USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati in 1841 : its early annals and future prospects > Part 9
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but in the United States it is different. The independent ac- tion of individuals and incorporations, peculiar to republican government, disjoints the parts, which, under an arbitrary gov- ernment, would have been combined in one general system.
There are in Cincinnati at the present time, near four hun- dred students, engaged in what may be strictly termed univer- sity and college instruction. In that class of schools which are called academies, whether male or female, we suppose there are nearly fifteen hundred individuals ; in the common schools, and private schools of a similar kind, there are probably five thousand pupils ; in the aggregate, therefore, we suppose there are scarcely less than seven thousand scholars embraced in the various departments of education in Cincinnati. When we consider that there are from eight to ten thousand recent emigrants from Europe in the city, whose children have not yet become sufficiently assimilated to their new country, to share in the benefits of popular instruction, we see that nearly all the families who could partake of school education, to more or less extent, receive its benefits. We do not mean to say, that at any one time all the children of the city are in school, for such is the nature of civic occupations, that many children are required at home for the support of the family ; but we do mean to say, that some child of a family, at some time, in the great majority of cases, does share the inestimable bene- fits of school instruction; and that, in time, the system will probably embrace all the children of the city .*
We should view this result, so beneficent and so cheering, in connection with the fact, that it is but about ten or twelve years since the common schools of Cincinnati were establish- ed, and but just half a century since the town was founded, and the surrounding country a wilderness. In that time, all the arts of civilization have been transplanted to this new re- gion, and with them the school house and the school master,
* We should here mention, that the trustees have provided evening schools for such as cannot attend in the day time ; and that schools have also been formed, in which both German and English are taught.
Eng. bo Doolittle & Munson
Drawn by C Foster
LANE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, WALNUT HILLS.
ENGRAVED POR "CINCINNATI IN 1841"
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quite as vigorous in growth, and benign in their results, as in any land, wherever planted.
We may add here, that the corps of instructors are as ca- pable in mind, and as well prepared in materials for the du- ties of their profession, as in any other portion of the United States. We may suppose, without extravagance, that popu- lar education in Cincinnati, will grow in extent and quality in a degree scarcely less than the rapid growth of the city, in population and commercial prosperity. .
Central in locality and population to the great valley of the Ohio, with proper cultivation and a proper tone of public feel- ing, the schools of this city will become literally schools of teachers, for the people-soon to number tens of millions- who fill up this valley, and who are to give tone, sentiment, and principles to that vast population.
In connection with this subject we may with propriety men- tion, that about 1831, an association was formed in Cincinnati called the College of Teachers. Its object was to embody the teachers-not only of Cincinnati, but of the Mississipi valley-in an association, in developing the best modes of teaching, and in elevating the profession. Connected with it were literary gentlemen of different professions, who felt the necessity of giving new vigor and dignity to the business of instruction.
The results of this association have been indirectly most beneficent. They have published five volumes of their pro- ceedings, in which are embodied some of the best thoughts and most eloquent discussions on the subject of popular in- struction, which have yet been put forth in the United States. But in addition to these discussions, numerous individuals have been enlightened and excited by them, who have since gone forth into the fields of instruction, into the conventions of the people, and into the halls of legislation, animated with a spirit which has burst forth in the most ample provision-in Ohio at least-for the support of common schools, and the permanent elevation of the teachers' profession. L
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The institution which produced these results was-if not the first-among the first in the United States, and has re-act- ed in a salutary influence on older coinmunities.
In conclusion, we may state the fact, that Cincinnati has been resorted to by many enlightened individuals, with a view to the education of their families ; and that its mild climate, its beautiful environs, its high tone of moral feeling, and the abundance of its schools, do not discourage the idea that the metropolitan city of the west, furnishes educational, equal to its business, advantages.
LANE SEMINARY.
