The domestic affairs of the asylum are committed to a matron, who, with a principal instructor and four assistant teachers, reside in the institution. The institution is go verned by a board of officers and directors, amounting to thirty-one persons, and a female committee of twelve in spect and aid in the management of the internal affairs of the asylum. Sixty-nine pupils are now in the school.
Abolition Society of Pennsylvania.—This society was formed in the year 1774, and incorporated in 1789. The first president was Dr. Franklin.' The objects of the insti tution are, the gradual amelioration of the condition of the slave population of the United States, the restoration of freedom to those unlawfully held in bondage, and the edu cation of free persons of colour in the city of Philadelphia; to which latter purpose a considerable share of the atten tion and funds of the institution are at present devoted.
Saving Fund Society.—This society went first into ope ration on the second of December, 1816. It has establish ed a Saving Bank, in which are made small deposits from time to time by industrious individuals. This society dis poses of its funds in the most advantageous manner possi ble, and, after defraying its incidental expenses, divides the surplus profits among the depositors in proportion to the amount of their deposit. Every. deposit must be made, however, a certain length of time before it can be entitled to draw an interest. Two weeks notice must be given be fore any monies can be drawn out of bank. By a late law of the legislature, the society is permitted to receive sits to the amount of iS 600 ,000 . Since the ment of the society there has been received in deposits upwards of $700,000 Of which there has been returned upwards of 400.000 Leaving a balance of upwards of 300,000 which is owned by about 2500 depositors.
Fuel Saving Society.—The provision of an adequate supply of fuel is found extremely difficult by the poor of large cities. In Philadelphia, in the winter season, the price is sometimes high, and the sufferings of the indigent have been severe. Impressed with this idea, the Fuel Sav ing Institution was established. Small sums are received by the society, through the summer, as they can be spared from the earnings of the poor. A supply of fuel is pur
chased when at its lowest price, and during the winter is sold to the depositors at first cost and charges. This in stitution has been in very successful operation for several years past, and has been productive of much benefit.
The Public Schools.—Schools for the free instruction of the children of the poor, upon the Lancasterian system, were founded by an act of Assembly, in the year 1818. The law constitutes the city and county of Philadelphia the first school district of the state, and divides it into four sections, in each of which schools are established, under the immediate care of directors. From these sections the directors elect controllers, to represent them in a select body, called the Board of Control, to whom is committed the general superintendence of all the schools, and to whose direction, the fund, and expenditure thereof, is entrusted. The means for the support of this establishment are deriv ed from the treasury of the city and county of Philadelphia. Since the foundation of this system, 9528 children have partaken of its benefits. According to the report of the controllers for the year ending in February, 1823, the num ber of pupils attending the public schools was 2747, of whom 1528 were boys, and 1219 girls, viz.: The annual cost for the education of each pupil is less than four dollars. They are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, Sze., and the girls are also instructed in sewing, knitting, Ste. The controllers and directors of these schools serve without any pecuniary rccompence.
The Ainzwell and Adelphi Schools are supported by so cieties composed exclusively of Friends, and educate a con siderable number of poor children annually. There are likewise two schools, under care of Friends, for the edu cation of children of colour ; in one of which the celebrated philanthropist Anthony Benezet was long a teacher, and at his death bequeathed a considerable sum of money for its support.
Philadelphia Society for the Support of Charity Schools, employs several competent teachers, and educates a con siderable number of children annually.