As appears from the tabular comparative exhibit in the last ten years, the number of commercial and business colleges reporting to this Office, as also the number of instructors and of students in them, has nearly doubled. During the same time the educational influence of this class of schools has noticeably increased, a result largely due to the annual conventions of the Business Educators' Association, in which there has been the freest, fullest discussions of the methods and standards of instruction thus far adopted in the United States. The obvious adaptation of these schools to an imperative demand existing in business centres has done much to bring about the introduction of business courses in public high schools and private academies and seminaries. The desirability of such courses cannot be questioned, but it is important that they should have something more than a merely nominal existence. They should be based upon sound preliminary training in the common school branches and should be characterized by an adherence to the subjects and methods that experience approves for this special training. The instruction should be facilitated by the various appliances available for business correspondence and by museums of the staple materials of commercial interchange. In respect to the last mentioned aid, and also the extent to which modern languages should enter into business courses, we have much to learn from the conduct of foreign schools of this class. TABLE V.-KINDERGÄRTEN. The following is a comparative summary of Kindergärten, instructors, and pupils reported to the Bureau from 1874 to 1884, inclusive (1883 omitted): 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. 1884. By reference to Table V, it will be seen that, excepting the year 1877, there has been a steady increase in the number of Kindergärten, Kindergarten instructors, and pupils from year to year during the decade. This increase is mainly due to the efforts of associations formed in several of our large cities for the purpose of establishing these infant schools for the benefit of the poor. More than half the schools reported in the table have been opened through such agencies in the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco. Fröbel's system of infant training appears to be peculiarly fitted to overcome the influence of inherited vicious propensities and physical infirmities. It is largely on account of the results accomplished with vagrant and neglected children that thoughtful parents among the better classes have been impressed with the excellence of the system as a means of moral development, so that wherever charity Kindergärten have prospered there has arisen a demand for private Kindergärten. No tabulated statement can convey an adequate idea of the work going on under the auspices of the societies referred to. This can only be understood by a knowledge of the misery and degradation from which the poor little children are gathered to be humanized and trained in the Kindergarten. In Boston the work has been mainly supported by Mrs. Q. A. Shaw, under whose munificent patronage no less than 30 Kindergärten and 10 nurseries have been established, the work not being limited to Boston, but extending into adjoining towns; one Kindergarten at the south end of Boston is entirely supported by Mrs. James Tolman. The Office has received no recent particulars of the work in New York City, but the efforts in this direction of the Society for Ethical Culture, presided over by Prof. Felix Adler, and of several church societies are well known. In Philadelphia a large number of free Kindergärten have been established under the auspices of the various ward associations. The Subprimary School Society has been formed for the especial promotion and care of this work. Twenty-four schools are already reported, accommodating about 750 children. Some of these schools have day nurseries attached and 2 are for colored children. The society will extend the work as fast as funds are provided. In Chicago 2 societies have been formed for the purpose of establishing charity Kindergärten, viz, the Chicago Fröbel Kindergarten Association and the Chicago Free Kindergarten Association. The former has now 9 Kindergärten under its management, into which are gathered some 400 children; the latter has 12 schools, with an attendance of 850 children. In 1881 a Kindergarten department was established in the Cook County Normal School, and in 1883 the training class that had been opened in Chicago under the auspices of the Chicago Fröbel Kindergarten Association was removed to the normal school upon the invitation of the superintendent, Col. Francis W. Parker. The principal of this class, Mrs. Alice H. Putnam, reports that during the current year a series of lessons has been given to the senior class of the normal school on the use of Kindergarten material. This is an experiment that is followed with unusual interest, as it tends to bring the principles and methods of the Fröbel system into practice in the common schools of Cook County. The 3 societies of San Francisco, viz, Public Kindergarten Association, Golden Gate (formerly Jackson street) Kindergarten Association, and the new Silver Street Kindergarten Society, are working with undiminished ardor. Nineteen public or charity schools were reported in September, 1883, and the number has since been increased. The movement has met with such signal success in that city and so many inquiries have arisen as to the ways and means by which it has been promoted that I deem it advisable to give room to somewhat extended statements from the reports of two of the societies, which will serve to show how the various forces that are essential to the work are brought into united action in that city. The following is from the report of the Golden Gate Kindergarten Association for the year ending October 6, 1884 : The coming of October 6 brings our anniversary day. The past has been a year of unprecedented growth and prosperity in our Kindergarten work. The progress made bas been far in excess of any former year. As will be seen