PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, MAY 9,1979. WHTTBY FREE PRESS riancWinatrs Hitorie a 1V~ mil w~ Whitby EXAMS IN, 1850 Last week this column examined attitudes toward higher education in 1850. This week we look at how examinations were conducted in the Whitby Grammar School in that year. The annual, or final examination was held by the trustees of the Grammar School at the end of July. The examiners were leading citizens of the town, a number of whom were clergymen and doctors. Among those conducting the examinations in 1850 were Rev. Dr. Robert Thorntoh, the Presbyterian minister in Whitby, Rev. John Cunningham Geike, minister of the Congregational Church, Doctors R.J. Gunn and Johnathan Foote, and Alexander McPherson, the postmaster of Whitby.' In thosefar-off days, public examinations were held, and the head master had the perogative to invite parents and leading citizens of the town to watch the scholars being put through their paces. A large audience, including members of the press, usually attended. No one likes examinations, and it must have been most -uncomfortable for the students of the Grammar School to have an audience listening to their every answer. The students were examined first in writing and map sketching, with copies of their work hanging on walls at each side of the examination room. Penmanship was very important in the 1850's, and the handwriting of teen-agers of that period cannot be matched for its quality by the young people of today. In those days, greater care was taken in such things. Rev. Dr. Thornton and Rev. Mr. Geikie conducted the examination in Latin. Readings from Virgil and Horace, as well as Latin grammar were stressed. These examinations took up a whole day, and another day' had to be set aside for examinations in Greek. As one can see, the classics were very important in education in the 1850s. At one time, a high school could be elevated to the status of a Collegiate Institute if it had 60 or more Latin scholars. Today, Latin is fnot even taught any more. How times change! English Grammar and Geography rounded out the subjects for examination. In 1850, the Whitby Grammar School was still a new institution, having been founded in 1846. Following the 1850 examinations, the editor of the Whitby Reporter suggested that the parents of the students at the school subscribe to a prize fund so that books could be purchased as prizes for the best scholars in each class. He also suggested that a celebration be held at the close of the school year at which addresses could be delivered to the parents and scholars. In 1850, the editor considered that "the school seems hardly well enough furnished with the necessary apparatus -for teaching." He pointed out that there were only three large maps on the wall, there was no blackboard, nor a globe of the world. A map of the world and of North and South America were needed, he said. The editor suggested that the Township Council provide the money to acquire these, as well as a set of illustrations of mechanics or machinery, or natural history. It was pointed out that about five or six individuals financed the founding of the Grammar School, and it was the reponsibility of the county or the township to finance its upkeep. A motion was made in the county council that the township be assessed for the sum owing to these gentlemen, but a defect in the Municipal Act prevented the county council from taxing a township for such a purpose. The editor of the Reporter urged the people of Whitby, Brooklin,,,Oshawa and Pickering, who were sending their children to this school to support the school financially until the municipal difficulties could be straightened out. Eventually the county became responsible for the running of the Grammar School, and they were called County Grammar Schools. By the 1870s the GrammarSchools had become high schools, operated by local town Boards of Education, and subsidized in part by county grants. Vandals stripping cars It is coming close to the time of the year that cars parked in the driveways of the owners are not safe from being vandalized. Vincent Marullo of Lot 22 Concession Five, Br'ooklin MBM PUBLISHING Come in & Iook parked his car in his driveway. He left it in a good condi- tion but the next time he saw the car, the tires and rims, were stolen from the car which was still in the drive- way police said. Darlene Allison of 219 Mason Drive, Whitby parked her car and went into the house. While still at the residence, the car was robbed of its battery, police said. IT DOESN'T HURT "This won't hurt a bit," says Veterinarian Dr. Cam MacKay, but this poor doggie doesn't think so. Actually it was over in a minute, as. Dr. MacKay gave a rabies shot to this dog, belonging to Ray'VanSlageren, of 509 Ash Street. The rabies clinic for dogs and cats was held in an abandoned gas station on Brock Street South Thursday by the veterinarians of the Whitby area. Free Press Photo Nature walk at Heber Down is May 13 The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority is offering two nature walks in its conservation areas in Whitby in April and May. May 13, there will be a spring wildflower walk in the Heber Down Conservation Area, starting at 9:30 a.m Ail hikes will leave fron and return to the CLOCA office at 1650 Dundas Street East, opposite the Whitby Mall. All hikes will go "rain or shine", so dress accordingly. around at our selection FEATURING HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT PAPER BACK NOVELS & MAGAZINES TELEVISION ADVERTISED 1oeMYSTIQUE BOOK NOVELS OF ROMANCE & SUSPENCE BUY ONE & GET ONE FREE! Limit one per customer! HOURS: Mon - Wed 9:00 - 6:00 Sat urday' 9;00 - 8:00 10:00 - 5:00 MBM PUBLISHING 131 Brock St. N. AND MANY, MANY MOREI 6861,11 fOTETImEf A IEW CAR Il THE OLY Af/WER 1979 CAPRI 2.3 litre 4 cyl. engine * 4 spd. manual transmission rack & pinion steering front disc brakes * liftback 3rd door full instrumentation $5503 * high bucket seats with fold down rear seat LINCOLN MERCURY SALES LIMITED. 1120 DUNDAS STREET EAST, WHITBY