PLANS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL HOUSES IN PHILADELPHIA.

Prior to 1818, a system of charity schools was maintained by a society of benevolent individuals, which had been aided by a small appropriation from the city, from 1808. In these schools 2,600 poor children were educated in 1817, at the cost of $11 per scholar.

In 1818, against violent and interested opposition from various quarters, the present system was commenced, and the first school opened in a hired room under the Lancastarian method of instruction.

In 1819, there were six schools established, one school-house built, ten teachers employed, and 2,845 children instructed in reading, writing. and arithmetic, at an aggregate expense of $23,049 45, of which near $19,000 was invested in land, and building, and furniture.

In 1823, the first school for colored children was established.

In 1826, there were 4,144 children in nine schools, at an aggregate expense of $22.444.

In 1833, an infant model school was organized. There were at this date 5,768 children in thirteen schools, under twenty-three teachers, instructed at an aggregate expense of $53,042, of which $23,000 was for school buildings and fixtures.

In 1836, twenty-six primary schools were established. A committee of the board of Controllers, visited the public schools of Boston and New York, and at their suggestion the system of instruction was modified, and additional teachers, at a higher compensation, were employed, and the services of juvenile monitors dispensed with. At this date, 11,127 children were instructed, in forty-eight schools of different grades, at the aggregate expense of $75,017, of which $23,000 was for land and buildings. Thirteen school-houses had been erected up to this date.

In 1837, sixty primary schools were in operation, with nearly six thousand scholars. These schools were eminently successful in gathering up the young children who would otherwise not be at school, and in relieving the higher schools of a class of pupils, who only embarrassed the teachers and retarded the more advanced learners. During this year, the corner stone of the Central High School building was laid, with an astronomical observatory attached. The monitorial system was still further dispensed with or modified. At this date, 17,000 children were in all the schools, and the expenditure amounted to $191,830, of which $112,000 was for land, buildings, and furniture. Of this last amount, $89,000 was received from an appropriation by the State of $500,000 for school-houses.

In 1830, the Central High School was opened, with professors in various branches of Classical, English, Belles Letters, Mathematical. Astronomical, and Physical sciences, and before the close of the year, reorganized on a plan submitted by President Bache, of the Girard College of orphans. More than 18,000 children were in regular attendance at school, and the expenditure for the year amounted to $188,741, of which $82,000 was for land, buidings, and furniture. The ordinary expense of the system was about $6 for each pupil.

In 1848, a Normal School was opened under the charge of A. T. W. Wright, "for the thorough training of female teachers in such practical exercises as will discipline and develope the mind, adorn and elevate the character, insure the best modes of imparting knowledge, and prevent fruitless experiments, manifold mistakes. and inseparable loss of time."

In 1850, evening or night schools were opened by the Controllers in different parts of the city, to accomodate those to whom circumstances may have denied the advantages of education in early life, as well as to enable those whose necessities will not permit to attend the day school, to share the benefits of that mental training so necessary to fit them to become useful citizens. The attendance in these schools, during the winter of 1852-53, was 7,772; of which number, 5,776 were males, and 1,995 females. The average age of the males was 17 years 4 months, and of the females 16 years 9 months. Of the whole number, 3.235 were born in Philadelphia; 1,452 in other parts of the United States; and 3,085 were of foreign birth. Of the 7,772, when admitted, 943 could not read, 1,581 could not write, and 1,943 were entirely iguorant of the use of figures. The cost of supporting the night schools, in the winter of 1852-53, was $16.907 or $2.17 for each pupil.

The system of public instruction embraced, in 1853:

I. Classified schools, viz.: 152 primary schools; 35 secondary schools; 55 grammar schools; and 1 high school for boys—each grade having its appointed course of study and requisites of admission.

II. Unclassified schools, viz.: 42 day schools and 30 night schools, scattered through the less populous portions of the district, or where the habits or circumstances of the population are not favorable to regularity of attendance. The pupils of these schools are classified, but not according to the rules applicable to the schools in the first division.

III. Normal school, for training female teachers for the different grades of schools.

The attendance in all the schools was as follows: in the 286 day schools, 50,085, of which number 25.836 were males, and 24,249 females; in the 20 night schools 7,772, of which number 5,776 were males, and 1,990 females-making an aggregate attendance of 57.857 seholars.

The entire expense of supporting the system, for the year ending June 30, 1853, including text-books and stationary, was $386.122.32, exclusive of the sum of $25,181, paid for rent of ground and houses, and of the estimated interest on $932,290.02, the cost of grounds and buildings now belonging to the Controllers. Of the entire expense, the sum of $31,307 was derived from the State appropriation, and the balance from a tax on the property of the city.

