It will be seen from the foregoing table, that the percentage based on a comparison of the number of students enrolled with the number that pass creditable examinations is much greater in the Junior and Senior classes than in the Freshman and Sophomore. This is natural, and to be accounted for by the increased mental development of those classes having the greater percentage of creditable examinations, and to the sifting process that is con stantly going on, which eliminates the lazy or the hopelessly dull.

It is a notorious fact that students come to our College better prepared in mathematics than in English. The latter is not taught in our public or private schools so well as is mathematics, and hence my department labors under peculiar disadvantages. There is another cause for this lack of knowledge of our own tongue resulting from the fact that fathers and guardians encourage their sons and wards to devote the largest portion of their time in the common school to the study of arithmetic. This mistaken idea develops one-sided intellects. A year ago, the Faculty of this College, at the request of the President and the head of the Department of English, gave four and a half months additional to English in the Freshman year. The wisdom of this action is shown by reference to the tabulated statement above. In the session of 1883-'84, it will be observed, out of an enrollment of sixty (60) in Higher English, only twenty-six passed the final examination, while in 1884-'85, after the change was made, sixtyfour (64) were enrolled, and forty (40) passed creditable exami nations, and that too when many of this class were not able to be present at the final examination on account of measles.

The instruction in general history has never been satisfactory.

It will be noticed that in 1883-'84, out of an enrollment of sixty Freshmen, only twenty-five (25) took general history. This is accounted for by the following facts: 1. History is taught during the last term when a small number of students is present, 2. Parents discourage the study of history, thinking that a knowledge of it can be obtained by private reading. 3. The study of general history is not adapted to the undeveloped intellect of the average first year student, who finds it impossible to follow clearly the many interlacing threads of national story that go to make up the closely woven web of the world's history. At my request, the Faculty have allowed me to substitute English history for universal history in the Freshman year, and to transfer the subject of universal history to the Junior year.

Believing in the Baconian maxim. "Writing makes an accurate man," I have required a great number of written exercises. compositions, essays, etc., from all students instructed in this department. It will be seen by reference to the table that over a thousand papers, on an average, were examined annually during the two years covered by this report. If the attendance during the present session continues to be as large as at present, the number of papers to be examined, corrected, or criticised, will approximate very closely to 4,000. This is the most onerous of all the duties devolving upon the instructors in this department, and I consider it one of the most important.

MEANS OF ILLUSTRATION.

The means of illustration in my department are not sufficient for the most complete instruction. There is in the Library no complete collection of authors illustrating the different periods of English literature; there are but few, if any, biographies-a clas of books particularly attractive to the young student of history; there are no historical charts, maps, etc., by which to render the study of history less difficult and irksome; I recommend that the Legislature be asked to make an appropriation for the thorough equipment of this department.

PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT.

During the sessions of 1883-'84 and 1884-'85, the professors of Mathematics and English were placed by the Board of Trustees in charge of the Preparatory Department. The studies in English were distributed through a two-years course, and the instruction was either supervised by me or given in person. At the last meeting of the Board of Trustees, the professors of Mathematics and English were relieved of this supervision.

In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the zealous and able instruction of Prof. Dabney Lipscomb, who was adjunct professor of English during the sessions of 1883-'84 and 1884-'85; and also to express my entire confidence in his successor, Prof. A. A. Kincannon, who was assigned to duty in my department at the last meeting of the Board of Trustees. The above report is respectfully submitted.

W. H. MAGRUDER,
Professor of English.

REPORT OF WM. L. BUCK,

2D LIEUT. 13TH INFANTRY, ACTING PROF. OF MATHEMATICS.

Gen. S. D. Lee, President:

A & M. COLlege, Miss.,
Nov. 10, 1885.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my duties as Acting Prof. of Mathematics:

COLLEGE CLASSES.

SESSION 1884-5.

Senior Class.-The Senior Class (11) was instructed during the 1st term in Astronomy and Spherical Trigonometry, and all passed on the average of examination and marks received for daily reci

tations.

During the second term ten of them were taught Civil Engineering, which they passed successfully on combined average of examination and monthly grade marks.

SESSION 1885-6.

The present Senior Class has (12) twelve members. They have recited on Astronomy from Sept. 16 to Nov. 1st. None were deficient, and the average grade was very good.

SESSION 1884-5.

Junior Class.--The Junior Class studied Analytical Geometry and Mechanics during 1st and 2d terms. The class numbered 13 during the first, and 11 during the second term. None were found deficient.

