USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Sketches and statistics of Cincinnati in 1851 > Part 5
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* Remarks of E. D. Mansfield ; reported in the transactions of the College of Teachers.
5
54
FUNDS -ORGANIZATION.
attending them having all the advantages which the best course of elementary instruction can confer, without price, charge, or special tax.
To describe accurately, the system of Public Education in Cincin- nati, we shall arrange the facts under the following heads, viz. : Funds, Organization, Buildings, Teachers, Course of Study, Sta- tistics.
I. OF FUNDS.
The Funds by which the Public Schools of Cincinnati are sus- tained, are derived from two sources : first, the city's portion of the State School Fund; and secondly, by a direct tax on the property of the city in proportion to the wants of the schools. The State has granted $200,000 per annum, heretofore, to the Public Schools-and it is probable will increase that sum in future-in addition to the tax, which the several school districts pay, or the other funds they have. Cincinnati has her portion of this general fund ; then, she taxes herself, to the additional amount required, for the support of the schools. In the last few years, the city has paid seven-eighths of the whole. Of the city school tax, about one-fourth or one-third, is called the Building Fund, and is permanently appropriated to the repair, furnishing, and erection of buildings. The total amount of school revenue in Cincinnati, for the fiscal year 1848-9, was $65,103; of which, $7204 was derived from the State School Fund.
II. ORGANIZATION.
The Public Schools of Cincinnati are managed and controlled by three distinct sets of officers, each of which has distinct duties, and all of which result in a very simple and easily controlled system. These are the Board of Trustees; the Board of Examiners, and the Corps of Teachers. These are entirely separate bodies, but are harmonious and efficient in the school government of the great body of youth committed to their care.
1. The Board of trustees are elected by the people at the annual municipal elections, two for each ward, and have charge exclusively of what may be termed the business arrangements of the schools. Their duties are to make the necessary appropriations of money ; to furnish, repair, and arrange the buildings; to appoint teachers and make rules for their government, with all such powers as are incidental to the immediate government of the schools. 2. The Board of Examiners are appointed by the city council, are seven in
55
BUILDINGS-CORPS OF TEACHERS.
number, and their duties are to examine the teachers, in respect to their qualifications and their pupils, whenever it seems to them proper. Without their certificate no teacher can be appointed. To perform this duty with due regard to the various capacities of the teachers, the Board of Examiners have divided their certificates into: first, that he is qualified, as male principal ; second, that he is quali- fied as male assistant ; third, that she is qualified as female principal ; and, fourth, that she is qualified as female assistant. These classes of certificates are a sufficient division for the different merits of those who are examined, and are found in practice greatly to stimulate the ambition of the teachers. The Board of Examiners have hereto- fore exercised great discrimination in the performance of this part of their duties, and none have received their first class certificate who have not in fact been very superior teachers. 3. The corps of teachers .- This body, one hundred and twenty-five, performs its duties of instruction and government, under, and in conformity to rules prescribed by the trustees ; so also the kinds and order of books taught in the schools are prescribed by the trustees.
III. BUILDINGS.
The school buildings of the Public Schools are thirteen in num- ber, constructed on a uniform plan, and conveniently arranged for the objects in view. They are capable of accommodating-including both day and night schools-full eight hundred pupils each. In addition, there are two other buildings used for the purposes of Public Instruction : one is used for the Central School, and the other is the Orphan Asylum, where pupils are under the care of the Common School Instructors.
IV. CORPS OF TEACHERS.
The Public Teachers now number about one hundred and thirty- eight, being more than double the number employed in 1840, and thus indicating very clearly, the progress of the Public Schools, in numbers and property. Each of the school districts, occupying a School Building, has a Male Principal and a Female Principal, with such number of assistants for each, as may be necessary to the pro- per instruction of the pupils attending in that district. The number of teachers in each district varies from seven to fifteen ; thus the 1st district has ten Teachers, and the 10th district has fifteen.
A difference is made in the age, qualifications, and salary of
56
COURSE OF STUDIES.
teachers, in proportion to the age and standing of the classes they are required to teach. For small children, young girls are fre- quently employed ; while for the higher classes of boys, men of in- telligence and reputation are required.
