Benjamin C. Bacon

“ There is one idea that has often suggested itself to my mind in contemplating the condition and progress of these people, which may, perhaps seem strange in such a connection. It is the nobility of human nature, in itself considered. ”

“ The large number who cannot read (4123) may startle him at first, but let him consider that free born persons, in slave States, are so nearly on a level with the slaves, as far as school privileges are concerned, that he may add them to the slave-born, making the number 4583—difference to their credit, 460. Then let him suppose that 140 of those who cannot read were born on our own soil, a very moderate calculation, and he will have 600 as the number who learned to read, at least, since they came from the slave States. ”

“ None are admitted to the Men's School under 18 years of age.
The school taught by C. L. Reason happily supplies the wants of apprentices and others who cannot attend Day Schools, but are too young to enter the Raspberry Street School.
General Remarks.
The teachers of the Institute for Colored Youth, and of all the private schools, are of their own complexion. All the others are white.
No register is kept in any school denoting standard of scholarship, nor is there any system of rewards for exciting emulation. ”

“ The Managers of the Institute in whose building her school is kept, have made an arrangement with her by which she will at all times have 25 girls preparing for admission into their school.
M. Forten and A. Hinton teach branches similar to those taught in Grammar Schools, the former being the only one that takes boarding scholars. All the others teach nothing more than the elementary branches. The proprietors of female schools all teach plain sewing, and most of them add ornamental kneedle work, and knitting. ”

“ As the number of men who can cypher is considerably greater than that of women, and as the former were not generally at home to answer for themselves, no satisfactory information could be obtained in some cases. ”

“ It is evident from the facts that these charitable institutions must materially relieve the distress of families and maintain a large portion of our poor under circumstances which would otherwise throw them upon public charity. Again, as to crimes among us, by a letter of Judge Kelley, written in answer to certain questions put to him, it is shown that for the three years up to 1854 the commitments of colored persons to the Philadelphia County Prison have gradually decreased, while those of the whites for the same, period have markedly increased. ”

“ Less than two-thirds of those who have trades follow them. A few of the remainder pursue other avocations from choice, but the greater number are compelled to abandon their trades on account of the unrelenting prejudice against their color. ”

“ He will readily believe, however, that the number is much greater than that, if he will take the trouble to visit the evening schools and Sunday schools where adults are instructed. Such memoranda as the following, taken from the canvassing books of the Agent, will serve to strengthen this belief.
"The wife Sarah has learned to read tolerably well since she was 40 years old—never received any instruction worth mentioning." "Pretty good scholar—went to school only two months—slave-born." "Reads and writes, and is wholly self taught." "Went to school but six weeks—can read and write." ”

“ It has a principal and one assistant female teacher, and is conducted principally upon the infant school plan. Number of inmates at the close of the year 73. There are always a few too small to be in school. Being apprenticed at an early age, there are seldom any over ten years old to attend. ”

“ As no public provision is made for the instruction of children too young to attend the Primary schools, the two infant schools are watched with deep interest. They are both in a very satisfactory state. ”

“ We have had incorporated 108 Mutual Beneficial Societies having 9,762 members, with an annual income of $29,600 00, and a permanent invested fund of $28,366 00, which is deposited in various institutions among the whites, who derive a large profit therefrom. ”

“ Since its removal, the better class of parents do not object to sending their children to it, and the number of scholars has increased so much that extra seats have been introduced.
2. Charity Schools. [3]
Institute for Colored Youth, [2] Lombard street above Seventh. Established in 1852. Charles L. Reason, Principal, Grace Mapes, assistant Teacher in the Female deparatment. Males 15; Female; 16; total 31; average attendance 26.
Raspberry Street Schools, [2] corner of Locust and Raspberry streets. Established in 1770. Boys' School, John W. Stokes, Principal, and one female assistant ”