Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-07-05
For the Spectator.
Augusta Female Seminary.

Messrs. Editors Il hope you will allow me Z
brief space in yonr columns for notice OF the
Augusta Female Seminary, theexercisesof which
for the session, closed on Thursday evening last
when musical concert was given by the pupils
under the direction of their teachers, which fol
mere beginners, as they all were, in that elegant
but difficult art, was in high degree creditaole
alike to the diligence of the pupils and the Skill
fidelity, taste and "aptness to teach" OF the &C
complished ladies who preside over that depart
ment.
The examination of the other classes occupied
Wednesday and Thursday, during part OF which
time had the pleasure of being present Inc
manner of conducting the examination could
not fail to be gratifying to every friend OF SOUND
education. It was manifest that there had been
no special preparation for the occasion with 6
view to a striking and brilliant display, but the
proceedings were so conducted ss to exhibit the
real progress and attachments of the pupils, and
the kind of mental training and discipline to
which they had been subjected. And in both
these particulars the examination furnished graf
flying evidence that eminent skill, patient dill
gence and high conscentiousness characterize
the teachers. This school has, for two years,
been under the care of J. Brown Tinsley, Esq,
and although it has not been as large as its excel
lent character merited it has yet been sufficient
so to satisfy the patrons and others acquaint-
ed with it, that the Trustees were very fortunate
in being able to secure so competent and expe.
rienced an instructor to take charge of this in
stitu:ion, intimately connected, as it is, with the
educational interests of the county of Augusta.
Nv high opinion of the merits Of this school is
not derived merely from an annual attendance
upon its closing examinations, but chiefly from
the daily progress in their studies Of several pu-
pills connected with it for the last two sessions
and which has fallen under my immediate and
special observation. l therefore feel no hesta
ton in speaking of the school as one, the great
aim of which is, to impart thorough, useful
and sound education, while at the same time am
pie preparations are made for those branches
deemed merely ornamental.
/ cannot close this communication without
passing tribute to the merits of Miss Miller, Mr..
IT'S assistant in the acadenical department, who
in addition to her accurate and thorough schol.
arship, combines with frmness and decision of
character, an amiable and lady like gentleness of
department which render her Invaluable in
school for the education of girls.
This seminary is emphatically school of the
county of Augusta, it being originally establish
ed by the public spirited liberalty of portion
of her citizens, when there was no other of the
kind within her borders. Since its establish
ment it has continued to accomplish most ex-
cellent work in promoting as well as elevatiDg
the standard of female education in this CON-
muuity; and there has been no time since its
origin when it was more efficiently and thor
oughly organized for its appropriate functions
than at present. ANXIOUS.
Inlv ID 1859.