Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-21

Balance now on hand $1s So
II gives us pleasure to state that the health OF
the Orphans under our care has been very good,
and that while the usual attention has been paid
to their morals and comfort, they have made We
rvpleasing Improvement in learning. Only one
has been received into the Asylum during the
year, but the Managers are pledged to receive
another from the Poor House as soon as our
means will Justify the measure. Indeed we hope
that means will be provided, soon, to justify US
in receiving all who are presented. We have
been cautious to avoid contracting debt, and II
will be seen that we have not done so, 10 sup
port the Asylum or the school. One tnlngs we
feel bound distinctly to announce, VIZ: tnat tne
amount of regular annual subscription IS only
about 1885, and of this sum one person pays
800 annually, which will cease in two years
So that unless larger subscription is obtained,
il will be impossible to maintain the School and
the ASYLUM, even upon their present scale
While candor, however, requires this statement
of our me ans, we are sure the puonc only heeo
to know it, to insure larger subscription
Three of the Orphans have been placed in Ia
miles during the year, where they are comfort
ABLY provided for; and we have been applied to
for more. Indeed, so many applications have
been made to us for children, Of both sexes, as
to Justify us in believing that no difhculty VIII
be found in providing all our children suitable
homes, when they have attained proper age
and education. There remain in the Asylum,
at this date, ten Orphans, who but Tor your cha-
rity, might have been, at this hour, exposed 10
universities shivering blast, and to what is more
dreadful still-the poisonous influence OF cor
rupt associates. Who that has spark OF De-
neyoience in his soul, can contemplate even
this little family Of Orphans rescued from SUI
fering, from obscurity, from vice, comfortably
clothed and fed and lodged, and instructed IN
learning, morals and religion, and not acknowl-
edge the hand and adore the goodness OF the
"Father Of the Fatherless," whose gracious in
1uence upon christian minds, disposed them TO
"set these solitary ones in family"
But much as we are interested in our Or
phaps, and much as We rejoice in being permit
ted to train them for useful and happy lives we
know not whether our Female Free School is
not at this time even greater blessing. Over
this school we have watched with great care and
anxiety from the first, and it gives us pleasure
to state that our desires for its usefulness have
been gratihed.
The School is still under the superintendent
of Miss Hodge, and her assistant, Miss Price
Its arrangement is judicious: II is divided INTO
two departments, and each department into six
classes. The policy of the Superintendent is, to
to keep the scholars, even the youngest among
them, constantly employed: and the conse-
ouence is, the utmost order in the school, and
a constant and evident Improvement in man.
ners in morals and in learning. Those who
attended the late Examination expressed their
ap2robation of the school and the Improvement
of the pupils. The Managers have borne in
mind the fact, that the girls they are educating
are of that class who are coming forward 10
take part in our domestic economy-who are to
support themselves by their own industry-who
are to become the wives of poor men, and mo-
theirs of children in like circumstances; and we
have been solicitous to educate them for those
important relations and duties. While the
mornings are therefore devoted to spelling, read.
ing, writing and arithmetic, the afternoons ind
them employed in plain sewing and needle work.
Since the month Of October, when this plan Tor
the afternoon was adopted, they have made up
a number Of articles of clothing and in style
highly credtabe to their skill and industry
That the children themselves are pleased with
the teachers and their studies, is evident from
the fact, that frequently the whole number are
in attendance. The number on the Register is
about 1OO-the average attendance in the sum-
mer season is IS, in the winter 20 TO IS.
II would be out of time and place to enlarge,
here upon the advantages of Female Education
in general, or the benefits likely to result from
This charity in particular But We must pause
a moment, to ask you to look upon these facts
Here are 100 minds, constantly gaining know
led ge to fit them to take their appropriate places
in society, in an appropriate manner,-alfo OF
whom. perhaps, would otherwise have grown
no in comparative ignorance, vice and intamy.
And what is the cost to the community2-Abouf
SO dollars for each orphan child, and little
more than dollars for each girl in the Free
School for a year. Now, when we look only at
the present comforts and advantages resulting
to these 100 individuals from your past kindness,
we persuade ourselves, you cannot abandonus
but when we cast our minds forward to what
good must arise to these precious souls. from
the blessing of God upon the instructions they
have received, and the good they may accom-.
plish, we cannot believe it possible you will let
these institutions langush for want Of your as.
sstance and your prayers. We appeal to good goo
men of all denominations for support. The
cause we advocate is of no sect--of no party
it is the cause of humanity;-it is the cause OF
the orphan-the cause Of the poor.
Congress have not yet granted us any aid; but
we are persuaded they will in due time. We
cannot allow ourselves to believe that, after aid
ing kindred institutions in Washington and
Georgetown, they will deny us the same assist
ance. But, for the present, all depends upon
ourselves And we again commit our cause to the
liberality of the citizens and the blessing of God
NoTE.-In the month of February, 1885, the
Treasurer received, through the Post-ofice, a
donation of $40 for the Asylum, which ought to
have been noticed in former reports, but was
dnl,