creased to about twenty. Upon the opening of the autumn term, with two preceptors, the number rose to between seventy and eighty.

The names of the three who constituted the entire school at its opening, were Samuel C. Crafts, Ephraim Allen, and Samuel Swan.

The subject of instruction prior to 1800 were such as were required for entering Harvard College, and admission then did not include a knowledge of arithmetic or geography. The preliminary examination by the preceptor, teacher of English, and the Vice-President, could only have touched on the first rudiments. Dr. Jackson, the eminent physician of Boston, who was English teacher in 1796, writes: 'the studies were not of the most elevated character. I believe that all my pupils had learned the English alphabet before I saw them. I taught spelling, reading, writing, English grammar, and arithmetic, and perhaps, to a few of the pupils, some of the higher branches.'

In a public notice of the Academy, for the 4th of July, 1785, 'it being the day of the annual meeting of the Trustees of the Academy in Leicester, the youth of that seminary entertained a large and respectable audience with specimens of their literary improvements.'

One of the Trustees (Hon. A. Bigelow), writes in 1851: 'while a member of the academy, which must have been about 1790, he took part in the dramatic performances on occasion of one of these exhibitions, which occupied the entire day and evening, and in which pupils of both sexes took parts. And among the dramas acted on the occasion, was Addison's Cato, entire.

Dr. Pierce, who came there in 1793, describes one of these exhibitions. 'Plays were acted in the meeting-house, which was crowded to its full capacity. Scenery was constructed. On one of these days, I distinctly recollect a play excited great attention, entitled the 'Scolding Wife,' all parts of which were well sustained, but the heroine of which acted her part to universal admiration. At that time, a Congregational minister in this county played behind the scene, on a viol, the bass of a song in the 'Scolding Wife,' which was a component part of the play.'

In 1795, a committee of the Trustees recommended that the exhibitions aforesaid, in future, consist of Greek, Latin and English orations, forensic disputations, dialogues upon historical, scientific, sentimental, or moral subjects, and specimens of reading in the English language, or such of the above as may comport with the proficiency of the pupils in literature, and a reasonable length of time for the performances.'

The school appears to have been destitute of any thing in the way of 'apparatus' till 1798, when measures were taken by the trustees to purchase a 'set of globes,' a 'prospect glass,' and a 'microscope,' and to ascertain the expense of a telescope.

Soon after, in the same year, a committee were authorized 'to purchase an electrical machine, a thermometer, and a set of surveying instruments.

The earliest geography of which I have any account, as used in school, was 'Morse's,' what was called 'Abridgment;' and that was studied and recited memoriter without the aid of maps. This mode of teaching geography was in use as late as 1810 and '11, up to which time I have great doubt if an atlas, or collections of maps, had ever been seen in the academy.

About the year 1813, Chemistry began to be studied a little, and recitations were had from the 'Conversations,' the only text-book for schools then accessible. But no experiments or illustrations were had, except, perhaps, showing how the flame of a taper would be extinguished by burning it under a tumbler inverted over a cup of water. In 1815, the subject of making this a regular study in the academy, was first considered by the trustees.

The text-books used in the Latin department prior to 1800 were, Latin Grammar, Corderius, Erasmus, Eutropius, Cicero's Orations, Virgil, and a Treatise on 'Making Latin,' Greek Grammar, and Testament. From 1810 to 1815, the following were used: In Latin, were Adam's Grammar, Æsop's Fables, Eutropius, Virgil, and Cicero's Select Orations; in Greek, Gloucester Grammar, Græca Minora, Greek Testament, and portions of Græca Majora, Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary, and Schreveli's Greek Lexicon, with Latin definitions, were the dictionaries in use.

From the commencement of the school the pupils consisted of both sexes

the female pupils pursuing the studies of the English department. It was not till after 1830 that any considerable number engaged in the study of the languages. The trustees found it difficult to make the system of the academy popular for girls. The prevailing sentiment in the public mind seemed to be in favor of schools where accomplishments' and the polite branches' should hold a more prominent place in the female education. Many were the boarding schools which flourished for a while, under the influence of this sentiment, and many were the wrought samplers' and 'painted mourning-pieces' which were hung up in the parlors of our good citizens, as a kind of certificate that their daughters had shared in the benefits of one of those schools that once obtained a hold upon the public mind, where the acquisition of the 'solid' branches of learning was mingled with most of the 'fine' and 'polite arts,' and the whole accomplished in an incredibly short period.

