tion of the Institution as the first State Normal School in Pennsylvania, on Dec. 2, 1859. The State has granted to it different sums of money, and incurred the expense of supplying certificates and diplomas. Professor Wickersham resigned the Principalship in 1866, and was succeeded by Professor Edward Brooks, who has been connected with the Institution from the time of its organization as a permanent school in 1855. The prosperity of the school has been so encouraging that additional buildings, costing about $28,000, were erected during the past summer, (1868.) The Normal School buildings are large, the east front being 252 feet, and the south front 160 feet, and conveniently arranged. There are boarding accommodations for 300, and school accommodations for 400 students. The buildings are surrounded with grounds to the extent of ten acres, which have been laid out and are used for play and pleasure grounds. The new building is 90 feet long and 40 feet wide, four stories high, and affords boarding accommodations for nearly a hundred more students. The Male and Female departments are entirely separate, each sex occupying a different building. Both sexes, however, meet at lectures and in recitations; and it is believed that the presence of each has a beneficial effect upon the other. The Institution already possesses considerable philosophical apparatus, and provision has bean made to increase it. It possesses also a good cabinet of Mineralogical and Geological specimens, and further contributions of this nature are solicited from its friends. The ladies have a Hall 112 feet long and 30 feet wide, which is devoted to gymnastic and calisthenic exercises. The gentlemen, also, have ample play grounds, and considerable gymnastic apparatus. By a recent Act of the Legislature, the following appropriations are made by the State to Normal Students and Graduates: 1. Each Student over seventeen years of age, who shall sign a paper declaring his intention to teach in the Common Schools of the State, shall receive the sum of FIFTY CENTS per week towards defraying the expenses of tuition and boarding. 2. Each Student over seventeen years of age, who was disabled in the military or naval service of the United States, or of Pennsylvania, or whose father lost his life in said service, and who shall sign an agreement as above, shall receive the sum of ONE DOLLAR per week. 3. Each Student who, upon graduating, shall sign an agreement to teach in the Common Schools of the State two full years, shall receive the sum of FIFTY DOLLARS. 4. Any Student to secure these benefits must attend the School at least one term of twelve consecutive weeks, and receive instruction in the Theory of Teaching. These benefits are to be deducted from the regular expenses of board and tuition. There are three courses of instruction: elementary, scientific and classical, respectively designed to prepare teachers for Common, English High Schools, and High Schools in which Greek and Latin are taught. Provision is also made in a preparatory course, for students deficient in a knowledge of the most elementary branches. A Model School, taught chiefly by the graduating class of the Normal School, is in successful operation. Graduates in the Elementary Course are constituted Bachelors of the Elements, graduates in the Scientific Course, Bachlers of the Sciences, and graduates in the Classical Course, Bachelors of the Classics. Judicious arrangements prevail, by which, after two years' successful teaching and prosecution of their studies, Bachelors are advanced to Masters, and further distinguished by the corresponding professional titles of Teachers of Elemental, Scientific or Classical Didactics. Among the attractions of the School are two flourishing Literary Societies, conducted by the students-the "Page" and the "Normal." They hold weekly meetings. They have together, about 2000 well selected volumes in their Libraries, all collected within a recent period. Any student may become a member of either of these Societies by paying a small initiation fee. The following is the summary of students in attendance at the school during 1867–8: In the Normal School In the Model School......... Whole number during the year.. Number during the Winter Session....... Total for both Sessions....... Males. Females. ..... 770 472 .516 ..... 988 The government of the School is based upon the principle, "Do right because it is right." Special efforts are made to secure obedience to regulations by the cultivation among the pupils of a high sense of honor. More reliance is placed in the principle of self-government than in positive rules or in penalties attached to arbitrary restrictions. The positive regulations adopted are based upon the following principles: 1st. No student should be allowed to trespass upon the rights and privileges of another. 