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UNITED STATES. harmony. All of the instruction in the primary and grammar schools is given by the regular teachers, who visit the schools in rotation, under the supervision of the special instructor in music. The lessons are mostly oral, with the aid of blackboard and charts. Four grades of text-books, especially prepared for the schools, are used, named first, second, third and fourth readers, respectively; the first being used in the primary schools, and so on. There is also an advanced reader—a collection of three-part songs—used in the girls' high school. The system is the outgrowth of seventeen years' study and experience. The department is (1880) in the charge of a musical director, Julius Eichberg, who has also the special care of the high schools; and three special instructors, Joseph B. Shadand, Henry E. Holt and J. Munroe Mason, who divide the care of the grammar and primary schools. Director and Instructors are under the control of a committee on music, consisting of five members of the school committee, appointed annually. The entire school committee serve without pay. There is an annual election to fill vacancies occurring by the expiration of the three years' term of a third of the number. Since 1879 women have been allowed to vote at this election, and women have served on the school committee since 1875. Both of these privileges have been secured to women throughout the state, by general statutes. From the official returns for 1884, it appears that the number of public schools in the city of Boston was 171; of teachers, male and female, nearly 1400; of pupils 58,788; and that the annual cost of musical instruction was about 11,000 dollars for the special instructors employed. The system herein set forth has been adopted, with modifications according to governing circumstances, in many of the cities and large towns throughout the Union.

II. The Peabody Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, was founded in 1857, by George Peabody. In pursuance of the design of the founder 'to furnish that sort of instruction, under able teachers, in the theory and higher branches of music, for which there has heretofore been no provision, and which students have been obliged to seek abroad,' a Conservatory of Music was organised, in 1868, substantially on the plan of the European conservatories. Mr. Lucian H. Southard, an American musician, was its first principal. In 1871, Mr. Asger Hamerik, a young Danish composer, was invited to become its head, a position still retained by him (1884). The Conservatory has had an average of 120 students, both sexes being represented. The requisites for admission are a knowledge of the rudiments of musical theory, to which must be allied, in the case of singers a voice, susceptible of cultivation; and the ability to play certain studies of Plaidy and Czerny and the easier sonatas of Haydn and Mozart, in the case of piano-students. The course of instruction is adapted to a high degree of musical culture, both theoretical and practical. Diplomas are granted to students who, after a three years' course, pass a satisfactory examination before the government of the Conservatory. The staff of instructors numbers six, including the director. The library of the Institute contains 65,000 volumes, about 1000 of which are scores belonging to the musical department. About 50 lectures, on literary, scientific and art topics, by the best lecturers whose services can be procured, are given yearly. The Institute is situated in a fine marble building, occupying an entire square in the centre of the city. The ../Peabody Concerts/ are given under the auspices of the Institute.

III. The College of Music, Cincinnati, Ohio, was incorporated in 1878. The business affairs of the college are administered by a directory, composed as follows in 1880:—George Ward Nichols, president; P. R. Neff, treasurer; J. Burnet, jun., secretary; J. Shillito and R. R. Springer. It is to Mr. Springer's munificent generosity that the city is largely indebted for the great Music Hall in which the college is held. Thirty-four professors of music and modern languages made up the faculty, and at their head was Theodore. The terms for instruction are very low, and students enjoy many advantages. Class instruction is pursued in theory, vocalisation, chorus-singing, and ensemble-playing, but not, as a rule, in the orchestral branches. There is a college choir of 200 voices and an orchestra of 65 musicians. During its first season the college gave, under Mr. Thomas's direction, twelve Symphony concerts and twelve Chamber concerts, the programmes being invariably of the highest order. The Music Hall contains one of the largest organs in the world (96 registers, 6,237 pipes; built by Hook & Hastings, Boston), and on this there were given two recitals in each week. The college doors were first opened for pupils Oct. 14, 1878. The enterprise has met with a success far beyond the anticipations of its projectors. During the first season (1878–79) over 500 pupils were enrolled, both sexes and nearly every portion of North America being represented. Mr. Thomas resigned his position in 1880.

IV. At Farmington, Connecticut, is found Miss Sarah Porter's school for girls, established about thirty years ago, which for a quarter of a century has been noted for the good training of its musical students. These, numbering 50 to 70, have been in the charge of Karl Klauser, who has edited over a thousand classical piano compositions in a manner which has won for him a high reputation among teachers for the critical care displayed by him. Pupils here are permitted frequent opportunities of hearing the best musicians in classical chamber-concerts.

V. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, for girls, was established in 1865. There are generally from 125 to 150 pupils enrolled. The musical department has been, since 1867, under the charge of Frederic Louis Ritter. Eight to ten concerts of classic music are given yearly. Wells College, Aurora, New York, for girls, was incorporated in 1868. During the academic