10

they seem so anxious to come; and indeed it is wonderful how regularly
they attend. When we first commenced I had not one that knew all the
alphabet; and although we have had the charts only about two weeks, I
have a class of 20 who can spell and pronounce in four letters. Next
week I purpose putting them in the First Reader. Nearly all the rest
can spell in three letters. I shall be so glad when I get them all out of
the alphabet. Some of them make very good attempts at drawing and
printing letters, and I hope in my next letter to send you some speci-
mens. They will be about all I can send yet. When we start out in the
morning the children spring up from all directions, and we have not gone
many steps before we have.a long train following us; and I am sure you
would all be amused could you see us. We often wish that the friends
could just spend one day with us, as I am sure it would be enjoyed by all
parties. My interest increases every day, and every day there is some-
thing transpires to make me feel thankful that we persevered in coming.
Our night school is still increasing; and it is a great satisfaction to see
with what eagerness old men and women will take hold of the primer, and
try to master the alphabet. We have many that can read and write, and
who are very quick at figures. I enjoy the night school, as it is a change
from the day. All the girls who are large enough sew one afternoon in
the week. We do not propose anything that they are not willing to try.
When they hem two towels, or make two aprons or handkerchiefs, we
give them one to carry home; and they sew away as quietly and industri-
ously as any old women.—M¢. Pleasant, 3d mo. 21, 1866.

In the Third month of the present year the farm known as
Camp Wadsworth was restored to its former owners. The school
consequently was broken up, and Mary K. Brosius was trans-
ferred to Vienna, six miles distant.

We have also established two additional schools in Fairfax
County: one at Lewensville, in charge of Martha A. Wright,
and one at Fairfax Court House, under the care of Mary Me-
Bride; also, recently, one at Waterford, Loudoun County, Vir-
ginia, for which Sarah Steer, a resident of that place, has been
selected as teacher.

The position occupied by Mary McBride at Fairfax Court
-House is a very unpleasant one. Her mission has been bitterly
opposed, even to threats of personal violence, some attempts at
which have been made. Her earnestness and determination are
apparent, as shown by the following extracts from a letter re-
cently received :

“There is certainly a great deal of talk, but that troubles me very
little. There are some things that are very unpleasant here for me, but