Exclusive of rent and interest on cost of school-houses, the cost of educating 57,857 pupils, in the day and night schools, was $6.67 for each pupil; and including rent and interest. $7.06.

The cost of supporting the unclassified, primary, secondary, Grammar, High, and Normal Schools, with an attendance of 50,085 pupils, was $358,714.70, including the cost of books and stationary furnished by the Controllers, and exclusive of the rent of school-room and the interest on the cost of grounds and buildings-or $7.16 to each pupil.

The cost of the night schools, with an attendance of 7,772 pupils, was $16.907.02, or $2.17 to each pupil.

The cost of the High School with an attendance of 519 pupils, was $17.449.53. or $32.97 for each pupil.

The cost of Normal School, and School of Practice, with 519 pupils, (including pupil-teachers and children,) was $6,796.72, or $10.98 to each pupil.

The cost of the grammar, secondary, primary, and unclassified schools, with an attendance of 49,052 pupils, was $335,468.45, or $6.84 to each pupil.

The cost of furnishing books and stationary, included in the foregoing calculations, was 75 cents for each pupil for the year.

The progress and influence of the Central High School, is thus set forth by Dr. Hart.

Commencing from small beginnings, in 1838, with only sixty-three students and four professors, and with a character not much beyond that now attained by our best Grammar Schools, the High School has gradually enlarged its corps of professors, its number of students, and its course of studies, until it has assumed, in public estimation, the rank, as from the Legislature of the Commonwealth, it has received the distinctive attributes of a college. The minimum age for admission was originally twelve, and few students were then admitted much beyond that age. The minimum age for admission is now thirteen, while the actual age of those admitted, averages nearly fifteen. The preparatory studies at the same time have been nearly doubled, raising thereby, in a corresponding degree, the character and studies of the Grammar Schools, and of the whole connected series of schools below them.

ness.

The number of students in attendance on the High School, during the last six years, has been constantly a little over 500, and it is at this time 516. During the fifteen years that the High School has existed, 2,805 students have been admitted to its privileges, of whom 2,289 have entered upon the active duties of life, and are to be found in almost every walk of professional, commercial, and mechanical busiThese young men, it is true, did not all complete the full course of study. Some of them were not more than a year, a few not more than six months, in the school. Yet, of the great majority of them, it is evident that they were long enough in the institution to have received from it an abiding moral and intellectual influence. The average time of their continuance in the school, was over two years, while many of them completed the full course of four years. The institution, therefore, young as it is, may justly claim to have conducted through a liberal course of study, more young men, even in this infancy of its career, than some of our most honored colleges, which have already celebrated their hundredth anniversary. The graduates of the High School are admitted, without further preparation, to the study of law, medicine and divinity. As teachers, they are rapidly placing themselves in the front ranks of the profession. Our own public schools have felt the benefit of their influence, and applications are constantly received for their services, in organizing and conducting important educational establishments in other states. The alumni of the High School have furnished the most successful reporters for the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Large numbers of them are engaged in civil engineering, and not a few of them are connected with that important scientific undertaking, the United States Coast Survey. They are engineers in the Japan Expedition, surgeons in the navy of the United States, miners and merchants in California, and engaged, it is believed, in soine capacity, in every State in the Union.

All these young men are bound together by a tie of affection for the publie schools, and particularly for the High School, the strength of which is even more than proportionate to the benefit they have received. I have been often surprised at the liveliness and fervor of the interest which they have shown towards their Alma Mater. A large part of them, all who were in the school as long as two years, are united in a general society, known as the "Alumni Association," numbering now 760. Besides this, there are numerous smaller associations, meeting weekly as literary or debating societies, for the purposes of following up the intellectual culture which they commenced at school. These associations differ from the ordinary literary societies in colleges, inasmuch as they do not consist of the undergraduates, but are made up entirely of those who have left school. They discuss literary and scientific subjects, prepare essays and lectures, appoint committees to report on questions of science or art, submitted by the members, and receive communications on these subjects from such of their members as have removed to other parts of the country.

