1840, Miles R. R. in operation. 2,818 | 1860, Miles R. R. in operation. 30, 635 1850, do... 9, 021 1870, do... 54, 686 EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS. TABLE showing in round numbers the Number of Persons between the age of six and fourteen years, of the different countries; the number Attending Schools; the Percentage thereof to the Total Population, and the Percentage of Illiteracy. The United States have a larger number of persons going to school than tho number of persons is between the age of six and fourteen years, because a considerable portion of persons under six and over fourteen years attend school, while in Europe very few of this class attend the common school. It will also be noticed that the United States have proportionally more common schools than any other country, mostly on account of the large territory and sparsity of population. But the United States are not so well provided with institutions for secondary and superior education as some European countries, especially Germany. The United States, with nearly the same population as Germany, have about 350 colleges and collegiate institutions, with 60,000 students, while Germany has over 700 real schools and gymnasia, with 200,000 students, besides her polytechnic schools and her 19 universities, with 1,200 to 1,500 students. We have not one institution that can fairly be compared to a German polytechnicum or university. While the common schools in Europe are mostly supported by the communes, the greatest part of expenses of the higher schools and universities are defrayed by the government. |