USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1872 > Part 6
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Rockwood Hoar.
Latin Oration-Salutatory, English Essay-Myths, Ida Estelle Paul.
English Oration-Class History, -
- Samuel Daniels May. German Version, from Jane Taylor-Education Finished, Ellen Teresa Shannon. Music.
English Metrical Version, from Richter-The Two Roads, - Mary E. Cavanough.
French Dialogue, from Chouquet-A morning in China,
English Essay-What's in a Name ?
English Oration-Eloquence.
Emily A. Boyden. Alice Eva Jackson. Alice G. McMahon. Mary E. Russell. Ida Amelia Tew. James Edward Welch.
PART II.
Music.
German Amoebaeum, from Kohner-My Fatherland,
Emma Corinna Maynard. Kate Perry Woodbury. Willard Osman Ruggles.
English Essay-Singleness of Aim, - Ella Emogene Austin. English Oration-The Choice of a Profession, Frederic Andrew Gauren. Elizabeth Irene Sweetser.
English Essay-Self Reliance, - Music. Charon-W. C. Stevens. Greek Dialogue, from Lucian-Who'll Pay the Fare ? Menippus-John R. Gow. Mercury-Geo. O. Ward. James Henry Fitzgerald. Fanny Clary Morse.
English Oration-Party Spirit,
English Essay-Class Prophecy,
English Essay-Valedictory, Mary Elizabeth Frances Madden. Music.
Presentation of Diplomas-By His Honor, the Mayor.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
CLASS SONG.
WRITTEN BY WILLIAM CULLEN STEVENS.
Our school days are over; the four years are gone : Ah! how quickly they seem to have flown !
May the seed-grains of knowledge spring up and bear fruit, That during these years have been sown. And though fragile at first, and unable to bear Rude blasts, or the heat of the day,
Yet strengthened by Virtue, by Culture refreshed, They shall soon bear the sun's fiercest ray.
And when garnered at last in the great Harvest Day, By the Reaper who gathers the grain,
May the angels look joyfully on us, and say "It is well ! they have not lived in vain." Now, our teachers, farewell ! and, ye schoolmates, adieu ! Dear classmates, we, too, here must part;
Yet, though on our separate pathways we go, We shall still be united in heart.
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
The statistics concerning these schools relate to the classes which met on Belmont street. The organization of those classes is described in the School Report for 1871. At the close of the term, in March, a public meeting of the citizens was called in the High school hall, at which the work of the classes was exhib- ited, and the aims of the school set forth. Prominent gentlemen from Boston, interested in this branch of education, were in attendance, to encourage by their counsel and criticism. All who expected to see nicely finished drawings, the work of ex- perts, went away disappointed.
No artists joined the classes to leave specimens of fine art. Nearly every sheet on exhibition was the work of plain men and women, come from their daily occupation to acquire some skill in a useful art of which they had felt the need, and of which, with hardly an exception, they were entirely ignorant. Every drawing was either from the blackboard or from the object; not one from the flat copy. The blackboard work was all from out- lines made up by the teachers; the objects drawn, with the ex- ception of a set of geometric forms in the free-hand class, and parts of machines in the mechanical class, were groups, also
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
selected and arranged by the teachers-such as boxes, agricultu- ral and other implements, drums, flags, guns, urns, etc. In view of these facts, and the general correctness of the work, the success was all that could have been expected.
Drawing educates the eye to judge of form and proportion, and the hand to delineate the same upon paper. With paper and pencil much might be learned by representing rocks, stumps, and woodpiles, in the forest. But while securing what may be learned in this way, the taste might far more profitably be cultivated, at the same time, by studying and representing objects of art-the beautiful in form. Of these we were destitute; and by the exhi- bition the need became apparent. To supply the need, the fol- lowing circular was addressed to the prominent mechanics and manufacturers of the city, and others interested in the school :
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, - WORCESTER, April 13, 1872.
