[NAUTICAL SCHOOL FOR ORPHANS OF SAILORS.]

Formerly, when the children of sailors were obliged at the age of seven to leave the asylums (salles d’asile,) which are open to them with such liberality, they had to stay for six years in the primary schools before, they were admitted to the “school for young sailors” (école des mousses,) where their professional education commenced. This state of things, entirely satisfactory when the child belongs to a family, is different when it is an orphan. Then there is a void to be filled.

An imperial decree, published Nov. 15th, 1862, at the suggestion of the Marquis of Chasseloup Laubat, provides for this want by furnishing at Brest an institution for the orphans of the navy, and placing it under the especial protection of Her Majesty, the Empress. Vice-Admiral, Count de Gueydon, gave all his care to the organization of this especial school, which was intended to gather the orphans of seamen, to place them under the protection of the navy, to educate and instruct them that they might follow in the steps of their fathers. They were placed under the supervision of lieutenant Picard of the navy. Their general instruction was confided to the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and the “Daughters of Wisdom” (filles de la sagesse) were intrusted with all the cares which such young children require.

We have nothing to say in this place of the excellent primary instruction given in this school, and will only notice briefly the special or professional instruction, which is imparted in a military style by divisions, subdivisions, companies, sections, squads commanded by masters, second masters, quarter-masters, and naval instructors. There are three sizes (the low, middle, and high,) each of which is commanded by a pupil.

The lessons which they receive consist of instruction in the management of sails, sailor’s practice, (école de matelotage,)the whistle, fife and drum, rowing, swimming, military practice, gun-practice, bayonet-practice, bats, eillon-drill, principles of music, gymnastics, and boxing. There is likewise given to them a physical and military education, which developes their strength and gives them the ability to study more closely.

On the 1st of January, 1867, there were in the school 415 pupils. Most of them are sent to the Seamen’s School (école des mousses,) when they have attained the thirteenth year of their age; those who are not considered fit to serve in the navy are struck off the lists and returned to their families.

Name of School.3d Degree.2d Degree.1st Degree.
School of maneuvering on the naval gymnasium.40 learn to mount to the mast-head and to hold themselves on the sail-yards.185 are just learning to take in the sails and the reefs, and to make knots and splices.190 take in the reefs and make knots and splices.
School of whistling.20 learn to whistle.10 give almost all the blasts of the whistle.20 give all the blasts of the whistle.
School of rowing.30 learn to row.90 are just learning to row.90 row.
Infantry school.255 are drilled without arms.20 are not fit yet to join the battalion.140 are drilled in the gun-practice, bayonet-practice, and form a battalion.
School of the fife and drum.8 commence.10 do pretty well.7 do well.
School of gymnastics.50 commence the elementary movements.10 do pretty well.30 do well.
School of music.125 commence.140 do pretty well.150 do well.

The following table shows the number of pupils that had entered and left the school, up to Dec. 31, 1866:

1863.1864.1865.1866.
Number of pupils on the 1st January,—224256420
Entered during the year,247102235157
Total,247326491577
Left during the year.Sent to the school ship,15235370427193162
Sent back to their families, 6152667
Died in the hospital, 2 2 4 2
Present on the 31st of December,224256420415