Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-09
REPLY.

OEAk DIN - nave received ana
perused the system Of education for
the GIrard College for orphans. which
you have been SO good as 10 send me.
and for which please to accept my
thanks.
In regard to the merit Of the sy stem.
on which you request my opinions,
will make few remarks. although I
do not think myself 90 we'll qualified
to judge Of 1t as many gentlemen who
have been in the employ ment Of in
struction in our higher seminaries.
The mode you propose for instruct
ing children in the French and Spanish
languages is nearly the came ss have
always supposed 10 be the best. If not
the only mode of Masking pupils per-
fectly masters Of foreign language
An accurate pronunciation and famili-
arity with language cannot be easily
acquired. except in youth. when the
organs Of speech are pliable. and by
practice. Is we learn our ular
language.
In regard to your system in general,
can only say that IL appears 20 be ju-
diciously constructed. and well adapted
for the purpose Of making thorough
scholars. II on tnal IL should be found
susceptible Of improvement. experience
will direct TO the proper amendments.
One remark, however, take the liber-
ty TO make: do not suppose an ex-
act conformity 20 . particular course
Of studies 10 be essential to a thorough
education. One course may be pre-
ferable to another; but there seems TO
be mo royal way to geometry" close
and Psrssrering application only will
make good scholars. and this will ac-
complish the object, without an sdhe-
renee TO any precise order Of studies.
But il / understand your plan, there
~. in my opinion. one msterial defect
in it. which is. the want Of professor
ship Of the English language. and de-
partment appropriated TO accurate in-
struetion in itS true principles, and in
the definite use Of words. My reasons
for this opinion are. that, ss far as my
information extends, instruction in our
native language is very much neglect.
ed IN our semInaries. Young men well
drilled in the principles Of other Ian
guages often finish their academical
course without being able to anaiyze
many OF the most common sentences
and phrases IN the English language;
and the writings Of our most disiIn-
guished scholars are often deformed
by false photography. false syniax. and
by the misapplication Of words. From
these facts, IL is 10 be inferred that the
writers do not understand their own
Language. IL our statesmen were ae-
curaiely acquainted Nth the language.
u Is TO be presumed they would not
usa comptroller q counter Of the rolls)
when they mean controller. an officer
whose business is TO control OF check
the accounts Of other officers. II mill
isry gentlemen were perfectly vsEsed
IN English. they would not use the
word Tedou5l (doubilng again) when
they mean . refONf. en- outwoFk 10
foFiihcstion. II the clergy weTe seeu-
rately instructed 10 the meaning Of
words. We should not hear q sfaasa
called . peyse. IL our citizens we're
well Instructed IN English. We should
not hear such phrases. - . balance Of
men oF troops IN company remaining
afleT . detachment bad been made -
u our public men were we'll Instructed
10 the language, they would not ven.
iure 70 call the privileges of banking
aod manufacturing composites 10 this
country SpoRepoiiss, for ciGssns well
instructed IN our Language and IN The
true mesning of words, would consider
such . nissPplIeation a terms en- IN
dignity offered 10 their undsTstaDdlngs.
" Eagiish words were correctly under
stood. ne should BsvsE hear men talk
about the oytstoeysey q the county.
since there y not. and By our Consti,a.