USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. II > Part 28
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This board was established by an act of the Legislature, approved, April 20, 1837. Its first meeting was held in the council chamber, in Boston, June 29, following. Authority having been given by the law creating the board, to appoint a secretary, the Hon. Horace Mann was now elected to fill this office ; it being understood that he should devote himself exclusively to the duties connected with the schools, which duty extended to the successors in the same manner.
This first board of education consisted of the following persons : Edward Everett, George Hall, James G. Carter, Edmond Dwight, George Putnam, E. A. Newton, Robert Rantoul, Junior, Jared Sparks, Rev. Emerson Davis, and Thomas Robbins.
One of the duties of the board is to prepare and lay before the Legislature, in a printed form, on or before the second Wednesday in January, annually, an abstract of school returns received by the secretary of the commonwealth; and to make a detailed report of their doings, with such observations as their experience and reflection may suggest, upon the condi- tion and efficiency of the school system, and most practical means of improving and extending the same.
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To arrive at this knowledge, a series of questions were pre- pared in blank to be filled ; these were distributed to all the common schools in the State. From the evidence adduced by the reports from the several schools, the comparison of the value of services of different teachers, their method of imparting instruction, and the ease with which some would accomplish their labors, while others with much greater effort and pains-taking would accomplish less, led the board of Edu- cation to propose the system of normal schools, for the educa- tion and preparation of both male and female teachers for the common schools.
They represent their belief that the art of teaching is susceptible of advancement, as well as that of any other vocation.
They say we are left to these deductions of reason on this subject, in that those foreign countries where the greatest at- tention has been paid to the work of education schools for teachers have formed an important feature in their system, and with the highest results. New importance has been attached to the calling of instructor, by public opinion, from the cir- cumstance that his vocation has been deemed one requiring systematic preparation and culture.
The secretary held communication with friends of education in every county of the State. Meetings were held at conve- nient places in each county, where the secretary could meet those interested in education, when almost every town would be represented.
It was Mr. Mann's custom to address circulars to the school committees of the several towns in each county in which he was to hold a meeting, some weeks before the meeting, speci- fying the several topics upon which information was required. Ilis plan served to create a renewed interest in schools, and the best system of instruction.
The law of 1826 required school committees to examine
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teachers, to obtain evidence of the good moral character of ap- plicants, and to ascertain, by personal examination, their liter- ary qualification and capacity for the government of schools. This duty was never very thoroughly exercised, and a further difficulty existed in the supply of school-books for carrying on a systematic course of instruction that should apply generally throughout the State.
Mr. Mann sought a remedy for this by adopting payment for services rendered by the members of the school committee in the several towns for examining teachers and visiting schools. No payment, nor even thanks, were seldom, if ever, given for such service. The supply of books was placed under the reg- ulation of the school committee ; and a law was enacted making it the duty of school-teachers to impress upon the minds of children and youth committed to their care and in- struction the principles of piety, justice, and a sacred regard for the truth, love of their country, humanity and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry, and frugality, chastity and tem- perance, which form the basis of a republican government ; to endeavor to give their minds a clear understanding and ten- dency of these virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and to secure the blessings of liberty as well as to promote their future happiness.
The several school committees were required to give answers regarding the requirements of the general law, whether the provisions were complied with in relation to the aggregate length of time in which schools are kept, the different kinds of schools, and the qualifications of teachers employed.
The requirements of the school laws are now easily ascer- tained. The recent publication of the general statutes of the commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to the public schools, with the alterations and amendments, are collected and printed in pamphlet form, and should be possessed by all who have the care of children, especially teachers.
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Mr. Mann entered into the subject of the construction of school houses with great earnestness, and to him much is due for the spirit of improvement in school-houses throughout the towns of the State by his suggestions, to wit: size, quantity of pure light, ventilation, mode of warming, desks, seats, and, furthermore, their location, windows, yards, and play- grounds.
All these points he impressed mpon the minds of school committees and teachers.
