The Republican journal., 1899-07-13
Humane Institutions.
Boston Asylum and Farm School for Indi-
gent Boys on Thompson's Island.

June Is pTeeulHeully Tue HoHtH VI
gladuations. Harvard and Tufts have
sent out their usual quota of men fitted
for the demands made upon them by life's
duties, and supported in many cases by
finances which make the performance of
life's duties equal to the demand.
But how about those less fortunate in
material conditions, who outrank Har-
ward and Tufts in numbers?
1t was my good fortune to receive an
invitation TO attend the graduating eXer-
cises of the Farm School for INDECENT
Boys on Thompsons Island, class of go
and my friends said ooh, you will enjoy
promised enjoyment by giving us one of
Lowell's perfect days when 1.-THE heart
is SO full that drop overtills it,"
There were thirty five people to embark
at City Point, South Boston, in one of the
Marine Park Boat Service Co. S steamers
for a sail of a mile and half out into the
harbor, where Thompson's Island is stu
ated, in plair sight of the streets of Bos
ton. 1t was the writer's first taste of salt
water since October and the sparkle of
She waves and flying spray, was the
drop which overflled both heart and
body.
Thompson's Island has an area of one
hundred and fifty acres. A steam
launch belonging to the school, or the
a. II,
communication with the mainland and for
siX months duing the summer season the
boats OF the Nantasket line stop at the is
land enc day in each month to enable the
boys relatives and friends to visit them.
This fact renders it possible for the
work Of the school to be performed as
quietly and amid as favorable surround
tn2s as if the Farm School was located in
The very heart Of New England, While the
influence which the close proximity to the
sea exelts has been found as Helpful in
character building as it is in healthy bod
lily development. One gets but a Slight
5dea ri lie beauty of the island without
visit to il. q large orchard and numerous
groves adding TO the beauty and value.
Thele IS no other business on the is
land aua the school is of astlictiy private
nature. With no city on state superpvisiop
except su1h as governs any community.
1t receives boys between the ages of ten
and fourteen years, furnishes them with
comfortable and happy home, affords
them a good grammar school education,
and teaches them to work, so that when
Old enough to 20 out into the world they
are prepared to meet and grapple with
the problems which life will present.
Few Of the home training schools in the
vicinity of Boston have SO notable a his
tory as has the Farm School, or one ex-
tending over so long a period of time.
Tie original home was founded in Boston
N 1914, aud located in the historic old
house Of Sin William Phipps, on the cor
ner OF Salem and Charter streets, at
time when the North End was the arsto-
cratic part of Boston. Thompson's Is
land was purchased for the school in 1882.
All Of the boys attend school one half of
the day and work the other half, unless
they are deficient in scholarship, in which
case they attend school all day. All the
boys OF twelve years and older take the
course in Sloyd. In addition to th each
boy in turn il detailed TO be taught and to
do flaming, gardening, care Of live stock,
painting, printing, typewliting, cobbling,
hlacksmitlirg, making and mending of
clothes, baking, cooking and various
household duties, and everything pertain
ing to the care and management of boats,
and it is a notable fact that this is the
only Grammar school i'll the country
which teaches blacksmithing
The location OF the school Oh an island
with no other tenants makes it possible
for the pupils to be granted much more
liberty IL recreation and sports than
would be desirable if the school was on
the man land
The school possesses library of over a
thousand volumes of carefully selected
BOOKS. A comfortable and commodious
+eduiHS room Is supplleu Win All the leaQ-
ing magazines and juvenile publications,
and the privilege of using it, which the
pupils greatly prize, is one Of the most
efficient helps in securing good deport-
ment.
The Farm School Band of twenty pieces,
organized nearly half century ago and
probably the first juvenile band in the Vi
cinty, is valuable attainment to boys
possessing musical talent and they play
with all the vim of healthy boys.
A fully equipped printing office is in OPP
GRAFTON, where all the printing of the
school, the programs and diplomas for
graduation and large Job printing bust
ness for customers in the city, is done.
A monthly paper called the Beacon,
Published and printed by the boys and
made up almost wholly of articles written
by them, is a constant source OF interest
and inspiration. 1t is the regular medium
through which the alumni OF the school
communicate, and it serves to carry abroad