12

Psalms and sung “There is a Beautiful World.” We had one
spectator from the North, William Jackson, (a cousin of
Fanny's.) He expressed much pleasure with their prompt reci-
tations. The work of disposing of the presents was accomplished
for all in about twenty minutes, each supplied with a cornucopia
filled with candy, and with a happy heart were soon’ comparing
notes in the yard. I wish all the children who contributed
presents could have seen the delight these children felt. Among
the toys was a‘ grocery store’ that was to be presented to the
boy who knew his tables best. There were so many boys in my
school who felt confident that they could stand that little ordeal,
that the trial had to be given to the boy who had the highest
number of marks during the preceding month, and he was duly
examined, repeating them before two teachers and five scholars,
who felt anxious to see justice done; and the feat was accom-
plished to the satisfaction of all. He said them backwards and
did not make a falter or mistake. We asked him if he did not
think he would be embarrassed saying them before two teachers
and five critical scholars? He said no, he could say them any-
where, or anyhow. Such certain knowledge as that, I told him,
was always useful. He walked away with his ‘ grocery store ”
very triumphantly. - The presents were all substantial, and gen-
eral satisfaction seemed to pervade all their minds. We have an
interesting First-day school. I think there were about fifty
present to-day ; being three teachers this year, with the help of
one colored teacher we can instruct them separately, and hope
to make some good impressions. I would be very glad to have
a set of the Question books prepared by Jane Johnson, for the
use of these children, they seem so much more suitable than most
of the publications of the kind. As the weather becomes more
settled the First-day school will be larger. There is one influ-
ence that always detains them from attending,—they think they
must be dressed differently to appear on First-day. I do not
know that they are different from the rest of humanity in this
respect, but I have tried very hard to instil in their minds, if
they are clean all other considerations will be laid aside; but
argument falls powerless. The sewing school is doing so much
towards supplying their most pressing wants, that need of nice,
neat sacques will soon not be a want among them. The sewing
school is-carried on successfully now with the aid of four colored
dressmakers, who render efficient aid. Lizzie Heacock and my-
self take the last hour on Sixth-day afternoon to devote to sew-
ing, while Fanny Gause takes the boys into a drawing class. I
think there have been as many as fifty sacques made since va-
cation, and it is a great relief to the teacher to have some of