The custom of the female pupils to take part in the exercise of declamation was discontinued within a few years after the establishment of the school.

The attendance of the pupils upon morning and evening devotions in the academy, and the public religious exercises upon the Sabbath, and days of public fast and thanksgiving, have been uniformly required.*

By the original system of organizing the schools, the principal preceptor was understood to be charged with the general management and direction of the institution, although I can find few, if any, instances, where the Latin preceptor had occasion to interfere with the discipline of the English department. Dr. Jackson incidentally remarks that, while he was connected with the academy, 'the schools were conducted quite independently of each other. I believe Mr. Adams never entered my room, and that I never entered his.' 'He gave me his advice very kindly, but I believe that he had no right to control me; certainly he never did.'

In order, however, to remove all questions of conflict of jurisdiction, the subject was acted upon by the trustees in 1821, when it was expressly declared by them, that it was the duty of the principal preceptor to superintend the government of the English, as well as the Latin, school; to arrange, direct and regulate the studies of the English students; to acquaint himself with their proficiency, by occasional examinations; and; in common with the assistant, to watch over their moral and general deportment.

The assistant had authority, concurrent with the principal, to preserve order in the English school when under his immediate care, and to inflict such punishments, when necessary, as are consistent with the usages and laws of the academy.

Except with masters fresh from 'the old country,' and who at home were hard specimens of a bad class of teachers, American school discipline, as a general rule, was never characterized by hard and cruel severity; and yet our older schools are not without their traditions of outrageous, grotesque, and laughable punishments, both in respect to instruments, and their applications. The names of some flagellators' have passed into the keeping of American literature. The sway of rod, birch, and ferule has been known in our colleges, and has not yet been surperseded by judicious classification of pupils, a wise distribution of studies, and the frequent resort to timely recreation and physical exercise. Although there are instances of sharp, severe, and even cruel treatment by female teachers, the employment of refined and well educated young women as principals and assistants in our public schools has had a marked influence in ameliorating discipline The more direct responsibility of teachers, for their appointment and continuance in office, to parents and the public, made up largely of the parents of pupils, has always proved a check on the abuse of the authority necessarily lodged with the master.

* From the erection of the meeting-house till an organ was obtained, about 1825, the students occupied the seats in the gallery, from the center of the front around to the center of the west gallery. After that, they occupied the seats in the east gallery. In 1802, the trustees hired a sent, for the English preceptor, in a pew in the gallery belonging to N. Beers, overlooking the students. The meeting-house was without any stove, or means of warming it; and an extract from the same letter already quoted from, will give some idea of what going to meeting" then was. "I shudder now, in June, with the co'd, whi'e thinking what I then suffered on the Sabbath, when I was posted as a sentinel, in the north-west corner pew in the church, to observe the students' conduct in the time of worship."

A WELL ORDERED LIFE-PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

First in Peace, First in War, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen.

AMONG the manuscripts of Washington still in existence, there is one, written before he was thirteen years of age, entitled

RULES OF CIVILITY AND DECENT BEHAVIOR.

The rules are written out in the form of maxims to the number of one hundred and ten, and form a minute code of regulations for good conduct in respect to manners and minor morals.

1. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

2. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

3. Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your, peace, walk not when others stop.

4. Turn not your back to others, especially when speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on any one.

5. Be no flatterer; neither play with any one, that delights not to be played with.

6. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unless desired, nor give your opinion of them unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

7. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave. 8. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

9. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop and retire, especially if it be at a door or any strait place, to give way for him to pass.

10. They that are in dignity, or in office, have in all places precedency; but whilst they are young they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth, or other qualities, though they have no public charge.

11. It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom in no sort we ought to begin.

12. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive. 13. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you be not knowing therein.

