give orders in his name in emergencies; | my job this time. The black men are worried. The next few days should settle it here. Started for Manila to make inventory of supplies in our storehouse. Crawford and Fasset will run my Calamba work. Weeks on boat, going to meet his father just off the Thomas. We are running along due north about three miles from shore. Can see the rebel troops at Cabayo and Santa Rosa. Expect to reach Pasig at noon, and get off some very important telegrams. Our wire is gone again at Calamba. Have a lot of sick aboard. Can see Teal mountain now, sheer precipice, due south. It is a volcano ten miles from Calamba, but can't see it from there because of another closer hill. Pasig at noon. Good run down the river. Won peseta from Weeks. He bet on 1.30 to city; I stood for I p. m; we got in 1.13. Up to storehouse. Started in sergeant and his men at inventory. Got into new suit of soldier's straight issue, coat, trousers and leggins, transferred collar ornaments and shoulder biz, and worked awhile. Went down town later and called on Aunt Nellie and Uncle William (Col. Wm. S. McCaskey, 20th regiment), and they made me stay for the night. They both look better than when I saw them in May. Their short trip to Japan last summer was a good thing. Looked into some churches at evensong, and heard the band play. Had a good supper and chat before turning in. Aunt Nellie gave me the best bed I've seen since Plattsburg Across the way was a large lot of Spanish prisoners rescued by our troops, who had just reached Manila. They were very happy, so jubilant over their release and the prospect of home that they sang, and sang, and kept on singing all through the night.

Manila, Dec. 25.-Merry Christmas! It's Christmas eve with you now at home. All hands joyful, but very busy. Just got out fifty Christmas boxes from home that had come ashore for the 21st. They were going to hold them up, but I worked what pull I had with Major Wolcott and got them. Sent them up in the boat to Calamba at 9 a.m.,except Weeks', Conley's and mine. Many thanks to you all. Expect more ashore to morrow. Conley is in hospital here in the city, and we must get him off home. I've just heard that two battalions of the 21st are relieved at Calamba to-day, and start to-morrow for the line along the Pasig river. That will be glad Christmas news for these poor, sick men. Busy in storehouse in the Tondo today taking account of stock. Big job, couldn't get at it sooner, and must do it to get my papers started. Fair check now on clothing list, and getting at tools, supplies, and mess gear of all sorts. It seems an odd way to spend Christmas. Not much like last year in our home at Plattsburg, with open hall and staircase and every room and corner in the house rich in Christmas green fresh from the hills. The men

brought in two wagon loads of evergreens, and we made the place look very "Christmas-y." Not much like that to-day, and half way round the world from Home! Good Christmas dinner with Uncle William at their mess. Stopped in at Filipino theatre in evening, "Mascotte," awful!

Dec, 26.--Forty-six more Christmas boxes for regiment, and I hear that eight companies load to-day at Calamba and Banos and come to-night towards Pedro. Take first boat out to-morrow to find where I'm needed most. A second Christmas box today doubly welcome so far from home, full of things we need and enjoy getting. Expect to finish up the clothing item here by evening. Some firing out in front of Tondo the last few nights. Col. Case's battalion is out there. Thirty more Christmas boxes for 21st, but can't get at them now. Got Conley's box to him at hospital. Weeks and I fixed up his leave for two months. I think he can make Frisco all right. [A letter from Lieut. Conley to Mrs. McCaskey, written on reaching his home in Maryland, speaks in very grateful terms of the kind services of Captain McC. in looking after him in his serious illness, and getting him off to United States.]

Dec. 27.-Stars were fine last night. I sat out for hours like an old star-gazer, watching and enjoying them. Got three hours sleep. Must hustle now. Start for Pedro at 7 a. m.; may go on to Calamba in after

noon.

Calamba, Dec. 28.-Got in last night at 10:30, long, tiresome trip. Black as coal. Got a banca after waiting awhile, and made landing. Left Tondo about 7 a. m., boat off about 8. Reached Pedro at 3, and met Major Wittich coming down with I and M. companies. They were ordered on into Manila, to march south to Pasay. At 4, we met K, L and A, and had a wait at Pasig; at 5, met another tug with cascoes in tow and B, C and D aboard. That leaves at Calamba the second battalion, band, and Q. M., business, with plenty of property to look up. Been working it over to day with Mr. Colvel. Find him a nice fellow, clerk and old ist sergeant in 6th Cavalry, now a 2nd Lieutenant 39th infantry, knows the business from 'way back. We will probably get away by New Year. Heavy surf, and the sun very hot. Cargo is coming ashore and up O. K. Fourteen horses just up. Got off mail and meat and small items early. Run to Banos, then back, and city business off, with some rows; then line business and wood and small mat

ters galore, including pay of laborers. Crawford has been handling this end of it for me while I've been hustling the other end in the city. Rebels got in new battery on the hill, and made some trouble there. They are working their artillery now. Try. ing to get my extra Q. M. property into shape and boxed up so as to ship back. Much of it old and worn, but must be kept for condemnation. Getting things fixed so

that I can leave with the last of the regiment. It means drive, but that's what wins. Our thanks to all the folks. Tell them how glad we are to have those Christmas boxes.

