Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-10-06
THOMAS w. NEAL, Secretary.
EnR rHE EHuuIRE

THOMAS w. NEAL, Secretary.
Fox rHs ENQUIRER.
The examination Uf the young ladies of Uid-np.acr
Female Seminary, Dinwidde, under the snp,rintend
anCe of Sir. w V. ). Wood wDtth, came of Thursday
10th of August before large assembly OF ladles
gentlemen, in beautiful grove, near the residence oi
DIR. II. e.. WorSham; and, from the manifestations vi
universal satisfaction, safely state thar the pat
rons elt assured that they had entrusted The
their daughters 10 those amply qualified IN iii them far
the important stations which they VIII be called
upon to fill We would gladly paricuIarIze the SUPER
advantages both of the government and course Of
sruclon this Institution, If the limits OF this article
would permit: We may be permitted however, 10 say,
in Justice to the able Principal, that in all the drpart
ments OF useful and elegant education, Is unsur.
passed by any similar institution in the state.
From an intimate acquaintance with the course al
instruction, believe that here the mind receives
more thorough intellectual training, combining, al the
same time, all the useful and ornamental! branches,
than is usually bestowed in female institutions.
Here the principal portion Of time expended in the
development OF the mind, and mol, in other in.
siuons to those little graces and light accomplish.
ments suitable only 10 the hall roon leaving the mind
wholly unInsiructed IN the more useful and SOLID
branches which prepare them for The responsible sta.
lions which they designed 10 occupy.
TIE writer Of this article has visited person. most
OF the female schools Of emlnrnce from Boston 10
Charleston and has had ample opportunity of testing
their merits-ani il gives him pleasure 10 say that
have much 10 admire, as well NJ something To
condemn. We have regarded most institutions as de-
hcrnt In that thorough DttnOd B teaching which alone
can tremendously drveop- the mind and render IL OF
that analytical order necessary the present day
silt the cnaiy literature with which the world Is flood
3D. IL il not our purpose exclusively 10 condemn or
prase-but, deeply interrsted-nay, identified rs we
feel with the Of education-we may be permit.
ted without impuatlon, iaud that which is de-
serving and speak what feel due truth, Of this
Seminary, having had so many opportunities 10 witness
the OF teaching might rather say, Of train
Ing the mnd;-and IL no other opportunity had offered
Itself the examination would be sufficient alone TO JUS
III IN We pssru tIfA NJ
the class in the Natural Sciences, which subjected
the most critical test for hour they answered aud
illustrated the various questions which weie given
with an apnrss and accuracy which was truly aston
ishng, and gratifying To all presrnt-jrawing at the
time, from the objects around then to illustrate
the difficult principles Of Philosophy in manner
familiar, that present could ia 10 that all
vas the result OF n comprehensive ana thorough nc.
quaintancs with the principles OF This science.
The class in Rhetoric also gave The most conclusive
evidence of the ability aud diligence with which they
had been Instructed In this useful and Interesting
encc.
The compositions were written in 4 style which
would do honor 10 older heads and more experienced
pens, and contradict and forever sci 10 rest that
able and false notion, that the intellect of woman is not
powerful and comprehensive enough 10 embrace sub.
jrcIs OF the highest consideration.
or the Musical department., we would remark, in a
word, that tie performance Of the young ladies fleets
the highest upon their able and accom- psiri in
struc,tss. Many OF the most difficult pieces compo-
stion were performed with an elegance and accuracy
entirely free from criticism. Indeed al the exercises
gave The strongest OF the and pera-
nency OF this Institution
And now a word 10 the Old Dominion. Why We
ask do you not contribute 10 raise the standard Of fe-
male education? You have sent forth some of the
brightest ornaments from the male portion Of your pOp.
lallon that ever adorned natiOnwhy not add 10 your
list Of literary female Characters j. II because they
have minds susceptible Of high state of cutva-
on that of the males -or is because your nstitu
tons are inadequate To the task II s not the former
for you have already given 10 the world some OF tie
most distinguished female characters In our Union; Iii
she latter beseech 10 build your female nsti-
tntons, aud make them adequate 10 the task. You
have a climate congenial the development of the
mind us any in the world. You have ample means for
establishing and sustaining institutions of learning
equal 10 those Of any oil your sister STATES Then,
stead Of sending your daughters To Northern institu
tons To he educated In The mnrky atmosphere OF abo
onism, why not sustain your own institutions, and
yourselves beGeactos 10 your Stale, and the
same time recipients of your own contributions There
seems To be something in tho Northern institutions
presided by Right Rev. ID. DIS, peculiarly fascna-
ling Virginia arstocracy, and belief pre-
vail that education can be obtained unless IL costs
annually, from five 10 siI hundred doars-as ii the
sciences could be we'll illustrated III the retired
healthy sections of our country, with about third
the cost, under faculty not inferior in qualification
and talent to any IN the Union. IL IL such "swclled
head notions that has, and ever will, keep Virginia
poor. and her daughters ignorant
IL Is time that more correct opinions should prevail.
We do hope the day i! sonr Ivy when The female sex
are be limited 10 the occupations Of the drawing
room, the nursery the kitchen. We DESTROYS IL
tilsn HlHhffS is wen dS TtddCFS-HtlliIHiNS ~
well as domestic economists. Aud Enoyr oi n,
greater benefit that conll he conferred uppn society
than that winch might be derived from tue Influence
Of the well developed intellect of woman Tier mind
- naturally better poised than that Of Inantar SEEN.
and unck-sIehrd-a readiness al devisns aad cUInbn
ing plans meet emergencies, is inlutve wiki her,
Her Judgment - correct-ler taste gnnd-and sine pio
ti;s by experience, far more usrfully than doe
man. Is II not absurd, ihen-is IL not unust-anh is
IL not unwse deny her the right oc exercising her
proper influence in that society Of which She is the
nd deIiyht7 r.