2d. Privileges that all cannot enjoy should be granted to none. It is taken for granted that every student who enters the school is disposed to do right, and to obey the particular regulations of the school, and implicit trust is placed in his sense of honor and propriety. Parents and guardians are earnestly requested not to send persons who have contracted bad habits, as the safety of others will demand their dismission. Every care is taken to remove temptation to wrong doing, but upon the discovery that a student cannot be trusted, he will be removed from the school. Among the religious privileges of the School are a Sunday School, Bible Classes, Prayer Meetings, and a sermon or religious lecture in the School Chapel every Sunday. Students are required to attend the Sermon or Lecture. Attendance upon other exercises is optional. Besides the Institutions already named, there are numerous private schools in different parts of the County. Among these we name: ST. JAMES'S SCHOOL is a graded school, for young ladies, ably conducted by a competent corps of teachers, under the direction of the Rector of St. James's Church. It has all needed appliances for a sound and liberal education. It has six teachers and about 100 pupils. The Rev. Mr. Bruning, a Lutheran minister, also conducts a grls' school, known as the Conestoga Collegiate Institute. Mr. Davis has a mixed school, and the Rev. Mr. Gast, in conjunction with Mr. Gerhard, has charge of the preparatory department of Franklin and Marshall College. All these institutions are Day Schools and located at Lancaster. The Rev. Mr. Dodge conducts a Young Ladies' Seminary at Mount Joy, and at the same place is also an Academy for Boys; both are Boarding schools. Soldiers' Orphans are also educated in several parts of the County. LIBRARIES.—There are three public libraries in Lancaster county-the Mechanics' and the Athenæum, in Lancaster city, and Shoch's, in Columbia. The Mechanics' Society has 3,500, the Athenæum Association 2,500, and Shoch's School Library 1,500 volumes. The Mechanics' Society was organized on the 8th of May, 1829. The building in South Queen street, at present used by Geo. B. Schaum as a cabinet wareroom, and which was for several years owned and occupied by the 2d Presbyterian Church, was built in 1839 by the Mechanics' Society, who owned and occupied it for a number of years, using the lower room for the library, and letting out the second floor for concerts and other entertainments. At one time the society grew weak, and was kept up only by about half a dozen members, who instead of dividing the books and funds among themselves, as they might have done, and as was proposed by several of them, met regularly for several years and kept the Society alive, until some ten years ago, when new life was infused into it, and it now has thirty-seven members and one hundred and sixtyfour subscribers, with $4,150 invested in mortgage on real estate. The Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society was organized on the 22d of September, 1857, to secure the $1,000 donation of books shortly before made by Congress to a society in each Congressional district, devoted to history, agriculture and mechanics. This Society had its library on the second floor of Russel's hardware building in North Queen street, until February 7, 1859, when the books and other articles were removed to the third floor of the City Hall. Hon. E. C. Reigart having about this time intimated that if a union could be effected between the Mechanics' Society, the Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society, and several other somewhat similar organizations in the city, he would give $2,500 towards the purchase of books and fitting up a proper place for keeping them, an effort was made to accomplish this object. The movement failed. However, on the 11th of August, 1858, a society called the Athenæum was organized, and the rooms of the third story of the City Hall given without rent, by City Councils, for the use of the society. To this society Mr. Reigart gave $2,500-$1,000 on the 1st of January, 1859, and $500 thereafter annually for three years. The rooms were fitted up for a library and reading room, and formally opened to the public on the 17th of February, 1859. On the 20th of December, 1860, the Athenæum Association and the Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society were united, and their libraries consolidated, under the name of the Athenæum and Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society. The similarity of names renders it proper to mention that the "Mechanics' Society," first above referred to, is a different institution and entirely unconnected with the "Historical, Agricultural and Mechanics' Society." The Shoch Library was established in Columbia, in 1868. Samuel Shoch having donated $500 towards the purchase of books for the free use of the pupils of the public schools of Columbia, the Board of School Directors of that borough purchased about 1,500 volumes. Citizens of Columbia, by the payment of a small annual