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10 again very large buildings in which are united a plurality of schools. This accounts for the apparent disproportion between their small number as given above, and the number of pupils taught. Hereafter this anomaly is to cease, and each separate school will be reported. The education of the freedmen in this State is progressing favorably, an in some parts considerable interest is taken in it by the better class of white people. We are unable to give many general facts, as no complete report from the Department Superintendent has been recently received at these Headquarters. The local officer at Montgomery furnishes the following information: "Very decided progress can be reported in regard to every feature of the work in this district.-There has been an unabated zeal on the part of the pupils, and a corresponding progress in the acquisition of knowledge. Their success has proved to the minds of the white citizens the claims of the colored people to the blessings of education. A year ago the negro schools were a most cordially despised institution. "Now, the leading white men are inaugurating measures for carrying them on themselves. In the city of Montgomery, the son of a prominent citizens has a night-school of some 150 pupils, and he expects soon to open a day-school for colored children. In this work he has the co-operation of leading citizens. I have had, under my own care, two Sabbath-schools, comprising more than 500 scholars, where six young men, members of the Baptist church (white) assist as teachers, and I am informed that the white ladies propose to aid in our Sabbath-schools as soon as northern teachers withdraw. Although there is unquestionably the allow of prejudice and opposition to northern ideas in this recently developed friendliness and zeal for the education of the negro, yet better motives have also their influence, and are destined to prevail." The school at Wetumpka is taught by a colored man, who has done a good work. MISSISSIPPI. The Report from Mississippi shows that there are in the State 50 schools, 80 teachers, 5,407 pupils. But this does not give the full number of scholars in process of instruction. The Superintendent, REV. JOSEPH WARREN, in his excellent report says: "I have informal reports from ten plantations where there are schools. Some of these are regular day 11 -schools for the children, with efforts made in the evening and on Sabbath to aid the adults in learning.-Others are only evening and Sabbath-schools. These are not all of the schools of this kind that exist. I have asked to Sub-Commissioners to reports all they can find; but their districts are so large that they often do not hear all of these efforts." The tabular view of studies shows considerable progress, and there is constant evidence of promotion from lower to higher classes. Fair attainment has been made in geography, and the pupils generally manifest a good capacity for mathematical studies. In the department of writing they are most deficient, as few of the school buildings have accommodations for that branch of instruction. The Superintendent says: "Not more than two of the school-houses have been properly fitted up with writing-desks, even of the most primitive kind. Some others have very little accommodation for writing; most of them none at all. This is owing to the poverty of the people, and to the large demands upon the funds of the benevolent societies.-At first, when nearly all had to begin with the alphabet and spelling, this was not so great an evil; but now, unless better apparatus can be provided in our schools, justice cannot be done to the pupils. Thousands of them have reached that point where to learn to write is the next important thing. And I may remark that they display great aptitude for this branch of education, as they doubtless will for drawing and kindred studies." In regard to the character of teachers, we again let the Superintendent speak. He is a man in middle life, and of much experience- "The newspapers of this State have continually charged or hinted that the teachers are of bad character, especially, that they are unchaste. They have also been charged with unbecoming social intimacy with the colored people. In consequence of these reports, I have carefully, and even jealously, watched the conduct of the teachers, and it gives me great pleasure to say, that no body of young people whom I have ever known has shown conduct more exemplary and discreet. I have not known a single case of association with the colored people on the ground of social equality. Families have been visited in the proper work of the Mission; but beyond this, I think no occasion has been given for even prejudice to find fault. In two cases I have known ladies to board in colored families, when no white family would
