18

The Education Committee, feeling satisfied that a personal

inspection of the schools in Virginia would be of advantage to

the teachers and pupils, and give an amount of information
which is impossible to be gained by letters, reeommended that a
committee be appointed to visit all the schools under the care of
this Association, and hold meetings with the people as far as
practicable.

Upon their return this Committee made the following report :—

To perform the mission entrusted to us by the Association, we left
Philadelphia Sixth-day night, the 12th of Fourth month, and proceeded
directly to Alexandria, thence to Leesburg, Va., by the Alexandria, Loudon
and Hampshire Railroad to Belmont, about thirty miles, and from there by
stage, six miles.

*Arriving at Leesburg about two, P. M., on Seventh-day, we visited the
school under the care of Caroline Thomas. It is in a comfortable frame
building, a few squares from her lodgings. We found her engaged in
teaching, therefore had a good opportunity of judging the capability of
her pupils. We were well satisfied, with their advancement. Some of
the parents were present, who expressed much gratitude for this privilege
for themselves and children, The teacher is earnest and zealous im
her work, both in the school-room and among the colored people gener-
ally. During the winter she has held school several evenings in the week
for adults, and assisted in organizing and supporting a literary associa-
tion which has given opportunity for instructive reading and appropriate
counsel. She believes this form of labor among these people is one of
the most important aids in the work of elevation.

A Friend, who came from Waterford—six miles—in his carriage, took
us to his house, where we were kindly entertained—C. Thomas_accom-
panied us. The next morning, First-day, visited a few families. Among,
them was the mother of Ann E, Gould, a woman about forty years of
age, whom S. Steer had been preparing fora teacher. Before our arrivab
she was attacked with an inflammatory and dropsical disease in the throat,
from which she did not recover, We received an interesting report of
her character and influence in the school, and also of the closing moments
of her life. She passed away with the clear evidenee of peace, leaving,
affectionate and grateful messages to those who had given her the oppor-
tunity to possess the privileges of the school-room. She also expressed
the hope that all her people would evince an appreciation of them im
their daily life.

Perhaps it will not be out of place here to relate that we attended
Friends’ Meeting in the house with which many interesting incidents
are connected relative to the late war.

Although it is more than one hundred years since the meeting wa