THIS is an institution devoted entirely to theological educa- tion, under the patronage of new school Presbyterians. The buildings are, four dwelling houses for professors-not shown in the plate; a seminary edifice four stories high and one hundred feet in length, containing eighty-four rooms for stu- dents ; a boarding house ; a chapel seventy-five feet by fifty- five, containing a chapel room fifty-five feet by fifty, a library room capable of receiving thirty thousand volumes, and four lecture rooms. These buildings and the library have cost the institution over fifty thousand dollars.
HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION.
As early as 1820, Rev. James Kemper and his sons sug- gested the plan of establishing here a manual labor institution for theological students, and made some arrangements for the purpose. In 1826, Mr. Kemper proposed the plan to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, who decided, in 1827, that the location was too far west, and fixed their western seminary at Pittsburg.
In 1828-30, Ebenezer Lane, esq., with his brothers, made a donation to the seminary of four thousand dollars ; whereup- on it was incorporated under the name of the " Lane Theolo- gical Seminary," and trustees were appointed. To these
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trustees Rev. Mr. Kemper and sons made over, for the benefit of the institution, sixty acres of land, on which the buildings were subsequently erected. In 1832, Arthur Tappan, esq., of New York, subscribed twenty thousand dollars for the pro- fessorship of theology. The same year, fifteen thousand dol- lars were raised for the professorship of ecclesiastical history, the largest contributor of which was Ambrose White, esq., of Philadelphia; and the same sum for the professorship of bib- lical literature, one of the largest donations being from gene- ral Stephen Van Rennselaer, of Albany. In 1835, the profes- sorship of sacred rhetoric was established on a fund of twen- ty thousand dollars, a large portion of which was given by John Tappan, esq., of Boston.
The institution went into operation in 1833. The whole number of students that have been connected with it since that time, is about three hundred. The number now in the seminary is sixty-two.
Terms of Admission.
Candidates for admission must produce satisfactory testimo- nials that they are members, in good standing, of some Chris- tian church; that they possess competent talents; that they have been regularly graduated at some college or university, or have pursued a course of study equivalent to the common college course. Applicants for admission to an advanced standing must be prepared for examination on the subjects that have been studied by the class which they wish to enter.
Course of Study.
The course occupies three years ; and every student is ex- pected to enter with the intention of completing the full course. As far as practicable, the different branches are pursued simul- taneously. The department of biblical literature occupies three days in the week during the first year, two during the second, and one during the third; systematic theology, two days in the week during the whole course of three years ; church history, one day in the week through the whole course ; sacred rhetoric and pastoral theology one day in the week the
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first year, two the second, and three the third. The object in this arrangement is to afford a pleasant variety of study, and to keep up a proper interest in all the departments through. the whole course. Hitherto the plan has been pursued with results highly satisfactory to the faculty.
Term Time.
The annual term of study commences the third Wednesday in September, and continues forty weeks. - The term is closed with a thorough public examination. Anniversary occurs on the second Wednesday in June.
Library.
The seminary library contains ten thousand volumes ; the greater part of which was selected with great care by one of the professors, who went to Europe for the express purpose of purchasing the books. There are here found not only the standard works in all the departments pertaining to a theolo- gical course, but also a very rich variety of authors in general literature and science. The library of the Society of Inquiry contains three hundred and twenty-six volumes.
The reading room and Atheneum contain twenty-one news- papers, and twenty-four of the most valuable literary and the- ological periodicals.
Manual Labor.
Every student is expected to labor three hours a day at some agricultural or mechanical business ; and for this the necessary accommodations are provided. While the leading aim of this regulation is to promote health and vigor of both body and mind, compensation is received according to the value of the labor. The avails of manual labor are much affected by the state of business in the city. In times of commercial pros- perity, students have frequently earned one hundred dollars a year, exclusive of their earnings during the twelve weeks of vacation.
Expenses.
There is no charge for tuition. The rooms are fully fur- nished, and rented at five dollars per annum. Incidental ex-
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penses, including fuel and lights for public rooms, ringing bell and sweeping, five dollars. By the assistance of funds recent- ly contributed, the price of board is reduced to sixty-two and a half cents per week." To those not receiving assistance from the funds, the price is about ninety cents. The cost of fuel and lights for each student will average from eight to twelve dollars per annum.
