Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-22
To the Citizens Of Augusta
and adjoining Counties.

-
! AT meeting of several gentlemen in Staun'
ton, on the day OF August, after consulta'
lion, it decided that the interests OF the com.
munity would be promoted by the establishment
in S,aunton of Female Seminary. Several indi.
viduas were appointed Trustees Of the proposed
institution whose names are presented in the plan
which is herewith submitted to your inspec,ion
| Alta subsequent meeting, composed in part OF
| some of those trustees, and in part OF others
friendly to the scheme, this plan was adopted. as
| exhibiting brief outline Of the general principles
on which the institution shall be conducted; and
| the Undersigned were appointed to address you
in Its behalf. by further, but brief exposition oil
| its purpose and character.
| 1t is doomed useless to offer you any arguments
or illustrations, enforcing the Fundamental i'm
portance Of the offset sci before No reflect
| ing mind can fail To perceive how intimately con-
nectcd not only with individual happiness, but
with the national welfare, the proper education Of
the female sex must ever be considered. Woman,
who uu!olds and cultivates the first buds of in
telligence in man, and presides over the earliest
Developments OF moral agency, should possess a
cultivated intellect and a christian heart. Wo-
| man, who Is mans companion and comfort, should
be prepared in mind TO counsel in heart TO sooihc.
Woman, who watches his couch of aillicion, dis
easc and death, should be adapted, by careful train
appreciate the truths which the subjects of
faith, and to administer the constitutions those
truths convey.
TO secure for the mothers Of our posterity such
an education, is the dictate of sound policy, the
just aim OF christian philanthropy, and the requ-
sitlon OF enlightened patriotism.
To accomplish this objective propose an inst-
tuition in whose course of instruction we place
the Bible as the source Of sound doctrine, the
guide to a true morality, and the repository Of
comsoIing promises. Deducing from il the faith
by which we approach the God of Heaven and
Earth, the duties we owe Him and ourselves, and
the plan by which alone can secure his favor
we aim first to prepare each child to live in time
with wise reference to eternity.
To perform rightly the duties she owes TO soce-
ty, and to meet the responsibilities devolving on
woman as an individual and the mother of fam
lily, it is first important to open to the mind the
stores oil truth contained i'm those substantial sci
ences which lie at the basis of all human knowl-
edge. We therefore consider AN Indispensable
subject of instruction, the art of reading rcH,
with its important adjuncts, writing and spelling
The science of Arithmetic, whether Tor its re-
! suits in the practical affairs Of life, or the nfu-
ence Of its study on the development of the mind
takes the next rank In Importance. To this must
be added knowledge of the earth we inhabit
the manners and customs Of its inhabitants their
literary, political, religious and moral condition
and prospects. With its present actual condition
so far as Geography informs us Of that condition,
we propose to connect the lessons of wisdom de-
duced from the history of the past. The forma-
ton and development of taste for literary pur.
suits, we found on the study of our vernacular
| language in its grammar and literature. Wecon-
ceive the usual time devoted by girls to the pro-
curing an education, may he fully and profably
employed In the acquisition of these substantial
branches OF study; and first aim will be TO
secure the pupils in the thorough perception Of
these important sciences. Should Time and inc,i-
nation permit, other and ornamental branches of
education, as Music and Painting, may be pur-
sued, and for which we present competent
teachers.
We do not offer you school in which your
se1 inst in, ia.
physical sciences, as multiplied by modern mo-
menclature to an extent as absurd in catalogues as
their attainment is impraccable in the period of
girls educational life. Yet IN such elements of
the physical sciences can be acquired by the
usual text books, with the aid of oral explanation
and lectures, we promise ample instruction. TO
advanced pupils, we present facilities for extend
Ing their English education by the study Of men
tai and moral Philosophy, and such principles of
Logic and Rhetoric as shall secure the ability to
express inteiigently and elegantly, the IDEAS
which the acquisition Of substantial education
may furnish. We earnestly ad yocate too the
Importance Of some elementary knowledge of, at
least, one OF the dead languages, for It's obvious
bearing III illustrating the structure and facilitating
the comprehension Of our own. 70 such as de-
sire il, opportunity will also be afforded 10 learn
the French language.
Our purpose then, you perceive, is not to attract
your patronage by vain display of numerous
studies, but would fain urge on YOU The advan-
/
basis of all future acquisition, and the guarantee
tor the happiness and usefulness Of your daugh-
| ters And this, without pretending to infinite
wisdom or power, we liatter ourselves able to Of
fer, by the preparations we have made and shall
make, both in the character Of the Principal, the
general plan Of our school, and the digent efforts
Of its founders and trustees.
Give us then fair trial. Let sufficient pat
ronage from this county be concentrated on
school which, bearing its venerated name, aims to
perpetuate in its daughters, and thro' them, in its
sons, the virtues, the habits, the piety, and the
patriotism of their ancestors Let it not be
SAID that in a county noted for its resour-
ces, physical, moral, and intellectual-there
cannot he sustained on an economical adj
mlnistration, and basis OF sound learn
ing and the Christian faith, one such Female
Seminary. Though attached TO that Church
which is predominant in size and influence in the
county, and DESTROYS of its prosperity, and com
hitting TO of its ministers the instruction of
school. thus distinctly announcing the institu
ton Presbyterian, in its religious aspects vet we
Invite your scrutiny TO detect in its administration,
aught that is bigoted offensive TO other evangel-
zeal churches, aught TO tarnsh her own fair
tame, as at once the ardent supporter of sound
learning. and the tried defender, not only of civil
but religious liberty.
Make trial of the school By sending to it your !
daughters; we shall aim to return them inteli- |
gent, accomplished, and, by the grace of God, !
christian. Send us your daughters and we shall |
aim TO Illustrate the integrity Of our motives, and
the sincerity of our professions, by returning them
prepared to be the faithful companions of educa- !
ted and pions men, the vrtuous mothers of Il pos