With a view to correct spelling and reading, the following questions were made to be answered by the committees and teachers of the several towns, to ascertain the efficiency of the instruction given :
"First. Are scholars in your schools kept in spelling classes from the time of their earliest combination of letters up to the time of their leav- ing school, or what is the course ordinarily pursned in regard to orthog- raphy, and how is it continued ?
"Second. Are there defects in teaching scholars to read ? This inquiry is not made in regard to the pronunciation of words and the modulation of the voice, but do the scholars fail to understand the meaning of the words they read ? Do they fail to master the sense of the reading lesson ? Is there a presence in the minds of scholars, when reading, of the ideas and feelings intended to be conveyed and excited by the author ?"
SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
These libraries originated with the board of education. They embraced two series of fifty volumes each: one class for juveniles, to be 18mo, 250 to 280 pages each ; the others for youths, to he 12mo, 350 to 400 pages each.
The writers selected at this time were as follows: Judge Joseph Story, Jared Sparks, Washington Irving, Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., Professor Benjamin Silliman, Professor Den- ison Olmsted, Professor Alonzo Potter, D. D., Hon. Judge Jesse Buell, Jacob Bigelow, M. D., Elisha Bartlet, M. D., Rev. Charles W. Upham, Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood, D. D., 23A
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Rev. Royal Robbins, Rev. Warren Burton, Charles T. Jackson, M. D., Nathaniel Hawthorn, Esq., Robert Ran- toul, Jr., Esq., Professor Tucker, Professor Romeo Elton, Professor Lieber, Rev. Calvin E. Stone, D. D., Professor Edward Everett, Hon. Isaac Hill, Hon. James M. Porter, and the following ladies :
Mrs. Emma C. Embury, Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Mrs. E. F. Ellet, Miss A. H. Lincoln Phelps, Mrs Harriet B. Stowe, Miss E. Robbins, Miss E. P. Peabody, Miss Mary E. Lee, and Miss Catherine M. Sedgwick. The plan to embrace every department of science and literature, preference being given to works relating to our own country.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTES.
The Legislature, by the recommendation of the board of education, passed a bill, May 10, 1848, authorizing the for- mation of teachers' institutes in the following manner :*
SCHOOL FUND.
This was established in 1834; the act was passed, March 31, appropriating, from and after January, 1835, all moneys in the treasury derived from the sale of lands in the State of Maine, and from the claim of the State on the government of the United States for military service and not otherwise appropriated, together with fifty per cent. of all moneys to be received after that time from the sale of lands in Maine ; to constitute a permanent fund for the aid and encouragement of common schools ; but it was at first provided that the fund should never exceed one million of dollars. The income only of the fund to be appropriated to the aid of common schools ; and a greater sum, it was provided, should never be paid to any city, town, or district, than is raised therein respectively, for the support of common schools.
* See chapter 35, Laws Relating to Public Schools, passed and approved 1846.
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Returns were to be made by the several school committees respecting the state of the schools, as soon as the 1st of De- cember, 1834 ; and any city, town, or district whose committee neglected to make such returns was not to receive the benefit of the school fund the first year the income of it would be distributed.
The accumulations for the school fund to December 1, 1849, were $876,082.26. The same year there was paid ont of the fund for education, $17,217.87 from the increase of the fund.
In the year 1851 an act was passed to increase this fund to $1,500,000. In 1854, when the fund was reorganized, it amounted to the sum of $2,000,000; and in 1859, the Leg- islature made ample provision to increase this fund to $3,000,000, by applying part of the proceeds of the Back Bay lands, but the exigencies of the war of Rebellion made it ex- pedient to divert these funds. January 1, 1866, this fund amounted to $2,001,450.33.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
The first normal school in Massachusetts was commenced at Lexington, July 3, 1839, and removed to Newton in 1844, and permanently established at Framingham in 1853. This school is exclusively for the education of young women for teachers.
The second normal school was opened at Barre, September 4, 1839, and was removed to Westfield in 1844, and is for the education of both sexes, for the same object.
The third normal school was established at Bridgewater, September 9, 1840; this school is also for the education of both sexes.
The fourth normal school was opened at Salem on the 13th of September, 1854, and is exclusively for young women.
