The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-09-07
Instruction in the Mechanic Arts.


Instruction in the Mechanic Arts.
What has been done In this country toward
supplying tho demand for schools for in
d,istrial training is very clearly and fully
explained in little pamphlet containing
IN address on tho subject delivered by the
Hon. WM. =. LETcIIwoRrH. President OF our
State Board Of Charities. Mr. LETCHwORTH
thoroughly investigated the subject for the
purpose OF determining whether 1t would DO
desirable to introduce trade instruction into
our juvenile reformatory institutions. and
tho result Of his examination was this adj
dress. made before the managers OF the
Western House Of Refuge at Rochester.
Instruction in the mechanic arts is part
Of the Russian educational system, from
which were obtained the general suggestions
that induced the Massachusetts Institute Of
Technology to start an industrial school
as one of its distinct departments. The
experiment was at once successful, SO
that new workshops capable Of accommo-
dating several hundred lads were recently
erected In Boston, and are now daily crowded
with the "boys of poor but worthy parents
and the sons of men OF wealth and high
various workshops is inspiring" adds Mr.
LETCHwoRrH The boys are too much in
tercstcd in their work to think of Sinking 1t.
Their whole attention is absorbed in their
occupations, while instructors pass from
pupil to pupil, explaining methods or cor.
recting the unskilled hands.
Instruction is given in carpentering. wood
turning, pattern making. blacksmithing,
lok oil
and designing. In the carpenters shop each
lad Is furnished with a carpenters bench
and full set of tools. In the wood-turning
shop the lathcs arc generally run by steam
power, but pupils are also trained to manage
foot lathes. so in tine forge shops the long
lines Of FORCES arc run by a steam fan. but
instruction Is besides given at forges with
hand bellows. When student is able to do
his allotted tasks we'll he is allowed extra
time to turn out work OF his own.
The boys are trained much more rapidly
than ordinary apprentices. and acquire n
knowledge OF tho fundamental principles of
the art which apprentices usually altogether
lack. A boy who has mastered forty lessons
In the simple matter OF forging, writes one Of
these instructors, 80 far as his knowledge of
the art and his ability to apply what he has
learned are concerned, Is quite the equal
OF the boy who has spent his two or
three years OF apprenticeship under
the usual conditions. 1t appears like throw
ing away two or three years OF ones life to
attain knowledge OF any business that can
be acquired In the short space Of twelve or
thirteen days by proper course OF instruc-
ton. The dexterity that comes from prac-
tlcc," he continues. "can DO reached as
quickly after twelve days instruction rs
after tho two or three years spent as an
apprentice under adverse circumstances"
The plan Is to give tho student tho funda-
mental principles In such lessons Us will teach
him most clearly. and to supplement that
instruction with practice enough to make
him familiar with his tools and the various
ways Of using them. As to the age at which
1t is best to put lads under this training,
Prof RUNKLE OF the Institute OF Technology
saws: Boys OF twelve have sufficient
strength to take up courses in wood work
ing but cannot mako as much progress
as older boys. From twelve to eighteen boys
can DO taught variety Of processes which
apply In wood and metal constructions. and
at the same time carry on the studies OF q
common education to advantage" One les
son day in shop instruction Of not NOR.
than three hours Is enough, he further says
and each boy should be given short Gle.
mcntary course In each shop, and then devote
his time moro especially to that department
in which he has shown tho most capacity
and interest.
Mr.. LErCHwoRTH also gives an account o.
visit no made to the industrial school a,
tho corner OF First avenue and Sixty eighti
street, In this city, which was founded by
Mr.. r. T. AUCHMUry Here, in spacious one
story workshops, evening classes are in
structed for about two and o half hours II
plumbing. bricklayng, plastering, fresc'
painting, drawing. wood carving, and pat
tern making. Tho number OF students
I was about two hundred. Tho Hebrew
! Free School Association have also de
voted four-story building on the cor
,, nor OF Crosby and Jersey streets +
various branches OF technical instruction
and boys from twelve to fifteen years OF age
in good physical condition, will be admitte,
to the classes, which will assemble at in tn
morning and continue with the usual inter
4 missions, until s In tho afternoon. Geography
4 history, arithmetic and geometry will
e taught during the nat three hours, and tn
rest Of the time will be given to free ham
:. drawing, mechanical drawing, modelling Il
/ clay, carpenter work, tool and instrumen
:. manufacturing, forging and casting, pattcr
making, and designing.
These are some OF the industrial school
= which have been established In this country
> and there are already many others. So ia
s rs we have heard they are all successful
Parents are eager to get their aens in then
and the boys arc fascinated with the worl
Accordingly Mr. LEroHwoRTH urges the IL
" production Of systematic trimming In the m,
'aaa|e Sts lpt0 eqr r9torm schools 90 thu
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