The QUALIFICATIONS of the Teachers are generally amply suffi- cient for all the instructions they are required to give. The exami- nation for a Male Principal, is, in spelling and definitions; reading, writing ; English grammar, including composition; geography; United States history; mental arithmetic, written arithmetic; natural history, elements of natural philosophy; American history; elements of algebra; the Constitution of the United States; the Constitution of the State of Ohio ; the elements of geometry ; plane trigonometry, mensuration, and surveying.
The examination in all these studies, beyond, and higher than those of geography and English grammar, has been introduced within the last ten years; illustrating the fact, that the schools have advanced not merely in numbers, but in the standard of education.
V. THE COURSE OF STUDIES.
Some idea of the course of studies pursued in the Public Schools, may be gathered from the subjects above enumerated, upon which the principal teachers are examined. In fact, the schools contain all varieties of mind, at all ages, between four and twenty-one years ; and, therefore, require instruction from the very simplest elements, up to the higher branches of science. It has never been intended by the trustees of Public Schools in Cincinnati, to limit the amount of knowledge to be acquired in the schools. As there are, however, but few of the pupils who can spare the time required for a study of general science, the trustees have provided for those who need such studies, and are willing to pursue them, a Central School, of which we shall speak separately. The general course of studies, as arranged by the Board of Trustees, is divided into nine sections, adapted to the ages and standing of so many classes of scholars.
The BIBLE, without note or comment, is read in all the schools, and by all classes capable of reading.
The Ninth, or lowest section, is taught the alphabet on cards, spell- ing, and the primer.
The Eighth, the same,-First Reader and oral arithmetic.
The Seventh,-Second Reader; outline geography ; mental arith- metic.
57
STATISTICS.
The Sixth,-Second Reader ; oral defining; outline geography, and elements of drawing.
The Fifth,-Third Reader; written arithmetic; local geography ; elements of drawing.
The Fourth,-The same; geography of the Western Continent ; penmanship.
The Third,-Fourth Reader; arithmetic; history ; geography ; grammar ; music ; linear drawing.
The Second,-Arithmetic ; algebra; grammar; geography, and analysis of language.
The First, - Algebra ; grammar; history ; composition ; decla- mation ; music ; drawing.
It will be seen, from this course of studies in the Public Schools, that without even entering the Central Schools, pupils who remain a sufficient length of time, may acquire a very good common edu- cation, practical and useful.
STATISTICS.
The following figures will show what proportion of the youth of Cincinnati are taught in Public Schools, and what proportion of teachers are allowed them. They are taken from the 20th annual report, published in 1850.
White youth enumerated, between 4 and 21. . 35,004
Colored youth . . 1069
Number of pupils enrolled in the year 12,240
Number in daily attendance 5557
Number of teachers 138
Number of pupils in daily attendance on each teacher. 40
In 1840, the number enrolled was 5121
in attendance, about 4000
66
of teachers . 64
of pupils to a teacher 62
It seems that the number of teachers employed in proportion to the pupils, is much increased ; so that, in fact, much better instruc- tion is given. It is found that very few children are in the schools, beyond twelve years of age; but as that number is continually changing, so that, for example, in the eight years in which those who are under twelve, and above four, are passing beyond twelve,
58
COST OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION - PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
there are about ten or twelve thousand others passing into their places,-it may fairly be presumed, that, at least, two-thirds of all the youth of Cincinnati,-say 35,000-within the school age, receive some instruction in the Public Schools. If, to these, we add those taught in parochial and private schools, it is probable, that at least, nineteen-twentieths of the youth of Cincinnati receive some elemen- tary education.
COST OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
Total expenditure in the years 1848-9 $67,884
Average cost of each teacher 492
Average cost of each pupil 550
In the above, is included the expenses of buildings as well as schools they being necessary to the school establishment.
I. CENTRAL SCHOOL.
Two or three years since, the trustees established a Central School, for those youth who have time to pursue a higher course of studies than can be afforded by the common schools. In this school, mathematics, natural philosophy, astronomy, natural history ; the ancient languages, the science of government, and moral science are taught. In fine, it is a college of high order, and of very su- perior instruction. The youth of- the common schools have thus a FREE COLLEGE, without cost, and open to all who possess talent and merit. This institution has one great advantage over ordinary col- leges ; for it receives only the best talent from the whole mass of youth in the common schools.
We conclude this notice of the Public Schools, by stating the general fact, that the Public Schools of Cincinnati now furnish as good and complete a course of American education, as can be ob- tained anywhere, except in the purely professional studies.
II. PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
The Catholic Schools are the only ones which are strictly paro- chial, although there are schools under the special care of the Metho- dists, and perhaps of other denominations. The following are the statistics of the Catholic Parochial Schools, as stated on the author- ity of this society.
The number of children attending the Catholic Parochial Schools, is 4494, as appears by the following list :-
59
ACADEMIES AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
1. St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum. 100
2. St. Peter's Orphan Asylum 162
3. Schools of the Nuns of Notre Dame 647
4. Schools of the Jesuits . 600
5. Cathedral School 400
6. Christ School, Fulton 60
7. St. Philomena's School 300
8. Holy Trinity School 310
9. St. Michael's School 75
10. St. Joseph's School 275
11. St Mary's School 500
12. St. Paul's School 275
13. St. John's School 790
4494
All these children are taught by 48 teachers, giving thus 93 2-3 children to each teacher, and the entire annual cost of these schools is $13,000.
III. ACADEMIES AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Schools of this class are all private, except the Central, described above. Of these, there are a great number and variety. The fol- lowing are a few of the most conspicuous.
I .- The Catholic High Schools :
1. YOUNG LADIES' LITERARY INSTITUTE AND BOARDING-SCHOOL, Sixth Street. This school is under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and its pupils are enumerated in the Catholic Schools above. (3)
2 .- URSULINE ACADEMY, Cincinnati.
The boys' Catholic Schools are included, either in St. Xavier Col- lege, or the Parochial Schools.
II .- Private Academies.
WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE, Vine street :-
Teachers 15
College department 77 pupils.
Preparatory and primary 360
This institution is, in regard to both numbers and course of in- struction, of a high grade of American female education.
60
COLLEGES.
CINCINNATI FEMALE SEMINARY :
Teachers. 5
Pupils 100
This also is an institution of high rank.
HERRON'S SEMINARY FOR BOYS :
Teachers 11
Pupils. 242
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE .- Dr. Colton .- This institution is chartered as a college, but has not, we believe, yet formed college classes. I has a large number of pupils in course of classical education.
LYMAN HARDING'S SEMINARY FOR GIRLS.
MRS. LHOYD'S
E. S. BROOKS' CLASSICAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
R. & H. H. YOUNG'S
The whole number of Private Academies and Schools in Cincin- nati, probably amount to fifty, and number at least, two thousand five hundred pupils.
IV. COLLEGES.
There are in Cincinnati, three colleges, properly so called :
1. The CINCINNATI COLLEGE .- This is the oldest collegiate insti- tution in the city ; but its instructions are now entirely suspended, except the Law School. It was twice in academic operation for many years, but has been twice suspended, and its fine building is now occupied only for mercantile and municipal purposes. The Young Men's Mercantile Library Association occupy rooms in one part ; the Chamber of Commerce in another, and the City Council in another. As the property of the institution is quite large, it is supposed that it will, before many years, be applied to its legitimate purposes.
2. WOODWARD COLLEGE .- This institution was founded by the liberal bequest of the late William Woodward. It is amply en- dowed, and gives instruction in a regular course of college studies. The catalogue enumerates :
Teachers 5 Pupils 161
3. ST. XAVIER COLLEGE .- This is a regular college, under the charge of the Roman Catholics. It has a large and valuable library and ample buildings and accommodations.
61
MEDICAL COLLEGES-THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS.
V. MEDICAL COLLEGES.
There are in Cincinnati, four Medical Colleges, corresponding to four different kinds of medical education. There are :
1. Ohio Medical College.
2. Eclectic Medical College.
3. Physo-Medical College.
4. College of Dental Surgery.
The first is the school of the regular medical practitioners. The second is that of what is called the Eclectic School of Medicine. The third is that of the Botanic School; and the fourth is a College for the instruction of those who intend practicing Dentistry. The whole number of medical students in the city during the winter is probably four hundred and fifty.
VI. LAW SCHOOL.
There is but one Law School in the city ; the Law department of Cincinnati College, and generally numbers about thirty students. There are, however, many more law students in private offices, pre- paring for the practice of the Law.
VII. MERCANTILE SCHOOLS.
Not to refer to a number of schools here, some in high repute, in which penmanship is made a preparatory exercise for mercantile employment, there are several schools, three of which are incorpor- ated mercantile colleges, in which book-keeping in all its various branches, is systematically taught, together with mercantile law, or so much of the law as ordinarily bears upon commercial pursuits: not less than 250 pupils are at an average receiving education in this line.