The principals of these schools often have more applications
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for teachers than they can supply, which abundantly shows the wisdom of establishing this class of schools. As a general rule, the cases are rare in which normal pupils do not find ready employment as teachers ; while the greatest demand is for those possessing the highest qualifications. Male teach- ers, it is understood, receive generally $50 per month, and board, while females receive about two thirds and sometimes only half the snin, for labor performed equally well, which is a standing record of injustice that should be remedied; and to merit alone let reward be given.
CHAPTER IV.
"CEMETERY.
TT has been related in another place that Colonel Benjamin
Freeman gave to the poll parish, by deed of April 13, 1801, one acre of land for a burying-ground. As early as the year 1835 all the lots into which this part of the cemetery had been divided for family burials were appropriated; and it became necessary to procure other ground to accommodate the increased population of the town.
At the time of the decease of the late Enther Ammidown, Senior, May 3, 1835, his family having no burial lot here, the wall at its south end was taken down to admit the passage of the funeral procession to the high ground in its immediate rear, when the remains of the deceased were buried there on the 6th instant following, in the lot on which was erected in 1867 the memorial tomb, by his son, Holmes Ammidown.
This burial led to the selection of these grounds adjoining the old cemetery by the town two years later, as an addition to the tract given to the parish by Colonel Freeman.
This first addition, containing one acre two quarters and seventeen rods, was purchased of Luther and Holmes Ammi- down, June 3, 1837, at a cost, including a substantial wall around the same, of $175 ; the grantors reserving six burial lots, one of which is that before mentioned, where stands the memorial tomb. The other tive lots front on the central passage-way adjoining the tomb lot, and extending north.
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SECOND ADDITION.
This addition adjoins on the east and south of the first ad- dition, but much larger than both the former lots. It was bought of Jairus Putney, December 13, 1860-consideration $1,636-and contains sixteen and twenty-eight hundredths acres.
RECEIVING TOMB.
This tomb was erected at the expense of the town in 1861, by William B. Potter, for the sum of $304.29.
ORNAMENTAL TREES.
The large number of beautiful cone-shaped fir-trees border- ing the old burial-ground and the first addition (which indi- cates their location), were proenred in Boston by Holmes Am- midown (he residing there at that time), and forwarded to this town at his expense in the spring of 1838. They were planted where they now stand by Mr. William Beecher, Mr. Moses Plimpton, and other associates, at his request.
This species of the pine family is an evergreen of great beauty, and is peculiarly adapted to embellish grounds of this character, giving life and freshness even to the winter landscape.
As it requires many years to bring the fir to the growth as those in this cemetery are now seen, it is hoped the enterpris- ing people of this town will not delay planting other fir-trees around the borders of the last addition, to add to the beauty of this interesting place.
It is worthy of remark, in connection with this subject, that there has been a greatly increased interest manifested within the last forty years, in this country, in preserving and beauti- fying the depositories for the dead.
The ornamental rural cemetery so recently adopted in most
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of the populous towns and cities of the United States was not known to any extent deserving the name of such, either in this country or Europe, until within the period above-named, in modern times. The cemetery near Paris (known as " Pere La Chaise)," was probably about the first; but this, in extent and beauty of design, bears no favorable comparison with many cemeteries of this character now in this country.
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY.
The successful experiment of this rural cemetery, the first of the description in the United States, has been followed very rapidly, until the old system of what has been styled church- yard interments, once so general in this country, has in most instances been abandoned in all large towns and cities.
The origin of this cemetery was an idea suggested by Dr. Jacob Bigelow, as early as 1825, arising from the detri- ment to the living, by the prevailing custom of depositing the dead in vaults beneath city churches, or contiguous to them, in church-yards.
The tract of land, now Mount Auburn cemetery, situated between Cambridge and Watertown, located partly in both, was, before occupied for this purpose, known for many years as "Stone's Woods," and more familiarly to the college students as "Sweet Auburn."
It was first purchased by Mr. George W. Brimmer, who had visited the place and admired its beauty and retired locality, for its proximity to the city of Boston.
