Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-27


removal of all the irksomeness OF school con-
fnement, to remain unconyinced OF the etica-
cy of the plan, and uninterested in Its gene
raj dissemination.
The gentleman who is at the head Of the
establishments in George Town is a pupil OF
Mr.. Lancaster himself, was educated lii the
system We are striving torecofnmend, and be-
ing selected by his preceptor on the applica-
ton of the citizens of George Town, as per-
fectly yersed in the system and entirely COM
petent to teach it, and being besides very anx-
ious for its general diffusion, is likely to es-
tablish it the most perfect and eligible form.
We are sorry indeed TO discover, that, in Sc
veral cities of the North, schools have been
established professedly ON the Lancastrian
plan, the conductors OF which deriving their
knowledge of it only from Mr.. Lancaster's
publication, and not having learned the prac-
tical details, will, we fear, attach that dlscre-
ditto the mode of instruction, which Is IN JUS
tice to be ascribed to the incapacity OF the in
structors. A school has however Just been
opened in Baltimore by person who has S1G-
duated under Mr.. Old, another is conducted
in Washington by his brother, he is qualify
ing pupil from Fart Cumberland, and the
gentleman engaged to conduct the establish
ment in Alexandria, is now in George Town
for similar purpose.
This increasing progress is extremely CRATE
full To the friends Of the institution, and the
fortunate situation the George Town school,
(Which is the stem from which we hope to see
innumerable ramiicalions) so immediately in
the proximity of the seat of government, will
farther Propitiate its general adoption. Seyc-
raj members of Congress have visited the Sc
mlnary with the benevolent design of promot-
ing similar ones in their respective districts !;
and when we remember how much the bles-
sings of education are wanting in our southern
and western wilds, we feel the profoundest
interest for what is SO eminently fitted to ex-
tend them, and would make our readers, If
possible, think and feel with us. Thousands,
no doubt, in those rude and comparatively I'm
civilized territories, have felt those aspirations
after knowledge which are inScperable f ON
all minds that have any of the lofty tempela-
ment of genius; but
Chill penury repress'd their noble rage,
And troze the genial current of the SOUL
A very extraordinary example OF enter
prize and fortitude IN surrounding those for
midabie obstacles to the acquisition OF know
ledge has lately come within the observation
of many persons in this town, and deserves re-
iation because it has some connection with the
preceding. remarks, and because 1t is Of itself
too honorable to the individual and to human
nature to be permitted to fall into oblivion.
In the beginning of last summer, young
man between twenty and tWenty-one years OF
age came to this town for tho purpose OF beg
aing the means of procuring an education.-
He had travelled on foot from Montgomery,
in Virginia, and having visited, with this OBJ
ject, several large towns In that state, had by
this circuitous rout increased the distance of
his pilgrimage to many hundred miles. The
alms he had received were merely sufficient
to subsst him on the road, and he arrived
weary, dirty, ragged, and almost responding
of success, in Alexandra.
His story was not less adapted than his ap-
pearance (tor he had lost has right arm at the
age of fourteen) to inspire the compassionate
with pity. He had nine brothers and sisters,
most Of whom depended tor subsistence on
the labor of two aged parents: he had been a
burden, he said, TO his family ever since his
infancy, and the idea OF continuing so had led
him on this painful pilgrimage in the pursuit
OF instruction, that he might acquire the
means OF selt-support, might educate his
brothers and sisters, who,'' said he, "are all
as ignorant as myself and repay i'll some part
his obligations to his parents, which were too
great burden to his generous feelings. A
benevolent schoolmaster. to whom this touch
ing history was related, received him, stranger
and destitute as he was, into his own house,
and observing to him that it would be much
easier to beg an education itself, than the mo-
ney to procure it, offered him all the instruc-
ton he had the capacity to impart. Two
other gentlemen of the same profession be-
haved with similar generosity, and this in
teresting " dweller Of the wilderness" was fed