The Portland daily press., 1872-05-09
Boston Institute of Technology.
ALBANY. " Nav 9Th. 1872

ALBANY, N. Y. May 9th, 1872.
DEAR PRESS: Allow me to say little
somewhat more about the 'Tnstitute of Tech
nology" at Boston, and to add a few other
educational items. .Hl9
) At this institute, every scholar, no matter
what profession or trade he may be prepar-
ing for, is helped to acquire proficiency in
Drawing 1t is regarded as essential that
every student shall learn to observe all OBJ
jects of sight closely and accurately, to have
a clear appreciation of exactness and nicely
of form and proportion, and be able to cypress
both acquired and original art-thoughts with
facility by means of pencil and paper. Every
student has his drawing-desk, at which he is
required to practice, under the best teachers,
and to which he may resort during his leisure
hours. The course of instruction for the first
year includes "MechonicaI Dra,oing; Use of
instruments, water-colors or India-ink;-
Graphical construction of problems in Geom-
etry, Trigonometry and Descriptive Geome-
try;;" and "Free-hand Dra,oing; with chalk
and crayons, machinery, ornamentation."
In the second year the theoretical study of
PROJECTIONS, Perspective, shades and shad-
ows" is pursued, with 'Isometric'' and
Landscape Drawing added to the previ-
Gus practical course. During the following
two years less attention is given to Drawing,
except by those who have elected to qualify
themselves as engineers or architects. The
drawing-room was to me most interesting
place. There were beautiful illustrations of
skill and taste and accuracy, in all depart
ments of the art; and even the rough and
hasty sketches on the black boards gave evil
dence of cultivated ability. One of the teach
ers assured me that there was "never any
difficulty in securing something good from
every lad, for every one can at least learn to
execute mechanical drawings with neatness
and nicety."
Two large studios, with lecture-room and
library, are devoted to architecture, under
the very able guidance of Prof. Ware. Here
are gathered numberless casts illustrative of
the various ''Orders' and of all sorts of 'orna-
ments', with models of many of the choicest
illustrations of ancient and modern architec-
ture; copies of famous statuary portfolios of
very valuable engrrings, photographs and
drawings, for example, photographs of
the Competition drawings" for recent public
buildings in London and Paris including the
famous new Opera House in the latter city,
and complete series of drawings illustrating
the course of architectural instruction in the
EcoIe des Beanr-Arts in Paris; and in the
library, among very extensive collection of
authorities, all the publications of the ''Royal
Institute of British Architecture" and other
similar societies in Great Britain. Nothing,
indeed seems-wanting' in the way of incite-
ments and aids to study; and surely this
school will soon begin to show good results
all over the country.
might say much more concerning the In
stitute but fear to tresspass too far upon
your space. / have written thus fully with
kI.k
| don't want to become lawyers or doctors or
parsons and who, on the other hand, are un-
willing to accept the imprisonments Of the
| counting room, may become Sware of the
means within their reach to secure not only a
thorough general education, but also, and at
| the same time, a complete practical prepara-
tion for success among the noble industries,
the honorable arts and sciences to which the
land is call is calling them. Our own school,
at Orono, aims at giving these same advantages;
perhaps shall have somewhat served its in
terests even by telling what is to be had at a
well-ordered Technical school, like this in
Boston. t..---sE
visited only one other school, and that
the already famous ''Shurtleff School," at
South Boston. This is Grammar School"
and is now, in every respect, a model" l
| will not add to my already long letter by en-
| tering upon particulars OF description here.
And perhaps / had better say only this, that
/ cannot but hope that the day is not far off,
when we shall hear such singing and see such
penclwork as heard and saw at the Shurtleff
School. In the spacious hall, above the
schoolrooms, was "Chickering grand"
and though have heard good school music
| here and there, certainly never heard better
singing from children, anywhere. And the
Drawing (Bartholemew's system), of which
specimens on cards were displayed upon the
walls of every room, gave me great pleasure.
OF course expected to find, in the Writing
Books of the pupils, Illustrations of the Eelp
which the pencil always gives to the pen:
and was not disappointed. But it should
not be understood that any considerable time
is given to Music and Drawing. Out of the
| sixty hours of the school week, not mere
than two hours are given to each of these
| studies; / am indeed overstating the time.
Now that Drawing is fairly inaugurated in
our schools, let us begin next year to have
\ Music.
| In my next, / shall have something to say
about the schools in Albany. In one respect,
! at least, we are ahead of the Albanians, for,
though they have talked about it for some
time, they have not yet introduced Drawing
| R