Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-07-06
Examination.

EX3mlnaC1on.
WE were present by invitation, on Thursday last
at n private examination of the Edgefeld Male
Academy under the charge Of Mr.. LEITNER, who is
winning golden opinions for himself as teacher
There had been preparation for the occasion,
much less the usual cramDg" for that farce called
an examination. The students were taken by sur.
PRISE but they responded we'll to the off hand and
running fire which was kept up against them
throughout the day, by an impartial master and an
intelligent committee Of examiners. The odds was
so great, that we confess our sympathies were en-
listed for the students. Want of preparation, with Il
teacher more inclined to expose than shield, and
learned committee staring them in the face, was
uute enough to recall the of other days. when
the freshness of thought and feeling were ours, as
they never again can be and force US to wish the
boys success. But they needed none Of our sympa-
thy and generally answered correctly.
We were especially pleased with the modest yet
self possessed and gentlemnny bearing of tne stu
Dents Their dress, cleanliness, neatness and general
behavior were themes of common remark, by the
small audience who were present. Mr.. LEITNER
evidently has the faculty Of Government, which is so
indispensiby necessary to successful teachings and
from what we saw, we are disposed to award him
rare powers of communication also, which is perhaps
tile Sc cond great prerequisite in master. But few
children relish constant application 10 -oooks.
They ofentimes fail to comprehend the polished Ian
euase or technicales of books, and hence is very
desirable tha, teacher should talk mr : . -
pupils and occasionally lecture them The N.''' 'i'.
gesture, the action, EN whole manner of =,
are so many orators said Us in grasping. -
and we will often readily comprehend SC
spoken, which we might read and rood in
gather the meaning Of Every thing in Mr. s
NERs school, testified TO the fact, that he :. :
of this, and Us his scholarship is unduuhled :G''
convey information by the conversations and Lectures
which We suspect Ire frequently holds with his pupils
We have always considered it the mos; fortunate
event in our youth, that we had master who talked
continuously, but who talked sense, because he had
knowledge and was also possessed Of the faculty to
govern.
The furniture about Mr. LErTNEn's Academy is
admirably adapted 10 its purpose Each student has
an Office chair and separate table with draw for
his use The building is of brick, plasercd within
and rough cast without, in imitation of varigated
stone. 1t is of the Gothic style Of Architecture,
though not pure, with large hall in the centre,
which is supported by commodious room on either
flank In addition to these, there are two small ante
rooms, one in each wing, that. are connected by
long plaza or promenade. The noted delicacy, SYM
pa,hy and grandurc Of the Gothic style are presented
admirably in the whole exterior of The building The
approach TO which is truly imposing and magnificent
II is by far the best specimen OF Architecture in our
village and will afford ample accommodation to Is
o. 100 students. The Academy Grove is emphatical-
" an " Oak Shade," unsurpassed in beauty BY any
with which we acquainted in Carolina, and every
thing about the place seems to invite reflection and
study The school numbers now about orsy pupils
and it is confidently expected tina: the next term VIII
begin with several accessiUns As ye! the want OF
means has prevented the Trustees from getting n
Library, Apparatus, Cabinet &C.. for the Academy,
but we understand that arrangements are being made
10 purchase such appliances. Mr.. LEITSER deserves
10 have them, and Edgecd village owes it TO herself
to ret them Books, Apparatus &c. are but tools,
and an education can no more be obtained without
them than n crop can be made without farming
utensils. We hope therefore that these educational
ools will speedily be got by private subscription if no
other way Much Of library could not be expected
in an Academy, but it is almost objectionable, for
one to be without an Apparatus and Cabinet
Before lismssing this subject, we venture in no
spirit of pedantry or dctation, to suggest to the
Trustees of Academy that they should never fail
TO have an annual public examination and exhibition
Burke once said that The best method of keeping alive
the spirit of any institution is to have festivities or
celebrations, and there is deep philosophy in the pro-
position. One strong argument in favor of examina-
tions is the universal practice of having them in all
respectable Academies and Colleges. We allow that
most examinations are mere farces and humbugs,
but still they are very serviceable in many respects
that must readily occur to one who will give The sub.
ect the slightest consideration. We greatly fear that
our Male and Female Academies are doomed to early
decay, unless regular annual semi.annual cele'
bralion is held in each. An examination in an
Academy is to education just what the fourth of July
is to freedom, fairs commence, battles to armies
We wish Mr.. LEITNER and his pupils, each and all
pleasant vacation, and so farewell 10 them for the
present.
We call the attention of our readers to the brief
communication OF Messrs. SrAHN and others, in rea
ton to the examination, which will be found on anoth-
er column.