Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-09
To he Editor. Of he Free Pres.

u
GENTLEMEN: Justice and sincere
feeling prompt me to solicit in your
paper notice Of the public examina-
ton OF the scholars, composing the
school Of Mr.. Joseph Boyden Of tins
place, which was held on the afternoon
of last Friday. and which attended BY
invitation. The highly creditable and
satisfactory manner in " hich they stood
rigid and prolracted examination on
all the branches. 10 which their aiien-
ton had been directed, drew forth from
all present warm expressions Of grati6-
cation and admiration, and proved. at
once that the most assiduous and untiring
efforts had been called into requisition
by their competent teacher, to promote,
an every way, the mental improvement
of the youth entrusted to his care, while
u due regard to their own interest, had
been accompanied by application and
industry on the part of the scholars
themselves. The correctness and rea-
diness with which they answered the
mos, difficult questions, proposed 10
them by the company of examiners. as
well on the Latin language as on the
higher English branches. declared
plainly that the method of instruction.
adopted by Mr.. Boyden. had been clear,
systematic and impressive. II was also
evident, from the great attention to re-
gularity and arrangement, exhibited in
every movement of the school. th..
Mr.. Is. while using the utmost diligence
to teach the young 'dca how 10 shoot.
had not neglected tina, certain preser-
yative Of good order and decorum, the
establishment of fixed and salutary
rules for the government of his school.
Still more must be argued in support oil
this worthy gentleman, as q teacher.
from the extreme youth Of the greatest
number Of his scholars. To have ad-
vanced children so young, TO the de-
gree Of mental cultivation, attained by
those now under Mr.. BIS care, could
only have been the fruit of unlimited
pains and unremitted energy on his
part. Their perfect acquaintance with
arithmetic was evinced by the unusual
quickness with which they solved al
most instantly the most difficult propo-
sitions, presented 10 them on that
branch. Their ready application Of all
the rules Of Latin and English grammar,
their familiarity with geography, and
indeed the whole examination, portray
ed forcibly the interesting effect Of care
full tuition upon acute perception and
retentiye memory. know OF nothing
more engaging than to witness the pro-
gress ofintellectual improvement, which
draws forth from their latent resource
the powers and faculties of the youth
ful mind-strips untutored nature oI
her rudeness-re6nes and directs tc
happy purposes the dispositions and in
clinations Of man-and prepares him
molly to discharge the many very i'm
portant duties which dcvolve on ma.
ture age. Ii this sentiment then be
awakened by such an observation in
the breast OF one not personally inter
es'ed, how pleasing must il be to pa
rents TO see that their children cas-, no,
away the privileges bestowed upon
them by tn: kind hand of parental at.
fiction and indulgence, but return a,
their rich reward, rapid advancement,
in the path of knowledge, and flatter.
ing prospect of future greatness and
usefulness' No less gratifying to the
teacher must it be. when be behold.
the bud of genius expanding under the
watchful culture of his fostering care,
TO reflect that he has nurtured the ten
der germ that is now unfolding It's ines
timablc worth. PHILOS.