Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-04-27
flor the IntellIzencer.1


The different papers in our city have spoken
at great length and in glowing terms, of the ex-
erciseS at the commencement of the wheeling
Classical Academy" held last Thursday and Fri
day, in the Athcuaeum building, under the man.
agemcnt of II. w. HARDING, a. NJ, its Princi-
pal As an old citizen, and as one who has ever
taken a sincere interest in all matters of educa-
ton, / also desire to say few words in relation
10 the real worth and excellence of this InSttu-
ton, and at the same time, to remark upon the
facilities, that for the last ten years Wheeling
has afforded for the educItion of her youngmen.
Until within year or two past, it has been
theme of general regret to all lovers of ednca-
ton, that this all important subject had received
so little attention among us-while in our i'm
mediate vicinity, colleges and ACADEMIES were
scattered in numbers that spoke eoquently the
puhlic-spiritedneSs and noble ambition of our
neighbors, it was ever Wheeling misfortune in
these respects, TO be entirely in the back ground.
For long time prior to to the organization,
in 1S47, OF the "Linsley Institute" by the Rev.
DIR. Scott, Wheeling was compelled to educate
her children abroad. The re opening of this
institution, however, doing away with the
cesSity, and tho establishment at about the
same time, of two Summaries for the instruction
of young ladies, gave IL fresh impetus to the
cause of education in our midst, and induced all
those interested in this matter, to believe that
! Wheeling had at length awakened to sense of
her deficiency, and that she was resolved to TIL
| it. TIE Linsley Iustitute, under the active
agcuent of DIR. Scott, became, rs was shown from
the extensive patronage it enjoyed, at least, to
be considered Indispensable. This palpable
demonstration Oftheneed OF such an restitution,
Increased fOurfOld the regret occasi,. ed by the
resignation of DIR. Scott from li.' post of
being its Principal. From the resignation Of
DIR. Scott, in 1858, Wheeling was, u. I'll within
the last two years, entirely dependents upon her
Free Schools for the education of Eer youths
She was unable to instruct them in the Classics,
lin the higher branches of Mathematics, or in
anything in fact, save in mere rudiments taught
lin Primary Schools y little over two years
lago Classical Academy, conducted upon the
plan of the LinSley Institute, was, under the
auspices of Mr.. Harding, opened in our midst.
Some ten months or r year after the opening OF
this Classical Academy, MesSrs. Jones and
Tucker, two gentleman from the Eastern por-
ton OF the State, also opened in Wheeling u
lschoOl for Young men, into the daily exercises
of which they introduced military drill. Of
this school would be pleased to speak more at
length, were better acquainted with its his.
tory. AT some fntnre time, trust, will be
able to do SO. have heard the gentlemen who
lcOnduct this school, and the school ITSELF spok-
len of highly on frequent occasions.
The undertaking WAS hazardous, and its in
augulation with only dozen pupils, showed
that its prospects were far from encouraging
The need of such institution still existing,
however, and the indefatigable efforts made by
iASS AANNAptai " ~ every hul VI
the want it was intended to supply, slowly, but
surely, attracted it into favor. In the beginning
of the SECOND quarter OF its existence, the duz-
en- of pupils was augmented 10 80, and this in
crease steadily and rapidly continuing, together
with the fact that more Space was demanded for
the accommodating libraries and the different
apparatus, larger rooms and an increased mum
Der of assistants were found absolutely to be
necessary.
/ The close of this end year, as was shown up.
on Thursday and Friday last, was complete
triumph A zeal that never slackened and an
enthusiasm that stopped ut no obstacles, found
their reward in the stlmiratiOn and in the EN-
contains of the hundreds that thronged to hear
the exercises upon Thursday and Friday The
ladies and gentlemen present, (said to far exceed
large hall of the Theatre,) the exercises Of par.
tienIar young gentlemen, the speech delivered
to .hs audience by Prof Jones. ofIeGersou Col