Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-25


EvENING ScHooLs.-lt may not be known to
most of our citizens that there has been bshed
in the city system of evening schools that prom
ises great success There IS a class of people who
never could gain the least advantages of school if
they were required to go in the daytime, many
being required to labor every moment that the
sun is up in order TO procure the common comfort
of life for themselves or others who are dependent
upon them.
Throagh the energy Of few who felt the need
of so important an enterprise evening schools have
been establish and band Of teachers have enter
ed into this work with determination to do what
can be done to help in this neglected field The
Prospect street school house has been fitted with
gas, and every seat is filed five nights in the week
with lads and young men, eager to gain that know
ledge necessary in and which butfor this time
ly enterprise they would never have received. Over
one hundred scholars attend this school, and the
apparent desire from the oldest to the youngest to
catch whatever OF useful knowledge falls from their
teacher, is very pleasant sight. 1t appears that
all the scholars appreciate the importance OF the
work they are engaged in and are not disposed to
lose any part thereof. These lads are mostly me-
chanics (some, however, are so old that they
could not be properly called Iads having been ap-
prenticed while young and whose early education
has been much neglected.
That talented musician and good citizen John
Olker takes a benefit on Thursday night, at which
time fine programme of both vocal and instru-
mental music will be presented by the Hecker
Brass Band, the German Gesang Yerein and vO-
calists, male and female. Mr.. Olker is ever ready
to aid in charitable enterprises, and we hope he
may receive a rousing benefit.
Mr.. Freese, the Superintendent of instruction,
has adopted system for this school that will i'm
part the most knowledge in the least time, the in
structiOn being principally oral, with lectures, and
demonstrations on the blackboard. The two hours
assigned for each evening, although brief, I'll the
minds of the pupils with enough to digest until
they receive another lesson, and there is not
scholar who does not devote all his energy TO his
task
In conversation with Mr.. Freese he declares il
to be the pleasauest course of instruction he was
ever engaged in. The eager willingness of the
boys to learn, gives him double apleasure TO de-
vote the time to their benefit and he also says that
the teachers are enthusiastic in the new field and
work with determination unequaled.
Prof Brainerd lectures twice each week upon
topics that instruct and improve, and Prof. Phelps
gives regular instruction in writing. Judging from
the "aptness to teach" of the other preceptors,
the boys will finish their course WELL" and be
likely to look back upon the evening schools the
Iuckiest periods of their lives.
The Board of Education, at the beginning of this
enterprise promised to furnish teacher if thirty
scholars could be found to attend regularly; the
school was filed at once with more than hundred
regular scholars, and nearly as large school has
been established on the West Side, with promise
of ample success. We rejoice .at the founding of
these evening schools.