SESSION 1885-6.

The present Junior Class has (17) seventeen regular and (1) one irregular member. On monthly report just submitted for Sept. 16th to Octtober 30th, all passed.

SESSION 1884-5.

Sophomore Class.-The Sophomore Class was so large that it was divided into two sections to be instructed in Geometry and Trigonometry. In the first term, the class was taught Plane and Solid Geometry, and by Christmas had passed over and reviewed the whole nine books. The next four weeks the class again reviewed the wltole, making three times they had passed over this study, and were examined. There were 29 in the class during the first term, which was reduced to 26 during the second term. The average for the 26 on examination in Geometry was 85. Of these 26, 9 received a maximum 100, four 95, and two 90. All passed in Geometry. The class then studied and were examined in Trigonometry. All passed but two.

During the third term this class was taught surveying. They passed over the course laid down in the text book once, and

spent a great deal of time in the field with the surveyor's compass, plane table and Y level. The transit and theodolite were so damaged by a fall that they could not be used. You are acquainted with the circumstances. The responsibility for same not resting on my department. On surveying all of the Sophomore Class but two were proficient.

SESSION 1885-6.

Sophomore Class.-The class this year is very large, 47, and are making good progress..

SESSION 1884-5.

Freshman Class.-The Freshman Class, 71 members, was divided into three sections, and so many remained during the whole session that it was necessary to retain this organization.

The first section studied Algebra during the first and second terms and part of third term; were examined in it and all were proficient. The last three weeks of third term they made good progress in Geometry.

The second and third sections studied Algebra during the three terms, and, except those who left on account of an epidemic of measles, were examined, and as large a per cent. as usual were proficient in Algebra. Those who left just before examination were to be examined next session, 1885-6. The class has been taught by the Acting Professor of Mathematics, the Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and at different times by Profs. Lipscomb, Harvey and Kincannon. This wasrendered necessary by the large number of students in the class.

SESSION 1885-6.

Of those to be examined in Algebra from last year, most all passed into the Sophomore Class.

The present Freshman Class is divided as follows: First section, 30; second section, regulars, 14; irregulars, 8. total 22; third section, 18; fourth section 14; total 76 regulars and 8 irregulars in Mathematics.

They are making excellent progress in Algebra. The first and fourth sections are taught by Prof. Walker, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. The second and third sections by Tutor, Mr. J. M. White.

PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT.

SESSION 1884-5.

During the session of 1884-5, the preparatory department was under the supervision of the Professors of English and Mathematics respectively. During the third term the Acting Professor of Mathematics taught the first section, Senior Preparatory, in Arithmetic and examined them. All were proficient but two, and for the three remaining weeks of the term, were taught Algebra. The Professors of English and Mathematics earnestly recommended in their reports that this department be under one head, as the present system was not practicable.

SESSION 1885-6.

This department is now under charge of one head--Prof. Lipscomb.

WORK DONE.

SESSION 1884-5.

By reason of the number of students it was necessary that both the Acting Professor and the Assistant Professor of Mathematics should teach in the Preparatory Department during the session. We have been employed as follows: Acting Professor of Mathematics has taught-

1st Hour. 2d Hour. 3d Hour. 4th Hour.

1st Term. Mechanics... Algebra.... Geometry.... Astronomy.. 2d Term. Mechanics. Algebra.... Cv'l Egnineer Geometry and

Arithmetic &

3d Term. Algebra....

ing.

Trigonometry. Military Sci- Surveying.....

lence & Tac's.

And my assistant, Mr. Walker, as follows:

1st Term. Arithmetic... Arithmetic Geometry.. 2d Term. Arithmetic... Arithmetic.. Algebra

1st Hour. 2d Hour.

3d Hour.

4th Hour.

3d Term. Algebra...

Algebra..... Geometry and Trigonometry. Surveving..

Algebra...Algebra.

For the benefit of students of Freshman Class advanced on trial, there was organized an irregular Arithmetic class, taught in the afternoon by my assistant, Mr. Walker.

By employing the Acting Professor four hours and the Assis tant Professor four hours, it is impossible for the former to give personal attention to the different sections and classes in his Department as required the President and the Board of Trustees.

SESSION 1885-6.

In order that he might give personal supervision to the classes in his department, the Acting Professor of Mathematics this term (first), is employed only two hours, as follows: