The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-05

The following pie ce in reference &c
the above school we clip from ''tht
History OF Education In Delaware" b,
Lyman p. Powell, A. b.. and printed
at the Government printing ofIlce
Washington. ID. @.
This school. the Oldest in Delawar,
having a continuous existence, Ia stu
ated on West street, near Fourtl
street. II was established in l64s bS
some OF the first Friends who settled
in Wilmington. For nearly a century
1t was without the city limits, OF
Quaker Hill" At first the principal
studies taught were Reading, Siten
' 'Rithmetlc;" the last named was gen
orally called "clphering." In l7s6 q
teacher from Philadelphia was SO.
cured, who introduced the study OF
English grammar, Latin, anu Greek
and raised the standard OF the school
In order to compete with tho old
academy on Market street.
q In l1S0 John Webster, who after
warts became All influential citizen OF
the town. kept school" He was the
last on whom the old time trick of
barring out the teacher" was played.
The night before Christmas the BOYS
climbed into the schoolhouse by the
chlmneywny. piled WOOD against the
door inside, and nailed the windows
down. The next morning a. s O'Clock
the master tried the door, US usual.
but found 1t barricaded against his
entrance. Through the window came
shout from the largest boy, I'VE will
only let you in II you promise to give
US holiday" 1T Ia not my will tina Il
boys shall rule or dictate terms of
peace" responded the lrate teacher, 70.
doubling his efforts TO capture the
Tort. At 10 o'clock the besieger
was Joined by three male Friends
OH their way to meeting. council
OF war was held; reinforced and arm.
med with crowbar. tho besieger ru.
newed the attack aud pried open a
window. Then the b0siegcd beat q
piecipitnte retreat out the back win
COW Oily TO fall into the arms OF the
vigilant guard. Beneath tho rod The
eaptives appeased tito outraged law
nnd at the same time permitted the
captol's reputation TO go nsuliied
John W eteier had among his pupils
James A. Payard, Louis McLane
Cihslr A. Rodney, and Il. w. Gilpin;
three OF these became U nited States
Senators. and tho last named chief
Justice OF the State of Delaware.
In 1916 new building was erected
Tor girls. In 1855 the question OF tear.
Ing down the old building and erect.
ing one more in keeping with the age
was discussed; but the love of the
antique prevailed, and tho old struct-
uTe was spared. An addition, how.
aver, was made in the rear at cost of
pa, 900. ~
A new building was added In 1850 at
cost of $4,000, and fitted with
scientific laboratories,
md other modern improvements.
The building will now accommod
700 pupils.
The present principal Isaac 7. John
'on, graduate OF Haverford College.
;ook charge OF the institution in 1881. /
His administration Includes the most
prosperous period of it's history. Dur. 1
ng the academic year 1880 81 the total
was 296. the largest in the
history OF tho school. Mr.. johnson is
lssistod by Il faculty of 10, including
graduates OF Princeton, swarthnorc.
and Smith College. AS
now organized tho school includes
primary, Intermediates, grammar and
ligh school. Students arc prepared
or the best colleges In the land and
or business. An advanced course Is
,lered for the benefit OF those who
10 not Intend to go to college. In adj
cctures on physiology and hygiene is
.iven by a lecturer from the Jefferson
'ledlcnl College. Philadelphia. Con.
iderablo attention Is paid to draw
ng. Ihsgrowing demand for physic.
| culture has been met by the
ting up OF gymnasium. which Is 4
4 charge OF pupil of DIR. q. A. Sar-
ent. Of tho Henenway Gymnasium,
Harvard University. ......-..
to-education Is the policy OF the !
rhool, but tue boys and girls have,
eparate study halls. Graduates are :
Omitted to Swarthmore. Iiaverford, s
Villains, Wellesley. and Smil h College,
nd 10 the University of Psnnsyl. !
ania, OH the certificate of the schools"
n index of the high character of Tho g
ork done. Children over years Of
re are admitted to the school Tie j
'hool is doing excellent work. and is
ending students annually To the besi u
olleges in the land. Since the first {
raft OF this sketch was prepared In
$50. the school Inns increased in mum v
ere from 1871 to 2g8. and row has the ,
Irgest enrolment of pupils of any,
EDUCATIONAL institution ever In the s.
tate. -...