DEAR SIR :- Free evening classes in Mechanical and Industrial Drawing have been sustained in this city two seasons. The work done the past winter, which has been exhibited at the High School Hall, is highly creditable to both students and teachers. But with the same outlay, far more might have been accomplished, if we were not destitute of almost every appliance for the study of industrial art. This need, which is obvious, was clearly pointed out by the State Director of this branch of education, at the meeting on the 8th inst.
Models of various kinds, patterns of machines, casts, examples to be copied, and a collection of works of art of a practical nature, are indispensable to classes like ours. Instruction such as we are attempting to give, and techni- cal and industrial art education of a more extended character, are indispensa- ble to the continued prosperity of a manufacturing city like ours. Unless the material named can be supplied, we can advance no farther in this branch of education which our manufacturers, mechanics, and indeed all classes of our citizens, seem so heartily to have endorsed.
Presuming that you take an active interest in this subject, by the advice of several friends of education who have a like interest, I invite you to meet us at the library room in the High School House, Wednesday evening next, at seven and one-half o'clock, to consult about this need, and the best manner of bringing it to the attention of the City Council. .
Very respectfully, yours,
A. P. MARBLE, Sup't of Schools.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
At an adjourned meeting of citizens assembled in pursuance of this call, the following report was adopted :
REPORT.
The Committee on the Needs of the Drawing Classes beg leave to submit the following report :
What the Committee is for.
The Committee do not deem it necessary to rehearse the arguments in favor of Art education, but assume that their duty is to state in form an acknowl- edged want, and recommend some plan to meet it.
Three Classes.
There are three distinct classes of people, all equally and vitally interested in this movement :
1st. The adult mechanics.
2nd. The apprentices and younger mechanics.
3rd. Teachers, and others who look at the subject from the standpoint of artists.
Under the statute, the city is under equally strong obligations to all.
First Class.
The adult mechanics want, from winter to winter, such information as they can immediately use in their various lines of business. They will devote a little time to sheer training of the hand and eye, but, in the main, they feel the necessity of acquiring the ability to read and to make working drawings of machines and parts of machines ; or framing plans of buildings; or plans and elevations of all sorts of wood and iron fabrics.
In general, though the desirability of art training is nowhere denied, it is very doubtful whether any considerable number of adult artisans will consent to devote time enough from their limited leisure to acquire any great degree of skill in free-hand drawing. The neglect of the State in not providing sooner for instruction in drawing in common schools is so culpable, that espe- cial pains should be taken to give these men the best possible advantages.
Second Class.
The second class comprises apprentices and the younger mechanics, for whom some definite art study is practicable. The fierce desire to rush into the active life of an artisan unprepared, will be somewhat checked if good facilities are freely offered for the study of form and proportion in good models.
Third Class.
The third class includes teachers, young persons who aim at designing, stone cutting, or any trade that especially requires a quick sense of beauty of form and dexterity in free-hand drawing, and students of art generally.
Teachers.
It is almost needless to suggest, in regard to teachers, that they hold the most important position in this great reform. We hope for the largest and
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
most beneficent results from the children who are now in common schools. It is good policy for the city to give their school teachers all possible opportu- nities to study art, and methods of teaching art, because, by this means, the children will soonest acquire that knowledge, of the lack of which the fathers complain.
Design.
Again, the claims of the arts of design must be seriously considered. A new branch of industry has recently been added to the list of manufactures in this city, which is capable of immense expansion, and which depends largely upon distinct art training. We allude to Carpet Weaving. It is a good illus- tration of the importance of art training in relation to manufactures. Men are now employed from England, Belgium and France-some within twenty miles of this city-as designers, at salaries double those of Justices of the Supreme Court, and women at twice the salary of expert teachers. These persons are not imported because Americans cannot do the work, but because they have no chance to learn how to do it.
Citizens Generally.
Finally, the city owes it to itself, as a leader in iron and wood manufactures, to consider carefully the grounds on which it rests hopes of eminence in the future. The artist-artisan had his day to the end of the 18th century. The artisan has been struggling single handed so far in the 19th, till subdivision of labor has almost banished skill. The leading mechanic of the future is to be the man who can originate, express, and execute ideas. To this end Art Edu- cation is indispensable. We must attend to it. We are in a critical position. We must advance or recede.