by the treasurer's report, the receipts of the past year are more than double those of the preceding year. Standing at this fifth milestone, it is well to take a brief retrospect of the Heaven-blest work. With a monthly pledge of $7.50 and with faith in God and gooduess, the first Kindergarten class was opened at 116 Jackson street, in the very heart of the Barbary Coast, on October 6, 1879. Rapid growth of the work. At the close of the first year two classes had been organized, containing an enrolment of about 100 children. The treasurer's report showed the total receipts for the first year to be $1,805.70. Perhaps a briefly summarized statement of the five years' work would best show the progress made. The total enrolment of children at the close of last year was 342. During the present year this enrolment has been increased by 125 additional scholars. As nearly as can be estimated, the Jackson Street Kindergarten Association during the five years of its existence has had over 1,200 little children under its protection and training. A large proportion of these children were under 5 years of age. Many of them were from 24 to 4 years old. In a single class, at 116 Jackson street, 25 little ones were but 3 years of age, and a number of them were even under that age. Necessity for incorporation. Up to the close of the present fiscal year the work of the association has been carried forward in the same quiet way in which it was first organized; but the rapid growth of the work bas necessitated a change in our organic structure. It has been found necessary to incorporate the society. This issue was summarily forced upon us by the munificent legacy of $20,000 devised by a stanch and devoted friend of the Kindergarten work. In drawing up the will it was ascertained by the attorney in charge that the Jackson Street Kindergarten Association was not an incorporated society and could only receive such a bequest by the appointment of trustees for the special purpose. Trustees were appointed and the bequest was made. This legacy was soon followed by another proposed bequest, but this time the parties, on learning that the society was unincorporated, decided to await incorporation. It was at once resolved to take steps looking to incorporation, which was accomplished October 6, 1884. In connection with this step it was deemed advisable to change the name of the association and call it the "Cooper Kindergarten Association," in compliment to Mrs. Cooper, who is the head and front of the organization. To this that lady earnestly objected, on the ground that she would be much hampered in her work for the Kindergarten if her own name were used for its title. Mrs. Cooper proposed, instead, the name of the Golden Gate Kindergarten Association as being suitable, not merely on account of its beautiful figurative sense, but as being a unique name among the several benevolent associations of the city. A ballot was taken, the result being that the name of Golden Gate was unanimously adopted. The great work of the year. On the anniversary birthday of her beloved son Mrs. Stanford sent to Mrs. Cooper the sum of $4,000, to be used for the Kindergarten work under her charge. It was decided to use this sacred offering in the establishment of a memorial Kindergarten to be named for the beautiful and gifted son. Everything was done to make this, in all respects, a model Kindergarten. It has been pronounced by visitors from the East and others well qualified to judge the best equipped and best appointed free Kindergarteu in the country. There are 100 little children enrolled in 2 classes. There are 2 principals, competent, refined, devoted, and faithful, with 2 assistants of like spirit and temper. The work moves on in rhythmic harmony and the good accomplished cannot be estimated. In a brief address made by Mrs. Cooper on the occasion of the formal opening of the Stanford Free Kindergarten, she stated that the only sad feature of the work in this city is the utter inability to provide for the clamorous little ones that plead for admission to these schools. She further went on to state that not only are all the Kindergärten under this association thus crowded, but that scores have been turned away from all the free Kindergärten, including Silver street, Folsom street, and the New Kindergarten of the First Congregational Church on Harrison street. In speaking of the latter she said: "Being at the Folsom Street Kindergarten on Monday morning. the 14th. I was pained to see the tearful mothers as they learned there was no room for their children. Every inch of room was occupied. Knowing that the First Congregational Church was to open its Kindergarten that morning I said: "Wait a few minutes And I will go around and see if there is room at the new Kindergarten for your little ones; it is only three squares off.' Going over to the hall I found that 15 children had already been turned away, and it was then only about 9 o'clock of the opening day. I had no good news to carry back to the waiting anxious mothers. This,' continued Mrs. Cooper, "is the experience we have in all our free Kindergärten. We cannot possibly accommodate the little ones that come." The Produce Exchange Class, opened August 8, 1884, owes its existence to a donation that gave rise to the following correspondence: Mrs. SARAH B. COOPER: SAN FRANCISCO PRODUCE EXCHANGE, DEAR MADAM: I have great pleasure in inclosing yon a check for $125, collected at the polls, for the Jackson Street Kindergarten, at the annual election of the San Francisco Produce Exchange, held this day. This is an improvement over our effort last year and shows an increased interest taken by our members in the noble charity over which you preside. With the wish that our mite may be some help in the rescue of the little ones, I remain yours, respectfully, SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 1884. JOHN WIGHTMAN, JR. Mr. JOHN WIGHTMAN, Jr.: MY DEAR SIR: Your kind letter, inclosing the generous check from the Produce Exchange, is just at hand. In behalf of our board of management, in behalf of the