The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-05

The schools.

x.,x.u ~. last state Education COMMITTEES
-. IN tho CAPITAL Of Virginia, one OF the
.,,n.rerx remarked that the advertisine COL |
-, ne 81 the newspapers, in the large num- |
,,ar az advertisements OF schools, presented
one of the inost significant proofs OF the In
,e,,ectuai progress Of our people that the
times Afforded We glanced yesterday over the
columns Of Richmond journal published in
the early part of this century, and found one
or two school advertisements. Even ten years
aro, the number was comparatively small
I<e, the reader look at the school advertise
ments which he win find in the Dsspafeh Of
to-day, ard he will ind Joar solid columns Of
adre,tis,aemfs Of schools in tie compact tyre o.
,h;s nnpsr. They are schools Of various grades
ana adapted % all classes; many of them en-
loving A high reputation most of them con.
Quoted By teachers Of long experience and ac-
knowledxed requirements and talents. Indeed,
II NAV well be doubted whether the private
schools in any other city of the Union can
present such an array of ability and talent as
are found among the teachers of Virginia. The
vocation of instructor Of youth has attained
in our community dignity and influence
which makes 1t rank, as 1t deserves to do, with
the professions It is not here, as in some
OF the uns uceessful In other professions. On
the contrary, it embraces the elite OF Virginia,
not only in education and learning, but in So
cial position and and gentle
men, who are not only competent to discipline
and instruct the youthful mind, but to Undue
the heart with principles of honor and eie-
waited sentiments. The University. the V. M.
Institute, and the Colleges, have, for years, an
Fttxn of
youth TO aid i'm the noble work Of education in
Virginia Teaching is not as formerly, a STEP
pine-stone to some other profession it is it.
self profession, honorable, permanent, and
not exceeded, if equ alled, in influence by any
other.
We therefore commend with great conf
dence to parents and guardians the long and
noble catalogue of scholastic institutions pre-
sented to public attention in the advertising
columns of the Dispatch These institutions
will soon begin again their useful labors II
would be presumptuous in us TO offer any
counsel to teachers so thoroughly trained In
their duties If we might venture upon gle
suggestion, and even that we would utter with
unaffected Difference, 1t would be the danger
of arousing too powerfully the cumulative prin-
ciple in those whose ambition to excel is
often too strong for immature faculties and fee
BILE constitutions. Itmay be necessary for tea
cheers. like NAPOLEON in Italy, to warn those
under their command against the danger Of
too much ardor and impetuosity. We are
aware that too great devotion to study is moi
more common fault among pupils than toe
much courage among soldiers but 1t is posi-
bic to overtask the faculties before they are
strong enough to sustain the demand upon
them, and restraint and caution are as neces
sary with the ardent and ambitious, as patience
and furbearance with the dull and thought.
less, and stimulants and spurs to the indolent
and refractory.