Washington telegraph., 1853-07-06
Washington Female Seminary.

testimony to the ability and skill Of the ac-
complished Principal and his assistants, and
also to the progress and improvement Of the
pupils. judging from the crowded audien-
ces which were made up, not Of the idle and
excitement-seeking part of the community,
but the intelligent and educated. not only
of this State, but also of the surrounding
States, who evidently came, in order that
they might regale themselves, at ga feast of
reason. we were enabled to form some
estimate of the influence which the school
exerts upon the community. The town
was literally crowded.-the Hotels, and even
many of the private houses filled to over
flowing with strangers and friends of the
school that the occasion had assembled.
Of Prof. SLACK we have so often had
cause to speak that further praise on our
part would seem to be,
Wasteful and ridiculous excess.v
A more efficient, energetic, and skillful
teacher it would be difficult to find any
where For years he has exhibited to the
community his ability and worth, and the
school which he has reared, stands as
crowning evidence of his perseverance and
skill. He has ever called around him ac-
two and efficient assistants, and the young
ladies in their examination evincc the care
and ability with which they have been in
structed. The people of the South will for
several generations have to thank him for
having raised the standard of female accom-
plishments to so high a position as it occu-
pies in his school
We do not recollect the order in which
| the classes were examined, but we remember
that we were particularly interested and
agreeably surprised by the recitations of the
classes in Rhetoric, History. Geography,
English Grammar, Philosophy, Chemistry
aud Botany. The questions asked were
never leading questions, and the conse-
quent exercise of memory and reflection
which was required Of the pupil, and which
in the above mentioned recitations was dis
played, was truly astonishing.
The exercises were enlivened by occa-
sional interludes upon the piano by the
young ladies. The piano, we would remark
en- 7'assaat, is one of the best we have ever
heard and Mrs. Slack as a performer
and teacher of that instrument, cannot be
easily excelled.
a class in French was examined and
for the time they have studied that difficult
language, acquitted themselves with very
great honor. The method used for the study
Of English Grammar in this school, is the
best we have ever seen. 1t is as yet new
one, and accomplished grammarians may
study it. and gain Improvement
We have heard many persons speak in
reference to the examination exercises, and
all whom we have heard, have spoken in
the highest terms of praise. Even those
prejudiced against the school-we know of
and hope there are none-must 'givc honor
to whom honor is DUE" and join in COM
mendation.
On Friday evening. a concert was given
by the young ladies, in which was display
ed great artistic talent. Several of the
pieces, such as ''Thc overture of the Calph
of Bagdad, "a Cavatina from the Pirate,'
"Pestal with variations" Lies Ideales with
variations on the waltz of Jenny Lind"
Hope and the Rose with war; the most of
them very difficult and brilliant selections,
were performed with skill and execution =
Trenching upon somewhat delicate ground,
we will, nevertheless, take the liberty of
mentioning the names-of the Misses. Hodges,
Trustworthy, Cannon. N. p Hamiter, Sat
terwhite, and the little daughter of Prof.
Slack, as evincing, among others, rare mu-
steal ability.
The examination with the concert as
finale has left most agreeable impression
upon our mind, and we trust it has done so
upon the minds of others. The thanks of
the audiences are due to Prof SLACK for
the delightful entertainment, and without
the formality of vote to that effect
which, if taken, we are sure would be unan-
imous--we in our editorial capacity. tender
them
The 11th session of this institution will
commence on the Sd Monday in Septem-
ber next, when valuable additions will have
been made to the corps of teachers, and
also to the Philosophical and Chemical ap-
paratus. Although the number of pupils
last session was large. We hope, and conf
IDENTIFY expect, that it will be. still greater in
the nexf prof SI f,r- dacorr,o. A.. -..t....-