VIII. THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS.
There are five regularly established Theological Schools. These are :
1. Lane Seminary (Presbyterian, New).
2. Presbyterian Theological Seminary ( Old).
3. Seminary of St. Francis Xavier ( Catholic).
4. Roman Catholic Theological Seminary.
5. Baptist Theological Seminary.
Neither of the last three have formed classes yet; but all have
62
GENERAL VIEW OF EDUCATION IN CINCINNATI.
secured a large amount of property, which places them on a secure foundation. The whole number of Theological students (Presby- terian and Catholic), now in the city, probably does not exceed sixty.
IX. GENERAL VIEW OF EDUCATION IN CINCINNATI.
The previous review of various kinds of institutions for education in this city, exhibits the general fact, that Cincinnati is provided with the means of education in all the branches of human knowledge. If the circle of instruction were confined to the Public Schools alone, ascending from the Primary classes to those of the Central School, it is found to embrace nearly all the substantial and useful parts of a public education. If we go beyond these, to the numerous Aca- demies and Colleges, we find the whole round of science, of lan- guages, of history, and many of the accomplishments taught by com- petent and enlightened instructors. Indeed, we do not know that even the oldest, and richest cities of our country afford, in their schools of education, a wider range of knowledge, although the con- veniences, libraries, and number of teachers are greater.
The following table of the results furnished above, will exhibit a general view of the number of institutions, teachers, and pupils in Cincinnati :
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
PUPILS.
Public Schools
19
138
12,240
Parochial Schools
13
48
4494
Private Schools
50
100
2500
Colleges.
3
15
403
Medical Colleges.
4
20
450
Mercantile Colleges
4
12
250
Law School . .
1
3
30
Theological Schools
5
7
60
Colored Schools t
3
9
360
Totals.
102
357
20,737
This table exhibits the fact, that there are twenty thousand youth, of different ages, instructed annually in more or less branches of
* The whole number enrolled during a year, are here enumerated ; for all who are enrolled, have received more or less instruction.
t The Colored Schools are separated from the others. The total number of colored youth returned, is 1069; between the ages of 4 and 21.
63
FAIRMOUNT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
useful knowledge in this city. This is about one-half of all who are of suitable age for education ; and when we take into view, that this period contains sixteen years, can we doubt, that in one form or other, nearly all the youth of the city are brought within the aids of education.
FAIRMOUNT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
The Fairmount Theological Seminary was established by, and will be under the control of, the Western Baptist Education Society; a society organized by a Baptist convention, held in Cincinnati, Nov. 1834, and incorporated by the Ohio Legislature, March 1835. Its aims were to embrace within the sphere of its operations and in- fluence the whole Mississippi Valley, and to increase the number, and to improve the qualifications of the Christian ministry. Its object, as declared by the constitution, was " the education of those who give evidence to the churches of which they are members, that God designed them for the ministry ;" and its first effort, to provide an institution for this purpose, resulted in the establishment of what is now the Western Baptist Theological Institute, located in Covington, Ky. The assumption of the exclusive control of the institute by Kentucky, in 1848, and the insuperable difficulties that appeared to forbid the hope of the co-operation of the north-west and the south-west, in an enterprise of this character, together with the large extent of country and the numerous body of churches that would otherwise be unprovided for, determined the society at its annual meeting, June 1848, to enter upon measures preliminary to the establishment of a new seminary for the north-western States. Early in the ensuing year, an offer was made to the society by the Fairmount Land Company, on certain conditions, of thirty acres of land, estimated to be worth $35,000, as the site, and for the use of the proposed seminary. A large convention of delegates and indi- viduals, chiefly from Ohio and Indiana, held in Cincinnati, Oct. 1849, recommended the establishment of the seminary on the offered site at Fairmount, and the raising by voluntary subscriptions and donations, in addition to the thirty acres of land granted by the said company, of the sum of $50,000, as an endowment, and for the pur- pose of erecting suitable buildings. The society is now engaged in carrying their propositions into effect.
