Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-29
'Yo tho Citizens OF Augusta
and adjoining Counties.

and aajoining Counties.
AT a meeting of several gentlemen in S,auu-
ton, on the day OF August, after consulta-
ton 1t was decided that the interests Of the com.
munity would be promoted by the establishment
in Staunton of u Female Seminary. Several indi-
viduals were appointed Trustees of the proposed
institution whose names are presented in the plan
which is herewith submitted to your inspection.
Al subsequent meeting, composed in part of
some oil 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 OF
It's purpose and character.
II Is deemed useless to offer you any arguments
or illustrations, enforcing the fundamental i'm
portance Of the object set before us. No reflect
ing MIND can ial TO perceive how intimately con-
nected not only with individual happiness but
with the national welfare, the proper education of
the female sex must ever be considered. Woman,
who uniolds and cu!tivates the first buds of in
teiligence in man, and presidts over the earlies,
developments OF moral agency, should possess
cultivated intellect and christian heart Wo-
man, who IS mans companion and comfort, should
beprepared in mind to counsel d in heart to soothe
oman, who watches his couch of aflliction dis
ease, and DEATH should DE adapted by careful train
appreciate the truths which ara the subjects of
our faith, and TO administer the consultations those
truths convey.
To secure for the mothers Of our pos,erity such
an education, is the dictate Of sound policy. the
Just aim oil christian philanthropy, and the requ-
stion of enlightened patriotism.
10 accomplish this objective propose an insti-
tuition IN whose course Of instruction we place
the Bible as the source of sound doctrine, the
guide to true morality, and the repository of
consoIng promises. Deducng from il the faith
! by which we approach tue God of Heaven and
Earth, the duties we owe Him and ourselves, and
tie plan by which alone We can secure his favor
we aim first to prepare each child to live in time
with a wise re ference to eternity.
| 10 perform rightly the duties she owes to soce-
! Nv, and to meet the responsibilities devolvng on
woman as an individual and the mother of a fam
ily 1t is first important to open 10 the mind the
stores of truth contained in 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 1veH
win las Important adIunctS, writing and spelling
| The science Of Arithmetic, whether for its re-
suits in the practical affairs Of life, or the nhu-
ence OF It's study on the development of the mind
takes the next rank In importance. 10 this must
be added knowledge Of the earth we iuhabit
the manners and customs Of its inhabitants. their
| literary, political, religious and moral condition
and prospects. With lis present actual condition.
| so FAR as Geography informs 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 a taste for literary pur.
suits, we found on the study of our vernacular
language In It's grammar and literature. Weco
celve the usual time devoted by girls to the pro-
curing an education, may he fully and profitabIy
employed In the acquisition of these substantial
branches of study; and our first aim will be TO
secure the pupils in the thorough perception of
these important sciences Should time and incli-
nation permit, other and ornamental branches of
education, Music and Painting, NAV be pur-
sued, and for which we present competent
teachers.
We do not offer you a school in which your
daughters promised instruction in the various
physical sciences, as multiplied by modern no.
nenclature TO an extent as absurd in catalogue as
their attainment is impracicable in the period of
girls educational life. Yet IN such elements of
tie physical sciences as 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 intelIigently and elegantly, the IDEAS
which the acquisition of substantial education
may furnish. We earnestly advocate, TOO. the
importance OF some elementary knowledge Of, at
least, one Of the dead languages, for It's obvious
5eaFng IN illustrating the structure and facilitating
the comprehension Of our own. To such as de-
sire IL, opportunity will also be afforded to learn
the French language.
Our purpose then, you perceive, is not to attract
your patronage by vain display of numerous
studies, but we would fdn urge you the advan-
tages OF substantial English education as the
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 hdtter 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 a fair trial. Let sufficient pat
ronage from this county be concentrated on a
school which, bearing its venerated name, aims to
Perpetuate in lis 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 be sustained economical adj
ministTatioD, and a basis Of sound learn
ing and the Christian faith, one such Female
Seminary. Though attached to that Church
which prfiorrinspt in els infuanoe ., a.