Committee Recommend.
With these facts and considerations before them, the committee agree in submitting the following recommendations :
1st. That each manufacturer in the city be asked to contribute a model, or the castings, or the patterns of the machines he makes, and that the citizens in general be asked for manufactured articles, materials, or works of art, for a museum of Practical Models.
2nd. That the City Council be asked to appropriate two thousand dollars to purchase models to form the nucleus of an Art Museum.
3d. That the School Board be requested to provide suitable rooms for the accommodation of these collections, and suitable facilities for giving them the greatest possible efficiency.
Respectfully submitted.
C. O. THOMPSON. J. H. WALKER. CHAS. W. GILBERT. A. P. MARBLE. LUTHER ROSS.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
The subject of this report was brought before the School Board by the petition of a large number of persons actively interested in the school. The plan was cordially approved by the School Board; but their authority to expend money for this purpose being doubted, the subject was referred to the City Council. That body also gave the proposition an emphatic endorsement, and appropriated the sum of $2,000 for the purchase of models, copies, casts, etc., in Europe .*
The Committee on Drawing subsequently ordered from Mr. Domenico Brucciani, 40 Russell street, London, a bill amounting to £173, which with the freight, insurance, etc., makes the sum of $1,303 86.
These casts, etc., have recently arrived. Among the life-size and heroic figures are Venus de Milo, Germanicus, Discobolus, Dancing Faun, and busts of Apollo, Venus, Homer, etc. The collection is admirably adapted to the wants of the school. To obtain specimens for the class of practical mechanics, the follow- ing circular was addressed to the leading manufacturers of ma- chinery, etc .:
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
DEAR SIR :- The Evening Drawing Schools, which have been so successfully conducted in this city for two successive winters, are in great need of enlarged facilities, and especially of a richer supply of models and copies. To meet part of this want, the City Council, has just appropriated $2,000 for the pur- chase, in Europe, of casts from works of art, suitable for a strictly artistic training. For practical models, equally needed, we feel that we may trust to the generosity of the citizens of Worcester who are interested in securing skilled workmen for the various branches of industry cultivated among us.
To this end, in accordance with recommendations adopted at the meeting of citizens held April 25th, you are respectfully solicited to supplement the gift of the city, by contributing any castings, patterns of machines, portions of ma- chines, or other articles manufactured by yourself, which will serve as copies for the young mechanics who seek instruction at our schools.
Contributions, with the name of the donor attached, may be sent to the base- ment of the Old High School Building on Walnut street, between the hours of 8 and 12 A. M., and 2 and 6 P. M.
By Order of the School Board.
EDWARD H. HALL, GEORGE W. GALE, CHARLES BALLARD, Special Committee on Drawing.
* The amount expended was paid out of the annual appropriation for schools.
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
In response, numerous patterns of the various parts of machines, models of articles manufactured in the city, and other articles both useful and ornamental, have been received. There is abundant assurance that all which may be needed will be forthcoming as the wants arise. As already stated, liberal provision has been made for fitting a room to receive this collection, which it is hoped may eventually become an art gallery. The process by which the ma- terial for this school has been secured, is described thus at length in this place, because the public interest exhibited at every stage of the movement, shows the demand for this kind of education here, and secures the prosperity of the school as no mere collection, however fine, could.
Drawings from the work of these classes were forwarded to the State exhibition held in Boston, in the month of May. Of these the State Board of Examiners make the following statement in their report :
" The work exhibited from the Worcester School is large in amount, and embraces an unusual range of subjects, in which the free-hand work bears a large proportion to the mechanical and geometrical drawings, and is itself more than usually varied, consisting of outlines of ornament, shaded drawings from solid models, and drawings from groups of natural objects. The evident want of success in some of this work is to be attributed to the absence of proper models, without which it is useless to expect satisfactory results, how- ever capable the pupils, and however skillful the teachers. We have the less hesitation in expressing our sense of these defects, as this deficiency, which is the only obstacle to success, is removable at will. Out of eighty drawings from this school, one received the mark of excellence, and eleven an honorable mention."
