Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 46.djvu/35

Rh of a certain number of graduates of the English High School at graduation at Harvard College. This was not a comparative statement; but any schoolmaster who is in the habit of sending pupils to Harvard College would know at sight that it was a very remarkable exhibit.

During the year immediately preceding the time when I made my inquiry, in the class of '92, two English High boys were the only ones who received "A" in all their examinations in their regular work of the year. During the same year, in the class of '93, an English High graduate and a young man from Chicago were the only ones to receive "A" in all their examinations in their regular work of the year, and at the same time two English High boys outranked all others in college in English composition. During that year, of seven honors in mathematics given to all the classes, three were taken by graduates of the English High School. Of 'three theses selected by President Eliot as especially meritorious, two were written by boys from our school.

As might be expected, the subjects in which English High School graduates receive distinction are different from those in which classical school graduates would seek honors. The subjects in which our boys have obtained distinction are English, French, history, political economy, mathematics, natural history, chemistry, botany, and meteorology. S. M. Ballon, in his special work in meteorology, wrote an article opposing the cold-wave theory held by the Weather Bureau at Washington. This essay was translated and published in Europe, and Ballon received quite flattering letters in regard to it from eminent scientists—one especially from Mr. Woeckoff, head of the Russian Meteorological Department, in which he said that Ballou's article completely disproved the theory held by the authorities in this country. Young Ballon afterward met Prof. Russell, head of the Meteorological Department at Washington, and, having previously sent in his card, when ushered into Prof. Russell's presence, was greeted with, "I suppose you are Mr. Ballou's son." He failed to recognize in the stripping a scientific opponent. In English "B" course, which all sophomores are obliged to take, in 1888 Parker was one of four to receive "A"; in 1889 Lovett was one of ten; and in 1890 Ballon was one of three.

Among the list of instructors I find in the catalogue of Harvard College the names of four graduates of the English High School. Two English High School graduates, while undergraduates in Harvard, have been one an assistant instructor in botany and one in the fine. arts. That reminds me that drawing, once