That of the Park Street Meeting House, north of
the Common, rises to the height of 218 feet
above the pavement, and is one of the most beau-
tiful examples of this description of architecture
in the country. The Gothic style, in dark colored
sandstone, has been adopted, with fine effect, in
the erection of several of the more recent struc-
tures.

The oldest church edifice in Boston, still
standing, is that of Christ Church, (Episcopal)
at the north end, built in 1723. In the steeple
of this church is a peal of eight bells, on each
Of which is an inscription. Two of these are as
follows: “We are the first ring of bells cast for
the British Empire in North America. A. R.,
1744."    “ God preserve the Church of England.

1744." The initials A. R. are those of the
founder.

The Old South Meeting House, on Washington
Street, is the next building in age, having suc-
ceeded to two others of wood on the same spot.
It was opened for worship April 26,1730. There
is great historical interest connected with this
sacred edifice. “ Here was delivered, in defiance
of the threats of authority, and in presence of
marshalled soldiery, Warren's fearless oration,
on the anniversary of the massacre of the 5th of
March, 1770. Here were repeatedly held the
meetings of oppressed freemen, which called
forth those peals of patriotic eloquence which
moved the whole country, and shook the British
throne." When the British troops occupied Bos-
ton, the whole interior of the Old South, except
the sounding board and the east gallery, was
dismantled bv them, and converted into a circus
for their dragoons. About two feet of earth was
spread upon the floor for their horses to exercise
upon. Large portions of the invaluable histor-
ical library, collected by its former pastor, Rev.
Thomas Prince, they used for kindling their
fires. This desecration of the Old South excited
universal indignation. Happily, the interior was
afterwards fully restored, in its former style, with
its two tiers of galleries, &c., and has been care-
fully preserved to this day, at once a venerated
specimen of the elegance of ancient times, and a
sacred shrine of patriotic and religious memories.
In keeping with these associations, the Old South
has long been the place where the annual elec-
tion sermon is delivered before the governor and
General Court.

The public schools of Boston, next to her
religious institutions, and in harmony with them,
have, from the first, been her most cherished
care. The ‘records of the town afford evidence,
as early as 1635, of the establishment of a “Free
School." From that hour to the present, Boston,
in this respect, has held an honorable preem-
inence. The system of the public schools has
here been brought to a high degree of complete-
ness and perfection. It comprises schools of four
different grades, viz.: 1. The Primary Schools,
each taught by one female teacher, for children
between 4 and 8 years of age. 2. The English
Grammar and Writing Schools, into which all
the children pass from the primary schools.
3. The English High School. 4. The Latin
Grammar School. The two last are exclusively
for boys. A public high school for girls is, per-
' haps, a desideratum; though the deficiency is
sttpplied, to a great extent, by excellent private
schools in the city. The number of primary
schools, in 1851, was 188; and of the English
grammar schools, 22; with a corps of 370 teach-
ers, whose salaries amount to $183,898. The
buildings for the use of the high and grammar
schools are the most perfect in their kind, and in
their style of architecture at once neat and orna-
mental. Their cost, with that of the primary
school houses, including the ground, up to May
1, 1851, is estimated at $1,210,110. About one
quarter part of the population of Boston is kept
at school throughout the year, at an annual
expense to the city of about $250,000; which,
including the heavy investments for buildings,
apparatus, &c., involves an outlay for this impor-
tant public interest without a parallel in the
world's history. It is, however, a part of the
encomium due to the merit of the public schools
of Boston, that many of her sister cities are now
emulating her wisdom and liberality in this par-
ticular.

As a branch of the same enlightened philan-
thropy, the Boston Farm School for Indigent
Boys, on Thompson's Island, should be men-
tioned; the object of which is “the education
and reformation of boys who, from loss of par-
ents or other causes, are exposed to extraor-
dinary temptations, and in danger of becoming
vicious and dangerous, or useless members of
society." This institution, with 140 acres of land
and suitable buildings, can accommodate 300
boys, who are to be trained with a view to pro-
mote at once their physical, mental, and moral
welfare. This is virtually the Boston “ College
for Orphans." It has been in operation since
1835. There are likewise the House of Correc-
tion, and the House of Industry and Reformation,
at South Boston, the latter designed for juvenile
delinquents, and. having a branch at the hospital
on Deer Island, in which excellent schools are
maintained. The State Reform School, at West-
boroV also receives a large number of this class
of children from the city.

The institution of the Franklin medals, award-
ed annually in the Boston schools, was founded
by Dr. Franklin. The following is from the
clause in his will, in which he makes the bequest,
and defines its object : —

“ I was born in Boston, New England, and
owe my first instructions in literature to,the free
grammar schools established there. I therefore
give one hundred pounds sterling to my execu-
tors, to be by them, the survivors or survivor of
them, paid over to the managers or directors of
the free schools in my native town of Boston,
to be by them put out to interest, and so contiu
ued at interest forever, which interest annually
shall be laid out in silver medals, and given as
honorary rewards annually by the directors of
the said free schools, for the encouragement of
scholarship in the said schools," &c. To the
proceeds of this benefaction the city adds an an-
nual sum sufficient, to procure six silver medals,
which are inscribed “ The Gift of Franklin."
The first pupil of the Boston schools, who re-
ceived the Franklin medal, was Dr. John C.
Warren, in 1792.

Since Boston, by its railroads, has become a
great centre of business and travel for a large
portion of the country, its hotels and houses
of public entertainment have become an im-
portant feature of the city. Among the most
celebrated are the Tremont House, on the corner
of Tremont and Beacon Streets; the United
States Hotel, opposite the Western Railroad