she wanted to “take de word’s out of da mouts and put em in her own.”  In the morning, when she first entered the school house, she felt quite sick, but all the pleasant things she saw and heard, had made her well, and she added, “I tell you, me massa, it do my old heart good to come here.”  Another aged woman, who had grand-children in the school, said, when she saw what advantages the children enjoyed, she almost cried to think she was not a child too.  Besides these there were a number of adult men and women, whom curiosity or parental solicitude had brought together, and they were thronging about the windows and doors witnessing the various exercises with the deepest interest.  Among the rest was one old patriarch, who, anxious to bear some part however humble in the exercises of the occasion, walked to and fro among the children, with a six feet pole in his hand, to keep order.

These schools, and those examined at Parham, are under the general supervision of Mr. Charles Thwaites, an indefatigable and long tried friend of the negroes.

We here insert a valuable communication which we received from Mr. T. in reply to several queries addressed to him.  It will give further information relative to the schools.

Mr. Charles Thwaites’ Replies to Queries on Education in Antigua.

1.  What has been your business for some years past in Antigua?

A superintendent of schools, and catechist to the negroes.

2.  How long have you been engaged in this business?

Twenty-four years.  The first four years engaged gratuitously, ten years employed by the Church Missionary Society, and since, by the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

3.  How many schools have you under your charge?

Sunday schools, (including all belonging to the Wesleyan Missionary Society,) eight, with 1850 scholars; day schools, seventeen with 1250 scholars; night schools on twenty-six estates, 336 scholars.  The total number of scholars under instruction is about 3500.

4.  Are the scholars principally the children who were emancipated in August, 1834?

Yes, except the children in St. John’s, most of whom were free before.

5.  Are the teachers negroes, colored, or white?

One white, four colored, and sixteen black.[A]

[Footnote A:  This number includes only salaried teachers, and not the gratuitous.]

6.  How many of the teachers were slaves prior to the first of August, 1834?

Thirteen.

7.  What were their opportunities for learning?

The Sunday and night schools; and they have much improved themselves since they have been in their present employment.

8.  What are their qualifications for teaching, as to education, religion, zeal, perseverance, &c.?

The white and two of the colored teachers, I presume, are well calculated, in all respects, to carry on a school in the ablest manner.  The others are deficient in education, but are zealous, and very persevering.