14. In writing, or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

15. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

16. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors of arrogancy.

17. When a man does all he can, though he succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

18. Being to advise, or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, and in what terms; and in reproving show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness. 19. Take all admonitions thankfully, in what time or place soever given; but afterwards, not being culpable, take a time or place convenient to let him know it that gave them.

20. Mock not, nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp-biting, and if you deliver any thing witty, and pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

21. Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself; for example is more prevalent than precepts.

22. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curse, nor revile. 23. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

24. In your apparel, be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to times and places.

25. Play not the peacock, looking every where about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings sit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

26. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone, than in bad company.

27. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all causes of passion, admit reason to govern.

28. Be not immodest in urging your friend to discover a secret.

29. Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grave and learned men; nor very difficult questions or subjects among the ignorant; nor things hard to be believed.

30. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table; speak not of melancholy things, as death, and wounds, and if others mention them, change, if you can the discourse. Tell not your dreams, but to your intimate friend. 31. Break not a jest where none takes pleasure in mirth; laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion. Deride no man's misfortune, though there seem to be some cause.

32. Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.

33. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear, and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.

34. Detract not from others, neither be excessive in commending.

not.

35. Go not thither, where you know not whether you shall be welcome or Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly. 36. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained, and be not obstinate in your opinion; in things indifferent be of the major side. 37. Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors.

came.

38. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others. 39. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language, and that as those of quality do, and not as the vulgar; sublime matters treat seriously.

40. Think before you speak, pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

41. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him, till his speech be ended.

42. Treat with men at fit times about business; and whisper not in the company of others.

43. Make no comparisons, and if any of the company be commended for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same.

44. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author always. A secret discover not.

45. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

46. Undertake not what you can not perform, but be careful to keep your promise.

47. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion, and with discretion, however mean the person be you do it to.

48. When your superiors talk to any body, hearken not, neither speak, nor laugh.

49. In disputes be not so desirous to overcome, as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion, and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.

50. Be not tedious in discourse; make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.

51. Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust.

52. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals; feed not with greediness; cut your bread with a knife; lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat.

53. Be not angry at table, whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

54. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table; but if it be your due, or that the master of the house will have it so, contend not, lest you should trouble

the company.

55. When you speak of God, or his attributes, let it be seriously in reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents, although they be poor.

56. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

57. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

In these Maxims or Rules, the student of Washington's life will discover the principles on which his conduct in society was founded, and the type on which his dignified manners were molded.

Bushrod Washington, the nephew to whom the following letter was addressed, was the son of John Augustine Washington, born June 5, 1762. He profited by his great uncle's advice and example; and so improved his opportunities of professional study, that soon after his admission to the Bar, he was appointed District Attorney, and elected to the Legislature. He was a member of the Convention which ratified the National Constitution in 1788, and was selected by President Adams to fill the vacancy on the Bench of the Supreme Court of the United States caused by the decease of Judge Wilson of Pennsylvania in 1798-which place he filled with the reputation of a learned, independent, and exemplary magistrate for thirty-one years-until his death in November, 1829.

LETTERS TO BUSHROD WASHINGTON.

NEWBURG, 15th January, 1783. DEAR BUSHROD,-You will be surprised, perhaps, at receiving a letter from me; but if the end is answered for which it is written, I shall not think my time misspent. Your father, who seems to entertain a very favorable opinion of your prudence, and I hope you merit it, in one or two of his letters to me speaks of the difficulty he is under to make you remittances. Whether this arises from the scantiness of his funds, or the extensiveness of your demands, is a matter of conjecture with me. I hope it is not the latter; because common prudence, and every other consideration, which ought to have weight in a reflecting mind, are opposed to your requiring more than his convenience and a regard to his other children will enable him to pay; and because he holds up no idea in the letter, which would support me in the conclusion. Yet when I take a view of the inexperience of youth, the temptations and vices of cities, and the distresses to which our Virginia gentlemen are driven by an accumulation of taxes and the want of a market, I am almost inclined to ascribe it in part to both. Therefore, as a friend, I give you the following advice: