of them have had grants of State lands, that at Fryeburgh of 15,000 acres, and the other six, at Machias, Hallowell, Berwick, Marblehead, Taunton, and Leicester, one township each. To extend this plan of a township to each academy to those academies already allowed, and to those which from local circumstances may be justly claimed, would require the grants of twelve or thirteen townships more. The committee think this number too large, and therefore propose half a township of six miles square, of the unappropriated lands in the district of Maine, to be granted to each academy having secured to it the private funds of towns and individual donors before described, to be laid out or assigned (with the usual reservations) by the committee for the sale of eastern lands.

Of the eight academies already incorporated and not endowed by the Commonwealth, part appear to have been endowed by towns and individuals; and as to part, no satisfactory evidence is produced of such endowments.

It appears that Dummer's Academy, in Newbury, has legally secured to it a permanent fund for its support, by a private donor, to the amount of $6,000; and that Phillips Academy, in Andover, has a fund something larger, secured in like manner; that each of these academies was established in a proper situ

ation.

It appears that the academies in Groton and Westford are about seven miles apart, both in the county of Middlesex, and with a neighborhood perhaps not so adequate as could be wished to the support of two; that each of them has received the donations of towns and individuals to the amount of about $2,500, and that each of them is now much embarrassed for want of funds, but both of these academies have been incorporated and countenanced by the legislature, and must be considered as fully adequate for the county of Middlesex.

On the whole the committee propose an immediate grant of half a township of the description aforesaid, to each of these four academies. As to the academies at Portland, Westfield and New Salem, and in the county of Plymouth, the committee propose that half a township, of the description aforesaid, be granted to each of them: provided, each of them shall, within three years, produce evidence that there is a permanent fund legally secured to each by town or individual donors, to the amount of $3,000, and that the Act establishing an Academy in the town of Plymouth be repealed, and an Act be passed establishing an Academy in the county of Plymouth, on the principles of the petition from that county; and that half a township of land be granted to each of the counties of Barnstable, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Dukes County, and Hancock, for the purpose of an Academy; provided they shall, within three years, severally furnish evidence that funds are secured by towns or individual donors to the amount of $3,000, for the support of each of the said academies.

The Joint Standing Committee on Education (Hon. Charles W. Upham, Chairman,) in a Report dated March 30, 1859-after reciting the above report, as proceeding from a Committee "composed of leading and experienced men, of whom Nathan Dane of Beverly was one,"—"and as published by the General Court, containing most decisive and emphatic annunciation of the policy of the State"remark:

The following principles appear to have been established, as determining the relations of academies to the Commonwealth. They were to be regarded as in many respects and to a considerable extent, public schools; as a part of an organized system of public and universal education; as opening the way, for all the people, to a higher order of instruction than the common schools can supply, and as a complement to them, towns, as well as the Commonwealth, were to share, with individuals, the character of founders, or legal visitors of them. They were to be distributed, as nearly as might be, so as to accommodate the different districts or localities of the State, according to a measure of population, that is, 25,000 individuals. In this way they were to be placed within the reach of the whole people, and their advantages secured, as equally and effectively as possible, for the common benefit.

DUMMER ACADEMY, SOUTH BYFIELD.

Compiled from Centennial Address of NEHEMIAH CLEAVELAND, LL. D., 1863, and from items furnished by the present Principal, Rev. EBENEZER G. PARSONS.

HISTORY.

The founder of Dummer Academy, William Dummer, died on the 10th of October, 1761. By his will, he set apart his dwelling-house and farm of nearly three hundred acres in Newbury for the establishment of a Grammar School, to stand forever on the farm. The property was given in trust to Messrs. Foxcroft and Chauncy, of Boston, and Mr. Nathaniel Dummer of Newbury, and to their heirs and assigns forever, the rents and profits to be employed in erecting a schoolhouse and in support of a master.

In pursuance of the policy of the State, embodied in the legislation of 1797, the Dummer Academy received from the State a grant of a half township of land in the province of Maine. From this grant, together with a bequest of $6,000 from a private donor, the present investment has been derived.

Buildings and Grounds.-In conformity with the will, the trustees put up, during the year 1762, a small school-building. It was in the humble style and on the moderate scale which characterized the country school-houses of that day,—a square, one-story structure, not much more, probably, than twenty feet on a side. It stood nearly on the site of the present academic edifice. The farm of three hundred acres, with the mansion-house, remain, and afford to the school a moderate rent. A large outlay has recently been made in improvement on the academy grounds and building, especially in the entire reorganization of the upper story, so that the institution now affords, in all respects, an attractive and beautiful place for study.

Course of Study.-The ability to read English well was the simple condition imposed by the founder for admission to the school. Yet under the first teacher, boys received the most thorough drill in Latin and Greek. "To fit his boys for College, and fit them well, was Master Moody's ambition and pride; and though a majority of them stopped short of the collegiate course, still he believed that even for them there was no other discipline of equal value." Though he lived long before the days of gymnastic apparatus and instruction, he looked carefully after the amusements, the health and the safety of the boys. In the matter of bathing, his regulations were strict and peculiar

The time and the place were fixed by him. The state of the tide was carefully observed; and if the favorable moment happened to come in the midst of school hours, he suspended work for a while and sent the boy's out to bathe, so important in his view was the salubrious immersion. For greater safety, he divided the school into two bands. The smaller lads and mere novices in swimming went to the little river,—a comparatively shallow stream; while all who could be trusted in deeper water ran off in the opposite direction, and plunged into the broader estuary.

