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As for the influence of many of the Schools visited, upon the Cause of Education and reputation of [[strikethrough]] friends [[/strikethrough]] the Bureau, nothing favorable can be said of them. Excepting Miss Skinner's, & Mr McKee's, the schools are mere burlesques upon the Education of the Race. They can do only Evil to pupils, parents and the Cause. Most of them are in back buildings, in lofts over kitchens, poorly ventilated and miserably furnished. The teachers are ignorant, rough and unfitted by any previous habits of thought for their work. The circumstances of Slavery have not been favorable to develope native colored teachers, and to hope for them at once, without a miracle, is useless.

In the mean time, they are parts of the apparent work of elevating the Race by knowledge, and their influence is to be deplored. Southern citizens are watching them and what they see is not favorable.

The hopeful feature is, that they are growing fewer in number for want of pecuniary support. The general complaint is "poor pay," and there seems to be no special action needed in order that the worthless ones, may soon be extinguished.

Chas. A. Raymond
Chapl U.S.A. & Inspector Schools Va


The following conversation occurred upon the occasion of a visit to Miss Williams
The character of the Teaching may be inferred.

Ques: How many pupils have you in attendance?
Ans: I has'nt so many here dis morning, dere's right smart abstent.
Ques: I notice your Blackboard contains examples. were the figures made by the pupils.
Ans: Oh yes sir. Theys been settin down dere substractions.
Ques: you say you teach Grammar. How far have your classes studied it.
Ans: Clean through sir. One class just finishing now.
Ques: Will you please hear them recite now, that I may learn your method of teaching
Ans: Oh yes Sir. E. Class come up.

The recitation was peculiar. it consisted in the class attempting to read in concert the paragraph in Ellipsis.
This was the way in which all recitations in grammar were made  The teacher had taught three years, and was of average ability.