Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-07-31
Columbus Female Institute.

Columbus Female Institute.
The pupils of this institution passed through quite
thorough examination on Wednesday and Thursday
of last week. We present the first day, and
cannot, therefore, give any personal opinion On the
latter day present, and listened with atten-
ton all that passed The several classes reviewed
gave unmisakable evidence in favor of the Principal
both as to his qualification and his zeal in imparting
instruction The class in Astronomy acquitted itself
well also did the class in mathematics. The Lat
in class passed through more thorough examination
than any we have ever previously Witnessed and We
forced to say, with credit to the teacher and
pupils, than any have heretofore seen. The class
in French showed decided improvement, and we are
gratifed at being able render testimony in fa-
of the method pursued by the Principal in impart
ing instruction. He requires not only thorough and
detailed knowledge of the rules of the grammar, but
he incucates also the principles upon which the Ian
guage is based thus building up sound and solid
superstructure in the mind ofthe learner.
We cannot dwell in detail upon the various classes,
and must therefore, pass them by, with the general
remark, that the school is under the management of an
able Principal, very excellent teachers, and it alone
requires the confidence and patronage of the Public,
to place it by the side of the most useful institutions
in the South.
The musical department, under the direction of
Prof S. Marksten, has improved beyond our most
saDgune expectations. We may without invidious-
ness mention that Duet by the Misses Butler was
most admirably played and sung; the Misses Smith,
also, possessed of excellent voices and WILL under
iudcious management, take high rank as singers
Several other young ladies-Niss Witherspoon, Miss
Ellington, and others whose we did not hear
delighted the audience by their songs. Several in
strumental pieces excellenty well played show
ing skill in the management of the instrument cor
rect Judgment and fine sense of time. In general
terms again. for cannot go into detail we say that
the music department reflects credit on the teacher
and the pupils.
One word of advice. No in this city is so lily
calculated for public speaking county court
Novoice that we have heard is capable of
filing it, 20 be distinctly understood in every
part. And for the examination of young ladies' whose
voices under most circumstances cannot be sup
posed to be clear and piercing as Gabrels trumpet
though they may be ringing this presents OBJ
stacles against which the teachers successful
Iy contend. They infct those who desire to hear
great misfortune, on themselves and pupils very
serious evil in this, that the public who are there to
hear hear mperfecty do the pupi! and teach
CT both injustice unless every thing taken as grant
ed The advantages of this are, thattis central
and large well seated and ventilated Its disadvanta-
ges are insurmountabe-we have stated them, and we
trust the trustees will permit another exhibition
in the until it shall have been supplied with good
sounding boards an expedient which will cost but a
few hundred dollars.
The Rev. j. T. Russell, delivered an address to the
young ladies' the trustees and patrons of the Institute
There was much sound practical in parts of the
kddrsss, much matter most cordially endorse. For
instance, the speaker said that three years toe
limited period to impart to pupils thorough collie.
gate educaton-that it simply made them superficial
ematterers How true this is, shall not pretend to
say, for we entertain doubt but that should run
against legion of armed champions, and counter to
fixed fashionable public dicta if nothing worse 1t is
the adopted opinion, and in certain circles is defended
not because is true, but because is fashionable
that young lady who is not capable of graduating a
three years study in fashionable Institution is in
every sense, a dull and questionable creature. Il
she is unable to draw from the faculty diploma at the
age of fifteen sixteen. that she is finished scholar
she is pronounced both dull and stupid the faculty
are charged with snsters motives in having neglected
her, preventing her from reaping the reward just
iy due her great, but wilfully repressed, merits.
this not true
No elevated or valuable education in truth can b.
expected, when it is regarded, not end, but
means. When it is attained rot for its intrinsic val
ue, but simply with the view of specifically adornng
1T may well be questioned, whether it may prove
greater evil than blessing to its possessor. Tha
ystem by which young ladies taught to thei
limbs according TO rules of art to glide into room
with studied difdence measuring each STEP throwing
her headto either side thought were in accordance
with fixed degrees of inclination; to but half open he
ewes, as though she fearful the light would prov
them cat-eyess destroy their color to see her ge
in and out of carriage with premeditated grace or
sweep along the street with air inviting attentio
not from its naturalness, but by the artistic swing =