New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-28

7u Females, and
81 coiored persons
There were, over he age OF years, go Male.
IA Colored persoos
There wer. Of hose who could no, 90
read. ...........".."...........e o7 males,
fSs Females, and
81 Colored persons
or hose who could not write there
were OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. .l 10 Wales,
758 Females, and
la Colored perBons.
oftbo,e ignorant Of the simple rules
ofar!hmetic, there were. .....'..2e5o Males,
75e Females and
- Colored persons.
Total .......................'.ZsOS
There statisticr show that $50 adults and $50
persons between the ages Of l6 and 81, after toll
ing through the day to obtain the means of sub
sistence, have devoted their evenings for period
Of II weeks 10 acquire the rudiments OF an English
education. That during these II weeks, 1904
who could not read, 2036 who could not write, and
2sO9 unacquainted with the simplest operations in
arithmetic, have made respectable attainments in
these branches, who without the opportunities
furnished by these schools, might have continued in
their unfortunate ignorance through life. The
friends Of universal education and Of the advance.
ment of the welfare of all ages and classes cannot
but be gratifed at these suspicious results The
good order and propriety of conduct which have
characterized the schools, have removed all the ap
prehensions that existed as TO the feasibility Of
conducting evening schools for the education Of f.
males. There has not been a single instance to
the knowledge Of the Committee of the violation of
any OF the proprieties Of life by any of this class
On the contrary, they have lbeen assiduous TO i'm
prove the opportunities furnished, and the number
OF female adults, as well as the number over l6
and under 81 years Of age who have attended
these schools, and who were unable 10 read or
write when they began must satisfy every one
that the benefits 10 result not merely 10 them
selves but to the community, from the education
thew have received, will probably be worth far
more than the amount expended while the con-
sciousDess of the good done will amply compensate
every liberal mind for his fraction of the whole
pense. There remains, Of moneys appropriated
10 these schools an unexpended balance of
81 267 90, and fixtures, books and stationery adapt
ed TO the wants Of the schools and ready for use
when they shall be re0pened during the current
year. estimated to be worth at least $4,000. 1t is
anticipated that with these means, and the annual
appropriation Of $4,000 two additional schools can
be established and kept open in the present year.
THE FREE ACADEMY
The Annual Report recently made by this Board,
in conformity with the act authorizing the estab.
lishment Of the Free Academy, states the studies
pursued in it, the extent to which they have been
prosecuted by each student, the cost of organizing
the Institution, and the amount and items ofts cur.
rent expenses to the date Of such Report.
Since then, an addition al examination for the ad-
mission of pupils has been had, another Assistant
Teacher appointed, and the study Of Book keeping
introduced.
The pupils are prosecuting their studies with
commendable industry and are making good pro-
gress. The admirable discipline and order which
prevailed at the outset are still maintained The
Professors and Teachers are faithful and efficient in
the performance of their duties The results Of
their labors have confirmed the favorable opinions
which induced their selection and appointment
AS much freedom Of choice in selecting the studies
to be pursued or omitted has been alo wed TO the
parents and guardians of the pupils, as is compati
bic with the necessary division of them into classes
or sections Thus far it has been entirely optional
with the pupils, whether they would study either
Of the ancient or modern languages, or neither of
hem. Various important branches will, at all
times undoubtedly continue 10 be taught with re-
spect to which, it will be left to the parents and
guardians of the children to determine whether
they shall study them or not.
The entire range of studies be hereafter prose-
cuted, the extent 10 which they may be pursued
the variety and degree OF scientific attainments
which the Academy shall secure to its students
depend entirely upon the future action OF this Board
1t has exclusive control over all these subjects and
must be held responsible for the results.
peculiarly
appropriate to speak Of the Free Academy in this
Report, is that of its connection with the Common
Schools and the influence il exerts upon their oper-
atoms. None received into it except those who
have been pupils in the Common Schools OF the
City.
The only branches in which isrequires thorough
preparation, for admission to its privileges are those
usually taught, and all of hch should be thorough.
y taught in the Common Schools. The examina. |
lions in these branches are strict and the defects |
n the applicants which they have most strikingly 1
displayed, include those which the Visitation Com
nittees represented TO be most prevalent in all the
departments Of the schools upon which they have
eported.
When il is borne in mind that the pupils from
my school examined for admission to the Free
Academy, are but exceedingly small fraction of
Is whole number and, as general thing, are its
hoicest scholars, II any considerable number of
hese are found painfully deficient in spelling. read.
Dg, writing, and in English grammar, there is much
eason to fear that those not applying are upon the
verage still more deOcient. Those applying have
generally devoted all most OF the preceding year
With view to qualify themselves to pass the or.
cal Of an examination. They may, therefore, be
resumed to have had more careful and thorough
lstruction than they would otherwise have re. |
eived, or than the residue Of the school has en-.
)yed
To those making additona efforts, and giving a
loser and more thoughtful attention TO their stud.
IS, in the hope ofsucceeding in their attempt to
inter- the Academy, and for that cause, the infu-
nee of its indictments must necessarily have been
alutary. II this class have received an undue pro-
otion Of the time of the teachers employed in the
,hool, the result Of their examination shows that
icy have received no more than was essential TO
,aze the progress and secure the attanments
hich should characterize every school, and be
sde by every scholar.
II all have not the opportunity Of doing as well,
I'd learning as much it must follow that the num-
sr OF teachers is inadequate, or that the methods
instruction are defective or are ineflciently pur-
led. Every man, no matter what may be his
lsness or position should at least be able to spell
curately, read well, write legiby understand the
mmon principles of grammar, have a fair knowl-
ige of geography. arithmetic, and Of the history
the United States Theae are the only branches