The length of the school day is better indicated, and perhaps the source of information is more reliable, near the end of the century. The rules issued by the Board in 1795 state that the hours are to be from 8 to 12 in the morning, and from 2 to 5 in the afternoon, these hours to be observed from third month, first to eleventh month, first; in the remaining months the hours were 9 to 12 and 2 to 5.[860] Vacations were very scarce and very brief.[861] In the main, according to the rules issued at least, they were to be: (1) at the periods of the quarterly and yearly meetings; and (2) a vacation of three weeks, commencing on seventh day preceding the last sixth day of the week of the seventh month.[862] The other rules issued at this date besides these mentioned relating to holidays and length of the school day were the same as were previously stated.[863] The hours named above appear to us rather long for the small children; arrangement seems to have been made for them, though no statement of it is made in the school regulations. There were, however, the schools of (1) William Brown and (2) Sarah Lancaster, who taught children for half days,[864] and also the Girls’ School, in which Anthony Benezet taught (1754), was mentioned as though it were to be conducted only in the morning.[865] It is not to be understood that the half day arrangement was always followed in the case of younger children, for Sarah Lancaster taught thirty-five children whole days “at 15/ per quarter.”[866] It seems that the amount of time for them to attend was probably determined by the desires of their parents.
Student papers, and magazines, etc.
An interesting and instructive light is cast upon the inner life of the school in Philadelphia, by some of the manuscript collections of the very old Philadelphia families. For instance, we learn that in the public school there were published certain magazines, gazettes, chronicles, and so forth, a few of them named as follows: The Examiner, The Universal Magazine, 1774, Students’ Gazette (about 1774 to 1777), The P. S. Gazette, Latonia, 1777 to 1778, the Public School Gazetteer, containing the freshest advices, foreign and domestic (a palpable imitation of the newspapers in the city of that date), and The Students’ Magazine.[867] The contents of all of them were no doubt very interesting to the boys and girls at the time of their publication, and are so even now, and at times give light on topics of importance. It may perhaps interest the reader to see some of the entries. We find the following which gives a clew to the book used for instruction in grammar.
A few items of interest and value
Was lost on Wednesday in The Public School Rudiman’s Grammar newly bound—Whoever has found the same and will bring it to me ... shall receive 1 sheet of paper reward.
S. Fisher.[868]
Another of interest bewails the departure of Thomas Lloyd from school to go into Lancaster County.
Thomas Lloyd
This worthy Gentleman, was admitted about a 12 month ago into the society of freeholders, since which time he has been a very distinguished member of our community and a firm supporter of our institutions. He has been twice elected Clerk of the Supreme Court and twice raised to the dignity of President of the Honorable House of Assembly, which offices together with Treasurer he filled with most unblemished reputation and unshaked fidelity. His character in the literary world is sufficiently established by many genuine productions of judgment and humor. His affable disposition, his engaging address and behavior endear him to all that had the happiness of his acquaintance and render his departure a cause of great regret.[869]