The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-01
FEMALE SEMINARY.

| AN cACelltul SplIll prevailed al Inc meet
ing which was held last week in reference
10 this school. The Hon. ii. Seymour was
called 10 the chair, and the object for waich
the meeting was called was stated by C..
Linsley, ESQ.,, one Of the Trustees of the
Seminary Mr.. Tilden read a statement nl
the difficulties which he had experienced in
conducting the institution and Of the means
which were thought to be necessary fo- its
revival. The meeting was then addressed
in a very spirited manner BY Messrs. Lin.
sley. Il. Bass, I. Allen, Drury, Stewart
Barber, and the chairman, and committee
was appointed TO raise the necessary funds
for purchasing library and an apparatus
for The Seminary. We annex condensed
view of the statement read by Mr.. Tildcn.
He remarked that there had been a want
ofsolicitude on the part ofparents in the vii
lage concerning the prosperity Of the school.
None ofthem during the last three years
had visited ii for the purpose Of hearing the
usual recitalions and acquaintiDg themselves
with the method of instruction pursued by
the teachers. Few ofthem, it was thought,
had exerted themselves 10 increase the num-
Der Of It's pupils. Some of our citizens are
accustomed 10 send their daughters abroad
to attend school, ami many of Them do not
app reciate the advantages of "a public Semi.
nary where teachers of high qualifications
are employed. lift be important that a
public school be established in this village
exclusively for the education Of young la.
dies, the citizens must feel the importance
of sustaining it by their undivided patron
age. Such school subjects the Principal
to grea, expense in procuring responsible
teachers and can be sustained only by the u
nied efforts of the public.
This is particularly true of the depart
ments of music and drawing. These are
branches of female education which should
be laugh. at the Seminary and it cannot be
sustained unless ii receive the patronage of
the village in these branches. Although
the school was prosperous, most Of the time,
while under the care of Mr.. T., having at
times as many as sixty scholars, yet after
paying teachers and the contingent expcn-
ses of the school his average receipts, aside
from music und drawing, were but S330,77
per annum. This sum is less than the low
est ministerial salary in Vermont and is en-.
tirely inadequate TO the support of family.
1t is PLAIN, therefore, that the Seminary
could not have been sustained. and cannot
be sustained hereafter, without the patron
age ofthe village in the branches here na-
med. If the plan which is now proposed by
the Trustees is carried into effect and mu
sic be taught at the Seminary, a new and
valuable piano is 10 be purchased ahd no
pains are to be spared in giving instruction
in music.
Mr.. Tilden next adverted to the want of
a philosophical apparatus. He soid that it
was in vain for US to compete with other
schools unless we offer equal facilities for
an education. We need, and
must have, an apparatus which will Illus
trate the lows of motion p; the properties of
water an air pump and the instruments be-
longing 10 i. 10 illustrate the properties Of
air a model Of steam engine which shows
its internal structure and the Improvements
of Watt a model of the diving bell an ap-
paratus 10 connect with an electrical ma
chine (Which we already have>; various mir
rors, lenses, microscopes, a camera obscu-
ra, &C., TO illustrate the laws OF Optics; DIFF.
ferent kinds of magnets; tide dial to show
the daily changes in The tides, together with
various other articles which cannot be here
No person doubts the indis.
pensable necessity of such an apparatus in
Inc education of young men. The citizens
Of this place have repeatedly made liberal
10 procure ono for our College. |
Is it less important that young ladies' enjoy |
The benefits which il imparts and have a
good acquaintance with philosophical factsl !
Another want scarcely less pressing, is
Books, TO form a small library for the use Of
!he Seminary. 1, is known that there is no
public library TO which they have access
They are in danger of culIivating taste !
for the light and frivolous reading which is |
so abundant at the present day. 1t is of the !
first importance tina, they read history. biog
raphy, travels, the writings of Addison and |
Irving and the poetry of Cowper and Bry-
ant, books of substantial worth-rather /
han the ephemeral trash Of the magazines
DR. the permiscuous novels Of Bulwer. We
need and must have books, which shall form
1 correct and refined taste,-furnish valua
Die information, and improve the mind and
he heart.
Should The hope Of reviving the school BY
he means which have been mentioned. be
it is expected that the Trustees
will propose regular course of study, to
which, as far rs circumstances permit, we
shall adhere. 1t will be our object 10 ele-
rate the standard of female education.-
While special attention is given to the ele. !
nentary branches Of learning. the pupils will
De conducted along a systematic and thor
,ugh conrse of study in the various branch
IS of Mathematics. Natural and Mental phi
osophy, Moral science, History. Rhetoric,
the application Of science 10 |