroughness and
facility are our wateh-W0rds In every de-
.partment OF domestic economy, and our
progress, Ifnot al that we could wiki, Is
certainly al we could reasonably expect,
andespeeiaIyI Is il 50 nthe sewingand knit
ting. when there were 50 many almost IN
taught. Much patience and perseverance,
have been exercised on the part ofthe teach
ers, and With gratifying success. Add to
this the fact that many Of our girls are mere
children. and the other fact that 50 many
are sant here 50 ~scantily clothed that theT
wants, for the sake OF decency and comfort,
must receive immediate attention, and il
will bereadny inferred that, in the present
stage OF our progress, but little could be &C
cemplished, II even that should come in ouE
way. That some such branch or branches
Of industry should be introduced as soon
and as FAR asi Is practicable il is d~esirable,noi
only toaid in defraying expenses, butto fos
ter in the minds OF the girls q sense Of obi
cation for what the Statsi is doing FOR them.
still. as the institution is intended fol
training girls for future usefulness and res
pectabuIty, rather thar present profit, in al
our plansof operation we should not ignore
this fact.
The Superintendent makes the fol-
lowing acknowledgment:
We take great pleasure in recording
/ the considerate kindness OF some lady
1 friends. who, after a personal knowl'
edge OF our wants, sent US, from Della
ware, Marion and Warren, as the result
/ of their efforts in ri behalf, four hun
I dred and fifty volumes OF books suitable
I for q girls, and a large uinbe o.
interesting magazines and periodicals.
Gould the donors witness n eager
I mss with which these books are sought
and read, and realize the amount o
GOOD they may, doubtless lyiU do TO oul
4 pupils. they would experience the truth
Of inspiration, It is more blessed K
give than to receiYe;' and yet there L
T0om. w. r.
On Board The Tennessee.