Dec. 29.-Fairly quiet night, more rain coming. Parker's (3d) battalion of 39th ordered to load at St. Mesa last night, get here to day, and our second battalion then to load and leave for San Pedro to-morrow. Busy all day loading out the stuff. Loaded four boats, had to do some unloading before we could get our impedimenta aboard. Corporal Harris in charge of loading, Kujava at boat end, and Becker at storehouse, all good men. The hospital and the band have tons of stuff.

44

Pedro, Dec. 30.-Good bye, Calamba! We worked late into the night and began early this morning, tired enough, and we had plenty of trouble loading, but got it done, and got off in spite of annoying hindrance and delay. The 39th battalion got in late in night, and loaded stuff ashore, and into our cars, etc. I had to dump them, loaded down twenty-four sick wrecks to the boat Washington," and hooked on three cascoes, with band, Q. M. stuff and H company. Then headquarters, with staff and orderlies, and all their baggage on the "Holdfast,' with cascoes, E and F companies, in tow. Then the Maritima," with second battalion staff, boxes and baggage, and G company in tow. We hit Pedro at 4 p. m., and found we were not expected or wanted. I got wood for the end five cook-fires, and we sleep to night anywhere. But we're done with Calamba !

44

Tondo, Dec. 31. Manila at 10 a. m., and got rid of money, Mexican, still in hand, and not used for Calamba laborers. Brought Kujava in on top of the safe as guard. We came from Pedro on top of the 47th bread wagon. Hustling for supplies. Have bull cart tickets to help them out to Pasay this afternoon. Getting storeroom business out of the way while waiting for boat from Pedro. The second battalion was fitted out there with tents and tools and supplies, and went on the south line two miles out extending towards Pasay, other battalions to left and right, as far as the bay. Some of the troops we have relieved expect to go to Calamba. They were told our regiment was pretty well used up and too sick to remain there. A sad accident occurred in passing up the Pasig, through which one of our men was drowned. There are three bridges

across the river. The second casco hit one of the piers, third ran into it, and several men were knocked off into the river. It was about dark, the current is very swift, and a corporal of D company was swept away before he could be rescued. Poor fellow ! to be drowned in the Pasig river after having gone through the Calamba campaign with all its stern experience, on the very day of his leaving the place, and from the boat that was bearing him from it!

ITEMS FROM REPORTS.

ADAMS-Supt. Roth: During the month district institutes were held at New Oxford, York Springs, E. Berlin, Cashtown, Fairfield, and Bendersville. These meetings, with one exception, were well attended by teachers and citizens, and I know they have been productive of much good. The vaccination law has been enforced in several districts. In some sections of the county the attendance has been very poor on account of an epidemic of measles.

ARMSTRONG-Supt. Wolfe: A local institute was held in West Kittanning, January 13. It was largely attended by patrons and citizens. Addresses were made by Messrs. Thompson and Tarr, directors, and others including the County Superintendent. The subject of "Music in the Schools" was discussed, with the direct result that a teacher of music for the different schools of the township was advertised for. West Kittanning is in East Franklin township, and the directors are wide awake to the interests of their schools. During the month I made forty-two official visits, spending from thirty to ninety minutes in each school. Most of our schools are doing excellent work, and this is especially true of the young teachers -those teaching their first term. There are a few instances where the teachers are apparently putting in the time for the money that is in it. Some few of the older class of teachers need a little "brushing up," or in a year or two the directors will have no use for them. January 3rd, accompanied by W. L. Peart, one of the directors, I visited the schools of Kittanning, Prof. D. R. Sunstine, principal. As we passed through the different rooms the particular features of the school were pointed out. The people of Kittanning boast of having a school second to none in the State, outside the large cities. The school grounds are valued at $15,000. The building is a brick structure costing $40,000. Grounds and building are both in good condition. There are sixteen rooms with two offices, and a cloak room for each room; large basement for play room in bad weather; third story furnished and a large hall for public exercises. They have a library of 1300 volumes; unabridged dictionaries in each upper grade; $500 worth apparatus, and an efficient corps of teachers.

