Connecticut western news., 1877-07-27
OUR BOSTON LETTER.

the invitation to make one of party Of
 Boston schoolmasters on trip to Thomp.
 sons Island. Of the dock of the Boston
 Yacht Club we signalled the island, and
 shortly after we saw puff out little
 steamer bearing down for us. It was ebb
 tide, and the water was low-so low that
 the screw of the propeller became clogged
 several times on the trip across. We exchanged for yacht when near the
 island. and went in with breathless haste
 by vigorous use of the oars. Ascending
 slight elevation. we could bring the whole
 surface of the island in view. It lies in
 picturesque spot. situated north of Squantum. It is about four and one half
 miles from Long wharf, and two from City
 Point. Fort Independence lies about a mile
 north, and several other islands skirt it about, making the port of Boston harbor
 miniature archipelago. Thompson's Island is about a tnile in length and about one
 third of . mile in width. It contains 8 1g7 acres, almost all tillable. Its early
 history is somewhat shrouded, but it is
 known that one Thompson, ,an Englishmau, about the year 1919. laid claim to the island and gave his name to it. It has had . varied history, being at first place of
 residence; afterwards a school was maintained there. Then it became the home of gentleman. and finally it passed
 into school, which character it now holds and of which wish to write briefly.
 The island was purchased in 1884. for
 $6.0O0. for charitable purposes. by the proprietors of the Farm School, with which it has been intimately associated ever
 since. It IS not reformatory institution, | in nature resembling our State Reform schools, but is an establishment where the
 idle and morally exposed children of the
 city may be rescued from vice and danger,
 and may enjoy the advantages of 8 good physical and moral education. It affords
 an excellent refuge and home for good
 children whose parents are indigent. It will not receive vicious boys nor those convicted of any crime. Its aim is to educate thoroughly, while it keeps intact
 the best nature of the youth. There can be 10 doubt but that many of our boys are
 ruined by being sent to- our reform schools
 simply from the fact that they realize that they are at public reformatory institution, and are held as criminals in the eyes of the law. This h avoided at tho Farm School. The boys are treated as if al
 8 boarding school or on large farm. Il
 the superintendent, MT. Morse. ard hii estimable lady, you would feel that they were fully able to act the parent in eVer5
 partlculsr. and render the place home il
 very trust. The building is situated on
 rise in the north east part of the island. Il
 is large, airy, substantial brick building It's col is pea green. and thereby hanQi tale;o Its first superintendent was Johr D. Williams; who was rather peculiar. il his ways Economy prompted the paint ing of the main building only. in it's early existence, while the barn and out building
 were simply white-washed. Happening ol
 the island one day after ram storm, h. n found the white wash rather thinned out
 and the barn in streaked appearance g He immediately made 8 codicil to hls wll t to the effect that every building on tn
 island be painted pea green, or his beques
 to the farm should be null and void. Il s rooms, dining room, etc. We were usher
 ed into the school room, and the boys file = Iu from their farm work. There wer d nearly 8 hundred boys. of ages ,iraagin o clean looking boys thep were too. Tn D flush of health was on their cheek. and tn result of careful oversight and trainin E was visible in their very movements. 'r was delight to see them; their health i. appearance was an inspiration, and thei e earnestness an exhortation. They san [. for us; band, composed of thelr own nun @ ber-tWelve in it-dlscOursed most exec lent music. This last was really featur, Ls One little dot of fellow handled Frenc
 horn with nicety commendable, and
 lad of fifteen or whereabouts blew corne with the technique of Levy. They als ir gave us somedeclamations and recitation 5 all in creditable manLer. It was not a '. exhibition day. and the school proper ha )f closed in April. It afforded us muc ,e pleasure to converse with the boys afte
 wards on their play ground. when the Is were playing game of ball with win ir EaFnestness was written on every youn
 mans brow, and exempllfed Tn every ac |" The duties devolVing upon the teacher 1t there are varied and constant. The ID must not only be teacher and friend, bu 'e must assume the position of parent. Thol 'f no W on the island are fully qualified ft
 work. MT. Morse has been in charge fe T. many years. He IS an lndefatiguab n worker, full of sunshine, gen1ai, yOuthfv
 and earnest. The amount of care, anxiet e' and hard work he has given to the far ,e school. few can understand; but hls worl ,a speak for b1m in the gratitude of the D. 'e rents, Ill the systematic and energet r. working of every branch of the institute m and Tn much of the beauty of the islam n MaLy are the boys who know him as the CT best friend, thelr almost father. The in positions are those of trust, and many al
 high in honor. Collector Simmons W; or one of the Farm School boys. and he
 ae proud of h1s alma mater. I fear I a makln g this letter too long, but l hay 10 written this much because the island
 IT, now coming into prominence, and i
 character and ways of working are a 'g tracting the attention of philanthrop IS men to the establishment of simii: ,d institutions in or near the other lar, ~ cItles of our country, It is worthy
 le attention and consideration, and any
 or your readers who visit Boston, will find hearty welcome if they will visit u kG ialQn6