Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-01-12
ron TIE srAvsroN SPECTATOR.

Mr. Editor,-in your paper of the 29th uliimo,
noticed Communication signed ".a Friend of
Education" in which the writer, am sorry to
say, has made some statements calculated, whether
designed or not, TO give false impression in re-
gard to the comparative merits of the several Fe-
male Institutions of this place. l feel it my duty,
therefore, to endeavor to disabuse the public mind
by noticing the Objectionable part of that article.
| would, however, in the first place remark most
'cheerfully that 50 far as the worthy Principal of
the Augusta Female Seminary aud his accomplish
ed Assistants are concerned, am prepared to ac-
cord all that the writer himself has stated and rs
to the recent examination of the pupils am pleas
ed to learn from those who were present, that il
reflected much credit ON the School-scholars as
well as teachers.
Having said thus much, allow me now to call
attention to the paragraph to which would take
exception Ii is the last one of the article, and the
last one only ; and if the author had been content
to stop just few lines before he did, should not
have felt myself under the necessity of giving his
Communication this notice. Here is the paragraph
''Ths Seminary has increased in patronage each
year since its foundation, and under the supern-
tcndence Of Mr. Bailey and his highly accomplish
ed Assistants, mast still increase in popularity till
the ,cltole community Is brought 10 its support"
The italicizng is my own. Now, Mr.. Editor, |
would ask in the name OF rnodesty and fairness
whether, under the circumstances, such language
community" may Judge.
As to the assertion that the Seminary has in
creased in patronage each year since It's foundation,
i have only to say that such is not the general i'm
.presson; and if "a Friend of Education" will in
form himself more accurately, the probability is he
will ascertain that the School is not as large now
as it was at a former period. This, however,
should not argue in the least against its merits.
Then it had the support of nearly the "whole com
munity )" but two other schools of equally as
high grade have since been established ,-one
under the direction of the Episcopal and the other
of the Methods, Church, it is not to be supposed
the Presbyterian School should have the same a
mount of patronage now it had when receiving the
support of other denominations. But GA Friend
of Education prophcsies that the Presby terian
School must increase in popularity until tn" whole
community" is brought to its support; like Aaron s
rod it is to swallow up all the rest. Verify, this is
modesty with vengeance. Now 1t is said that
the Board of Trustees of the Wesleyan Female
Seminary are about making arrangements TO secure
the erection of large and handsome building for
their School practicable; but if they
have any confidence in the predictions of ga
Friend of Education," would advise them to call
a halt, and not trouble themselves farther about
what must inevitably come TO naught. The Epis-
copaans also, had better dispose Of their fine build
ing as soon possible, lest the ''whole commun-
typ should it from them and appropriate it to
Their O,cn school!
But perhaps my advice may be considered grau-
itous by Doth Episcopalians and Methodists, mas
much as their Schools no less popular NOW
than the Presby terrain, and especially as they are
both aiming TO give 10 their respective institutions a
character of the highest order, they may see no
reason whatever to be the least Inundated by the
boastful predictions ga Friend Of Education
But as said of Henry Clay's mouth,
"they speak for themselves"
In conclusion. / would eyDres nv uood will
for all the Seminaries of learning in cur town,
and sincere hope that they may ALL so in
crease, not only in popularity, but in real merit.
that the WHOLE of this, well asa large share of
other communities may be broughto their support
FAIR PLAY.