BEAVER-Supt. Moore: The directors of the county, at their session during the county institute, decided to form a Directors' Association and appointed a committee to draft a constitution for the same. A convention of directors has now been called to meet in the educational office, February 27, to complete the organization and discuss matters pertaining to school work. January 27, a very enjoyable educational meeting was held in Economy township, which was largely attended by teachers and patrons. Teachers' meetings were held each Saturday during February.

Bedford Supt. Wright: Attendance throughout the county this year is good. Last year it was reduced by the small pox Scare. In most districts, the directors are enforcing the compulsory law and their efforts are to be commended. At the county institute our teachers adopted The Pennsylvania School Journal as part of the professional reading course for the year beginning June next. It is hoped that the teachers will subscribe in large numbers for The Journal, and that it may become familiar to every school-worker in every district in the county. Those of our people who have the good of the schools at heart will welcome this efficient and faithful ally in promoting the school interests of the county. Recently we attended an earnest educational meeting at Stonerstown, Liberty township. Here the teachers and directors hold joint meetings every two weeks, and the good result of their institute work is apparent in the

schools.

BERKS-Supt. Rapp: Parents' and Patrons' Day was observed by most of the schools in the county. There was a large attendance in many districts. The teachers were requested to observe the following suggestions: "Send a cordial invitation to all patrons, whether they have children in school or not; also to each member of your School Board. Invite the patrons for all day, but do not have the special exercises until the afternoon or evening, according to the convenience of parents. Make your schoolroom as attractive as possible, and let a part of the decoration consist of the best work the children have done in drawing, composition work, modeling, etc. Have special exercises, but let the greater part of the time be taken up with the regular recitations. Do not lecture patrons for their apparent indifference to the schools. Do not annoy visitors by urging them to make addresses. Give an opportunity for remarks by visitors, but let them be entirely voluntary." New buildings were erected in Robeson, Albany, Windsor and Earl. In Albany and Windsor they are one-room buildings with all modern conveniencesamong the finest in the county. There seems to be a friendly rivalry among the different townships to have the best and handsomest school building. The eleven local institutes held in various parts of the county were unusually well attended this year. At the meeting held at Womelsdorf there were fifty teachers and about 500 other persons. The evening receipts amounted to $125. The evening lecturers at the various institutes were Rev. Charles T. Steck, Dr. Byron W. King, Dr. Frank H. Green, Prof. A. C. Rothermel, Hon. Henry Houck, Dr. C. C. Boyer, Prof. W. W. Deatrick, Dr. G. B. Hancher and the Superintendent. The principal topics discussed were Literature, Use of the Dictionary, Home Study for Pupils, and Current History. Exeter township took a step in the right direction by

erecting at St. Lawrence a two-story brick building and grading the schools. The fine six room sandstone school building at Oakbrook, near Reading, which was nearly ready for the dedication appointed for February 22d, was damaged by fire to the extent of $500. The blaze started in the dressing room, and it is thought was of incendiary origin, as there was no fire in the building at the time and had not been during the week previous. A night-watchman was at once employed by the directors. This building will be one of the finest of its size in the county. Recently we visited a primary school at Millmont in which five different nationalities were represented. One chart class was composed entirely of Italians. The common school is the great assimilative organ of the Republic.

BLAIR-Supt. Wertz: The schools of the county are in good condition and are generally well attended. Educational meetings have been organized in a number of districts. These meetings are usually attended by crowded houses-teachers, directors, patrons and pupils composing the audience, who freely participate in the general exercises. The school board of Duncansville has built an addition of four rooms to the house on Chestnut street. This building now contains six well equipped school rooms and one assembly room having the capacity of two ordinary school rooms. The building is now heated by steam and with the various modern improvements recently made, it is now one of the most comfortable and convenient houses in the county. Three new houses have been built in Antis township. The houses at Pinecroft and Bellwood are of modern design and will be cased with brick-the latter is a two-roomed house. Both houses, when finished, will be models in appearance and for convenience and comfort. The house at Oak Grove was destroyed by fire about December 15. This necessitated the building of a new house, which is placed at a more convenient location. The annual institute was well attended and compared favorably in interest and profit with former institutes.

BUTLER-Supt. Painter: I have been well pleased with the work of the schools visited this last month, and am quite sure that I can see some of the good things learned at our county institute now being used by many of the teachers. From two to four local institutes are being held each Saturday, at which many of our best teachers take an active part. I am sorry to report that the new school building of Mars borough was badly injured by a fire; the damage done amounts to $1000. Also a very good frame building in Oakland township was entirely destroyed by fire on Jan. 31st.

