Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-11-25

DR.. Waddel is said to have introduced dis
c;pliue something like this, in his Academy at
Wilmington, Abbeville District, at which were
cnngrrgated from lSO to 200 students from eve
~ part Of the State and i'll many OF the Ter
.nau Universities, especially that OF Berlin, haV-
ing upwards of 1000 students, and l5O protes'
sors aud teachers, this court has existed with
| the happiest results.
Here, then, would he in the College the three
| necessary elements of good government-the
trustees acting as Legislative body; the Judge
Ms the Judiciary and the presiding officer as the
executive. Under such an organization, ven,
ure to predict the course Of the College would
be smoothly onward, and the additional expense
could be more than twice repaid every year OF
the existence of the institution
The next point to be considered, is reorgani'
zatiou ot the literary department of the College.
in my own opinion, more would be done LOT tne
success of college instruction by the establish
ment of few high academies in the State tor
the pr. paration Of young men, than sy any
yrher means which can, at prcseut, be adopted.
Still, some changes may be introduced in the
| coll eye curiculum that might better adapt it to
| the existing state of things among us.
| | canot concur in the opinion of some, that
students should be required to take only three
branches, and to choose entirely for themselves.
A plan of study should be prescribed, and de-
| srces conferred as a reward of merit and dis
| iinc,on. This take TO be absolutely necessa.
| ~ as a spur to the ambition of the young and
as the only way OF securing proper standard
| of scholarship. 1t is unnecessary to resort to
the mouastic degrees still retained in the cont.
! mental universities, such as Doctor OF Divinity,
Doctor Of Law, Doctor of Medicine and Doctor
81 Philosophy. This would be unsuted to the
state of things among US; but may not some
thing like the following be adopted with sue
cess:
Require each student upon entering College
to taxi: fire branches, two OF whicii-ior in-
stance. ali ancient language, and some branch
IN mataematcs-shall be prescribed by law,
and the other three be chosen by himself. But,
ut The same time, let a number Of branches be
arranged, as conveniently as possible, to suit the
various callings in life, to which shall he attach
cd the Degree of the College. Without aiming
1t more than the plttn, this may be done some
how thus:
STUDIES FOR THOSE DESIGNED FOR THE MINIS.
rRr.-.incient Languages, Moral Philosophy,
| Logic and Rhetoric.
ruR l.Aw.-l. Ancient Language, Metaphy.
sics ant Logic, Moral Philosophy, Political Sci
.;hre, Mathematics.
Foa MEDlclxE-l. Ancient Language, Natu!
raj Sciences, Moral Philosophy, Modern Lam
guagcs, Natural History.
EnR PIASrlXG.-l. Ancient Language, Agrl.
cultural Chemistry, Modern Languages, Moral
Philosophy, Mathematics.
Fox MERCANTILE BUSINESS. Ancient Ian.
guage, Modern Languages, Moral Philosophy,
Mathematics, including Book Keeping, History
and Geography.
GryEGAL CoUEsE.-l. Ancient Language,
Modern Languages, Moral Philosophy, Natural
PHILOSOPHY, Political Science, History and Geog-
raphy
/. Should add Lap Protsssorship but more
to serve the purposes OF general education
than with u view to professional ends. In addi-
riuu 10 the above, students should be allowed,
if they choose, to take additional branches; but
on finishing either Of the above courses, which
can be easily arranged for a form of four years,
they should be entitled to the Baccalaureate de-
gree OF the College. Thcy however. who may
adop. the first plan named-i. e., pursue the
studies Of their choice after the two prescribed
by law-should not be entitled to the College
degrees, but simply to a certificate of proficiency.
:. The instruction should continue to be dia.
lecsisa and not altogether by PREDICTIONS, as in
| 3. The professors should be allowed small
fixed salary of 81, 900 or $1,000, with the privi.
| Iepe IF charging pupils who take their branches
AZ much as $40. or less if they choose. In thus
! propor.!oning the pay Of the professor, to some
extent, to bis diligence, ability and learning,
his best efforts will be secured. aud there Will
| lie established between himself and the Student
tie OF friendship, which would greatly assist
in the government Of the institution.
| i. In addition to the regular professors, there
should be licensed teachers who may give in.
struct;on in tho College. Any young man who
NAV obtain permission from the Trustees for
teaching and lecturing in the college, should be
allowed small salary of $500 or 5000, with
the right to charge pupils who may attend his
! instruction from 81 to $40 each. This will open
field OF ltcary labor to the young man OF
talent in the State. and will do mure Tor the
cause of learning than any reform which is like
Is to be made 1t will form among u3 class
O. literary men, from whom the College may
alway. he supplied with able professors.
5. Ea.h regular professor should be required,
! in the course of the academic year, to deliver
moHtllv public lectures. on some subject in his
! department, and the same privilege should be
! extended to the private teachers.
6. 4 standard OF qualification for admission
into the College should unquestionab!y be cstab-
lshcd and the are OF seventeen fixed tor the
time OF admission. The object Of the institu-
ton is to elevate tie standard Of scholarship.
| re effect this. students should have ample pre-
paration before gaining admittanrc into it. Had
we the State academies above alluded to. gradu-
alton in them would be a sufficient passport for
admission into the College; but in the absence
! of these, an examination test IS the only way to
! admit.
70 ill out the minntits Of this plan, Of which
the abov.. is a mere outline, will require labor
and rejection; but no great object can be
! achieved without these, and they who are in
earnest in making some radical improvements
ulun our present College discipline and instruc-
| ton, with the view Of rc.insating the College
| in pub!ic favn:, and of making it subserrc the
hch eads Of such an institution, will not be de-
tered by the derrcc Of energy and wisdom re-
urrcd 10 effect these improvements One who
like Yourself, has long manifested a profound
interest il the public education of our State, will
| l know, come 20 the task Of reform with a rcso-
luton equal 20 the importance Of the work in
vnlv..i Every true lover Of the State must car
ncsily d"siye 10 see the College placed once more
upon :. sure basis. With the highest esteem,
ain your obedient servant. **F.
NEW ORLEANS, November Is.
! COLLISION AND Loss OF LlFE.-By an arrival
at this port from Texas, We learn that the steam
ship Opcousas, from Berwick Bay for Galveston,
caa,. in collision with the steamer Galveston, Mt
midnight on the 18th instaut, and was sunk I'M
mcdialely. Twenty-Five persons were lost, among
,f