The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
For the Peoples Press
VERMONT LITERARY AND SCIEN.
TIFIC INSTITUTION.
For the Peoples Press


TIFlC INSTITUTION.
Nh. EDIToR.-Permit me through the COL
umns of your valuable paper, to make a few re-
marks concerning the present and futare pros
poets of the Vermont Literary, and Scientific
Institution.
1t has, since its first foundation, held no in.
ferior name with kindred Institutions in our
own state. While some have been closed for
want of patronage and support, and others have
hourished for season and then withheld in
s,ruc,ion, this Institution amid opposing cir
cumstances Of that nature, has been the retreat
the pleasant retreat, of m any who love the
acquisition Of kn owledge.
The building is brick edi6ce four stories
high. a hundred feet in length, and forty feet in
breadth containing Boarding apartment,
Chapel, A ssembly room, laboratory, Library
and Recitation Rooms, and thirty private
rooms for students. 1t is situated in TIE
pleasant and growing village of Brandon, Rut-
land County, Vermont, upon gentle rise of
ground short distance from the center Of the
village, giving beautiful prospect of the sur
rounding scenery, and secluded from the noise
and confusion of the village. On one side Of
the Institution flows gentle river, on the other
side may be seen, here and there, youthful
groves gently towering, and n summer verdant,
where the weary student may regale himself
with the beauties of nature while ploiding over
his musiy tones in search of literature and
science.
The former principal. Carleton Parker, re-
signed his duties as principal, at the close OF
The fall term Of 1910, on account of his health,
which had been on gradual decline for some
time previous, and was succeeded by .. Rock
well and c.. c. Bisbee, graduates of Middle
bury College. The former devotes himself TO
the English depart ment, and the latter 10 the
classical. 1t nigh. be wisdom here 10 say,
that the change Of Teachers, especially OF high
Institutions Of learning is usually calculated TO
send abroad an unfavorable influence but in
this case, | have the pleasure Of saying, it was
otherwise. Although the former principal had
bv an untiriug and faithful discharge OF duties
as principal for nearly five years, during which
time he was principal of the Institution, won
for himself high reputation and name. as
teacher and scholar; and had so wasted his
strength by his pcrsevering energy. that If made
it necessary for him TO retire to regain his for
ner strength and vigor; still under such cir
cumstances a change of principals was follow
ed with no serious result TO the school =
However highly he is considered or estimated
as teacher, scholar, or member OF society !;
however much he may have sympathzed with
the student surrounded by poverty, or in ad-
verse circumstances, laboring, and struggling
for an education, or encouraged the more
prosperous or ably conducted the affairs OF
this Institution however highly such phian-
thropic actions and feelings may have endeared
him in the minds of friends and pupils, the
same may be said. with the greatest safety,
to characterize the present board of lnstruc-
ton.
There is connected with this Institution
a Female Department, formerly conducted
bv Miss Aurora d. Skinner, now under
the care of E!onora E. Shaw, a graduate of
the Female Academy at Albany N. Y, and
lady of undoubted scholarship -
The course o, instruction which has been a.
dopted is not to urge the student through su'
perfciaI course of study. but to begin thorough
course and advance with such rapidity as shall
give each student time for reflection, and there
by lay the foundation upon which he may af-
forwards rear the superstructure of independent
thought.
They are fully decided, that putting the
pupil into too many studies, and giving him
too long lessons in the first stage of an educa.
ton, would be fatal to finished scholarship /;
consequently, avoided it. The text Books
used in each department are good. No pains
has been withheld in their selection, which is
mn minor consideration 10 their commencing a
regular education. There is a fine Chemical
and philosophical apparatus, and a well settled