The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-03
Tho Address Of Mr.. Philbrick Before
the National Education Convention

Tho Address of Mr.. Philbrick Before
the National Education Convention
tFrom the Washington Star.l
The address of Mr.. Philbrick, superin-
tendent of the public schools Of Boston,
comparing the systems of public instruc-
ton in Europe and America, was an unu-
sually interesting discourse, and con-
tanned much information not generally
known in this country. Mr.. Philbrick
spoke from personal knowledge of both the
American and European systems of educa-
ton, but restricted his remarks relative to
foreign instruction mainly to the schools
of Vienna, which he believes to be the
most instructive point tor students in the
world. The city is especially con-
spicuous for its industrial and technical
schools, and at the head Of these
stands the government polytechnic insi-
tute. With, perhaps, the exception of the
New York College, there is not school in
| the United States that can compare in ex-
cellence with the gymnasiums Of Vienna
| In regard to the knowledge of the science
and art of education, the instructors of
| Vienna are far superior to those of Ameri-
ca, and, in respect to equipment, they
greatly excel the high schools OF the United
States. Some of the school buildings re-
Gently erected in Vienna surpass any in
America. The tuition, it is true, is not
free; but it is very cheap. In some OF
these schools there are as many as 30 pro-
fessors and from 900 to 700 pupils, and the
aggregate number of professors in Vienna is
375 with o, 500 pupils, the latter equaling the
whole number Of boys receiving secon-
dairy education in fifteen of the larger
cities of the United States. The schools
Of Vienna for the professional training OF
teachers are also superior to ours. With.
in few years since these schools have
been recognized. and there are now
four in Vienna not including schools fol-
| the training of kindergarten teachers. Be-
sides these there are schools for special
and technical education of almost every
kind. The speaker referred to the atten.
ton given to gymnastic training in Eu.
rope, and regretted that physical educa.
ton is wholly ignored in the United
States. The only respect perhaps in
which America excels Europe in the mat
ter of education is in school furniture
but in school buildings we are far behind
Vienna and many other European cities.
In fact, we are surpassed in almost every
respect by northern and southern Germany
Referring to the numerous art schools in
Vienna, and our own poverty in this re-
gard, the speaker said that at the Vienn.
Exposition the specimens of drawings sen
to the exhibition from the United State.
were excelled by those from any publi
school in Vienna. In regard to the EN-.
ployment of female teachers, tn,
speaker gave as his opinion thai
we must employ more male teachers
who make teaching a lifelong profes
sion, if we would ever hope t,
attain the excellence of the best Europea,
schools. The inevitable deductions of Mr.
Philbrick in favor OF European schools ar
somewhat humiliating. but it was tn
sense of the convention that the address
should be widely read in the United State
in order that our teachers and educator
may know that they have not reached tn
. ultima thule Of excellence, and that the,
may strive for higher standard than the,
now possess. The various committees ap
, pointed by the convention are compose,
} of earnest and practical gentlemen VIII
will give the important subjects committe
to them early and thorough consideration