Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-01-27
The Female Institute.

DCiipltti ~ We y "a IA"e S"AS
is again in successful operation; and that 1t is
daily adding to the number of its students from
nearly every section of the State. Previous to
the devastating epidemic ofl853, which carried
off nearly two hundred of our population, few
female seminaries IN the South were the recipi-
ents Of a more extended patronage, or occupied
a more elevated position in the good opinion of
the public, than the Thibodaux Female lnsti-
tutc. It has sent forth it's graduates-not in
name only-but the full possessors of the
brightest gem, and the richest legacy that can
be inherited by Observation-Disclosures has
caused them to be looked upon not for their Pc
cuniary charms, but for their mental endowments,
rendering them true of the social cir
cles, and rejecting the highest credit on that sys-
tenn of education that is taught within its walls,
without the bias of sectarianism, but at the
same time, intoxicating a due and proper rever-
ence to the creed, and doctrines of christian
ity.
At no time since the first organization of the
school by the present principal, S. Tenny, Esq,
have the chairs been filed with more deserving or
better qualified teachers, than at the present;
and we feel assured that the fact needs only to
be made known to secure a renewal and contin-
uation Of that patronage heretofore so literally
bestowed. All Louisianians having at heart
the pride of their State, should see the vital i'm
portance and imperative necessity Of sustaining
within our own boundaries a school which has
already been productive of SO much good; one
wherein our daughters may receive an educa-
ton which will qualify them, when they shall
become heads Of families, to fashion, counsel,
and directtheir offspring, and to teach them to
comprehend, at an early period oflife, the peculiar
laws and institutions of their country, SO that
when they shall have arrived at the age of ma
jority, they may more clearly understand, from
the precepts they have received, the duties they
may have to perform in supplying the stead Of
those who now contribute in shaping the course
and operations of the governmental affairs of
the country.
To us, of Thibodaux, as we'll as to the entire
| population of the rich Lafourche Parishes, is the
future success of this seminary Of the utmost
Importance. Should it continue to prosper,
Notwithstanding those seeming i'll DEGREES of an
all-wise Providence-the epidemies of '53 and
| ~'54-which, irrespective of age, sex, or condi-
ton deprived us of a large percentage Of our
citizens, among whom are numbered some of
| the brightest ornaments and most useful mem
| bers of society, it will prove that the fats of
| Him who holds, as it were, the destiny of his
people in the palm of his hand, have had no
other effect than to increase our love, and teach
us to submit with christian resignation to our
cal epidemics, though fearful to all, should not
be suffered to influence or at all to impair the
| confidence of those to the manor born; those
| who have been reared and expect to spend the
remainder of their lives among us. We should
| view them as destined for some great future
good to our race.
Again, many years may elapse ere we shall
be afflicted rs we have been for the two past
seasons. 1t is but reasonable to expect a long
| probation from similar visitations. In the mean
time, the friends of education, the only true basis
on which rest all republican forms of govern
ment, should not remain idle, or cease in their
efforts to build up and sustain this school. In
doing this, we not only prove ourselves the
friends of learning, but we indirectly promote
the prosperity Of our town and all classes Of
our citizens, by sustaining an institution among
us, which, in dispensing its patronage for its
various wants, makes them all equal partici-
pants. Ese
| THE GUION ACADEMY.-In our rambles about
town on Thursday last, in search Of items, with
which to ELL our columns, we stepped in at the
Guion Academy, for a brief time, and were de-
lighted to see all things going on as during the
time of the much lamented Breen, who fell a vic
tim to the epidemic of'53. The present Principal,
Mr.. Dunn, who has but recently taken charge Of
this school, appears to be one well qualified, in
every particular, to teach the young ideas how to
shoot. During our brief stay in his department,
several Of the more advanced classes went through
their morning exercises and well did they acquit
themselves giving evidence that they answered
from a true knowledge of their studies, and not from
rote. We next visited the female and juvenile
departments under the supervision Of Misses Ma
RY MAGEArH and JULIA GRESHAM, assistant
teachers, but are sorry to say that it was at the
time Of recess, and consequently, we did not wit
ness the proficiency Of those under their charge /;
nor would our time permit us to prolong our stay
until books" Or the ringing of the bell. Both of
those young ladies, however, we know from their
antecedents, having long been connected with the
academy, are well qualified to fill with honor and
credit their respective stations.
It gives infinite pleasure to note the continued
prosperity of the school, having been among the
first Of those who argued and advocated its estab-
lishment. Useless would it be in us to animadyert
on the great benefits thatit has showered upon the
offspring Of those whose means would nothave per-
mittted them to have extended them, even the rudi-
ments ola liberal education. How much more credit
able is it to our citizens to tax themselves for the ben
eft Of the rising generation, than for them to pursue a
different course, and suffer them to be reared up in