Trustees .- Nathaniel Wright, esq., President; John H. Groesbeck, esq., Vice President ; Jabez C. Tunis, 2d Vice President ; Stephen Burrows, 3d Vice President; Rev. Ben- jamin Graves, Corresponding Secretary ; Osmond Cogswell, Recording Secretary ; Gabriel Tichenor, esq., Treasurer; Rev. Robert H. Bishop, D. D. ; Augustus Moore, Daniel Corwin, Ezekiel Ross, Henry Van Bergen, Rev. Franklin Y. Vail, James Warren, M. D., William Schillinger, Robert Wallace, John Baker, Daniel Wurtz, Rev. T. J. Biggs, George W. Neff.
Faculty .- Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., President, and Pro- fessor of Theology. Rev. Calvin E. Stowe, D. D., Profes- sor of Biblical Literature and Lecturer on Church History. Rev. D. Howe Allen, A. M., Professor of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology, and Lecturer on Church Polity. Cal- vin E. Stowe, Librarian.
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO.
THIS institution was chartered, and placed under the control of a board of trustees, in December, 1825.
The state furnished the means by which a large and com- modious edifice was erected. It contains large lecture rooms and an amphitheatre, together with apartments for the library, as well as private rooms for the professors, and apartments well fitted up for pursuing, privately, the study of anatomy. The library contains upwards of two thousand volumes, of well selected standard works, purchased by the state, and for
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the use of the students of the college. The cabinet belong- ing to the Anatomical department is supplied with all the materials necessary for acquiring a minute and thorough knowledge of the human frame. These consist of detached bones, of wired and natural skeletons, and of dried prepara- tions to exhibit the muscles, blood-vessels, nerves, lymphat- ics, etc. etc. In addition, are very accurate wooden models of the small bones, and representations in wax, of the soft and more delicate structures.
The cabinet of Comparative Anatomy is supposed to be supplied more extensively, and with rarer specimens, than any other in the Union. Besides perfect skeletons of foreign and American animals, birds, &c., there is an immense number of detached crania, from the elephant and hippopotamus to the minute orders.
The cabinet belonging to the Surgical department has been formed at great expense, by the labor of more than thirty-five years. It contains a large number of very rare specimens, among which are sections of the thigh bones, that establish as fact, what European surgeons have long denied, viz : the pos- sibility, by proper treatment, of a re-union, after a fracture, of the neck of these bones. There are near five hundred speci- mens of diseased bones alone.
Of the department of Chemistry, it seems hardly necessa- ry that we should speak. The known industry and extraor- dinary enthusiasm, in every department of the physical scien- ces, of the gentleman who fills the chemical chair, are the strongest guarantees, that for the most full and efficient per- formance of the peculiar duties allotted to him, nothing that was necessary has been left unprovided. Many of his instru- ments are the result of his own powers of invention ; but the most important were selected by himself in Europe, and pur- chased at great cost.
Belonging to the chair of Materia Medica, is a large col- lection of indigenous plants, their extracts and other medicinal preparations, together with all the foreign articles used in prac-
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tice ; and the various topics embraced in the department of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, are eluci- dated in part by numerous and exceedingly interesting wax casts, most of which were obtained in Paris of some of the best French artists.
The students have the advantage of access to the Commer- cial Hospital, where they witness the medical and surgical treatment of the patients by members of the faculty. This is an invaluable privilege, and affords the students great facilities for acquiring a correct knowledge of diseases and their treat- ment. There are in the hospital, annually, several hundred patients ; and during the two winters usually devoted to at- tendance upon lectures, as great a variety of diseases is pre- sented to the student, as generally falls under the observation of a physician during a lifetime of practice. But what is of first importance to the western student is the fact, that through the facilities afforded by the connection spoken of, he can ac- quire a perfect knowledge of those diseases which he will be called upon to treat, on his first introduction into practice. A further advantage of this connection also, is that students have . the opportunity of witnessing operations, by one, long and successfully acquainted with the practical use of the knife.
