Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-15
IBY REoUEsr.l
IRVING FEMALE COLLEGE.
E,o,,, the G0yyysIs Herald.

Of the graceful and accomplished American
author, whose writings have erected for him
monument more enduring than the polished
shaft which marks the resting place of many
a brave and gallant spirit whose honors have
been won amid the sound of clarion and Clash
of arms.
1t has been established through the individ-
mai enterprise of Mr.. Solomon 2. Gorgas, a
liberai-mipded gentleman of the town OF Me-
chanicsburg, in the immediate vicinity oI
which it is located. This town is in the heart
OF the great Cumberland Valley, which has
long been noted for the fertility OF its soil, the
salubrity of its atmosphere, and the energy
and industry of its Inhabitants. A railroad
passes within a hundred yards of the College,
connecting at Harrisburg with the great lines
OF travel, leading to our large cities, thus rem
dering it easy of access from all sections OF
the country. A more beautiful ana pictures
que SPOT could not have been selected for its
site. From the dome of the College, the most
enchanting views spread ont before the eye.
The town OF Mechancsburg, reposing in queen
ly beauty Just below, with Its neat private
dwellings and Christirn temples, whose spires
proclaim the appreciative regard OF Its Inhab-
itants for morality and religion the highly
cultivated farms, beautified with clumps of
forest trees, and silyery streams which thread
their way in various directions and the bold,
majestic mountain, which furnishes sublime
back ground to the whole, constitute panO-
rama of surprising loveliness.
The College edifice merits special notice.
IT is built of brick, and is of sufficient dimen-
sions to accommodate in the most comfortable
manner one hundred boarders. Its chambers
are unusually large for an institution of this
kind. and furnished in the most approved style.
No pains seem to have been spared by its no
bic founder in his arrangements for the ply
sicaI health and comfort of those who sheuld
seek instruction within its walls. Every room
is furnished with registers for heat and yentil-
alton, a most important feature In buildings
erected for educational purposes. A neat
fence surrounds the grounds, enclosing great
variety of trees and Shrubbery, presenting :.
lovely spot for the healthful recreation of the
Young ladies who may be honored with the
privilege of a sojourn within the halls of the
Institute.
At the last session of the Legislature Of
PENNSYLVANIA, charter was granted the Col
Iege; and, in accordance with one of the pro-
visions the Faculty have power 'sto confer
such literary degrees and academic honors as
are usually granted by Colleges upon such pu-
nils as shall have completed, in satisfactory
manner, the prescribed course of study"
In regard to the Faculty the authorities have
displayed great wisdom in the selection which
they have made. Rev. a. G.. Marlatt, A. NJ. :,
the President, is gentleman peculiarly adap-
ted to the position which he has been called to
occupy. A graduate of one of the first Collie
pes in the Union, he not only enjoys fine rep
utation as a scholar, bnt combines in his char
acter those superior elements which are so es-
sential to one who presides over an Institution
for the intellectual and moral training OF young
ladies' His excellent lady, too, is graceful
and dignifed in her bearing, of fine mental
cultivation, of superior social qualities, and
seems to have a strong hold upon the affection
ate regard of the pupils who have been at the
College the past year,
Mr.. ID. z. Coover, A. NJ, another momber OF
the Faculty, graduated at Princetod College,
and has had considerable experience in teach
ing in one of the most fiourishing Female Col
leges in this country. He is gentleman of
fine qualities, and in every way fitted for his
position His estimable and accomplished la
DIV has charge of the musical departm ent of
the College. l will close my notice of the Fa-
cuIty with an allusion to Miss Homans, who is
a member thereof. For several years, she has
been engaged in teaching, and perhaps has few
superiors. Her mild and gentle manners, to-
gether with her polished literary attainments,
place her in the front rank of female teachers.
Happy are the parents, whose daughters are
favored with her instructions.
The Irving Female College went into active
operation last fall, and has just closed its first
year The system of instruction embraces
those branches which are usually taught in the
first class institutions. On Thursday, June p,
the young ladies underwent their first exami-
nation, under the supervision OF a committee
selected for the occasion, In the presence of 4
large concourse of spectators. \ o particular
Pin lad been divised for conducting the ex-
animation yet the pupils exhibited great pro-
fcieacy in their studses, giving satisfactory
evidence of thorough acquaintance with the
principles involved in the different branches
they had studied. The exercises of the day
were iuterspersed with performances on the
piano, accompanied with singing by the Misses
Porter, of Carlisle. These young ladies eX-
hibited great compass and sweetness of voice,
in the several pieces they sang /; and are cer-
taiily destined to take high position in this
department of femhle accomplishments. Un-
der the sdllful and judicious instructions of
Mrs. .CCover, the pupils we're enabled to evince
a proficiency in music rarely, attained in SO
short a period of time. During the day, a
beautifuf essay was read by Miss Adkins, Ot
Delaware. Taken a whole, it would be diff
iicult to find more interesting class of young
ladies in any of our Institutions of learning.
In the evening at O'Clock, an address was
delivered hv Rev. Dr. T. Daugherty, A. NJ, of
the East Baltimore Conference. He selected
at his theme-''W oman's Proper Sphere and
IN neat, concise, and brilliant manner, shew-
ed his audience, which was large and appreci-
ative, that woman could only be conducted to
her proper circle by the refining and eIeyatinp
influences of Christianity. Some passages of
the address were of great beauty, and won for
the Reverend gentleman golden opinions from
the ladies of the College and, we have no
doubt, but that the resolution was formed in
their hearts to reach the distinguished position
TO which their attention had been directed.
On Friday evening, the Presidents levee
took place. The occasion brought together a
great throng of the friends Of the college
Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Carlisle, and the
smaller towns and villages of the beautiful
spacious parlors, the verandas, and even the
grounds in front of the College were crowded
The tables in the refreshment ball were spread
most profusely, and adorned most beautifully