﻿ix. d, 2 Cain: History of the Spanish Normal School 133 



On the following day, Father Francisco Xavier was appointed 

 director of the school, the priests Jacinto Juanmarti and Pedro 

 Lacasas were appointed teachers, Gabriel Pujol and Segis- 

 mundo Berengueras taking charge of the domestic arrangements. 

 Classes were opened, and a number of pupils were matriculated. 



On December 3 of the same year, the great apostle of the Indies, 

 San Francisco Xavier, 14 was declared patron of the school. 



EARLY HISTORY OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL 



The first public examinations and the distribution of prizes 

 took place about the middle of January, 1866. These examina- 

 tions were presided over and prizes were awarded by the superior 

 commission of instruction, and were attended by persons of 

 religious distinction. 



During the second year the attendance increased to such 

 an extent that additional teaching facilities had to be provided. 

 The course of study was also better organized, and the pupils 

 were required to pursue the various subjects in accordance with 

 the regulations. 



In April and May the apartments on the ground floor of 

 the building were rearranged, in order that the practice school 

 of primary instruction provided for in the decrees might be 

 established. This department was maintained as a model school 

 for the benefit of third-year students in the normal school 

 proper. The classes in the training department were composed 

 of pupils ranging in age from 6 to 12 years and residing in 

 the vicinity of the school. The instruction included all the 

 subjects of a primary education, special attention and time being 

 given to the teaching of Spanish. 



On the morning of December 3, the anniversary of the 

 patron saint of the school, solemn mass was held in the chapel. 

 The afternoon of the same day the hall was beautifully decorated 

 with little colored lanterns and the pupils sought relaxation 

 in a comedy and in a variety of games, accompanied by the 

 orchestra. 



The pupils were not without spiritual instruction and admoni- 

 tion. They had daily exercises and instruction in offerings, 

 masses, spiritual lectures, and rosary, and were taught to confess 

 and receive the sacrament once a month. 



14 The name of Father Francisco Xavier, the first director of the normal 

 school should not be confused with that of San Francisco Xavier (1497- 

 1552), the apostle of the Indies. 