The Horticultural society of Massachusetts had been incor- porated in 1829, and Dr. Bigelow, as one of the original members, the following year, suggested to Mr. Brimmer the desirableness of this place for an ornamental cemetery ; with a proposition to buy it for that purpose, in connection with an experimental garden. The lot then contained seventy-two acres.
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Mr. Brimmer acceded to this suggestion, and generously agreed to sell at cost, which was $6,000. Sufficient lots having been subscribed for at $60 each, to pay for same, it took the name of " Garden Cemetery."
At a meeting called August 3, 1831, it was resolved that a publie religious consecration should be held upon the grounds.
A temporary amphitheatre was erected with seats in one of the deep valleys of the woods, having a platform for the speakers situated in the bottom ground.
This meeting took place on Saturday, September 24, 1831. An audience of about 2,000 persons were present, making a scene of picturesque beauty and impressive solemnity.
The services at this time were in the order following :
"1st. Instrumental music, by the Boston band.
"2d. Introductory prayer, by Rev. Dr. Ware.
"HYMN. " WRITTEN BY THE REV. JOHN PIERPONT. " To thee, O God, in humble trust, Our hearts their cheerful incense burn, For this thy word, . Thou art of dust, And unto dust shalt thou return.'
For what were life, life's work all done, The hopes, joys, loves, that cling to clay,
All, all departed, one by one, And yet life's load borne on for aye?
Decay, decay, 'tis stamped on all ! All bloom in flower and flesh shall fade.
Ye whispering trees, when ye shall fall, Be our long sleep beneath your shade !
Here to thy bosom, mother earth, Take back in peace, what thou hast given ;
And all that is of heavenly birth,
O God, in peace, recall to heaven!"
.4th. Address by the Hon. Joseph Story.
" 5th. Concluding prayer, by Rev. Jolin Pierpont.
"6th. Closed with music by the band."
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The ladies of Boston, having raised by subscription the ex- pense for a monument to be erected to the memory of Miss Hannah Adams, it was voted on the 6th of March, 1832, that the committee on surveys appropriate a lot for depositing in it her remains ; and on the 2d of September following the treasurer was ordered to pay thirty-five dollars for an iron fence to inclose the same. This was the first monument erected in Mount Auburn cemetery.
The first interment was a child of Mr. James Boyd, July 6, 1832. The second was Mrs. Mary Hastings, July 12, the same year.
The fee-simple of this cemetery was at first held by the Massachusetts Horticultural society, and called the Garden cemetery, at Mount Auburn.
In the year 1835 an act of incorporation was obtained, with the name of "The Proprietors of Mount Auburn Cemetery."
The whole grounds of the cemetery, including the several purchases up to 1854, contain a total of a little over 130 acres.
The treasurer of this corporation holds generally a surplus of funds, frequently to the extent of $40,000. The expendi- tures for the inclosing iron fence, the tasteful granite chapel, and observatory, have been liberal ; leaving ample funds for the directors to employ in works of art, to which they have already been applied, to a considerable extent .*
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA.
This cemetery was instituted in November, 1835; it is in two parts, taking the names North and South Laurel hill. The north, or first purchase, was made in February, 1836 ; the pres- ent contents of both purchases are about 100 acres. The association was incorporated in 1837. The first burial was
* See the History of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, by Dr. Jacob Bigelow, published in 1869.
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the remains of Mary Carlisle, aged 67 years, wife of Abraham Carlisle. This interment took place, October 19, 1836. This lady, on an excursion to these grounds a few weeks previous to her death, selected her future grave, under the group of four large pine-trees near the center of the north plot, now inclosed by a granite coping and iron railing.
Laurel Hill cemetery possesses many peculiar advantages for a burial-place. Its location on high ground upon the bank of the Schuylkill river commands a pleasing view of that fine stream of water. The undulating form of this tract of land, interspersed with hill and valley, and the variety of beautiful trees of different kinds, many of large growth, make the whole plot remarkably pleasing to the eye, and not surpassed in beauty and quality of ground by any place of this character in the country.
