Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-27
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From the New York Evening Post.
Education In Russia.

/ Very little is known in this country OF the
habits, feelings, and state OF civilization OF the
Russians. We are accustomed to consider
them bemghted nation of slaves, inhabiting
country into which the schoolmaster has not
yet penetrated; but the following statistical
Details drawn from reliable sources, may, per-
haps give our readers a different impression,
| or at least enable them to form some idea of
the actual state Of public instruction in the
/ empire of the Gear:
There are appertaining to the department of
| the Minister of Public instruction universities,
normal school, lyceums, n gymnasia, 433
district schools, 1908 town schools, and 592
private schools in all 2,Sl0 establishments for
| education, under the care of 5,594 teachers,
and containing ll8,327 students. This is in
4 Russia proper. Russian Poland has besides
! 1889 schools of various kinds, fequented by
1854 students, 1873 of which are private in
stitutions and in the Caucasus are no less than
1 As schools, of which are private, with 237
teachers and 1902 students.
There are 81 theological seminaries belonging
to the Greek Church, with u teachers and ,26l
| students Ia of the Armenian doctrine, with
As teachers and 72S students 8 teachers and
/ 66S students in the Lutheran establishment
and ii Mohammedan schools, of which are
of the Shute order and 4 of the Sannite per-
suasion, instructing in all $50 students.
| There are q military colleges, all Of which
are under the direction of the heir apparent,
| the Grand Duke Caesar Alexander. They are
| superintendent by s65 professors, and are fire.
/ quented by 5000 students.
i In addition there are 10 naval schools, with
1920 students, under the charge of 337
/ teachers.
The Minister of the Finances has s5 schools
belonging to his department. He employs 46l
teachers and instructs 9,779 students
The foundations of the Empress Mary are
40 in number-30 schools for girls, with 659
tutoresses. and 5,377 pupils, and 10 for boys,
with 80 masters and 1898 pupils
There are two schools of civil engineering,
with IS professors and 4l6 students; three law
schools, with SO professors and 59l students !;
| and three schools appertaining to the post Of
fee department, with SO professors and 59l
students and six institutions under the direc-
ton Of the Secretary of State, with Sc profes-
sors and 993 students. These are all probably
intended to fit young men for official life. We
must not forget an institution devoted to the
teaching of the Oriental languages, with 80
professors and 207 students.
There are 26 agricultural schools, with "a
teachers and 1881 students and 1896 village
schools in the domain of the crown, employing
2,783 teachers, and giving instruction to l4,064
males and 4,S43 females
Thus it appears that in Russia 257 ,597 young
i persons are receiving instruction of some kind
from l4,577 teachers--at the rate Of one teacher
to l72 pupils-a very favorable proportion to
the student. The population of Russia proper
may be set down at about 55,000,000, so that
only one individual in 220 receives the benefits
of instruction. Nevertheless, 250,000 well-ed-
ucated young persons, dispersed each year in
the different quarters of that huge empire, can
not fail to gradually leave their mark upon the
national character in good time.
We know more about the quantity than the
quality of these schools as Russian publicists
have seldom anything to say on the subject;
but it is generally admitted that the military in
stitutions are of the highest order. The agri-
4 cultural school of the imperial domain is said
to be admirably managed, and is under the i'm
mediate supervision Of Nicholas. Two hundred
and fifty peasants are thoroughly instructed in
theoretical and practical cultivation, and are
i then sent to model farms in various parts of
1 the country to set reforming example to the
i neighborhood. The tuition lasts four years,
and is divided into three periods. In the first
4 year the boys are taught reading, writing,
arithmetic, and surveying; in the second, gram
mar, mathematics and the elements of agricul-
ture; and during the third and fourth, agricul-
ture, practically as well as Theoretically, and
mechanics Besides these branches, they are
instructed in trades which may be useful to the
farmer, such as tailoring, shoemaking, cabinet
making, cooperage, blacksmith's and carpen-
ter's work. and in the construction of agricul-
tural machines. A foundry, brickyard, a
pottery, lanyard, candle and soap factory,
and windmill, are attached to the school. II
i is not required that each student shall pursue
all these branches. The teachers are to Judge
of the aptitude of each pupil, and to direct him
accordingly; but every one upon leaving the
establishment is expected to possess thorough
acquaintance with the general principles and
! practice of agriculture, and q competent knowl-
i edge of the collateral branches.
4 At the last exposition Of the agricultural pro.
ducts of Russia, at St. Petersburg, the various
objects sent in by this school excited great at
tention. The feathers in particular were Of so
fine quality that they were selected for exhibit
ton in the Worlds Fair of London in 1851.
Public instruction was commenced in Russia
as far back as in the early part OF the seven
teenth century, but it was not until the time OF
Peter the Great that it began to take the shape
and direction it has since assumed. In TIA
he founded the academy of science at st. Peters
burg he had already established the first naval
school In 1855 the Empress Elizabeth found
ed the university of Moscow, the Oldest in Rus
sia. and in 1857 the Academy, of arts. Catha-
rine II. founded the College Of Moscow in 1853,
j the College of st. Petersburg in l772 and in
1888 the Russian Academy, which now forms
the second division Of the Academy of Sciences.
/ Paul established in 1899 the Academy of
Surgery and Medicine. In 1902 Alexander
created the office Of Minister of Public Instruc-
ton, animated by desire to raise the moral
level of his people. In 1904 he founded an
engineers school and two universities OF
Kasaw and Charkow-and continued until the
end Of his reign to give great attention to the
subject of education. Among other founda-
| tions which the Russians owe to him are the
school for the deaf and dumb, the orphan asy-
lum of Gatschina, and the College of Midwiyes.
Under the Gar Nicholas public education in
Russia has taken new start and new direc-
ton, and primary schools under government
| opnory;o;or boya haan aSfa hliebad tbrou obont