Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-07-28
J. F. RICHARD.
Report.


 ton, requires some commenting for the satis- faction of all parties, and feel it my incum- bent duty 10 give a brief account of our past experience and our expectations for the future We opened our school on the 10th of Septem- Der last, with comparatively small number of pupils, they have since increased beyond our utmost expectations We have had to contend with many difficulties of various kinds, we have oeen obliged to bde our time in order to remove prejudCes-very natural oues-but still a draw back to our immediate success; we were strangers in a strange land, and as such our ab- htles and character, must be first tested before we could possibly gain the confidence of the community at large. It might have seemed a little hard at first for us, who had left many warm friends and we'll wishers behind. to be regarded with diStrust by any, but the feeling of regret was m0mentarv, for we knew our in- tentons to be upright our cause good one, our pursuit a noble one, and our ambition such as any one night envv--our purI osc was 10 do good, our object to be useful; and should we be discouraged under the circumstances? Were we hot on the right side? What career iu life has not its early deccptions which time alone may eiIAcc? The morning of our every effort must patiently wait for the sun of life 10 dispe its early mist Many looked upon our enterprise as hazardous undertaking, and it might have been so, had we hot come with the 1 firm purpose of being Hsoful members of thc community had we not come with a necessary degree of selt-relianee, and with the dcterml- nation to succeed, if by putting our every ener gy, our heart and soul to the task could make ! II successful. l before observed, We hal been obliged to contend with many and various diff EcuitieS; the watt of a suitable building was certainly not one of the least; we have now comparatively speakinI fine accommodations ! mean comparatively with what tine town has before had in the way of school rooms, but 1 compare these aIln, with the beautiful ed!iiccS erected for educatioua, purposes in many other States, and this comparatively JHs building sinks lnlo utternslglifca ce. If the educational! de- partmeut of the institute is gosl aS good as any other collegiate school iu the Union, and this we are determined it shall be- why should not the other departments be as well provided for? Much has been accomplished, but much remains yet to be done. We need a more retired situation, we need grounds for the chIlLren's sports, trees to give tnem shale, we i need apparatus for chemical and astronomical purposes-ths must be provided for and as nothing of tile kind can be done without funds, we intend to do our utmost next term, to raise | material aid, iu order to hasten the time when l the Institute shall have every advantage both | physical and intellectual. Our corps of teach | CTS will be increased next term; we have al- ready taken steps for securing the services of | two additional gentlemen teachers, one to assist Us in the English brducues, and the other to aid in the musical departments: !he teachers i we now have, remaining with Us, we nteud, i with the kind assistance of the amateurs citi- zens, and without reluirif : the aid or encrOach ing upon the time or attention of the pupils, to 1 give q series of concerts for the purpose of get ting apparatus for the school, library if possi- Die and all those accessories which we daily 1 feel the reed of We mi 5ht truly say that the school is in a prosperous slate, bat because 50 much has ben accomplished in one year, shall We cry Eureka! and think jhe work k done? ] It k merely commeuced, but with the kind cooperation of our patrons and frienis we hope to carry 1t Oh until the Institute shall become l the pride of the S.ate, al ornament to the city and all mducemcut tO parents with daughters ! to educate, to come and make tn,s city the l place of their residence. We are truly srate- l tui for the kind patronage that has been be- slowed upon Us, Ii IS pleasant to hud our efforts i appreciated by an intelligent community, and ' feel that our eudeavoIs nave met with encou- l rayement and approval.
 We have cause to be thankful that our lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places, the pu- l pls nave aided Us in our work, far from mak- 1 ing it burdensome, their good will, ther atten- tion to rules, their application to their studies have indeed made 1t plcasurabe task, to lead l them in the way of Knowledge, they seem to have understood their individual ustrumeuta- 1 ity in establishing the reputation of the school and they have done their part well. Among 50 many pupils there must necessarily be many different grades of capacity, and likewise a ! ,l.. ni,l m ght, however, divide our scholars into three cla,ses-,he excellent, the good, and the ne- ga . The first of these are an honor to the $ Vi, t4av do right by principle, they have l go. a9. es and make proper use of them, ley re their minds with useful knowledge a.l prepare themselves for usefulness hereat- t. MAR abide by the rules of the institute
 - they know 1t is right to do so. They l are said an honor to the school, and we are proud of them. The good scholars are those pupils who hy to do right they aIe not always successful, but we are pleased with their efforts and we appreciate them, we would encourage them t. persegsre, and m tune they will no doubt become excellent scholars.
 The negative pupils are those who only learn when they are male to do so, It Is work oi compulsiou,-f any disturbance arises in the study hall when quiet should pervade the room, We can generally find the cause of the annoyance by turning our eyes towards this th.rI class of pupils. A negative scholar is often tardy, especially in the afternoon, and when the two-weekly examinations take place ! she racks her poor brain 10 find an excuse for remaining at home to avoid having her pro- icicncy put to the test, and she most generally finds an apparently plaus blc reason for leaving school a snort time before its close, before the final yearly examination. These scholars We truly pity. we do our best for them in the way of persuasion and advice, some may and some hace greatly improved, we hope that next term this class will be entirely obterated, havn! merged into the g1ol by the forming and keep ing of good resolutions; we are the more san gune in our expectations to this effect, inasmuch as the number of negative scholars is very Ii lnited.
 We have organized a society for the lurSul of such literary attanments as do not generally form part of young ladies' school duties, anC which are however very necessary to finished education, and a creditable entrance to the DO lite circle The members are chosen among the pupils distinguished for their scholarship and correct department; the merits ot a poe or prose writer of distinction are discussed dur ing the meeting, each member IS required U write an essay on the subject. which essay l read at the subsequent meeting and the re mainder of the evening IS passed in social inter course, music, or any other agreeable pastm suggested by the occasion. The essays bein! subjected to the criticisms of jury bear tic titious signatures; thus giving more scope to th writer to exert her fancy, and sparing at tn same time the authors literary modesty.
 The welfare, the improvement of my chil dren has been my daily occupation, my con stant thought the task of training their hear and mind aright has been to me labor of love
 in spite of my having at times appeared severe It is necessary, it is indispensable to the goo' order and the carrying out of a system, tha
 laws and regulations should be enforced for tn
 very comfort and improvement of those pupil ! to whom we perhaps appear sometimes ve'.