fee, are permitted to use this library. A society called the Conservatory of Arts and Sciences, which was organized in Lancaster city some twenty-five years ago, established a library, and loaned books to its members. It has long since ceased to exist, and many of its publications are now on the shelves of the Athenæum. Two ladies, named Jordan, many years ago opened a circulating library in Lancaster, which was kept up until some eight years ago, when the surviving proprietress died, and the books were sold at auction. The Mechanics' Society introduced into Lancaster popular lectures and night schools. Redmond Conyngham delivered before the Society a series of lectures on History, and Dr. W. L. Atlee a series on Chemistry. Other lecturers were also employed by this Society.1 "THE LINNÆAN SOCIETY OF LANCASTER CITY AND COUNTY" was instituted and organized February 15, 1862, and incorporated under the above style and title by the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster county, on August 30, 1865, "for the cultivation, development and advancement of natural science; and for the investigation of the character, quality and habits of the animals, plants and minerals of Lancaster county and adjacent teritory.” The founders and most active promoters of the objects of the Society were Profs. T. C. Porter, J. P. Wickersham, E. B. Weaver, and Messrs. S. S. Rathvon, J. Stauffer, J. R. Sypher, J. B. Kevinski, Samuel Auxer, John F. Heinitsh and D. G. Swartz. Subsequently Messrs. G. M. Zahm, J. M. Seitz, H. M. Bruckart, P. E. Gibbons, J. S. Witmer and others were added. 1 Contributed by Mr. H. A. Rockafield. Its first President was Professor T. C. Porter, D. D. The present officers of the Society are President, Hon. J. P. Wickersham; Vice Presidents, Charles A. Heinitsh, H. G. Bruckart; Recording Secretary, Jacob Stauffer; Assistant Secretary, H. A. Rockafield; Corresponding Secretary, Charles Nauman; Treasurer, S. S. Rathvon; Librarian, Jno. B. Kevinski; Curators, J. Stauffer, S. S. Rathivon, Jno. B. Kevinski, H. G. Bruckart. The Society has been in successful operation since its beginning and earned a good report. An account of its labors, extracted from an Essay by Mr. S. S. Rathvon, read before the Society on its 4th anniversary, February 24, 1866, speaks for itself: "Before concluding this essay, allow me for a moment to advert to the fact, that four years ago, we had not a single animal, a plant, a shell, a fossil, a mineral or a book in our possession, nor yet a case of any kind, not even a box, to put anything in, if we had had it. But at the present day we have a comparatively large collection in our possession, or under our control. Our Library, contrary to the expectations of many of us, consists of about one hundred and sixty-five books and pamphlets. Our Botanical collection, although not immediately accessible, is large and comprises nearly, or quite, all of the plants and mosses known to Lancaster County. As soon as proper receptacles are provided, the Society will have a large and rare collection of botanical specimens under its immediate control, numbering some five hundred species. Mammalogy seems to be the only order that does not exhibit signs of healthy progress; no special laborer in that field having yet volunteered his service. Yet, there are ten or twelve mammals, and twenty-five craniological specimens now in possession of the Society. It is hoped that some practical student will take up this department of natural history, and give it a thorough exploration during the present year. Should such a one be found, there is not a doubt he would find the subject sufficiently prolific and interesting to remunerate him for his trouble, and would also confer a benefit on the Society. "In Ornithology our collection numbers two hundred specimens, part of that number being birds of exceeding beauty and variety, still found as occasional visitors in this locality and latitude. In Ichthyology the number of specimens is about two hundred and fifty, most of which have been found in our immediate waters. In Herpetology we number some twenty specimens, comprising nearly all of that order of animals found within the limits of Lancaster county. The specimens in Reptilia are about fifty in number. Perhaps the largest collection of any class of animals in the custody of the Society, is that included in Entomology, the specimens of Coleoptera alone being not far below twelve thousand; besides, nearly one-fourth of that number, belonging to other orders, will be placed in the possession of the Society during the present year. In Conchology the collection numbers over fourteen hundred specimens, including most of the species known to the county of Lancaster. In Oology there is a small but beautiful collection, numbering one hundred and twenty-five specimens. The Mineralogical collection includes nearly all of the varieties known to this locality, besides many from other localities, numbering