ibed by
the Board were:--

1st. To ascertain, by personal inspection of the schools, and by
written communications from school officers and others, the actual
condition of the schools.

2d. To prepare an abstract of such information for the use of the
Board and the Legislature, with plans and suggestions for the
better organization and administration of the school system.

3d. To attend and address at least one meeting of such parents,
teachers, and school officers as were disposed to come together on
public notice, in each county, and as many local meetings as other
duties would allow.

4th. To edit and superintend the publication of a journal devoted
exclusively to the promotion of common-school education. And,

5th. To increase in any practicable way the interest and
intelligence of the community in relation to the whole subject of
popular education.

Possessing fine powers of oratory, wielding a ready and able pen,
animated by a generous and indomitable spirit, willing to spend and
be spent in the cause of benevolence and humanity, he had every
qualification for the task but experience. Speaking of his fitness for
carrying out the measures of educational reform and improvement in
Connecticut, and of the results of his efforts, Horace Mann said, in the
"Massachusetts Common School Journal," "It is not extravagant to say
that, if a better man be required, we must wait, at least, until the
next generation, for a better one is not to be found in the present.
This agent entered upon his duties with unbounded zeal. He devoted to
their discharge his time, talents, and means.

"The cold torpidity of the State soon felt the sensations of returning
vitality. Its half-suspended animation began to quicken with a warmer
life. Much and most valuable information was diffused. Many parents
began to appreciate more adequately what it was to be a parent; teachers
were awakened; associations for mutual improvement were formed; system
began to supersede confusion; some salutary laws were enacted; all
things gave favorable augury of a prosperous career, and it may be
further affirmed that the cause was so administered as to give occasion
of offence to no one. The whole movement was kept aloof from political
strife. All religious men had reason to rejoice that a higher tone of
moral and religious feeling was making its way into schools, without
giving occ