Boston Latin School - Liber Actorum Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Gould’s successor in 1828 was another author — this time Frederic Leverett, whose Latin Lexicon’ ’ soon was adopted as a standard volume. He remained in office three years, resigning to become head of a private school. One of the most important among the earlier masters assumed his duties in 1836. He was Epes Sargent Dixwell, a former in- structor at the English High School. During his term of fifteen years the Library took shape and became an actuality. In passing, it is interesting to note that Dixwell had with him as usher the famous Edward Ev- erett Hale; while the succeeding master, Francis Gardner, had Phillips Brooks. Both of these ushers later distinguished themselves as great religious leaders in Boston. Gard- ner, himself, was one of the most renowned men of New England in the middle of the nineteenth century. He edited a series of Latin textbooks, vigorously opposed any al- teration of the School’s time-honored curric- ulum, made both many friends and many enemies, and was eminent as a just and prac- tical Yankee. He died in 1876, the first mas- ter to die in office since Ezekiel Cheever. With increasing enrollment, the School found it necessary to move first to quartern on Bedford Street and a generation later to a double building on Warren Avenue which it shared with the English High School. The master at this time was Dr. Moses Merrill, who reorganized the method of instruction and the subject-matter on a sane and more Warren Avenue Corridor Page Fourteen

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Williams’ years the Master’s salary was raised to one hundred pounds, and the usher was still supplied at the Town’s expense. In 1734 Williams resigned; and John Lov- ell, his assistant, was appointed to the va- cancy — to become the pride of Boston’s par- ents and the terror of its youth.” The years of Lovell’s office were the beginnings of dis- content and the seed-time of revolution among the colonists. Lovell ' s son James, an ardent patriot, was appointed usher in 1760. The father had always been a strong Loyalist. For a time they taught from desks at opposite ends of the schoolroom and voiced opposite political convictions, thus typifying many a Boston family in those trying times. Boys in the winter of 1774-75 brought sleds to school and in the afternoon coasted down Beacon Street across Tremont Street and down School Street. A servant of Gen- eral Haldiman, subordinate commander of the British troops in Boston and resident on School Street, cut up the coast and put ashes on it. The lads made a muster” and pre- sented their complaint to the General him- self. Hearing their case, he ordered his serv- ant to repair the coast, saying that he had enough trouble with Boston men and wanted none with Boston boys. The School closed on the morning of April South Side School Street 1812-1844 19, 1775 as Headmaster John Lovell, hearing of the rout of English soldiers at the battles of Lexington and Concord, angrily cried: War’s begun and School’s done. Deponite libros.” At the evacuation of Boston in March of the following year, both the Lov- ells sailed with Lord Howe to Halifax, Nova Scotia; the father as Howe’s guest, the son below decks as a prisoner of war. For admission to the school in this period, it was necessary for the candidate to read a few verses from the Bible. Each of the six or seven classes of the school sat at different benches as they studied Latin, Greek, and the elementary subjects.” Classes started at seven o’clock in summer and eight in the winter, and dosed at eleven. The afternoon session lasted from one o’clock until five. After the regular lessons, pupils attended a nearby writing school. Thursday mornings at ten the school was dismissed in order that pupils might attend the Thursday Lecture,” a custom borrowed from Boston, England. The Latin School opened under Samuel Hunt following the departure of the Lovells. He ruled with difficulty until 1805. He was succeeded by William Bigelow, who after nine years of still rougher going, also re- signed. This period of scholastic rebellion ended abruptly with the advent of Benjamin Ap- thorp Gould and his introduction of the misdemeanor mark.” He also founded the School Library, began the practice of decla- mation, and caused regular reports of schol- arship and conduct to be sent to the parents. Page Thirteen

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modern basis. A man of high character and strong moral influence, his work with but few changes from his original plans lives after him as an active memorial. The noble men who have followed him in our times are more vividly remembered by the present Masters and Alumni. To en- deavor to estimate the scholarship, integrity, and love of duty of these men is but to repeat the traditions of their calling. To speak of Arthur Fiske, the great Greek scholar; Henry Pennypacker, the nationally famous Chair- man of the Committee of Admission at Har- vard College; and the well-loved Patrick Campbell, Superintendent of Boston Schools from 1931 to 1937 serves not to open new facts to the historian, but to recall pleasant memories of student days to the reader. The growth of the School and its conse- quent establishment in its imposing edifice on Avenue Louis Pasteur is remarkable. Des- pite its rapid growth, its graduates continued to make themselves a more distinguished group than any other American school pre- paring young men for college. The members of this year ' s class must per- force feel the great tradition which has been handed down to them. All of us must un- Corner of Assembly Hall derstand what we have inherited. Three hundred and ten years of solid achievement may be interpreted as the dream of a colonial minister come true. We owe our success to the patient devotion of masters who have given their lives to the teaching service; to the deeds and ideals to noble graduates ; and to the industry and perseverance of the thou- sands of students who have been Latin School boys. Boston Latin School — 1945 Page Fifteen