about fifteen hundred specimens. In Paleontology and Fossilology in general, the collection is very respectable, and numbers about five hundred specimens. There are about four hundred specimens for which no department has yet been organized, and therefore these objects are, for the present, referred to Scientific Miscellany. The collateral branch of Archeology is growing interesting, and numbers not less than two hundred and fifty specimens. This is but a partial enumeration of the specimens of various kinds in possession of the Society, and yet it 'foots up' the incredible number of more than thirty-two thousand, not including the library.” -Concerning the literary activity and zeal of the members of this Society, this volume bears ample testimony, for almost all the contributions to the Natural History of the County, constituting Division IX, have been furnished by them, and the fidelity and care with which they have executed their work, entitles them to well-merited praise. LANCASTER CITY AND COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Lancaster City and County Horticultural Society was organized in September 1867, under that name; but, subsequently, it added Agriculture as one of the objects of its development. Although several similar organizations had previously existed, yet none seemed to have attained the prominence of the present Society, or exhibited the same prospects of efficiency and permanency. It meets regularly on the first Monday in each mouth, in the Orphans' Court Room, in the city of Lancaster; and usually holds two exhibitions of fruit, flowers, vegetables, and agricultural produce in each year-one in June and one in September. Under its auspices a monthly journal is published, called The Lancaster Farmer, which usually contains Essays read before the meetings of the Society, a synopsis of its proceedings, and original and selected papers on Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Entomology, Botany, and miscellaneous subjects. Its present officers are: President, Henry M. Engle; Vice Presidents, Levi S. Reist, Jacob B. Garber, J. H. Hershey and Henry K. Stoner; Recording Secretary, Alex. Harris; Corresponding Secretary, A. D. Hostetter; Treasurer, Dr. P. W. Heistand; Entomologist, S. S. Rathvon; Botanist, Jacob Stauffer; Chemist, Dr. J. H. Musser; Librarian, John B. Erb. It has also annually appointed a number of standing committees, who have special charge of the different departments assigned to them, according to the provisions of the constitution. The Publishing Committee of the Farmer are: Dr. P. W. Heistand, H. K. Stoner, J. M. Frantz, Casper Hiller, Levi W. Groff and Alex. Harris; and the Editorial Committee are: J. B. Garber, H. M. Engle, L. S. Reist, Dr. W. L. Diffenderfer, Dr. J. H. Musser and S. S. Rathvon; the last named on each of the committees being residents of Lancaster city, and the remainder residents of different districts in the county. The Society has a large membership, and is composed of some of the most practical and influential farmers and fruit growers within the limits of Lancaster city and county. Its proceedings, thus far, seem to be in harmony with the progressive spirit of the age. NEWSPAPERS IN LANCASTER COUNTY. Although Printing has been styled "the art preservative of arts," it is remarkable that perhaps the only exception to the rule is to be found in the preservation of the history of an important branch of that art itself—the history of the newspaper press, It is surprising how little is known of the actual history of the early newspapers of Lancaster. To write a complete history of the press of Lancaster from the first organization of the county, would involve the labor and research of months, and then much of tradition would necessarily supply the place of facts of which there is no record and no definite recollection in the minds of persons now living. We were never so deeply impressed with the importance of filing and preserving newspapers as since we addressed ourselves to the task of sketching the history of our local newspapers. Files even of newspapers published within the knowledge of the present generation are either not accessible or so imperfect that they are of little value for our purpose. What a treasure to the local historian of to-day would be the complete files of the newspapers published by Miller and Holland, Lahn, Albright and others, a hundred years ago! And in how high esteem will the complete newspaper files of this eventful decade be held by those who may fill our places and study our daily history a century hence! The newspaper press of Lancaster has always been distinguished for its neatness in typography and the enterprise and ability with which it has been conducted. In these respects it has always compared favorably with the press anywhere outside of the great Metropolitan centres. It is therefore to be regretted that so little material for its 1 Contributed by Mr. S. S. Rathvon. |