Eleven towns and cities exhibited drawings done in the free evening schools. To a visitor looking for the display of fine art, among the works of many skillful hands, the drawings from this school would not have attracted attention ; but to one knowing that every specimen was from a previously untrained hand, and that none of the work was mere copy, there was something to admire, and nothing of which to be ashamed. In the mechanical department, also, there was evidence-in the gearing, for exam- ple-that the calculations from which these parts were constructed had been worked out, which did not appear in many drawings in themselves more finely executed, and far more attractive.
14
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
Five classes have been organized the present winter, in the rooms on Walnut street :- 1st, an advanced class in free-hand drawing, from casts ; 2d, beginners in free-hand from the black- board; 3d, advanced mechanical, from models and flat copy ; 4th, beginners' mechanical, from the blackboard; 5th, a carpenters' class. The first class of persons referred to in the report to the citizens' meeting is accommodated in the 5th class in the school ; the second, in the 4th and 3d; the third, in the 2d and 1st. Of the success of these classes it is now too early to speak ; but the interest, as compared with previous years, seems unabated. It is to be regretted that the imported models did not arrive in season for this class to receive their full benefit.
EVENING SCHOOLS
Have been opened as usual. The School on Orange street is worthy of special commendation. It is composed largely of adults ; and the earnest, attentive spirit that prevails is admirable. The students are apparently as intent upon their own improve- ment as they are in the pursuit of their daily business; and, judging from the attention given to study, they must be excellent in their calling. Of our seventy-five or one hundred fellow citi- zens who attend that school, we may well be proud. If all who, unfortunately, have received but little education in youth, would follow their example, the liquor question would settle itself, and the police would be idle. A few years since, many who attended this school were rough and rowdyish. The change is largely due to the tact of the teacher, Miss George, and her hearty interest in that school.
In several of our sister cities evening High Schools have been established, or are talked of. Pupils have applied here for eve- ning instruction in the higher branches of an English education. The People's Club has very generously provided for this demand. It is to be hoped that the demand will increase; and there is no good reason why all who wish should not have the means of en- larging the common school education, which too early withdrawal from school has left incomplete. Each school of this kind im- proves society ; it may diminish the throng of idlers and bar-room loungers.
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
THE UNGRADED SCHOOL,
On Orange street, has a two-fold purpose-disciplinary, and for scholars detained from school a large part of the year. Truants and unruly scholars are sent here for reformation. Daily visits of the truant officer prevent absence ; a firm and judicious govern- ment secures obedience. The boys sent to this school are not lacking in talent ; their faults arise from an excess of uncon- trolled energy ; many of them are from the poorer families where they have been subject to no restraint. If it costs more to re- claim these than it does to guide the innocent, they will be worth more than they cost. For their success and their faithfulness in this not altogether attractive labor, the teachers are worthy of our special commendation. The punitive character of this school interferes with its popularity as a merely ungraded school, and no doubt, prevents many from attending who ought to be there. In the minds of many the disciplinary feature is unduly prominent. It may be that this is inevitable. At any rate, there seems to be a necessity for larger accommodations for that increasing class of pupils who, from various causes, cannot conform to the strict regulations necessary in a well-conducted system of graded schools ; and if the disciplinary character of the school destroys it for this class, whether with or without reason, then this charac- ter should be subordinated to the other and broader purpose. It will appear, further on, that a large class of irregular attendants is retarding the progress of our schools. All such might profit- ably be collected in one school where the instruction could be better adapted to their wants, and where their influence would not injuriously affect other pupils. To attendance at such a school no odium should attach; neither should it be made so attractive as to draw scholars from the better intellectual disci- pline of the regular schools. Such would this school be if it were enlarged and located in the geographical center, and if the tru- ants were kept in a separate room. Such, it is hoped, this school may become, till the better time shall arrive, when no provision must be made for children attending school but two or three months, because all shall enjoy their right in childhood to school the whole year.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
THE TRUANT SCHOOL,
Under the care of the Overseers of the Poor, is described in a report of the committee of that board having the school in charge. That report appears herewith-Public Schools, including Training School, High School, Grammar Schools, Primary Schools and Ungraded School; Truant School and the State Reform School, though controlled by different boards ; State Normal School, Technical School, Academy and Colleges ; and even Seminaries and Private Schools must all be considered in a comprehensive system of education. Since no system can lay any claim to com- pleteness, which does not provide somewhere for the education of every class. It is not enough that the unruly should be expelled, the dullards dropped, and the sickly ignored. In the above array of institutions accessible here, the wants of all classes are to some extent provided for.
