Anonymous
The Academy Keeper
Or Variety of useful Directions Concerning the Management of an Academy, The Terms, Diet, Lodging, Recreation, Discipline, and Instruction of Young Gentlemen. With the Proper Methods of addressing Parents and Guardians of all Ranks and Conditions
"The Academy Keeper" by Anonymous is a satirical guidebook written in the late 18th century that addresses the management of educational academies for young gentlemen. The book covers various aspects of running an academy, including terms of enrollment, dietary considerations, lodging arrangements, recreational activities, and disciplinary methods, serving as an instructional manual for those looking to operate or improve upon existing educational institutions. The narrative unfolds through a series of chapters, each detailing pragmatic, and at times humorous, practices that academy keepers should observe. The author provides unvarnished advice on how to cut costs while maintaining the facade of a nurturing environment, often prioritizing financial gain over genuine care for the children's education. Topics such as the selection of staff, interactions with parents, and the treatment of students are addressed with a clear tone of irony, revealing underlying critiques of the educational system of the time. The text showcases how the management of academies was often a balancing act between maintaining order, ensuring profitability, and appearing competent to the students’ families.