Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 586

1841.

Morrison Education Society.

569

deliberation upon any subject not connected with politics and trade, retained their ardor in this cause, it ill became me to be discouraged. The fears therefore, which had at first arisen, subsided, and I endeavored to apply myself with all diligence to the study of the Chi- nese language, as a preparatory qualification for future labor in teaching Chinese youths.

"At this study solely, I spent the first six months after my arrival, residing with S. W. Williams esq., by whom we were hospitably receiv- ed on our arrival. Mrs. Brown also devoted her time as far as pos- sible to the same employment.

"On the 26th of August, 1839, we removed to the house of E. B. Squire esq., who with other British residents was obliged to flee from this place, in order to protect his wife and children from threatened violence. While there our studies were considerably interrupted.

"On the first of November we removed to the house procured for the use of the Society, and opened a school on the 4th of the same month, with six pupils, who had applied' for admission in the summer previous. The object of the Society being, not to give a little in- struction to many, but a thorough education to all its beneficiaries, and for other obvious reasons, it was deemed best to commence with half a dozen pupils. These boys fortunately, with one exception, came from the country, and were thus placed more completely with- in our control. The eldest, a boy of fifteen, by a few months' pre- vious study had acquired so much knowledge of the English tongue, as to place him in advance of the rest, and has acted as a moniter in the school to a good deal of advantage. The others began de novo. With this class I have labored to attach them to the school, to lay the foundation of a long course of instruction, and make it a model for future classes. The objects proposed in the constitution of the Morrison Education Society, have been before me in every arrange-

ment.

It is not merely a teaching, but an education society, which aims at the training of the entire man, physical, intellectual, and moral. "With these ends in view, I have assigned half of each day to Chinese, and half to English studies, beginning at 6 in the morning and closing at 9 o'clock P. M. Thus eight hours are given to books, and from three to four to exercise and recreation in the open air. My own study is the school-room; and the pupils are therefore con- stantly under supervision; out of school they are not permitted to leave the premises, where there is ample room for their sports. They have never manifested any displeasure at this degree of restraint, while it excludes from them many influences abroad which would injure

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