In the prosecution of Practical Anatomy, also, every facil- ity is afforded them that can be obtained at similar institutions of the country.
The Faculty is composed of six professors, viz. : John T. Shotwell, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, and Dean of the Faculty ; John Locke, M. D., Professor of Che- mistry and Pharmacy ; R, D. Mussey, M. D., Professor of Surgery ; Daniel Oliver, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica, and Lecturer on Pathology ; M. B. Wright, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children; Jared P. Kirtland, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine.
The fees of tuition are fifteen dollars to each professor, mak- ing an aggregate of ninety. There are six lectures daily.
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OHIO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
At no period during its entire history have the prospects of the school been more encouraging. The utmost harmony prevails in the faculty, and the present class is as large as any which has ever attended, with one exception. There are, at present, one hundred and thirty students.
OHIO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
THE importance of popular education to a people whose in- stitutions are founded on the principle of universal suffrage, has long been duly appreciated by our citizens, generally. Our free-school system, and the pride we all take in directing the attention of those who visit us to our commodious and handsome school-houses, are proofs of the correctness of our principles on this subject. There are, however, those among us, who think that something more is necessary to be done in the cause of general education, than to establish common schools. They consider it necessary to the prosperity of our country and its progress in improvement, that the sciences, which have heretofore been taught only in our higher semina- ries of learning, should be made accessible to all who possess taste and talent to cultivate them to advantage. They are of. opinion that those who are engaged in the mechanic arts and manufactures, would make better progress by being acquainted with the scientific principles on which those arts are founded, by which means a constant advance towards perfection may be made. They consider also, that as the poor and the rich are alike eligible to office in the government of the country, they ought to have like opportunities of fitting themselves for use- fulness, by cultivating any branch of knowledge which their taste and talents might indicate.
From such considerations, a number of our citizens were induced, some years since, to attempt the establishment of an institution which should afford the means of instruction in any, and all, the sciences taught in our country, to all the young men of our city who desire improvement, and thirst for know-
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ledge. They adopted the name of the Mechanics' Institute, because institutions under that name were already established, and had acquired favor with the public, in many parts of our country and of Great Britain. But their hope and intention was to form an establishment, differing in some respects from, and superior to, any of the institutions bearing the same name. The plan was, not only to establish a library and reading room, with regular series of scientific lectures on two or three evenings of each week, but also, to provide for the formation of classes for the cultivation of the different sciences; to be conducted on the principle of mutual instruction, with such aid as might be necessary from professional teachers, some of whom were among the founders of the institute, and its most zealous friends. It was intended that a foundation should be laid, so broad, that all associations for the cultivation of the. arts or sciences might be embraced in it, and all the efforts for the advancement of learning, or improvement in the arts, be there concentrated, and thus the waste of that effort of enter- prise be prevented which had already established various lite- rary and scientific societies in our city, to, continue two or three years in existence, and then dwindle and die and be for- gotten.
A charter was obtained in 1828, and the operations of the institution commenced on a very humble and limited scale, in the north wing of the Cincinnati College, Dr. John D. Craig, who had long been an eminent teacher of natural philosophy in Philadelphia, Baltimore and our city, being the first presi- dent of the institute. Instructions were given in botany, che- mistry, mechanics, geometry and arithmetic, by Drs. Locke, Cleveland and Craig, and Messrs. Kinmont and Talbott, and popular lectures by Messrs. Noble, Foote, Peters, Drake, and others. Dr. Craig, however, being soon after appointed su- perintendent of the patent office, removed to Washington. His valuable philosophical apparatus was left here, and after some time was purchased by the late J. D. Garrard for the sum of $2000, and presented to the institute. "Contributions
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OHIO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.
