Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-10-30
THE DAILY SPY.
From The New York Commercial Advertiser.
Dung Ladies Institute, PIttsfeId, Mass.


ssting OF Rev. A. L. Stone, Park Street
Church, Boston, Hon. f. II. Rosekrans,
Glens Falls, N. Y, Rev Samuel Harris,
Pltlsfeid, and E. w. Pike, Esq, Boston,
"Fhe committee, favored with the privjl-
eye OF attending, by invitation, the seml-aDn-
ual examination, Just completed of the
Young Ladies' Institute in this town, take
pleasure in making public the results of
their observation.
First they have been struck with the
delightful situation of the village in which
the Institute is located. Built on an ele-
waited plain, surrounded by some of the
finest moutain scenery in New England
and tastefully laid out in broad, shaded
streets, with their groupings OF neat white
houses and ornamenIed gardens, it contri
butes, in its own impressive and eloquent
natural features, an element of no small inn
porance TO a culture designed 10 be COM
prehensive and symmetrical.
tThey were again and equally charmed
with the attractions of the buildings and
gronds of the Institute itself, in which what
ever may serve the comfort and couve-
nlence of the pupils is mingled with all
that can please the eye, promote the health,
aud crafty the taste. The grounds are not
only extensive, but laid out with great beau
ty, and kept under perfect cultivation; and
taken in Connection with a large and com
pete gymnasium in process of erection,
must afford all The securities for the health
of the pupils that the most anxious parent
can desire, and at The same time an assur-
ance Of the permanent standing of an Insti-
tute furnished with such substantial and
costly equipments.
"The appearance Of lie pupils, as tile
committee were first introduced TO their
presence, justified The conclusion at which
they had arrived, that a genial and joyous
healthfulness of body and mind must be
The resident spirit of such scene; an
impression abundantly and gratefully con-
firIned also by those in charge of the
Institute.
"Not less happy were the impressions
made upon the committee, from the begin
ming, Of the social and personal refinement
OF the young ladies, attested in their general
appearance and mutual courlesies, and bear
Ing witness both 10 The type of social life
they represent and the care of their man.
ners under their present training.
The committee were greatly interested
in the long and critical examination of the
pupils, in toe various studies of the term;
and while feeling that the comparatively
brieftime assigned 10 each class could only,
at the best, give a meagre view of their
attainments and proficiency they could not
fail of the conviction that the system OF
instruction practised by the teachers, III
their various departments combined clear
ness, throughness, and tact, 10 degree no
where within their knowledge surpassed.
The pupils understand the studies they
lave pursued. Their knowledge is not
mere acquaintance with the letter of the
text book. Subjected to the unerring test
of the pen, by being called out, in the
presence of The committee, to write on
topics assigned by them from the whole
range of studies for the session the sever
er and more exact as well as the lighter
and more miscellaneous - the young ladies
in general proved their conn lee mastery
of the subjects, by treating ofthem, without
aid, collision or Fermentation, with such
success as 10 win for themselves and for
The institution the highest commentator
from the best judges.
"These rectations were something more
than parrot-ke repetition by rote of the
words of the authors studied. They evinc-
ed patient and independent proce ssess of |
thought and showed that The true idea of |
education, the leading out and training the
powers of the mind by steady and hardy |
discipline, rather than filling the mind with
a crowd OF mere acquisitions gathered from
the wide ranges of study is understood |
by the teachers of this Institute, and realiz- |
ed in the issues of their labors. Nor did |
the perfect mastery of the studies prosecut-
ed, whether of the severer or more orna-
mental class, seem 10 have been drudgery
"a cheerless and unwelcone task. There
was cheerful and elastic interest in the
recitatons which bore witness to the
enthusiasm of the true scholar. No pains,
no art and skill, it seems TO the committee,
have been spared to give to those under
training Just and liberal culture in all that
can fit them for happiness and usefulness
in life.
"'rhe system of study pursued in the
varied branches of study which it includes,
appears to the committee eminently adapted
TO secure a systematical and proportioned
development OF mind. With the severe
study of mathematics, natural and mental
philosophy, and Buffers analogy, are min
gled the entertaining branches of botany, /
natural history, national literature, aud the
facinating wonders of geology; and in such
a way are the exercises of composition and
the study of the languages, ancient and
modern, and the arts of drawing, painting
and music introduced that the mind is relley-
ed always before il is wearled on one track, |
by change of direction, and all the powers
and faculties have their appropriate school
ing. The spirited and animated strains of |
music which enlivened the progress OF the
examination from day to day, the committee
cannot soon forget-and they have the very
highest appreciation of the happy Influence
which the so general culture OF this art in
the Institute, whetheras a study of scientific |
pricipels, or as an exhilaratng pastime, or
as expressing the sentiments of their united
religious worship, must exert upon the
.charncler OF the nunils. .-1 IL L. ~ i