The school was designed to enlarge and extend the course of study in the Common Schools, and to be in a special manner preparatory to the College. Its establishment marked an era in popular education, in that it was the first established for the benefit of the whole people, not being dependent, like the "Grammar School," upon municipal and local support and patronage. The school has maintained its original character throughout the entire period of its existence, and has in a general and particular way been a model upon which kindred institutions have been established. Besides the classical course, heretofore pursued, an English course of study is arranged, and pupils of both sexes are now admitted who desire the more general and thorough education in English branches, either with or without the languages. The classical course affords the opportunity for a thorough fit for the New England Colleges.

The instruction is thorough, and based upon the principle that a man's education is the discipline he receives. This is regarded as of more importance than the mere acquisition of knowledge.

A set of apparatus, adequate to illustrate all the important principles of natural philosophy and chemistry, is owned by the Sons of Dummer, and devoted to the use of the institution. Experimental lectures on these subjects are given during the fall term. The class in surveying practises field exercises with the aid of a superior set of instruments.

Society of the Sons of Dummer." The objects of this institution, besides the cultivation of friendly intercourse and social affections amongst its members, are to promote and extend the usefulness and reputation of the Academy, and to excite a laudable emulation among the pupils for the time being, by the distribution of honorary premiums among those who shall be distinguished by diligence in their studies, by conformity to the rules of the Academy, and the directions of the preceptor and other instructors, and by habitual decency and correctness in their deportment; and, as the funds shall be competent, to make additions to the library, and to secure such philosophical and

astronomical instruments as may be thought useful and proper for the improvement of the pupils."

The institution was formed under the promptings and exertions of Mr. Dudley Atkins Tyng, a former pupil and admirer of Moody. Its first meeting was held at Newburyport, June 22, 1822, and consisted of the following gentlemen: Dudley Atkins Tyng, Nathan Noyes, Jacob Gerrish, Jonathan G. Johnson, and Eleazer Johnson, Jr. At the second meeting, June 29, Jeremiah Nelson, Edward Sprague Rand, and Alfred Pike were present; and, with those first named, deserve to be held in honored remembrance as the founders of the society.

Of more than one hundred members elected, more than half had been pupils of Master Moody. Of these, eight individuals constituted themselves patrons of the society by the required payment of fifty dollars ($50) each; six became life members, each paying twenty dollars ($20).

The fund thus raised, with the annual payments from other members, enabled the society to offer prizes for meritorious conduct and scholarship. The society's fund continues unimpaired, and with the annual income of five hundred dollars ($500), bequeathed by the late Moody Kent, Esq., affords the means of making necessary additions to the library and philosophical apparatus; also of awarding prizes annually to such pupils as in the judgment of the trustees by their good behavior and attainments are entitled to such marks of distinction.

For the work accomplished by the school, the reader is referred to the very interesting centennial address of Nehemiah Cleaveland, LL. D. Amongst its early students were such distinguished personages as Theophilus Parsons, Rufus King, Professors Pearson, Webber, and Smith, William Prescott, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Tenney, and Nathaniel Gorham, with scores of others scarcely less eminent; all of whom some in one department of civil, political, and social life, some in another-have exerted an incalculable influence in moulding and directing the life of the people and the nation.

The

The number of its graduates must be counted by thousands. school has had varying success, and been quite distinguished for periods of rest-for vacations. Mr. Cleaveland's address takes rather of an unhopeful view of the future of the Academy; but it evidently has still its mission, and is doing good work for the community and the few scholars who attend it from abroad. At present the school is open to girls as well as boys.

Government. The management of the school was placed by the founder in charge of Byfield parish; the choice of the parish as to a

teacher was to be expressed through the minister for the time, and a committee of five freeholders duly elected. The parish, however, had no control over the farm or other property; that was committed to the three feoffees. It had no control over the master, beyond the simple act of appointing him; for he could be removed only by the overseers of Harvard College on the ground of incompetency or immorality.

Evidently the parish were not satisfied with the relation which their committee sustained to the Academy, for, in 1764, the representative in the General Court was instructed to present the following questions to that body, with a request that it should answer and settle the

same:

"1. Who are the Persons that are to Rent sd. farm, to repair the Buildings, to Receive the Rents and pay the same to the Teacher of the School?"

"2. What number of these persons mentioned in the sd. Gov. Dummer's will (to direct and appoint in the affair of the Master And Said school) are to be agreed, so as to make a valid act?"

"3. Who is to be Judg or Say when Scholars are qualified for sd. School, According to the Will of the Doner, and What other Larning besides Grammar, that first Being Duly Regarded, is to be taught in sd. School."

"4thly. Who are the Persons that are to have the Care and Inspection of sd. Master and School?"

"This literal transcript of the records indicates," says Mr. Cleaveland, "that the school was not founded too soon." It does not appear that the Byfield people were enlightened upon these points. From this time until 1782, the five freeholders were elected duly as the year came round, but their labors were not onerous, for Mr. Moody literally conducted the school in every respect; the trustees under the will did nothing and had nothing to do.

By the Act of incorporation in 1782, all the functions of the five freeholders were transferred to a board of trustees, under which form the government of the institution has continued to be administered to the present time.

A complete list of the trustees will be found in the centennial address of Mr. Cleaveland, already referred to: it comprises a president of Harvard College, seventy to eighty of the men of Essex and the adjoining counties, most eminent in the offices of the State, of the church, and of professional life, whose wisdom in counsel and in the conduct of its pecuniary interests have enabled the institution to do its distinguished work for more than a century of its existence.

Mr. Cleaveland intimates that had the counsels of the most far