Education. 133 



Acts of 1826, Chap. 16. Passed June 20, 1826. 



An Act in addition to an Act, entitled, "An Act to erect Derby School 

 in the North Parish of Hingham, into an Academy, by the name of Derby 

 Academy." 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General 

 Court assembled, and by authority of the same, That so much of the sixth 

 section of an act, passed on the eleventh day of November, in the year 

 of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, entitled " An 

 Act for establishing a School in the North Parisli of Hingham, by the 

 name of the Derby School," and for appointing and incorporating Trus- 

 tees of the said school, as provides that the principal preceptor of the 

 said school, for the time being, shall always be one of the said Trustees, 

 be, and the same is hereby repealed. 



Following the records of the Trustees, we are reminded that 

 physical grace, as well as development of the mind, was recog- 

 nized as a feature in society to be cultivated ; for on April 1, 1794, 

 it was 



" Voted, That the Preceptor be authorized to dispense with the attend- 

 ance at the school, two hours in each week, of such children, whose 

 parents or guardians may desire it in writing, that they may learn the 

 art of dancing, provided, that such absence from the Derby School does 

 not interrupt their improvement there, and so long as this indulgence shall 

 not interfere with the general welfare of the school." 



For many years after the opening of the school the male and 

 female departments were entirely distinct. The first building 

 w r as said to have been built under the supervision of Madam 

 Derby, but whether it was for this express purpose is not known. 

 As early as 1805 the Trustees took action looking towards the 

 erection of a new building " as soon as the state of the funds 

 will admit," and Nov. 12, 1817, it was 



" Voted, That a new Academy be built the next season." 



A committee was chosen to carry the above vote into effect, 

 and it was 



" Voted, That the committee be instructed to build the new Academy 

 near the place of the present, and nearly on the plan which has been 

 exhibited to the Trustees ; that they study economy, and make such varia- 

 tions and improvements as they, after due deliberation, and consulting 

 disinterested gentlemen, may think proper. 



"May 20, 1818, Voted, That all the buildings now owned by the Trus- 

 tees of the Derby Academy be taken down and the materials disposed of 

 to the best advantage of said Trustees. 



" Voted, That the committee for the erection of the new Academy be 

 empowered to make a passage on the south front of the Academy, for 

 entrance into the school, or any other arrangement which they shall think 

 proper. 