THE REORGANIZATION OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS,
Mentioned in the last Report, has given further proof of its excellence in the experience of another year. Having personal responsibility and control over the building, the master can exercise an influence upon each pupil favorable to his advancement. Nu- merous cases of interest in school awakened, of more rapid ad- vancement through the grades, and of absence and tardiness cured, are directly traceable to this agency. The instruction also by this means becomes more thorough and systematic ; since no part of the curriculum is omitted and none is unnecessarily repeated.
The same principle has this year been extended to all the smaller buildings, so far as it is possible, where the principal has no assistant. The amount of supervision being thus limited, the results are also limited, though not less satisfactory so far as they extend.
Graded schools have this advantage over the ungraded : in them a better average scholarship may be secured for a whole class with the same teaching force ; principles may be explained to the school, and the individual gets the discipline of attending, and appropriating the explanation for himself; the pupil in passing
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
rapidly from teacher to teacher, is affected by an influence which is the resultant of all the positive qualities in the character of the individuals under whose instruction he has passed; he is not a reprint of either the blemishes or the beauties of any one ; in a given time, more extended teaching can be accomplished, than is possible in mixed schools. The principle of Division of Labor is here applied.
On the other hand, inherent in the system of grading are grave defects: individuals may be hampered by the slow progress of the class and lose their interest, or they may be forced along too rapidly and become discouraged ; at certain stages at least, it is necessary to judiciously aid pupils, in order to secure the best development ; and this nursing cannot be done without personal contact of the teacher, that the difficulties and wants of the young mind may become known ; in these schools, there is little opportunity for a gifted mind to reproduce in the pupil its own habits of thought ; the explanations necessary for a class may beget indolence and mental inactivity in individuals since they are often told that which it would be better for them to search out for themselves.
In cities like this, the system of grading schools is a necessity ; on the whole it is highly beneficial to the pupils ; it gives greater effectiveness to the teaching force; but it is not an unmixed good. To correct any evils incident to this system, so far as they are capable of correction, and to secure, as far as possible, the advantages that might flow from placing a class under the instruc- tion of a single person during the whole course, is the purpose of this reorganization. For the most part the new order of things has been entered into heartily ; but in a few instances while con- forming to the letter, teachers in the lower grades have not en- tered into the spirit of this change. The action of this Board should be distinctly understood, by which the principal of each building is held responsible for the enforcement of all the Rules and Regulations, for the methods of teaching and the grading of classes according to the course of study, and for all matters of order and discipline not specified in the printed rules ; and teach- ers who do not cordially cooperate, must give place to those who will.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 27.
TEACHERS.
The whole number of teachers at present employed, exclusive of those in the evening schools, is one hundred and fifty-three- four more than the number last year. The increase of $14,746 in the salaries has not been added promiscuously to those pre- viously paid. It has been distributed where additional duties have been imposed, or special excellence has been recognized. More than an equivalent has therefore been received. For special excellence much larger outlays might profitably be made. They must from time to time be made, unless the best teachers are to be surrendered to more liberal cities. The lowest salary is too much to pay a poor teacher ; the best teachers are cheapest at whatever cost. What then constitutes excellence ? This question must be met and answered; a careful discrimination must be exercised, the capable must be rewarded, and the incompetent unhesitatingly dismissed, or good schools cannot be sustained. It should be known that there is a determination on the part of this Board to take such action.
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