The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-11
HOUSTON srREkg INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

The Industrial School for cerm.n sirls was opened IN
an upper room at the corner OF Houston and Ridge
streets January 49, 1854 with seven children The at
tendance increased during the winter to sixty. They
were generally the children Of rag pickers and scaven
gers and many Of them followed their parents trades
seeking IN the cutters and ash heaps what
ry TO gain them welcome their return to the wretch
ed cellar sitting garrett Which was all they knew Of
home The children in general could understand very
little Engiish-very many not word. A German mis-.
sionsry, the Rev. Mr. Began, came every day 10 pray
and talk with them in their language to inquire
into their wants and to interpret them to the volunteer
teachers All the children visited aud their condi
ton inquired into, before they were permitted to
consider themselves belonging 10 the school by
ladies connected with it, assisted by Mr.. Began, or
some members Of the society who could speak
German. Several German ladies have Joined us,
and with the assistance Of pictures and some ingenuity
very pleasant and profitable intercourse has been e.
tablished between the teachers and their classes In
Nay the school was removed to No. IA Avenue c.
Houston and second streets II occupies tho two ND
per stories Of the house. the lower floor being used Is
caeinefmakers shop This arrangement privacy
hno great aaatona Cleanliness There Is large
provided with seats, outline maps desks and black
boardsadjoining IT Il comfortable BATH room where
s eh.la tr are Gathed once week The noor
scholars, and room for the matron The rooms arc
capable Of accommodating about ninety. Tho average
Of forty in three weeks The school has been
Kept open during the summer with an average attend
ance OF and no death or case Of serious illness has
Tho school is under the Of principal who attends
to The older girls assistant teacher has charge OF the
infant school, and the nnron bathes the children pre-
Iacs the dinner, washes the aprons once week. which
ere worn all the time In school, and keeps the whole
two three hours In the day. TO learn how to prepare
the dinner to set the table neatly to clean the room
and wash the table furniture. The dinner consists Of
meat soup three times week. rice porrdge and bread
and molasses the other two days. The children are
taught to SPELL read, write cypher and to ques
them very much Short descriptions given Of differ
ent countries; their climate animals and productions
are mentioned and something suggested which may
large their minds and give them some ideas beyond the
brick walls, winch the ends Of the earth to most of
them. During the summer, flowers brought in and
ally given books were the presents most often presented
by the volunteer Teachers for We wish to bear in mind
them higher tastes and induce them to seek for other
amuscmeAs than those which lie close at hand-the
dance cellar the beershop and the cxctements of street
Or the 14s entered on the school register during
these ten months, SO have been sent to the public
the country or have been placed in private families
to work In stores 1T Is very desirable that
nectcn should be kept up with these children after they
have left the school II has been proposed and acted
upon in some instances among that each lady should
choose for herself child Of whom she might have
Of showing Kindness and bringing her under the innu
Of Christian atmosphere, which may counteract
rescue girls from derraved domestic influences to get
them into something than respectablea protect
ing suationto look after them during these years Of
temptation and eSposurc-thisis surely object worthy
Of serious attention and it can be best carried by
establishing individual personal relation and inter-
course with some one child.
The children have made great progress in learning
English and in their studies generally Al they
can speak our language well enough they induced
10 TO the public schools but many parents will not
allow their children to there because they say they
volunteer teachers read talk to them II hoped this
winter to teach them fnc sewing, for which they show
great aptitude They are afectonate, obedient and
Derby have improved In personal neaness are delighted
with bathing and beginning to he somewhat critical
with regard 10 cleanliness and smooth locks 1t is
marked by tho trades people in the neghbohood that
in the vicinity Of the school They say there Tar less
Tilicring and profanity than fcrmellG that when
ore child uses proane language. or attempts
TO take What does not belong to her, Vie others fire.
quently reprOve her. Their manners gentle
and respectful The school is looked upon very favor
ably In the ne'ehhorhood and is frequently visited by
The older girls who have lett it for service
Sunday morning service is occasionally held in the
school by Mr.. Began about sixty persons attend,
usually the parents and of the children of the
school We urge only those to who 60 to other
the rights Of every ones conscience and the conscen
tious Of every denomination. We teach the common
truths which all Christians unite upon and the
Sayours words foim the only creed catecism. Love
snd duty, truth and trust, the chief lessons
strive to nculcatc In order to do most cfectuay,
we need more volunteer teachersfor this intercourse
by Of duty and Chrs titan obligation is the most
valuable part OF the institution.
The expenses heavy and the money collected last
year Is nearly exhausted Donations In garments, gro
On the school during the winter
Contributions may be sent TO the Office Of the Chill
6rtns Aid Society. Clinton Hall Eighth street marked
for the German School, avenue G, No. IA
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