Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-09-24

| on 5O9 miles. The James River canal, however car
res -four I46 miles for % cents. And yet there are
those who indulge in the delusion that rail roads are
better for than canals. But if we had water car
rage from Knoxville to Richmond would there be
any comparison We have more to say on this sub
ject.
THIRD SESSION OF MISS PEGRAMSSCHOOL
The third session OF this admirably conducted insti-
tute for young ladies', commences on the first Monday
IN October. Its re opening calls for few words Of
comment because We look upon sschool under such
administration, as invaluable TO our community-be-
cause As Virginians we are alive to the great npor-
lance of educating young madens in Virginia, and
under the auspices Of high toned Virginia instruct.
ress-snd, lastly, because Miss Pegrams noble exer.
lions, her unwesried energy, her many accomplish
nenis her practical good united TO the graces
)f scholarship in word, her perfect fitness for the
responsible office she has assumed, demand public re-
cognon.
dignifed, wise ard firmly gentle preoeptress can
not be too highly valued. Her example. her Influence,
the magnetism Of her very presence, OF daily aud
nestimabe benefit to her pupils. Even those who
have been unfortunate in their early associations, in
sansbly become refined and cultivated in the intel
lsctual atmosphere that surrounds her,
"As the stained web that whtens In the sun
Grows pure by being purely shone upon
The words of wisdom and Of goodness which she
inscribes upon the blank pages Of unfolding minds
those fret, impressive words which the intellect
grasps and chronices-may be coIjured up in after
life, like remembered music which haunts the ear
ynE
many distinguished man and woman has testified
that whole lstence can be marvellousy influenced
by the sucde recollection of early lesson which
fell from loved tutor's lips. How often has the
prayer taLe at mothers knees nyserously re.
called by hardened man of guilt, been bis first
melting sui ,ons to repsntance7
Miss Peg n has especial tact in studying the men.
,a organiz ON of each child, young lady, under
h-r char. laking herself familiar with the idiosyn
,rscy c. {: b, adapting herself with singular iacilyI
% Zach .,0perament, finding out the weed indigo.
ruus 30 that character, and plucking it with gentle
hut resOlu;e grasp.
Sometimes hers must be the difficult task of awak.
rning dormant intelligence and YEARLY labOring 10
plant the seedp of knowledge in hitherto barren sn
but often We trus che will experience the delight Of
watching and fostering buds OF genius that when
school days are over will blossom vigorously and diff
fuse their perfume over many ands; buds that might
have wlihered but for her sku and kindly culture.
How few parents ever r. hect what vast combi
nation of mental and moral attributes are requisite Ia
II any woman for the important duties that devolve
upon the head of seminary. A teacher has need
to be, like Shakspeare's Miranda, made up of eve
-
manhood, says ''every quality that goes to make
perfect woman is required of her who presumes TO
undertake the education of one single little child
Great is her responsibility, for in her hands is
u human soul to be moulded. instructed and infuenc.
ell, in order that it in its turn may mould instruct and
influence unborn generations. Perhaps in
no calling is personal bias more indispensable. For
knowledge and power to impart it intellgibly arr
two distinct and often opposite quaes the best stu
dent by no means necessarily makes the best teacher
nay, when both faculties are combined, they are
sometimes neutralized by come fault OF disposition,
such as want of temper of will. And allowing all
tness granting every possible intellectual and prac'
ticsl competency, there remains sIiIl doubtful the
moral influence, which, according to the source from
which tsprings, msy ennobe or corrupt child for
lifs Unless woman has decided
pleasure and facility in teaching, An honest know
ledge of every thing she processes to mpart, liking
for children, and, above ALL strong moral sense OF
her responsibility towards thsm for her to attempt to
enrol herself in the scholastic order is absolute pro-
fanstion."
How nearly are all the lineaments OF the portrait
Mics Mulock paints, as that of the genuine teacher
realised in Mias Pegram! Two years ago, shs was
only known az one of the chief Of the best
and most intellectual society in Rlchmond the cyno
sure of all eyes-couried, caressed and honored oy
the whole circle in which she gracefully moved-sud-
denly her place in the social assemblage became va
cant-(a place few young ladies' would have the te.
nerity sven to hope they might illl-then follow
ed the announcement that heDceforth her time and
energies would be devoted to the education OF the
young. The very strength and beauty of her char.
acter resisteasly impelled her TO fulfil the great law
and put her s'ten talents" TO use. The attributes
with which che is affuently endowed could no more
bs compressed and bound within the narrow, aimess
sphere of the mere ball room BELLE than the nghtin-
gale whose nature il is to soar and to slng, could
move satisfied within the circuit OF s tiny nest, or
the golden winged butterfly lie content in s unbro.
ken chrysaIis she'll The wonder of the public was
soon followed by admiration admiration by hearty
patronage-thst patronage by the gratitude OF pa
sns end guardians who had entrusted pupils to her
charge She passed Il ., ere "rd"sI "f public en-
auiry and unsparing criticism triumphantly. In IT,
course of two seasona her school has been established
upon firm footing aud hos achieved I'm en7S'ie -i.
undsputed reputation. While she is rewarded by
her own serene sefapproval and the knowledge that
her efforts have been fully appreciated the commu-
nifty is congratulsting itself ss the gamer, because
those efforts have been made
Miss Pegram has not fallen into the fatal error
which Mr. Buckle warmly denounces. OF impair
ing the real powers of the female mind oy 'oVer
crsmmipg.'' What her pupils learn. they learn mo
roughly; but their memories and intellectual powers
are never over.ts1ed This aystem OF "crsmmIng'
for the purpose of transory dispsy is but TOO com
mon in our schools. Transitory drspidy indeed -
For tbe ,es,imony of a whole legion of quondam
scboo, o;,,s and youthful matrons, will prove that
the mass of 50 called information forced and crowded
into THAR brains at school, and uDdlgested because
crowded, s completely forgotten room after the well
worn and Ietimes tear-s.aned school books have
yiyep place the card basket, the perfumed note OF
invitation or he magic circle Of the wedding ring
What then .rs those hours of aborious and painful
studyl No simply lost time, but time diligently de-
voted to a.: eve lasting injury.
Misc P gram herself attends TO the general super
vi; L .. .er school, and to The branches OF brl.-
l-t-c. history, philosophy, eiocu,ion etc The ply
sicn scences, lsngusges music and other accomplish
ments are entrusted 10 highly competent Instructor
wbose sb;lriss Miss Peeran has tested. Above the