CAMERON-Supt. Collins: The new fourroom school building in Shippen township has been completed, and three schools have been moved into it. The rooms are large, well ventilated, and attractive.

DELAWARE-Supt. Smith: I have completed my first visit to all the schools in the county and am now engaged in making the second round. The schools are all doing quite satisfactory work. The teachers are deeply interested in their work and show a commendable desire to increase their professional knowledge. A large percentage of them are found attending some one of the many institutions of learning in Philadelphia on Saturday of each week. The children must profit by this increased measure of preparation and fitness on the part of the teacher.

ERIE Supt. Morrison: A tri-county Round Table of superintendents and principals was held at Corry, January 13. The subjects discussed were English in our Schools, Civics, and School Savings Banks. Twelve local institutes were held during the month. One of the principal topics discussed at meetings of directors, teachers and citizens is "Consolidation of Country

Schools."

FOREST-Supt. Stitzinger: Our county institute was held in Marienville.

It was an excellent meeting and the teachers went back to their work with greater interest and enthusiasm. The effects of the week's instruction have been noticeable in the schoolrooms throughout the county. Successful local institutes have been held at West Hickory and Redclyffe.

GREENE Supt. Martin: During the month a half dozen educational meetings were held. These were well attended and

elicited a lively interest. Waynesburg Union School has begun the formation of a brary. Last week an entertainment was given by the pupils, which netted nearly $70 for that purpose.

INDIANA - Supt. Stewart: Most of the month was spent in visiting schools. In certain localities the schools have been very poorly attended on account of measles and diphtheria. Very few teachers have resigned. The majority of them are doing excellent work. Local institutes are held in nearly all the districts and are well attended by teachers, directors, and citizens.

JEFFERSON--Supt. Teitrick: The county institute was held at Brookville, and judging from the interest, attention and attendance of teachers, directors and citizens, it was one of our best educational meetings. The Directors' convention--the fifteenth semi-annual meeting-was held in connection with the institute. Nearly all the districts were represented, and the discussions were practical, animated and instructive. In the afternoon the directors with the teachers listened to eloquent addresses from Hon. J. Q. Stewart and Dr. Corson. The establishing of public school libraries is being pushed with great vigor. Teachers and pupils have already raised $1258.54 and many have not yet reported.

JUNIATA-Supt. Gortner: In our last report we noted that Judge Lyons had dis

missed the school directors of Milford township and appointed others in their places. The new directors have not proceeded to increase the school facilities of the township, for the neglect of which the old directors had been relieved of their positions, believing that the good Judge erred in his opinion and that the township has ample facilities for educating all its children. At both the Democratic and Republican primaries the citizens nominated for school directors the persons dismissed by Judge Lyons, to emphasize their belief that these men had done their full duty while in office. During the month three local institutes were held; at McAlisterville, where Charles C. Ellis, of the University of Pennsylvania, delivered a lecture on "Childhood in Light and Shade;" the second was held at Port Royal, and the third at Thompsontown. Each of these meetings was well attended. The boys and girls had a prominent place on the programme of each. The teachers entered heartily into the discussions and great interest was manifested by all in attendance.

LANCASTER-Supt. Brecht: The dedication exercises of the new public school building of Marietta were held in Central hall January 1st, 1900. Addresses were delivered by Dr. John S. Stahr, President of Franklin and Marshall College, Dr. E. T. Jeffers, President of York Collegiate Institute, Dr. E. O. Lyte, Principal of the Millersville Normal School. County Supt. Brecht and others. The building is a twostory brick trimmed with Indiana limestone and has a ground-line measurement of 85x65 feet. It contains eight rooms 28x28 feet with a ceiling twelve feet high, and two class rooms 26x15feet for the high and grammar schools. It is equipped with the best modern improvements, and is heated and ventilated by the Wills system. A gravel walk twelve feet wide leads from the southeast angle of the grounds to the main entrance. Above the entrance is cut in relief the legend, "Knowledge is Worth Seeking." The building cost $15,000 and puts Marietta in the forefront of good school buildings in the county. Floors are beginning to be oiled in our rural school houses. East Lampeter township is trying the experiment in two of its rooms and seems to be gratified with the result. Rapho has now thirteen of of its nineteen houses heated by the Columbian heating and ventilating plant. This plant is solving the problem of uniform heat in our country school houses at nearly the same cost as the ordinary stove. Single desks are beginning to displace the double desk in ungraded schools. East Lampeter furnished one of its houses this term with this style of desk, Rapho and Fulton did the same a year ago. Of the one hundred and three schools I saw in January ninety-one are furnished with slate blackboards.