of books were also made for the library, which was soon opened for the benefit of the members. Several of the most distinguished of our public teachers volunteered their aid, in the instruction of the classes, which were formed for cultiva- ting various sciences ; and in which the pupils displayed great zeal for improvement. The want of a suitable building was felt as soon as the operations began, and an opportunity offer- ing of purchasing the old Baptist church on Walnut street, on favorable terms, four of the directors ventured to make the purchase, and become accountable for the payments, which were extended to periods of several years. As this was a fa- vorable purchase, it was expected that the public would afford such aid to the institution, as would enable it to meet the pay- ments. This expectation, however, was not well founded ; for although the institute was for several years in a prosper- ous condition, as far as it related to the benefits it was confer- ring, yet its funds from contributions of membership were not equal to its ordinary expenses ; and instead of acquiring the means of paying for the building, it was increasing its debts ; and the commercial embarrassments of the city occurring, it was found impracticable to meet the payments, and, that the building must be sold. Previous to this period, Dr. Craig had returned from Washington, and was engaged in delivering regular courses of lectures in natural philosophy, and superin- tending the operations of the institute generally. For the pur- pose of continuing to the public the benefits of the institution, a building was rented, fitted up, and occupied for two or three years ; but not affording suitable accommodations, a gradual declension of interest in the institute, on the part of the pub- lic, was experienced, until the directors began to despair of being able to continue its existence, and appointed a commit- tee to report on the subject. This committee, however, re- ported that it was too valuable an institution to be suffered to fall without making some further efforts for its support; which report was adopted, and fresh exertions commenced in its be- half. Soon after this period a suggestion was made in one of
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the newspapers, of giving a public ball for its benefit, which was immediately carried into effect. On this occasion so much spirit was displayed by the citizens generally, in con- tributing in various ways to increase the receipts, that the sum of three thousand dollars was raised, which was ordered to be kept entire, and appropriated towards the purchase or erection of a building. An opportunity offered, soon after, of purchas- ing the building erected by Mrs. Trollope, and called the ba- zaar, for the sum of ten thousand dollars, which was consid- ered a very advantageous purchase, and was therefore effected. This building affords more commodious accommodations than the institute had ever enjoyed previously, and has been so fit- ted up as to adapt it to its new occupation.
In 1838 the institute held its annual fair, for the exhibition of western manufactures and the encouragement of western artists. The exhibition was opened also in 1839 and '40, im- proving each year in its character, in public regard, and in profits to the institution ; affording an opportunity to our arti- sans and manufacturers of displaying their taste and skill in their various vocations ; and by gathering from year to year new visitors to the fair, diffusing more widely a knowledge . of the character, and an interest in the operations of the insti- tute.
Among the manufactures exhibited at the fairs, particularly worthy of notice as evincing a high degree of perfection in the workmanship, were saddlery, harness and trunks, boots and shoes, scale-beams, philosophical apparatus, mathematical instruments, silver ware, clocks, chairs, cabinet furniture, pi- ano fortes and other musical instruments ; locks, cutlery, edge- tools, castings in brass and iron, machinery, cotton-gins, card- ing and spinning machines, blacksmithing, carriages, sheet- iron stoves, grates, &c .; cut-glass, porcelain, carpeting, agri- cultural implements, hats and caps, oil-cloths, &c. The fairs commence on the third Monday in June annually.
Soon after the last fair, Dr. Craig resigned his situation as lecturer, and returned to Philadelphia ; and a short time since
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Dr. John Locke, professor of chemistry in the Medical College of Ohio, was appointed his successor. Dr. Locke was one of the founders of the institute, and had devoted much time and labor to aid its progress. "He had established its chemical class, and inspiring in the members an uncommon degree of in- terest in the subject, has had the satisfaction of witnessing its rapid progress in the science. He is now delivering a regu- lar course of lectures on natural philosophy, on two evenings of each week ; and on Saturday evenings popular lectures, on various subjects, are delivered by different gentlemen of learn- ing and talents, which have been highly instructive.
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