Education in its higher forms was one of the first thoughts of the intelligent and liberal men who founded Tacoma, and in this matter Mr. C. B. Wright, formerly president, and still a director, of the Northern Pacific railroad, has taken the lead. The Annie Wright seminary, named in honor of the daughter of Mr. Wright, was endowed by him with $50,000.00, and was erected in 1884 at a cost of $35,000.00, with funds raised in the east by Rt. Rev. J. A. Paddock, D.D. It stands at the corner of Tacoma and Division avenues, on two irregular blocks of ground donated by the Tacoma Land Company. It is under the charge of Mrs. L. H. Wells, principal, assisted by a corps of fifteen instructors, and has an attendance of one hundred and thirty-five young ladies. Washington college was also endowed by Mr. Wright with $50,000.00, and was erected with funds raised by Bishop Paddock in Tacoma and in the east. It occupies a commanding site donated by the Tacoma Land Co., facing eastward upon Tacoma avenue. It is under the charge of D. S. Pulford, A.M., head master, assisted by E. P. Young, A.M., and a complete corps of instructors. Both of these institutions are Episcopal in their origin and management. The Methodists have selected Tacoma as the seat of a university to be under the auspices of that denomination. Large and valuable grounds have been donated by citizens, and buildings to cost $100,000.00 will soon be erected. These institutions place Tacoma far in the lead in educational matters in the northwest. The religious denominations are well represented in the city by numerous church edifices, but sufficient time has not yet elapsed for the erection of many very large or costly churches. A handsome stone structure is St. Luke’s Memorial church, erected by Mr. Wright at a cost of $25,000. Mention should also be made of the Fannie C. Paddock Memorial hospital, dedicated to the memory of the wife of Bishop Paddock who did such good work in founding the other institutions. [Illustration: WASHINGTON COLLEGE. ANNIE WRIGHT SEMINARY. TACOMA.] THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF TACOMA.