Scribbler wrote (breathlessly):

I sense the o'erwhelming smell of an era that is (alas, say I ) quite gone forever.

I can say that this era continues in at least one place. I spent my high school years at Boston Latin School (oldest public school in the country - founded in 1635). It is a 6-year school, and Latin is required during the first 5 years. I'm in my thirties, but I know that this tradition, with the many examples of Latin teacher torture you cited, lives on.