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MONITORS.

The success of the Lancasterian system being dependent, in a very great degree, upon the ability and character of the several monitors, who formed an indispensable part of the scheme, attention was early given to the training and preparation of the most promising of the pupils, in order to prepare them for the special work of teaching according to the most approved methods of the plan of mutual instruction. While there was but one school in existence, the number of monitors was too small to warrant any specified classification for that purpose. But when the number was increased, and a considerable body of monitors was employed in the schools, arrangements were made for their instruction. Monitors had been indentured as "apprentices" to the Society, in all practicable cases, and were expected to remain until they were twenty-one years of age, and then to receive a certificate of qualification which should secure them positions in any city in the Union.

The trustees of the Society believed that they were introducing to the people of the United States a system of great value, specially adapted to the necessities of the underlying masses of society. Whatever, therefore, could increase its efficiency and multiply its powers, was adopted as fast as circumstances or means allowed.

The course adopted for the training of monitors is treated of in the chapter devoted to the high school and normal school, and only a brief summary will here be given of the general regulations adopted for their employment and supervision.

The house in which the school was originally established having become unfit for longer use, a commodious building was erected on Tryon Row, at the east side of the Park, since changed by the extension of Centre street. The school was opened for the reception of scholars on the 12th of December, 1809, soon after which William McAlpin and Shepherd Johnson, who subsequently distinguished himself as the first teacher of No. 3, and more recently as a teacher of the New York High School, were indentured to the Society. This usage was continued in every practicable case.

In 1818, a Committee on Monitors reported a form of indenture, which would probably have been adopted by the Society,