Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-07-20
Our Boston Letter.
Boston, July IS, 1871.

BosToN, July Is, 1871.
Editor Rutland Herald - While 30
much of the attention of the public is oc-
cupied with the accounts of college COM
rnencements and high-school exhibitions
from all parts of New England, brief
account of the public schools of Boston
may be all your readers will care to read.
Whether or not, all things considered,
the grammar and high schools of this city
surpass all others in New England,
there may be some difference of opinion,
but for interest on account of quality and
the very great number and variety, this
city must lead all other places. The year
has lust ended and the examinations in
the thirty.fve grammar and high.schools
have, during the last week, all been at
tended and enjoyed by the friends of the
graduates and others. Dor city being
divided into school districts, and the num-
Der of the gentlemen composing the COM
mittee are subdivided and have their al
lotted schools to attend to during the
year and the closing events. There are
sixteen wards in our city, each eleoting
three men, numbering in all as gentle
men, who serve for three years, and who
manage the school business, from salaries
and elections of teachers to the smallest
particular, with so much system and
regularity that the city council is not
troubled at all with these matters.
The public character of the closing OF
the schools has no reference to the $50
primary schools, but only to the 80 gram
mar and high-schocls. Each one of the
schools has a history of its own. They
are scattered throughout our city in all it's
length and breadth, and are usually about
the same size of buildings, four or five
stories high, with spacious yards upon one
or more sides The scholars are mostly
divided, the boys in one school, and the
girls in some other in the vicinity. These
schools have been added from time to
time, and usually take the name of the
mayor during whose administration they
were built, 50 that a list of the names OF
the schools will include most Of the names
of cur mayors for many years past Some
of the schools were established at very
early period in the history OF Boston. The
| bows Latin School, which now has nine
! teachers, the master Of which has $4,000
and the sub-master $4,000 salary, was es
| tablished in 1885, Boston being settled in
| 1880. The Roxtury Latin School, now
on fifteenth ward, was established in 1S45
showing at once the age and public spirit
of Roxbury Franklin School was es
] tnblished in 1885 the Elliot in 1913
the Mayhew school in 1903. The English
/ High School for boys, which has now
! fourteen teachers, was established in 1891
| Boys graduating Mt this school are allow
ed to enter the second year in college
| The girls High and Normal School hal
twenty-one teachers, and was established
in 1852 This school has the most recen
new school house, now in the south par
of tho city. nrnn Aoale and Of euoi
architectural appearance as to attract th'
attention Of all strangers. The arrange
ment of it's rooms include hall for pub
! lie exhibition days and social privilege
Of the pupils. The graduating class
numbering one hundred, this year gave
reception, at their own expense, to thei
friends one evening prior to their separa
tion--a step in the right direction of tn
"class.d day" of the colleges.
A our city changes in the relations 0
business and residence portions, the stu
ations and fortunes of the schools are at
fec'ed. The Baylston School, with mos
i of its district, has been blotted ont of ex
istence it being situated on Washington
SQUARE on Frost Hill, high Hill on tn
east side of orr city near the wharves ant
shipping, which two generations ago wa
the most fashionable place of residence il
the city. This hill yielding to the want
of room for business streets. has beer
rapidly disappearing, while all of its in
habitants were somo time since obliged t.
leave.
There are schools at the north part
our city that must sooner or later b
moved. Like everything else of the char
aeter, they must lose in historical inter
eat by removal, as the associations re
gardinx place are local and cannot be re
moved, and in the going to new Fortio
of the city and to new building, Their
5 is little left, like our churches, but tn
= name.
1t has been customary for the city fo
e number of years past, to invite tn
e medal scholars TO festival at the close o
9 the annual examinations, occurring a
' this season of the year. By the don'
tions of some public spirited men, anon
: others Benjamin Franklin, certai
y number of medals have been awarded
the most meritorious of the graduatIn
= scholars-a system which was in practlt
for many years, but on account OF tn
: sometimes unjust distinctions, and errol
in the Judgments Of the distributors, an
general dissatisfaction likely to arise, tt
) plan has been adopted of giving dipl
mas to all of the graduates, at least
J certain classes, in the place of the medal
which still applies in ono of the boy
= high schools.
:, These diploma scholars, 1900 in nun
Der, with the teachers, committee and
- vited guests, in all about 5000, compose
the school festival of this year, whic
took place yesterday at the Music Ha
-. at which place all were greeted by Il
:, Mayor in brief speech and appropria
remarks by one or two of the commItte
\ preceded by music; after which the gin
=, and boys, led by their proper teacher
filed, from different parts of the hou
assigned to them, across the stage, al