Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-28


when it has been removed from his sight. He
must be taught the use of instruments, some
thing of perspective, and something of geome-
try. 10 artisans of one class, machine drawing
is most important, for without it man cannot
understand the whole Of any work of which
portion has been assigned to him. Artisans of
another class, decorators for example, must
master the principles of ornament, be able to
draw correctly, have their taste elevated by
comparison of styles, and even learn how TO
draw the human figure, which is often needed in
decorative work to save it from monotony and
insipidity. A skilled artisan is better than
common mechanic, because labor controlled by
scientific knowledge is incomparably more val
liable, both nationally and individually, than
mere labor unaffected by these influences. The
close connection between general excellence of
workmanship in the mechanical trades and the
scientific education of artisans makes it most de-
sirable that it should be given to them, both for
their own sakes and the sake of the community
The eagerness which our mechanics have shown
to enter the free drawing classes opened at the
expense of the state during the past year. clearly
proves that the desire for instruction is not
wanting on their part. One thousand appli-
cants presented themselves for admission within
a week after the classes were announced at Bos-
ton, and, as Prof c. o. Thompson has told us
in a valuable paper prepared for the S. S. A.,
thirty applicants were expected at Worcester,
and two hundred presented themselves.
Reference was then made to what has been
done for mechanics in this line in England and
France, much greater than here, as a stimulus
for increased effort in our own country. Our
artizans want something to see. something to
study, to make progress. When we have given
it to them and taught them how to draw, we
may hope to bring about that fruitful union of
art and industry which once produced such
wonderful results. Then the artist was both
poet and artizan, and the artizan both artist
and mechanic, and thus it should ever be.
Though the Alp has its sublime sOlitudes, its
base, which is firmly planted in the earth, is
surrounded by green valleys, whose waving
fields of corn give sustenance to thousands.
These are nourished by the clouds which gather
about the mountain tops, and fall upon them in
showers and descend upon them in water
falls with fertilizing power. So art, whose
realm is the cloud land of rocks, should pour
down benefcent and elevating influence upon
industry
Gen. II. X Oliver of Salem followed, in an
entertaing and humorous paper on "The way |
was taught" comprising description and criti-
cism of men and matters and modes of educa-
ton and school discipline sixty years ago, from
the time the speaker began his Cs at five
years OF age, in 1905, in an old building long
since demolished, which stood on the northerly
corner of Franklin and Washington streets, in
Boston, till his subsequent graduatiOns at Exeter
academy and Harvard college. Great as have been
the improvements over those old SeUere times,
in modes of education, systems Of instruction,
text books, mental aud physical discipline, &C.,
he thought still greater improvement was ur-
gently demanded, in very many respects. His
humorous hits at sundry quaint old customs
elected much applause.
The concluding exercise of the day was the
discussion of the question, " How far may the
state provide for the education of her children
at public costP' Hon. Joseph White, secretary
of the State Board of Education, was called
upon to lead in the discussion, and defined his
position by the emphatic declaration that it
was the duty of the state to provide for the edu-
cation of all, regardless of color, race, or con-
ditiOn. The first duty was to redeem the masses
of neglected children, who should be compelled
to attend school. Universal education was the
only basis on which the safety of a republic can
rest. Common schools, colleges, and all in
strumentalities of education, were legitimate
subjects of state aid. Important as were the
common schools, for the lifting up of the
masses, high schools were still more demanded
He hoped TO live to see the day when our col
leges and universities would be open free to ALL
of every class.
Gen. Oliver followed, in commentator of
what had been said, but complained that more
effort was not made for the enforcement of the
state law compelling the attendance of chill
dren from five to fifteen, upon the common
schools; that corporate and manufacturing in
fuence land in some cases parental infuence)
thwarted the law, and it was not executed.
Mr.. II. F. Harrington, OF New Bedford, fol-
lowed in an energetic appeal for the enforce
ment of this law, as embodying the great ques-
ton of the day, when our census statistics
showed that 100000 out of 10000 900 of our
children between the ages named never attended
school. These were alarming facts, and should
incite us to action for the compulsory attend
ance of children upon the schools.
Rev. Dr. Edwards, of Illinois, followed in
similar strain, in advocacy of this principle, as
the true democratic theory of maintaining re-
publican government.
The session of the institute will close to-day