Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-27
HEX OCCIDENTE LUXE

TIME was, perhaps, when The lights ofedu-
cation and advancement within our State,
shone, with brightest lustre, in the more cas-
tern districts. But that time is past, and a
change is being rapidly effected in our favor.
We would not be understood as exultng in
our superiority to other sections, for we can
not say that this point is yet fully established
But the race of improvement in educational
advantages is a noble one, and we do claim
the merit of being close upon the heels of
the foremost. Nor can any one say that this
claim is unfounded.
In Abbeville district alone, there are Ito
say nothing of minor Schools three first-class
seminarics-the Methodist Institution at
Cokesbury, the Baptist at Greenwood, and
the Erskine College. They are all ably sup
piled with professors and instructors, and sus-
tanned by liberal and increasing patronage.
Around each one Of them, has arisen beau
tiful village, and more than all, each one is
compassed about with the strong "outer
wall f" of morality and religion.
At Anderson also, there are two very -four
ishing institutions, progressing under the
happicst auspices, and their success is now
beyond doubt. We have been truly graft
fed in looking over a catalogue of these
Academies, to perceive the cheering results of
these enlightened efforts to advance the great
cause of education. Greenville too is carry
ing on the good work with most commenda-
Lle zeal. Ncwberry and Laurens are also
coming up in handsome style. And, last but
not least, Edge6eld- we must give her 4
separate paragraph.
Our Male Institution is under the superin-
tendance of Mr.. THOMAS JOHNSON, son of
the Rev. DR.. w. B. JOHNSON. No young
man in the State, is more eminently qualified
than lie, for the discharge of the duties which
now devolre upon him. He was regarded
in College as the ripest scholar in his class.
The school itself is endowed to the amount
Of four or five thousand dollars. The situa-
tion of the building is peculiarly Academic,
from its shade and retirement
Our Female Institute is under the superin-
tendance and especial care of Mr.. ROBERT II.
NICHOLS, supported by various and accom-
plshcd assistants. The Academy is large'
handsome and commodious building, most
cligibly located. Expensive apparatus for
philosophical experiments, new and excellent
pianos for the use Of pupils, Globes, Maps,
&C., are some of the appurtenances of the
Institution. We feel confident in asserting
that it is not surpassed by any similar one in
the State.
Besides the advantages of this Seminary,
we have other helps to the accomplishments
of life. Mr.. EDMUND BACON, long known as
most successful instructor. in music, still
gives private lessons in that department.
Mrs.. McCLIsTocK keeps up an admirable
scool for girls. In short, the advantages we
offer are very uncommon. 80
Our village 10 u1iIrulti,F. my ur,tr ttvr.,
! the sca-board to the mountains. First rate
boarding in most respectable private families
can be obtained at So per month. Upon the
Sabbath, pupils have the choice of three
Churches, Methodist, Episcopal and Baptist,
all we'll supplied. Indeed. there is nothing
that should act as drawback upon the pros
perity of our schools. We call upon the
friends of educational progress, especially in
our district, to foster them. "The laborers
are certainly worthy of their hire" Patron
Use them and benefit yourselves.
HACKNEYED FIGURES AND QUOTATIONS.
1t is the fashion of the day to ridicule the
use of any phrase or figure that is not out of
the common line, by clubbing it hackneyed.'
The practise has been carried to such an ex-
cess, that we much fear the many good things
of old Will Shakespeare himself will at
length be excluded from use, by the critical
squcamishness of these masters of TASTE
We maintain that moderate use of such
things as have been really ,ecH said by our
predecessors in the paths of literature, is not
only very convenient, but very useful in sev-
eral respects. 1t frequently gives force to an
otherwise tame expression-frequently obvi-
ates prolixity and saves unnecessary typo
graphical labor-frequently suggests original,
analogous ideas-frequently directs the at
tention of youth to passages, with which they
might, otherwise, long remain unfamiliar
Upon the whole, we regard the limited use Of
appropriate quotations, whether old or new,
neither injurious nor indecorous.
AS to figures, they are drawn mainly from
the book of nature, and, since the days of
Homer, the same old stock has been on hand,
with no great accession in modern days. If
every thing old and long-used, therefore, is to
be suppressed, merely because of its age and
long use, why, close that great book at once
and open another, where Railroads, Sarsapa-
rilla, Telegraphs, Sewing machines, Paixhan
guns, Washing fluids, ct cetera, are found in
pcll-mcll confusion, and draw thence the i'm.
agery suited to your progressive taste.
Though no great adept in the selection Of
tasteful illustrations ourselves, we still pro-
n Al Il.