The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-29
CITY INTELLIGENCE

MARYLAND INSTITUTE SCHooL OF DESIGN - The
tenth annual commencement of the School of De
sign, which is under the direction and one of the
branches of the Maryland Institute, takes place to-
morrow evening in the Institute hall. This school
has continued to increase its usefulness and to grow
so rapidly into favor with portion of citizens
that 1T now stands forth of the most import
ant institutions of learning in our city. With the
view OF informing those yet unacquainted with its
Importance in this respect and of directing their
attention to it in such manner that it may receive
on the part of all that consideration emnently
due, we append to this announcement a brief his
tory of its origin and progress thus far. There are
no doubt many of our citizens and, perhaps, mem
bers of the Institute ITSELF who do not understand
the real objects and purposes of the school nor have
even the tantcst idea of the important results it is
destined to accomplish, when it shall have reached
its maturity.
Though the organization of this school had en-
gagged the serious consideration of members of the
Institute with the view of increasing its usefulness
for some time previous, the intention was not
contaminated until December, lS4S, when its first
session commenced, under the immediate supcrin-
tendence OF the late Professor Samuel Smith, in a
room of the old post office building at the of
North and Fayette streets, which also occupied
by the Institute during the first three years of its
existence.
During the first session only class was formed
which required no assistant teachers as nothing
but the simple branches of elementary drawing were
taught.
Upon the opening of the second session, however,
the number Of pupils increased to such extent
as to require the, aid of two assistants to instruct
them, even in this single branch of study.
Its third session was held in of the rooms of
the present Institute building which, by this time
had so FAR progressed towards completion to be
In part ready for occupancy. The school then num-
| bered over three hundred pupils, and required five
assistant teachers. Up to this period the conduct
orS of the school had confined its instruction to the
rudimcnts of drawing, with occasional exercises in
| illustration OF the principles of geometry.
At the close of the fourth session, the committee in
charge of the school organized n permanent and
systematic course of instruction in originating de-
signs Tor buildings, machinery, manufactures, &c.
In lurtherance oil these new purposes VIM. Minitie,
Esq, elected Professor of Drawing, which posi-
ton he held for two years. when he retired and
| succeeded by ID. A. Woodward, Esq, who still has
| the superintendence of the school, which has in
creased to such an extent as to occupy three large
rooms of the Institute building, where the pupils
attend three evenings in each week, for about four
| months In the year, commencing in November and
| closing in March.
In February of the year 1857, Mr.. Peabody visited
and inspected the school, with which he was so IA
yorably impressed, that in making his munificent
donation for the establishment of the 'Peabodv In
sutute he bestowed upon it an annuity of $500, to
be distributed as premiums to the class each an
| nual commencement, which distribution will be
made on the occasion of the approaching com
mencemcnt.
The school now numbers 32S pupils, and is divid
ed INTO hive classes embracing the studies of Elc.
mentary Drawing, Geometry, Mechanism, Arch
lecture and Engineering, and is fully provided for
thorough and finished course of instruction in all
these branches. 1t must prove source of HIGH
| qualification to those whose attention and labors
have instituted and fostered this school, to realize
IN measure, its good effects, as indicated by the
Tact that among the appointments of engineers for
the Navy, made during the past few years, large
number OF them are its graduates.
For the many advantages pupils of the school
possess they are required to pay but an insignif
cant fee, which, notwithstanding the great number
of them, annually falls far below the expenses Of
the Institute in procuring properly qualified in
structors-the deficiency since the organization o
the school having amounted to from $4,000 t.
Sl4 900. But large rs the amount appears, W.
doubt whether there was ever more good accom-
plished by the same expenditure of money in thu
way of education, and feel assured that coming
generations will admire the wisdom, and honor TIN
motives of those who have been instrumental in es
tablishng and fostering this department of the Ma
| ryland Institute.
The school is under the supervision of the follow
ing gentlemen, as n committee of the Institute
Messrs. G. w. Bently, g. II. Hunt, N H. Thayer