The site is on the principal elevation of Fairmount, about a quar- ter of a mile west of the point at which the northern boundary of
64
LANE SEMINARY.
the city intersects Mill creek, and nearly two miles north-west of the Cincinnati court-house. It is a spot of great natural beauty, com- manding a full view of the Mill creek valley, from the Ohio river to Cumminsville ; of the entire city of Cincinnati, as it spreads out to- ward the south-east; and of the elevated lands environing the city for many miles around. The principal seminary edifice, now (May 1851), in process of erection, is of brick, 112 feet in length; 50 feet in breadth, and four stories high above the basement. It will con- tain a chapel, library, lecture-rooms, dormitories, rooms for study, &c. This seminary, called into being by the voice, and relying, as it does, on the combined strength of the Baptist denomination in Ohio, Indiana, and adjoining States in the north-west, cannot fail of eminent success.
LANE SEMINARY.
This is a Theological institution, connected by its charter with the Presbyterian Church, and since the division of that church in 1838, under the patronage of that branch of it known as the New School. It is well endowed, having beside its buildings and library, which cost about $50,000, a considerable permanent fund safely invested, and one hundred and eleven acres of land adjoining the city, sixty acres of which were donated by Rev. James Kemper and sons.
The buildings are a seminary edifice, four stories high ; one hun- dred feet in length, and containing eighty-four rooms for students : a boarding-house ; a chapel, seventy-five feet by fifty-five, con- taining a room for public worship, fifty-five feet by fifty ; a library room, capable of receiving thirty thousand volumes; three lecture rooms, and a reading-room. The name was given in honor of Ebenezer Lane, Esq., of Oxford, who, with his brother Andrew, made the first considerable donation in money. The institution went into operation in 1833. Nearly four hundred students have been connected with it, most of whom are in the ministry, of different denominations, throughout the United States and in foreign lands. The privileges of the institution are open to all members of Christian Churches, who have pursued studies equivalent to the common col- lege course, and desire to prepare to preach the Gospel. The course of study occupies three years, having but one term in each year, which opens on the third Wednesday of September, and closes at the anniversary, which is on the second Tuesday of June.
Library and Reading Room .- The library contains ten thousand volumes, carefully selected. It is the intention of the Board to
65
LANE SEMINARY.
appropriate five hundred dollars per annum for its increase. The reading room furnishes for the use of the students, the leading liter- ary and theological periodicals of this and foreign lands, and about twenty newspapers.
Expenses .- There is no charge for tuition. The annual term bill for room rent, use of the library, and incidental expenses is ten dollars ; board, $1.25 per week.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
NATHANIEL WRIGHT, Esq. President.
JOHN H. GROESBECK, Esq.
1st Vice President.
HENRY STARR, Esq .. 2d do. do.
ROBERT BOAL, Esq. 3d do. do.
REV. SAMUEL W. FISHER
Corresponding Secretary.
REV. THORNTON A. MILLS.
Recording Secretary.
GABRIEL TICHENOR, Esq.
Treasurer.
REV. BENJAMIN GRAVES
Reading, O.
ROBERT WALLACE.
Covington, Ky.
WILLIAM SCHILLINGER
Cincinnati.
JOHN BAKER.
AUGUSTUS MOORE
JOHN MELINDY
DANIEL CORWIN
EZEKIEL ROSS.
REV T. J. BIGGS, D. D.
HENRY VAN BERGEN.
EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, Esq.
REV. JOHN H. HALL, D. D.
Dayton.
REV. HARVEY CURTIS.
. Chicago, Illinois
REV. HENRY L. HITCHCOCK
Columbus, O.
FACULTY.
REV. LYMAN BEECHER, D. D., President, and Emeritus Professor of Theology REV. D. H. ALLEN, D. D., Professor of Theology.
REV. GEORGE E. DAY, A. M., Professor of Biblical Literature, and Lecturer on Church History.
REV. J. B. CONDIT, D. D., Professor of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theo- logy, and Lecturer on Church Polity.
D. H. ALLEN, Superintendent, Cincinnati.
CINCINNATI THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN.
This Seminary was organized, May 1850, by the appointment as Professor of Church Polity and Ecclesiastical History, of James Hoge, D.D .; and as Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology, of N. L. Rice, D. D.
66
SCHOOLS - COLLEGES.
It is designed to afford students in Theology, who are preparing for the Christian ministry in the west, a sound and practical edu- cation in the largest sense. It has had twelve students during the session of 1850-51, and will doubtless receive large accessions as soon as its operations become familiarly known to the churches which it represents.
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