The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-08-17
From the Charleston Mercury.

TEDDLETON FINALE ACADEMY.-EXId Ol q
letter from a gentleman of Edisto Island to his
friend in this City, dated the Goth inst.
"The School is under the direction of Miss.
Bates, assisted by two of her sisters and Miss
Billings, all of Vermont. These ladies are
eminent as teachers, distinguished for their
literary attainments, and practically acquaint-
ed with what in my judgement is in the main
the very best method of instruction. They
possess, in high degree, the true qualifications
essential to success in their calling, capacity,
great tact, and fondness, amounting to a pas.
sion, for communicating knowledge. They
are never satisfied with merely hearing a rec.
~itation, but every sentence is so thorough can.
vassed, that the pupils, however obtuse may be
their intellects, are made to feel that they are
Improving. This persuasion on their part
tends TO stimulate their efforts, and to render
even severe application a real pleasure.
With regard to the method ofinstruction, you
must be satisfied with my ayowal, that, in my
opinion, the numerous details of arrangements
all of which show experience and ingenuity on
the part of the teachers, and punctuality, order
and intelligence on the part of the pupils, are
admirably calculated to insure success. In
confederation of this belief, give you the I'm.
animous declaration 0 fparents in regard 10 the
signal improvement of their children, not only
intellectually, but in manners and general de-
pertinent. Those of the lower country, who
now have their daughters at Pendleton, have
often before me congratulated themselves on
their good fortune.
The discipline of the school is strict, but it is
never enforced at the expense Of feeling. The
scholars are uniformly treated with marked re-
spect, and even to the occasional wanderer from
the path of rectiiuGe, the utmost delicacy is CD.
served. The direct tendency of Miss Bates
plan of government is TO arouse the lukewarm,
and to excite to the utmost the spirit of emula-
ton. That it is a judicious one, may alone be
inferred from the remarkable fact, that, since
the establishment of the institution in 1886, al
though the average number ofstudents has been
about 80, vet, in not a solitary instance, has she
and her assistants failed to inspire The pupils,
not merely wih sentiments Of friendship, but
feelings of devoted attachment. Now, when
the variant, and perhaps in a few instances dis
similar dispositions, habits, and inclinations Of
those under their charge nre brought TO view,
the mind that is able, whilst efficiently CONTROL.
ing them, to create in their bosoms love, pure
and %fervent, you will admit, | think, was not
cast in ar ordinary mould.
have often been in company with the schol.
ars of this Seminary, and no themes appear to
afford them such sincere delight as those of the
school and its teachers. At home or abroad,
they are daily the subjects of conversation -
Another fact must not be omitted Many of the
pupils are now between the ages Of l6 and ls
years, and yet not one is willing TO bid adieu
to the academic grove. The older we grow,
say they, the more apparent to US are our INTEL
lectual deficiencies.
The exercises of the institution, besides The
ordinary course, embrace the Greek, Latin, l.
Italian. and French languages, History, Botany,
Theology, Intellectual, Natural and Moral Phi
losophy, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Music,
vocal and instrumental. No student in the
higher classes is compelled to pursue %particu-
lar b. ranches, but, in reference TO the languages,
Chemistry, Intellectual Philosophy, &C., &C.,
the desire of her parents is consulted. A pub
lice examination, which continues for two days
is annually held in October. With the people
of Pendleton it constitutes an important and
interesting period. The attendance is YER llrge
and the excitement always high. The exami-
nation of 80 afforded universal satisfaction :; it
reflected great credit on the preceptresses and
pupils, and in reference 10 a few of the studies,
it was a rare exhibition of some of the highest
powers of the mind.