There are many monuments here that display much artistic taste, while the grounds are well cared for by the superintend- ent, who has a residence within the inclosure, supplied by the association. Foreseeing that there would be a necessity for a further increase of the grounds of this cemetery ere long, and that the occupation of all adjoining lands by the ad- vance of the city, no addition there could be secured, a new act of incorporation was obtained in 1869, and a pur- chase made of over one hundred acres, about a mile above the present Laurel hill cemetery, on the west side of the Schuyl- kill, on the line of the Reading railroad, and just outside of the corporation limits, which takes the name of West Laurel Hill cemetery.
Mr. T. Moran, the celebrated landscape painter, has just finished two pictures of great beauty, portraying scenes from the heights of West Laurel hill-one looking down the Schuyl- kill upon the old Laurel hill, the other looking up the river to the picturesque scenery of Montgomery county. From these may be realized, in part, the excellence and beauty of
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this new city of the dead-a place where the living may resort, to spend an hour free from the turmoil of life, in quiet thought of their beloved but departed friends.
GREENWOOD CEMETERY.
These grounds are located on Gowanus heights, in South Brooklyn, commanding a fine view of New York bay. The contents of this whole tract at this time is about 480 acres. It was opened for burial in 1842. The number of interments to 1868 was 128,000, or an average of fifteen daily for the past twenty-six years.
The number of interments the past year have been an aver- age of abont twenty daily.
It may well be called the city of the dead. The extent of ground, elaborateness of monuments, and cost of many of the tombs exceed that of any place of the kind in the United States.
These grounds were selected with good taste. They have a sufficient share of hill and dale to give beauty to the lands- cape. A large portion of the tract is quite generally covered with trees, and gives the appearance of a forest a short dis- tance from the cemetery. The number of visitors, together with the entering and departure of friends to bury their dead, presents the appearance of the entrance to a city of living inhabitants.
The three cemeteries here described, and of so recent origin, are the first of this class now so general in this country, which here and in Europe are taking the place of the church sepul- chre interments, and fast bringing into disuse the unpleasant association of church-yard burials.
It is consistent with an intelligent civilization, and rational love of kindred and friends, to beautify and adorn their places of rest, and to become familiar with the same by frequent visits thereto; but the idea of benefit to the dead by a near
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association with the religious devotions of the living can only be ascribed to minds infatuated with superstition.
It is related in the history of all past ages that burial- places for the dead have been consecrated by religious regard, and protected by law.
The ancient Egyptians expended vast labor upon these de- positories. The rock tombs of this people, embellished by im- ages and hieroglyphic inscriptions, have come down from an almost prehistorie age, and many recently discovered, and dese- crated by the hand of the modern curiosity-seeker, have inter- nally been found to have the freshness of appearance of recent times.
The pyramids, supposed to have been erected for this object, have an origin unknown to modern civilization, and have been justly the wonder of all known times, and, no doubt, will so continue for ages to come. Their vast dimensions, and the extraordinary labor and skill in the science of mechanics, dis- played in elevating the enormous blocks of granite to the great height now beheld, evinces an order of knowledge not sur- passed in modern times in this character of work.
The Egyptians, through a period of more than a thousand years before the Christian era, and for five or six centuries since, practiced the system of embalming the dead. No people ever had this art to the perfection of this ancient race. It is related that the plains around the pyramids, to the extent of hundreds of square miles, are a vast depository of the mummi- fied bodies. It was not only human bodies that received this burial rite, but it was extended, by their religious fanati- cism, to a great number of the animal creation. .
The Hebrews paid special regard to the places of burial of their dead. It is related in Scripture that Abraham purchased the cave of Macphelah, of the children of Heth, as a burial- place for his beloved wife Sarah.
Also the Evangelist refers to the new tomb of Joseph of
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Arimathea, which he had hewn ont of a rock, in which, when he had received, by permission of Pilate, the body of Jesus, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it therein. This custom of tomb burial, and dressing with linen, no doubt was derived from the Egyptians during the captivity of the Israelites in that country.
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