Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-03-05
Correspondence Of the Spectator,

Exsmiaations- -" 1toenty econa'--.anniUer-
u s9is.
4 LEXINGTON Feb. 3d., 1856.
Mesws. Editors 1--WE are all fond Of gossiping.
Everybody likss to know something about what
his nsighboss are doing; or II he already knows
be likes TO tell it to Others So the people Of one
tuwn or county are ever ready to ask, and when
they can, answer questions about what Is going on
is the next town or the adjoining county. This
principle Of human nature nclines US TO think that
some Of your readers would like to read an occa-
sionsl gossiping letter from Lexington. Some
times when two towns, net very far asun6er, are
both in sufficiently good condition to begin TO
feel that they are Of no small importance in this
great world Of ours, they become jealous and say
hard things of each other; just like two Of the
smaller class Of politicians, when each becomes SO
much inflated with "iniernal elevation and expan-
sion" az 10 think that ths complicated machinery
of government would get call out of gear" without
the controlling influence of his skillful hand. But
| why should this be SO, when neither OF them loses
anything BY the advancement of the other? Why
should not Lexington feel an interest 10 the well
fare of SiauntoD, and so Staunon in the welfare Of
LexingiOn2 lfyou educate our unfortunate Blind,
and Deaf and Dumb, and take care Of our sill
more unfortunate victims Of mental malades;
while we educate your boys, and pay good fees 10
your lawyers, ought we not to be the very best of
| friends? So We must be. Further reasons there
are for your taking an interest in what we are do
ing. You have many interesting representatives
amongst us-if not Siauuton, at least Augusta has.
She has at our bar her representative. She occu-
pies conspicuous place in our medical faculty.-.
In our College she has filled two chairs while in
the halls of the same institution her students have
always dune her credit by their numbers, talents
oh,Ia in nd l,et hnf Ia,c he he's
her representatives at our fresides-some Of Tho
most interesting and accomplished wives and mo-
theirs who adorn our social and domestic circles,
are the daughters of Old Augusta.
| Since, then, you have an interest here so strong,
we cannot hesitate TO send you few of-hand
notes Of what We have teen doing for some days
past. We have found some things of interest on
College Hill. The Examinations which closed
there on Thursday last, gave but little concern to
the community, and yettheir influence and results
may prove 10 be of the highest concern TO moro
communities than one. But without entering into
any speculations in that direction, allow us 10 say
a word about the manner Of conducting these ex-
amnations. Perhaps some Of your teachers may
gather theref.om valuable hint. The classes in
The several departments were called up in success
sion, and carried through pumping process,
which no one who has been playing The idler could
possibly endure without perfect collapse. Sup
pose, fer illustration, that class in Mathematics
comes in: each member of the class is closely
questioned for fifteen minutes. II there are TWEEN
ty in the class, about FIVE hours must be spent in
this way. But other members of the class are not
meanwhile idle. They have all come in, pen in
hand. On the black board before them they 6nd
series Of questions and propositions written, re-
quiring answers and demonstrations based upon
knowledge Of the leading principles of the science.
Such exercises cannon fail to elicit whatever the
student knows Of the subject before him. The
papers thus extemporaneously prepared, are after
wards carefully examined and compared by the
professor. This mode Of examination is practiced
in all Of the several departments Of study where
the subject in hands admits it.
! Would il not be we'll for schools generally to
adopt this practice of extemporaneous composition,
not only as thorough and fair test at examina-
tons, but as means Of attaining ready use OF
the pen, by employing it at daily recitations.-
The very expectation too, of being called upon to
recite in this way would engender the habit OF la
boring to attain clear and comprehensive view of
the subject before coming TO recitation. Skill i'm
extemporaneous composition is not an unimportant
accomplishment and may be thus readily ingraft-
ed upon the more important one OF writing with
more mature deliberaon and care in the sancium.
The Twenty Second" was celebrated with
more than usual spirit, by the young men OF our
institutions As the morning sun arose from be-
hind the waving outline Of our beautiful Blue
Ridge, his approach was welcomed by salute
from the booming caanon of the Military Institute.
Thus was ushered in This lovely and auspicous
political sabbath. At the usual hour the students
Of Washington College and Cadets of the Virgin
ia Military Institute formed their interesting and
imposing procession, and marched to the Presby-
terian Church to hear the speeches Of the repre-,
sentatves from their several literary societies.
The opening address was delivered by Cadet Ed
gar of the Dialectc Society. His subject-"rhe
United States destined by God to preserve and
disseminate true Christianity in the world."-
1 Certainly more appropriate subjec: could not
have been chosen. The style of composition and
delivery were well adapted to the subject, and
highly appreciated by the large, intelligent, and
refined audience who thronged the body and gal
leries of the Church. He was succeeded by ID.
Cosby, of Washington Literary Society of the
College. His subject was-"ShaIl the Union bs
preserved p" Both in matter and manner, this
speech was characterized by genuine eloquence-
not the froihy defamation usually INDUCED in by
Young speakers on such occasons-but real tangi.
Bile matter, well condensed. The third speaker
was Mr. Rumbeau Of the Society of Cadets. His
subject was-"The Literature of America" His
address seemed to be well composed but not very
well delivered. The rapidlty of his articulation
was too great 10 be distinct; while his gestlcula-
ton was such as 10 make the impression upon his
audience that he was in very uncomfortable con-
dillon. Ia the fourth speech Augusta bad worr
thy representative. Mr. Wm. II. Brooks, Of your
county, appeared in behalf Of the Graham p. So
Society of w. College. His sUbject-"The in
| fluence of the Fine Arts upon National Charac-
ter" Mr.. Brooks manner is exceedingly easy
and graceful. possessing in a high degree thar
manly dignity, suited 10 his style Of composition,
as well as 10 the beautiful theme under discussion.
| The Anniversary celebration OF the Washington
l.. Society closed the interesting proceedings Of
the day. A large audience crowded the Hall to
witness the intellectual skirmsh between the
young College ccmbatants. The address in CON-
memoration Of the founding of the Society, forty
four years ago. first in order after the opening
prayer BY Rev. Wm. +. Junkin. Mr.. John Car
rington, Of Halifax, was the orator for The occasion,
and acquitted himself very handsomely. Then
came the debate on The question-"ls the instu-
tion of Slavery necessary to the highest develop
ment of society 2" The affirmative of this ques.
tion was sdvocaed by Messrs. Ballou and Lgh.
ner, and the negative by Messrs Barr and Nc.
CorkIe, all appointed by the Society.
The Graham P. Society Of the College held its
fifty SIKH Anniversary Celebration about month
ago, which passed off with much credit to the So
oiety, and to those who represented it. These
Societies embracing all The students of The instu-
tion afford great and valuable opportunities for ths
cultivation Of mental acumen.
Yours very truly, IoNorus.
SOUTHERN LADIES AND GENrLEMEr.-Miss
Murray the English lady who has recently pub.
lished book on the United States, writes from
SouiherH city: 81 do not know much of the
South ern ladies but from Washington to this