Before concluding these respective notices of institutions for the cultivation of elementary knowledge, it becomes necessary to give some account of a new organization for a similar object, in which Governor Clinton took a lively interest. This was the Infant School Society of New-York.

This society, the first of the kind established in the United States, was founded in the year 1827, upon the plan of similar institutions in Great Britain. "On Wednesday 23^d May, 1827," says the first published and authentic detail of its history, "a number of ladies of different denominations, met in the lecture room of the Brick Church, to take into consideration the necessity of forming a society, whose object should be, the education of the infant poor of this city.

"Mrs. Bethune was called to the chair, and Mrs. Holt was appointed secretary; when the following resolutions were passed unanimously.

"Resolved, That we form ourselves into a society for the establishment of schools for the children of the labouring poor, who have not attained the age at which they can be received into other schools, viz. children of both sexes, from eighteen months to two years.

"Resolved, That persons subscribing annually a sum not less than one dollar, be considered members of the society.

"Mrs. Divie Bethune, to whom the society is mainly indebted for its origin, was subsequently chosen First Directress.

"The society held their fourth meeting in the lecture room of the church in Canal-street, at which meeting a letter from Governor Clinton was read, approving of the society, and consenting to become its patron; a constitution adopted; additional officers and managers chosen; and arrangements made for carrying into effect the resolves of the society.

"It is evident," say the founders of the society in the preamble to their constitution, "that the deterioration of even the lower feelings of the child proceeds, in a great degree, from the neglect of indigent or uneducated parents; who, partly from poverty, their large families, or the necessity which many of them are under of going out to daily labour, are incapable of giving that personal and moral culture to their children, which the duties of a parent require them to perform."

The following is the tenor of one of the principal articles of the constitution: "ART. V. Committees from the board shall be appointed to different districts of the city, where infant schools are necessary; they shall visit the inhabitants, solicit funds, procure suitable buildings and teachers, encourage the labouring classes to keep their children clean, and send them to the infant school established in their neighbourhood, and render a report to the board at every stated meeting."

Extracts from the report of the proceedings of the board of direction, form the commencement of the society. - "As soon as sufficient funds were collected to warrant the commencement of operations, a school was opened July 16, in the basement story of the Canal-street church, which is known as Infant School, No. 1. The names of 170 children are registered; the average attendance from 60 to 100; two teachers are employed, and an assistant whose business it is to attend to the smaller children, make the fires, sweep the school rooms, &c.

"During the summer and fall months, many parents availed themselves of the privilege of sending their younger children; but owing to the state of the weather, few under three years have attended during the winter. Of those children from three to six years, who have been pretty regular in their attendance during five or six months, nearly all can read or spell the lessons on the boards, and many the scripture lessons, repeat the tables in arithmetic, add, subtract, and multiply on the numeration frame, and on the lesson boards; are well acquainted with the scripture history, the ten commandments, and many hymns and moral songs; they have some knowledge of the natural history of animals, illustrated by pictures; analyse various moral lessons, and begin to have some knowledge of grammar; all which instruction is illustrated by sensible objects and actions.

"The above is not the only good resulting from infant education. Young as these children are, many were addicted to the vices of stealing, lying, and swearing, and would bite and hurt one another. As no corporeal punishment is permitted in the school, it was found necessary to make an example of the children guilty of these flagrant crimes. A small apartment with a barred window, and styled the Bridewell, has been found to answer the purpose. During the first two months of the school, few days passed that some were not placed there for a few minutes; but for some time, the sight of it is found to be sufficient.

"It is with peculiar satisfaction they report the approbation of the committee of the Public School Society, who have visited their school, and made such honourable mention of their mode of instruction to their society, that a school on the same plan will shortly be opened in Public School, No. 10, and placed under the motherly care of a committee from this society. They have also the pleasure to state, that letters requesting information on the subject of infant education, have been received from various parts, and infant schools are now either contemplated or in actual operation, in Philadelphia, Troy, Albany, Boston, Norfolk, Va., Niagara, U.C. and in several parts of Connecticut. Many strangers visit the school to gain information, with a view to establish them when they return to their respective homes."

While the managers congratulate the society and the public on the success that has attended this first attempt to introduce Infant Schools into this city and state, the painful recollection presses on the mind, that with these congratulations are mingled the deepest sympathy and regret for the early bereavement of their patron - of him in whom the nation gloried, and whom the nation now mourns.

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Transcribed from the original text and html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 5/22/99.