When it is recollected that the vast majority of this number settle in our midst, that they are to be found in every walk of honorable enterprise, professional, mercantile and mechanical, and that from the character of the education which they have received, they will naturally acquire positions of greater influence than others who have had less favorable advantages, it is difficult to overestimate their growing importance as a body. There are certainly not less than eighteen hundred of these young men now engaged in active life in the city of Philadelphia, at ages varying from fifteen to thirty. Such is the character which they have acquired among the citizens for successful attention to whatever they undertake, that not a week passes

without applications being received at the school for some of its alumni. Eligible situations in the very best stores and counting houses in the city are offered to them without solicitation. They are constantly advertised for, hoc nomine, in the public papers. These facts would seem to indicate that the course of instruction and discipline provided by the controllers has been such as to fit the students of the High School for the actual wants of life. It is gratifying to observe, also, that the habits and the moral training, even more than the intellectual instruction, are constantly mentioned as among the qualities that have brought our alumui into request.

OCCUPATIONS of the 2,107 pupils who graduated or left during the eleven years ending July 22d, 1853.-Architects 5, Bakers 5, Blacksmiths 48, Blind Makers 2, Bookbinders 19, Brewer 1, Bricklayers 47. Brickmakers 5, Brushmaker 1. Cabinetmakers 14, Cadets 3, Carpenters 166, Carvers and Gilders 2, Chairmakers 3, Chemists 12, Clergymen 9, Clerks 199, Coachmaker 1, Coachtrimmers 2, Conveyancers 76, Coopers 10, Copper-plate printers 2, Copper-smiths 2, Cordwainers 62, Curriers, 14, Cutlers 2. Dentists 10, Druggists 69, Dyers 2. Engineers 51, Engravers 55 Farmers 95. Gas fitters 7, Gilders 4, Glasscutters 3, Goldbeater 1, Grocers 27. Hatters 13. Ironfounders 2, Iron railing maker 1. Jewellers 21. Lawyers 29, Locksmiths 3. Machinists 91, Manufacturers 13, Mariners 48, Masons 4, Miller 1, Millwrights 3, Morocco dresser 1, Moulders 2. Painters 13, Paper hauger 1, Patternmakers 2, Physicians 34, Plasterers 2, Ploughmaker 1, Plumbers 3, Potter 1, Printers 76. Saddlers 19, Sailmakers 2, Ship Carpenters 9. Shipjoiners 2, Shipwrights 40, Silversmiths 2, Stereotypists 2, Stone cutters 9, Storekeepers 439, Surveyors 3. Tailors 15, Tanner 1, Teachers 72, Tinsmiths 8, Tobacconists 5, Turners 6, Type founders 4. Umbrellamakers 4. Upholsterer 1. Watchmakers 6, Weavers 5, Wheelwrights 8. Not ascertained 29. Deceased while pupils 10.-Total, 2,107.