little children whom it will enable us to train and bless, and in my own behalf, I send herewith a vote of heartfelt thanks. It is a matter of fervent and grateful joy that your interest in our work increases in proportion to your acquaintance with it. This is a never failing experience; hence it is that we cordially welcome all thoughtful and philanthropic citizens to our Kindergärten, that they may see the work and what is being done through it for the neglected little ones of the city. As to the disposition of your gift, you will hear before many days, as it will enable us to carry out a long cherished plan for enlarging our work at Jackson street. With sentiments of sincere and grateful appreciation, I am, most truly, yours, SARAH B. COOPER. SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 1884. Mrs. Kate S. Wiggin, superintendent of the Silver Street Kindergarten, made an earnest appeal in behalf of the free Kindergarten work of the Pacific coast, which appeared in the Chronicle, Bulletin, and Examiner of September 10, as follows: To those who have kind hearts and full purses : Seventy little children, between the ages of 4 and 5 years, have been turned away from the Silver Street Kindergarten since July 9, and we have 150 in daily attendance, all we can possibly provide for in our two departments. It is certain that 40 of these 70 applicants for admission came from poor and wretched homes; some were the children of hard working people who try to help themselves; others belong to parents whose only heritage to their little ones has been sorrow, misery, and vice. One must have a heart of stone to shut the door upon these children, knowing the street life outside, the vile language, vicious habits, idleness, and worthlessness which it fosters, and realizing what is inside: joy, plenty, love, truth, industry, generosity, frugality, and perseverance in well doing. We have come to the conclusion not to shut the door any longer, and that it is a lack of faith on our part not to make an endeavor to enlarge an already enormous work. It is true that all our city Kindergürten are at present receiving support from our best and most generous citizens; but we feel it possible that some benevolent and wealthy soul is pining because he has never been asked to contribute, some rich bachelor who wants to give double because he has no children of his own, some happy father who desires to give treble, as an expression of gratitude for his own fortunate and innocent little ones. We would modestly suggest that here is an opportunity, and for the benefit of such I make, with full concurrence of my training class, the following proposition, viz: To establish at once, superintend, and maintain two or three branch classes at a nominal expense, under these conditions and with this amount of money: BRANCH NO. 1.-Silver Street Kindergarten. Rent of additional room per month... Share of janitor's work..... Share of piano rent........................... Fuel..... Material used by children Monthly instalment on furniture and apparatus to be purchased by us in ad vance... Supervision of one special assistant.. Total...... $10.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 7. 00 15.00 Fifty dollars' worth of love given gratis. 40.00 This class will contain 30 to 40 children, who will be cared for and educated at the rate of $1.30 a month and receive the untiring devotion of cultured and skilful teachers. If ten persons will send their names and a subscription of $4 a month, or twenty, with $2 a month, we will publish the list, buy the furniture and appliances at our own risk, and open the first class under the wing of the Silver street institution on October 1. If the names roll in by hundreds and thousands, we will cheerfully superintend a second branch class in any of Mrs. Cooper's Kindergarten, her work being virtually one with ours. This must not be taken, however, as a fair estimate of the cost of Kindergarten work. You can see that it will be almost wholly a labor of love. It means a heavy drain upon the time and energies of the few who are capable and willing, and a large measure of voluntary labor from a training class, which is already assisting in 6 free Kindergärten. And then there are very few unoccupied kindergartners who can afford for $15 a month to give a general supervision which would be worth $10 at least; so that these branch classes will be supported for less than half the usual expense. Nevertheless, we feel that, if the children were grouped and taught for one year in this way, the furniture and apparatus would be in readiness, and those would be found who, during the next year, would assist us in placing the work on a stronger foundation. And now we leave the plan with you, hoping that we have not rushed into print for no result. Do not give your money blindly when you can visit the free Kindergarten and see what they are doing. The work will bear inspection, and the happy faces of the children themselves will draw the dollar from the most reluctant pocket. Please send name and address with your subscription, marking it "For Kindergarten Branch Class No. 1," adding the unspoken thought, "God bless the work and the children thus gathered." Yours, for the children's sake, KATE D. S. WIGGIN. The response to this appeal was a contribution of $40, by means of which a class called the Peabody Kindergarten was at once formed. THE KINDERGARTEN AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. Inquiry is constantly arising as to the prospect of the Kindergarten becoming a feature of our public school systems. The work in St. Louis, under the gratuitous supervision of Miss Susan E. Blow, has been followed with deep interest, as it has been generally felt that it was destined to become a permanent part of the public school work of that city. The lowest limit of the school age in that city, viz, 6 years, raises a difficulty in the way of such a result which can only be met by legislation. So far the outlook is not encouraging. In accordance with the recommendations of the special committee appointed by the |