New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-19
THE FREE ACADEMY.

The stated examinations OF the classes in this
institution, after having occupied several days,
were concluded on Friday last, with an exhibit
ten BY the Junior Glass. Generally the perform
ances of the pupils did credit to themselves as
cell as to their teachers. So far, the heavy eI-
pendlturo by which the Academy is supported
found Justhcation in the result produced. We
are aware that there are those in the community
who do not regard this expenditure az altogether
proper or judicious; on this eide Of the question
come striking points are made in letter which We
publish in another column; but this is not sub
ject that we now desire to discuss Our purpose
IL rather 10 make tome observations su the sys-
tenn of instruction adopted in the Academy, than
to consider the utility Of the institution itself
The fact most clearly ecmsAstrsteA In the -.
aminstions Of lsst week ID. that instead of such
Hi School as might naturally crown our excel
lent Common School organization, the Free
Academy is but q College. as nearly apostolic on
the model of other institutions of the kind. Al
together too great prominence is given to CLASH
cal studies in its curriculum, no higher place be-
ing conceded TO the modern tongues than obtains
in any old fashioned College. We are aware Of
the utility of classical learning 10 its proper place
and degree and do not deny that without some
knowledge of Greek and Latin one can hard
" ever fully master the vernaculsr English
but the fact remains that the Free Academy
10 not an institution designed to form
profcients in pathological refnements. Ii is
evident that too much time may be devoted to the
minutia Of classical culture; and it is certain,
i'll -, tka A.. Il
German, and French-aDguages which the papils
of the Academy will have occasion to employ ia
the active pursuits Of life-Ought to have the
priority over all dead dialects whstever. Instead
of this, the fact lie that the pupils understand
Greek and Latin q great deal better than they do
the French even, while their knowledge Of the
Spanish 10 still less credtable to the institution
1t is true we believe, that in this respect the
boys have a liberty Of choice but everybody
knows how predominant 10 the influence of
teachers and the general spirit Of q school
Let the direction Of the Academy once
be changed to more practical ends, let
the instruction in the modern languages
be put on higher plane than Greek and Latin,
as regards the number and accomplishments Of
the Professors, the compensation paid them, aud
the academic honors to be resped BY the pupils
and We shal speedily see the latter relaxing their
present predictions, and thinking it quite as de-
sirsble thing to speak and write French, Span
ish or German with huency and correctness, as to
ubravel the intreaees Of Latin syntax, or appre-
ciste the delicate shades Of meaning conyeyedby
Greek particles.
We are aware that tive here touch upsn ques-
ton that divides the great authorities on edues-
tion' but we Go 90 without any desire to imply an
opinion on either tide Is to the most beneficial
course for Colleges and Universites. What We
contend 10 that, for the Free Academy it s ques-
ton that should never have been raised. That 10
popular school, supported by taxes on the peo-
ple and besides, its pupils taken from oil
classes Of society, are only in exceptional cases
destined for the so-called learned professions.
The mass Of them are to be artisans, engineers,
architects, Builders, navigator merchants, chem
ists; and the school should have been adapted to
their wants, rather than arranged according to
the pattern of regular collegiate establishments,
where Latin and Greek are held to be the sum.
mum bonsm among intellectual pursuits.
We are happy to add that hema1eL aud
physical studies are fairly advanced in the Ac.d-
envy while excellent provision has been made for
teaching the arts Of design. We observe that the
Constitution of the United States ia taught to the
lowest class, along with De rgdipsass Of Gsau.