OCCUPATIONS of the Parents or Guardians of the pupils admitted, from the opening, October 22d, 1838, to July 16th, 1853.-Agents 6, Aldermen 2, Artists 3, Auctioneers 2. Bakers 21, Barbers 2, Blacksmiths 37, Blindmakers 2, Boarding-house keepers 13, Boilermaker 1, Bonnet pressers 3, Bookbinders 12, Booksellers 5, Bottlers 3, Brassfounders 6, Brewers 11, Bricklayers 29, Brickmakers 14, Bridlebit makers 2, Brokers 28, Brushmakers 12, Button-maker 1, Butcher 1. Cabinetmakers 35, Cap-maker 1, Carder 1, Car-builder 1, Carpenters 245, Carrier 1, Carters 24, Carvers and Gilders 3, Caulker 1, Chairmakers 6, Chaise-driver 1, Chemists 4, Clergymen 41, Clerks and Accountants 159, Coachmakers 6, Coachtrimmer 1, Coal dealers 8, Coal viewer 1, Coffee roaster 1, Coiners 2, Collectors 6, Combmakers 13, Comedians 2, Commission Merchants 11 Conductors 3, Confectioners 10, Contractor 1, Conveyancers 9, Coopers 16, Copperplate printer 1, Copper-smiths 1, Corders 3, Cordwainers 128, County Commissioner 1, Carriers 18, Custom-house officers 3, Cutlers 2. Daguerreotypists 2, Dealers 22, Dentists 14, Distillers 10, Draymen 4, Drovers 3, Druggists 29, Dry goods Merchants 12, Dyers 10, Dye-sinkers 1. Editors 2, Engineers 11, Engravers 21. Farmers 42, Fishermen 7, Flour Inspector 1, Frame maker 1, Furriers 3. Gardeners 4, Gentlemen 4, Gentlewomen, (widows) 134, Gilders 4, Glass-blowers 5, Glove-maker 1, Goldbeaters 2, Grocers 100, Guager 1, Gunsmith 1. Hardware Merchants 12, Hair-dresser 1, Hatters 34, Hay Merchants 2, Horse dealers 2, Hose-makers 2, Hucksters 2. Ice-dealers 3, Importers 3, lan-keepers 54, Iron-founders 8. Jewellers 16, Judges 6. Laborers 59, Lampmaker 1, Lapidary 1, Lastmakers 3, Lawyers 35, Lime burner 1, Livery Stable keepers 3, Locksmiths 4, Lumber Merchants 9. Machinists 47, Mantuamakers 35, Manufac turers 73. Marble Mason 1, Mariners 36, Mast-Makers 2, Mathematical Instrument makers 6, Measurer and Surveyor 1, Merchants 145, Military Cap maker 1, Millers 12, Milliners 10. Millwrights 3, Miners 2, Morocco-dressers 4, Musical Instrument maker 1, Moulder 1. Organ builder 1, Oystermen 2. Painters 13, Paper Box makers 4, Paperhangers 2, Paper manufacturer 1, Pattern-makers 3, Paviors 2, Pawnbrokers 4, Pedlars 2. Physicians 62, Piano forte makers 3, Plane makers 2, Plasterers 20, Plumbers 6, Porters 2, Portrait Painters 2, Potters 2, Printers 42. Prison-keeper 1, Publisher 1, Pumpmakers 4. Reedmaker 1. Refiner 1, Reporter 1, Rigger 1. Saddlers 31 Sailmakers 4, Sailing Masters 2, Salesmen 4, Sashmaker 1, Saw-makers 2, Sawyers 2, Scale maker 1. Seamstresses 28, Shipchandler 1, Shipjoiners 5, Shipsmiths 3, Shipwrights 29, Shuttle-maker 1, Silver-platers 3, Silver-smiths 4, Skin dresser 1, Slater 1, Soap boilers 2, Spar makers 2, Spectacle makers 2, Spinner 1, Spooler 1, Spring makers 2, Stage drivers 3, Starch manufacturer 1, Stereotype-founders 2, Stockmakers 2, Stone cutters 17, Stone Masons 5, Storekeepers 139, Stove finisher 1, Stove maker 1, Superintendent of Gas Works 1, Surgical Instrument makers 10, Surveyors 2, Suspender maker 1. Tailoresses 7, Tailors 86, Tallow Chandlers 4, Tanners 5, Teachers 49, Tinsmiths 16, Tobacconists 16, Traders 4. Tube maker 1, Turners 9, Type-founders 4. Umbrella makers 8, Undertakers 2, Upholsters 4. Varnisher 1, Victuallers 22. Warpers 2, Watchmakers 12, Watchmen 13, Weavers 39, Weigh Master 1, Wheelwrights 14, Whipmaker 1, Worker in Metal 1.-Total, 2,805.

TEACHERS AND EXPENSE OF NORMAL SCHOOLS.-The following statis tics of the Normal School, and Model Schools, or Schools of Practice are taken from the Report of the Controllers, for 1850.

NORMAL SCHOOLS located in Chester Street, above Race.

Number of Pupil Teachers-Girls 136. Average attendance 129.

Girls' Grammar Schools.-Total 230. Average attendance 200.

MODEL SCHOOLS, Chester Street, above Race.

Sally F. Dawes, Principal,

$500 00

Mary Hunt, Assistant,

250 00

Boys' Secondary School.-Total 157. Average attendance 140.

The total expense of the Normal School to the city, exclusive of the expense of the Model Schools, which would be increased by their disconnection from it, can not exceed $2,000, and for this sum, every Primary, Secondary, and Grammar School, will derive benefits which could not be secured by the direct expenditure of a much larger sum. The Controllers bear the following testimony to the results of the school for 1850: "The Normal School has been in successful operation through the year, and has fully met the expectations of its most sanguine friends. Already a number of the pupils have been elected as teachers in several of our schools; and from their efficiency and aptness to teach, we may look to this school for a constant supply of teachers, not only well instructed in the different branches taught in our public schools, but capable also of imparting it to their pupils."

The following statistics of the Public Schools of Philadelphia, are gathered from the "Thirty-second Annual Report of the Controllers of the Public Schools of the City and County of Philadelphia, composing the First School District of Pennsylvania, for the year ending June 30, 1850." pp. 244. The whole document is highly creditable to the city, and the Report of John S. Hart, LL.D., Principal of the High School, as well as that of Dr. Wright, Principal of the Normal School, should be read and studied by every officer and teacher connected with the administration and instruction of Public Schools in every large city in our country. It must lead to the establishment of a High School where it does not now exist, and of a Normal School in each city, as Boston, Providence, New York, Cincinnati, New Orleans, &c.