Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-21

learning, 10 auu 10 tuhos aCCuWuIateQ for
public beneft-the phillnthropist, who applies the
means within his command, for the promotion of learn
ing and virtue,-and the enlightened patriot, whose
srst best country is at hone," will spare no pains,
increase that countrys veal and render it equal to all
others will unite in the principle, that to purify and
embellish stream, you must commence at its sourc.
giving il wall of defence against the rude elemen.
and removing every obstacle to its clear and uniner
upted course through the country which It sboub
ferilize, untilit mngles with the ocean Of waters
Thus to obtain the most certain means of promotn
the wisdom and happiness OF all mankind, the wo,s
of Education should commesce at the fountain head
The purifying, cutivatng and defending that sour.
from whence is derived mans first impressions Of pooJ
and evil; from whence he receives the hrst bias n
right and wrong; from when Washington or Bacon
NAV be reared, to defend, guide, give counsel ,nI
glory to their country, by their wisdom and learning.
or Caesar or Nero be nurtured to tae destruction o.
its virtue and liberties. Since, them all admit th,
maternal influence IS the first, deepest and most ls
ing which is exerted the mind cfmsn all must h.
aware Of the importance Of fitting that influence or
the wisest and best employment of its power
Mrs Porter arrogates to herself no superiority over
her contemporaries in this town, in the arduo, bn,
truly interesting occupation in which she has enE,,cI
the best feelings of heart keenv alive to it. vital in
por,ance, and the high responsibility which sI.
assumes. The best instruction will lie alv,ys
sought and procuredi and every aid which tie
general diffusion of information, the advice Of in
tellgent and experienced persons offer, will b.
employed to advance the objects Of institution
Bound by no prejudice to particular systems n.
course adopted will be open to scrutiny and pubE.Iy
examined. amusements are found desirsll:
new expedents useful, and Improvements suggested
they will be received with interest and attention.
The object of education is give female the eI..
nentary principles learning and virtue, which are
guide her to temporal and etcrna! happiness To fulfil
this design the mind must be disciplined, the memory
improved, the moral sense purified and quickened.
and intelIectua. energy awakened and cultivated.
Upon this view OF the'subjcct, Mrs. Porter has A.
ranged her system of instruction Every mears are
sought to animate perception, engage tie attention.
aud induce pupils to love their studies. Patient labor
and diligent application, all know are essential the
requirement ofany branch Of knowledge bu, the way
may be cheered by many exp sdients; and instead Il
making study pathway filed with thorrs and briars
it NAV become grateful exercise over hill and dale,
whose many flowers may be cued TO tighten the t.
dousness of the walk. The inductve system tha.
which cutvates the active use OF the powers omind
before those ofthe memory, pursued in every branch
permitting no pupil to commit beyond her pove,
of comprehendng and dges,ing the subject of pursuit.
Grammar is sbstruse but by explanation and ilhsrs.
ton, pupils have become much interested Hi&oy
is taught by regular course of reading, Of which a5
stracts are formed-Beginning with the HistO.
~ of the United States and constant use of The MAPS
in connection with the history, they become familiar
with the Geography Of their country at the tne
Attaching the fact in History, to the spot whereh &C.
cured on the Map, gives visible object to streng
the efforts of memory, and mpresses permanent
" upon the mind. Geography is studied from the
Maps and Woodbridge's system, ancient and modern.
Arithmetic, from Colburn's mental system has been
partially introduced, and with success among those
who had not been previously taught upon other plans;
but the prejudice in favor Of the old system, occasions
the use Of Walsh's and Pixies Arithmetic also.
Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, are taught bys
pie experiments Moral Philosophy by example A
the season advances, flowers dissected and exAH
med. Short lectures are given to cultivate honOe
feelings, and showing instances wherein women have
virtues OF the heart.
The government is always paiental-Fauts have et
dom occurred except those of levity and temper wma
have been corrected by means calculated to awaken
penitence and cultivate self-government without e.
citing dread Of punishment that would tend degrade
selfrespect Sisterly regard and attention to each
others wants and pleasures are promoted, and every
method sought to amend the temper and overcome
selfshness by showing examples OF its odlous con'e
auences, and leading them To hate vice for IFS perm
cious effects upon the comfort and happiness, sndu
love the practice of virtue for its agency in procuring
peasure-thus clearing the way and guiding them "
adore and obey the Author of all virtue and haprnSn
Habits of neatness and good order are ndlspens0" {
encouraged by rewards for the Gale OF clothing ooA
books sc. and attention TO personal neatness caI'
ly incuIcated. ..,
Considering sound health as one OF the gTels.
blessings to be bestowed upon man or woman-'Lt
while the mental faculties cultivated, due fsr.
to bodily vigor should be ever kept in vlewi '0F WV
does not know from experience, how much TIE nA'
sympathizes with the condition of the body-mN,"'
cheerful when The body is strong and healthy, ard G
pressed when the body is unhealthy -MaterraIsG"o
tude watches over the health OF the pupils a'u !!
early rising, plain diet, and regular hours OF exert
the strength of the constitu ton is strkinby P'VI
ed. Every safe and innocent amusement IS Pe''"''
that encourages activity and cheerfulness'
particular regard is had to the expenditure y'J
ney-Young ladies, whose wants are all suppIeU;
nave only to ask to obtain as much as they WISH ~.
not the value OF the means they spend SO ia'lsHE
trines--To lead them to reflection upon th,s SUI!
Mrs. Porter gives each pass book in when II, m
tered the sum received and how expenaeu'
compared at the close Of the term with her - via
This has produced valuable effect upon son.
expended all their allowance in cakes, candy, 81
book filed with such expenditures has 50 ~ rroS,
and mortified their good sense, that they ha''
tarly abandoned the indulgence. ,.
Volumes have been and may be written P""JIr
minutis necessary for the culture OF the mora
telectual character of youths and those VINO az 70
scientiousiy faithful over these small Things .,l
indeed expect to rule the world but they "ls; Ioa
the mass of human sorrow, extend tie mass =, h,,os
ledge and happiness in this world, and rear '"'''