New-York daily tribune., 1863-04-16
,v,o ,.c,n,y publi.h.d letter by Judge McFsrlsn of


Mssschusetts:J
so mucb has been said of late in regard to the
" Eastman system of practical instruction for the
business education of young mem, by means o'
certain countingroom, banking, aud sctuaI ousneSs
transactions that had desire 10 visit the Cty OF
Schools. and witness the operation OF teachers anu
students in the institution, that l might INFORM
myself more fully of its character for the interest OF
number in this vicinity who desire to patron'ze i''
PouQbkeepsie has long been celebrated for Its edu'
catonal institutions, and not without cause, Tor
believe that there s not another city in the country
of twenty thousand Inhabitants, whose schools,
academies and colleges are so numerous and 80
excellent Her churches and lecture-halls are
filled and her streets pleasant evening seem
to he throDged with the young and the fair OF ooth
sexes, who come from far and near to patronze
these meritorious institutions of learning--the one
of which am about to speak having alone more
than four hundred young men in attendance from
every section of our loyal country. city 30 justly
celebrated for the weird and picturesque grandeur
of IT'D river and mountain scenery, and the wealth,
intelligence and enterprise OF its inhabitants, ID
certainly desirable place for the student 10 spend
the time he desires 10 devote to the study OF those
branches that shall qualify him for the actual busl'
ness duties and employments Of life.
Mr.. Eastman, the author of thi, system Of practical
instruction is a gentleman of mnch experience, and
has been at the head Of an institution for number
of years. He has instucted hundreds OF young men
every year with great success but his ambition has
been TO improve upon the old methods of business
instruction, by combining THEORY and Practice
impartng by practice in short time what never
could be gained by theory.
Some, who know nothing Of this business College,
may ask what 1t is, and what are its peculiarities
To such as cannot visit it aud for themselves, an
explanation Of its plan Of operation will be interest
ing The object of the institution is to give young
men thorough knowledge of business in all depart
ments pertaining to financial, commercial and mer-
camille transactions, and Bookkeeping and Penmsn-
ship. The theory Of business has been taught at
Commercial Colleges in different Cities but here tho
student has not only the advantage of the practice as
well as the theory but also opportunities and fac-
ties for thorough business education. The College
buildings are situated Vsssar and Washington
streets one being used for theory and the other solely
for actual business purposes.
The student enters for Course of Studies, and
goes to the Theory Department where he is first
instructed in the elements of Penmauship, Book
3 keeping, Accounts, Bargain and Sale, Business
Forms, Leter-Writing, Business, Arithmetic, &C.,
&c. When be is sufficiently advanced in the pre-
requisites to a Mercantile Education, he enters the
Actual Business building, where business is trans
acted from morning till night. This building con.
tains the College Banks as complete in furniture,
desks and all else but gold any bank in the city,
Their notes are handsomely engraved, for circulation
among the students, and its checks, drafts, bills
Of exchange, &C. The spectator might readily sup
pose himself standing in genuine institutions for loan
ing money and discounting notes. The books are all
there the cashier, bookkeepers, telers, clerks &C..
and they 60 through tho formula of business in every
conceivable form day after day until they learn how
such business is done. In different places in the
building are the other departments Of trade, repre-
sented by offices and desks such insurance steam
boating, railroadng, real estate agency. forwarding,
commission, produce dealing, telegraph Offices post
offices, &c. in all, perhaps, twenty different depart
ments, and through the whole course the student
goes from to another operating all the time. The
utmost attention is paid to accuracy-a mistake
in the foOtings of any account must be found and
corrected no matter what time it may take TO find
il. And among the students there is determination
10 do everything right Some acquire facility for
lransacting business in all departments with more
readiness than others, and excel in particular
branches They are able in this pleasant school for
practice TO ascertain what branch of business suts
their incDstiOns, and no doubt many there de-
termine their pursuits for life The advantages OF
this system Will suggest themselves to all who un-
dersland the merest outlines of the mode pursued,
and such is all we able to give in an article like
this. Suffice to say that young who enter this
college without the first idea Of the method of doing
business soon able 10 take their places in good
situations 10 mercantile establishments.
1t is not expected that all who graduate here will
adopt some Of the occupations taught, for live
lhoed. 1t is well that farmers, mechanics and all
oiheIs sbould have such knowledge as is here i'm
parted They can hardly expect to fill any station
in life where they may not find it convenient and
useful to know how mercantile transactions are con.
ducted
1t gave me very much pleasure TO visit this nsti-
tuition and 10 witness the of Prof Eastman
admirable system Of practical instruction, aud 10
commend it aE being all and even more than is rep
resented. 1t has great merit and those who under
stand it must be satisfied as am of its utility.
cannot close this article without copying the fol-
lowing sentiments which cut from q page Of the
Ca,aoge Of the College. Tbey speak for themselves;
|. A FEW PRACTICAL TRUTHS
THAT WOULD IMPRESS UPON THE MINDS or MY
STUDENTS.
OPPORTUNITY has hair in trout; behind she is
oao' II you seize her by ,be foreock, you may
n''a her but II suffered to escape, not jupiter him