LEBANON-Supt. Snoke: Teachers' meetings and local institutes are held in every

district of the county. The teachers, with but few exceptions, deserve much credit for the interest they manifest in this line of work. The teachers of Heidelberg and Millcreek held a joint institute at Reistville, which was a success in every respect. E. E. McCurdy, esq., delivered an interesting and instructive address. The crowning event in local institutes was the meeting held by the teachers of Jackson district. A strong and interesting programme was prepared and all on duty acquitted themselves well. Dr. Byron W. King gave an instructive address in the afternoon, and in the evening he gave an elocutionary and literary entertainment to a large and appreciative audience.

LEHIGH-Supt. Rupp: I have visited the greater number of our schools and find most of them doing good work. New bells were placed on the Schnecksville and Whitehall school-houses. Quite a large number of books were added to the school libraries in different parts of the county.

Educational

LYCOMING-Supt. Becht: meetings were held in the following districts: Eldred and Upper Fairfield, Hepburn and Lycoming, Lewis, McIntyre and M. E. Nett. All of these meetings were well at. tended by teachers, directors and patrons. The matter of school libraries is receiving considerable attention. A majority of the schools have small collections of books, and pupils and teachers are showing great interest in their efforts to increase the number. MCKEAN- Supt. Myers: During the month local institutes were held as follows: Ludlow, Rixford: Ludlow, Rixford, Mt. Alton, and Custer City. A number of schools have been closed on account of sickness.

MERCER-Supt. Fruit: I have made an effort to secure a uniform course of study for high schools in our county. A meeting will be called in the near future to organize a Round Table for our principals. Three counties met at Cochrantown Jan. 21-Crawford, Venango, and myself from Mercerand arranged for an educational mass meeting to be held annually at that point. The schools are doing well, and there is very little trouble anywhere. Vocal music has been introduced into eight schools in Worth township, making in all seven townships that have this as a distinct feature of their regular school work. I attended an educational meeting in connection with a Farmers' Institute which was largely attended. Subjects discussed were Higher Wages, Nature Study in Common Schools, Graded Country Schools.

MIFFLIN Supt. Hannawalt: Local institutes have been fairly well attended by both teachers and friends or education. Much interest was taken in the discussions. The Milroy high school and Prof. J. T. Baker are to be commended for raising money for the purchase of an organ for use in their school. MONTOUR-Sup't Steinbach — At our annual institute we had an able and efficient

corps of instructors - Hon. Henry Houck, Dr. O. T. Corson, Prof. Chas. H. Albert, Dr. T, Corson, Prof. Chas. H. Albert, Dr. Lincoln Hulley, and Miss Laura Ruff. All but two teachers were in attendance. The meeting will long be remembered.

NORTHAMPTON - Supt. Bender: A strong sentiment is growing throughout the county in favor of school libraries. This is due largely to the fact that the teachers have been aroused to realize that if they wish a school library they must teach reading better, so as to awaken a greater love for home reading; then the public will respond, and there will be no difficulty in raising the funds for starting a library. East Bangor has added 208 volumes to its library during this month. In a number of townships entertainments were held on Washington's birthday to raise money for starting a library. The teachers and directors of Upper Mt. Bethel hold local institues every month. There is more interest taken in school matters in Mt. Bethel this year than for a long time, due to these educational meetings. The teachers, with few exceptions, are doing good work, and the schools in general are prosperous, We held four interesting local institutes during the month, attended by 170 teachers, besides many directors, patrons and friends of education.

POTTER--Supt. Kilbourn: Twelve local institutes were held this month at Cross Fork, Roulette and Harrison Valley. They were all well attended by teachers and citizens. The boards of directors of Sweden, Stewardson and Keating townships have supplied their schools with a six-volume cyclopedia. The Sweden board have also placed a copy of Webster's International Dictionary in each of their schools. There are now but few schools in the country not supplied with an unabridged dictionary.

SOMERSET Supt. Pritts: The county institute was very satisfactory. The instructors were Hon. Henry Houck, Drs. W. W. Black, A. E. Maltby, and Theo. B. Noss, and Prof. F. H. Green. The interest manifested by the general public was unusual. The attendance by the teachers was better than ever, and we feel sure that the great majority of them returned to their schools with higher ideals of their work. Local institutes have been organized in nearly every district, and from the reports received they are doing much to advance the progress of their schools.