True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1845-10-29
CIRCULAR
Spring Hill Academy,
NEAR MOBILE.

n gagged in some of the best institutions
in the West and South, opened on the 10Th
January last, an Academy for boys. The
second session began on the 10th July.
OF the health of Spring Hill, but little
need be said il is noted, not for compare
tive, but for absolute health, and is consi-
dered, in many respects, as place adml-
rabIy adapted for Literary Institutions.
The following branches will be taught:
Reading; Writing; Arithmetic; Geography
with projection of Maps; English Gram
mer; Book Keeping; Natural History; Civ
il History, ancient and modern: MythoIo-
gy; Rhetoric, including composition and
defamation; Algebra; Geometry; Survey
ing; Navigation; Elements of Astronomy;
Natural, Mental and Moral Philosophy:
Political Economy; the French, Spanish.
Latin, and Greek Languages; and Anato-
my, as taught in schools.
The undersigned would recommend
his Academy to public patronage by an
organization Samewhat peculiar. 1t will
be his endeavor to combine in practice, all
that h" has found by long experience, and
by attentive observation on the different
systems of teaching best calculated TO ex-
cite an ardor for study in the youthful
mind, and TO facilitate its progress.
A very common defect in schools, par
tlcnlarly in those of higher grade, is the
undue time and attention paid by teachers
to the more advanced pupils, to the great
neglect ofthe younger ones. Parents are
of oh III, I'll
children, after they have lost their time,
and what IS far worse, contract bad habits,
and dislike for study, and to place them
IN schools oflcSS pretentions, where indeed
more attention may be paid by the teacher;
but the danger is incurred Of placing them
in inexperienced and incompetent hands.
Hence tits, that we see so few youths who
have attained to the age of H. possessed Of
more than third of the requirements
which could have been made under proper
management. 1t is IamentabIe to think
how many years of childhood and early
youth are frequently lost at school, to say
expense incurred in the meantime. Let it
not be said that much must not be expect
ed from pupils from the age off or S TO II
or 10. Even the infant mind is capable of
wonderful progress, as must be admitted
by every one who will observe the readi-
ness with which an infant acquire Iangu-
age from its nurse or ht;le playmate.
But that the progress of young pupils
may be proportlonate to their capacity, the
art of the teacher must be employed TO
make them love school; they must be kept
busy during school hours: they must not
be set aside for hours at a time to prepare
a lesson, but they must be frequently cal,
led for recitation.
In order then to give due time and al
tenIon TO all, TO awaken and keep mp
spirit of emulation, and TO increase the adj
vantages, and facilitate many of the exer-
clses of the Academy, none will be receiv-
ed who is above 10 years of age, or who
can not be conveniently clasSed. 1t is east
Iy ioreseen that this regulation may retard
the increase ofpupilS and render the school
less profitable, but II will be attended with
less labor for the Teacher, more Justice to
the Pupils, and eventually with more
credit TO the Academy.
As all knowledge is only desirable
so far as II can be made useful great care |
will be taken 10 give every branch that is /
studied, apractlcal turn, and TO show its
connection with the business of life. The
Pupils will be frequently required to write
letters In the different languages they may
be studying, aud 10 compose on subjects
with their actual studies: aud as
additional means Of acquiring practical
inowlcdge of a foreign language, the stu
dents will be restricted, at stated times, to
he exclusive use Off on the playground,
aud IN the family or social circle; they will
also frequently attend conversation clas-
les and perform dialogues or short plays
n the languages which they wish TO learn
o speak.
Great care will be taken 10 inculcate
habits of cleanliness, propriety Of dress,
yentllity Of manners, aud correct moral de-
pertinent II will be the constant endca-
'or Of the Principal and his Assistants, TO
make the children confded TO their care,
personally comlodably-to make them
eel, as far as possible, that they are living
n the house Of the friends Of their parents,
md not IN public school; aud that they
IRE with those who take an interest in al
hat pertain 10 their present happiness, and
uture success IN after life.
The year will be divided into Sessions.
The first Session commencing Except IN
he ensuing year, on the tenth Of Janua.
T. and endinU on the fifteenth If Iuua-