Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-20

public bcneht-the Phi1knthroplst, who applies III.
means within his command, for the promotion of lear"
ing and virtue,-and the enlightened patriot, who's.
''irstbest country is at home" will spare 10 pains,'
increase that c~ountry's veal, and render Il equal lo,g
Others; will unite in the principle, that, to purify AMI
eimbellish q stream, you must commence at is SCUM,
! giving it a wall of defence against the rude elemen,
and removing every obstacle to It's clear and unin,e,
upted course through the country which it shuE
~fertilize, until it minsles with the ocean of waters-
Thus to obtain the most certain means Of prono,r,
J the wisdom and happiness OF all mankind, the wo,S
of Education should meSc at the fountain head
The purifying, cultvating and defending that SOUR.
from whence is derived mau's first impressions Of gcOt
and evil; from whence he receives the first bs, 70
right and wrong; from whe nee a Washington or B,co.
may be reared, to defend, guide, give counsel AMI
glory to their country, by their wisdom and learning.
or a Caesar or Nero be nurtured to the destruction al
it's virtue and liberties. Since, then, all almi, lila,
maternal influence is the first, deepest and most last.
ing which is exerted over the mind Of man, all mus,S.
aware of the Importance Of fitting that influence e.,
the wisest and best employment of its power.
Mrs. Porter arroga.es to herself no superiority oye.
her contemporaries in this town, in the ardlou, bn,
truly interesting occupation in which she has enlisted
the best feelings of a heart keenly alive to it. vital in.
portance, and the high responsibility which she
assumes. The best instruction will be alx,,,
sought and procured; and every aid which he
general diffusion of information, the advice Of in.
telligent and experienced persons offer, will b.
employed to advance the objects of the institution =
Bound by no prejudice to particular systems, III.
course adopted will be open to scrutiny and pubGcl;
examined.-Where anusements are found desir,bl.
new expedients useful, and improvements suggested
they will be received with interest and attention.
The object Of education is to give a female tie es.
mentary principles of learning and virtue, which are,o
guide her to temporal and eternal happiness. To fulfil
this design, the mind must De disciplined, the memory
improved, the moral sense purified and %quickeued,
and intellectual energy awakened and cultivated
Upon this view of the subject, Mrs. Porter has ar
ranged her system of instruction. Every means are
sought to animate perception, engage the attention.
and induce pupils to love their studies. Patient labor
and diligent application, all know, are essential to The
requirement ofany branch of knowledge; butt tie way
may be cheered by many exp-dients; and instead u
making study a pathway filed with thOrns and briars
it may become a grateful exercise over hill and dale,
whose many flowers may be culled to tighten the te.
diousness Of the walk. The inductive system, tat
which cultivates the active use Of the powers Of mind
before those 0fthe memory, is pursued in every branch
permitting no pupil to commit beyond her power
of comprehending and digesting the subjecto of pursuit
Grammar is abstruse; but by explanation and llusn,
ton, pupils have become much interested. History
is taught by a regular course of reading, of which ab.
stracts are formed .-Beginning with the intO.
~ Of the United States and constant use of the maps
in connection with the history, they become fmlr
with the Geography of their country at the same ure.
Attaching the fact in History, to the spot where n.
Cured on the Map, give. a visible object to strengh
en- the efforts of memory. and impresses II permanent
ly upon the mind Geography is studied from the
Maps and Woodbridge's system, ancien, and modern.
Arithmetic, from CoIburn'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 taughtbys SIM
a kenr,l Dh,locnphu hV cxpupia 4,
the season advances, flowers are disse cted and eAan.
ined. Short lectures are given to cultivate honorable
feelings, and showing instances wherein women have
| been distinguished for their talents, attachments, and
virtues OF the heart.
The government is always parental-Fault> have SCI
dom occurred except those OF levity and temper, which
have been corrected by means calculated to awaken
penitence and cultivate elfgOvernment without en-
citing dread of punishment that would tend to 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 odiOus conse'
quences, and leading them to hate vice for its PERM
cious effects upon the comfort aid happiness, and 10
love the practice of virtue for its agency in procuring
p~leasure-thus clearing the way and guiding them"
adore and obey the Author of all virtue and happiness.
Habits of ~neatness and good order are indispensable
TO the refinement Of female character-aDd these are
encouraged by rewards for the cafe Of clothing, rooms
books, &c. and attention TO personal neaness careful
ly inculcated.
Considering sound health as one of the greatest
blessings to be bestowed upon man or woman-,tM
while the mental faculties are cultivated, due regard
to bodily vigor should be ever kept in view; tor VINO
does not know from experience, how much the mHa
sympathizcs with the condition of the body-thathH
cheerful when the body is strong and healthy, and De
pressed when the body is unhealthy Maternal soNer
tudc watches over the health of the pupils and O'
early rising, plain diet, and regular hours OF e1e'ci':
the strength of the constitution is strikinBy promo
ed. Every safe and innocent amusement Is pernRN"
that encourages activity and checrfulness.
A particular regard is had to the expenditure OF Nv
~ney-Young ladies', whose wants are all supplied, wiz
have only to ask to obtain as much as they WISH ShO'
not the value Of the means they spend so lav!sHp GP.'
trihes-To lead them to reflection upon tins sHDJee'
Mrs. Porter gives each a pass book in which IS reg
tered the sum received and how expended, 70"
compared at the close of the term with her accom-"
This has produced a valuable effect upon some "T
expended all their allowance in cakes, candy' &c ~
book filed with such expenditures has so suTpnh'
and mortified their good sense, that they have '0u"
tarily abandoned the indulgence, Il,
Volumes have been and may be written Upon "
minutie necessary for the culture of the moral . ~
tellectuaI character Of youth, and those who are ~ =,
scientiously faithful over these small things MA. ~"
indeed expect to rule the world, but they ma! re-"
the mass of human sorrow, extend the mass OF k.V ..
ledge and happiness in this world, and rear Hinduism