The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-08-27
West Nottingham Academy.

note from the present Principal of the above
named institution, Mr.. Bechtel and are
pleased to learn that the school has appar-
emily received an impulse onward by the
withdrawal of the State donation. 1t is Il
great misfortune that it was not Withdrawn
sooner, this being the case. The history of
that me-honored institution of learning
might then prove it to have been one of far
greater utility than its present record will
admit Of
WEST NOTTINGHAM. Aug. %. "a.
EDITOR OF" Cecil WING. My attention
has been called to an editorial in your issue
of the 18th instant. which contains several
material errors. In speaking OF the West
Nottingham Female Seminary, YOU mention
the fact Of its being near the site of the West
Nottingham Academy, founded by James
Magraw ID. D.. and then add :--'' Since its
founders time ii has had lingering exist
ence, being kept alive by the donation of
$500 from the State, which was withdrawn
by the last Legislature. and both the West
Nottingham and Elkton Academies were
thus snuIted out Of existence
In the first place, it is not true that s'sinrc
its founder time it has had lingering exist
encc." For the past two wears. during which
| have been connected with the institution.
Chcre has been an attendance each session OF
rom thirty TO forty pupils. Our influence
has been steadily extending, and the pros
poets were never brighter than at present.
II. 1t has not been dependent for exist
cnce upon the State donation. Our tuition
fees we consider amply sufficient to continue
the school. The donat ON was rot a ctaiiiy
upon the part of the State, since it received
a.fuU equivalent in the gratuitous education
OF II fixed number of scholars.
III. The Vest Nottingham .ico3cmy is
not - snuiled out of existence The Irus-
tees are determined that it shat continue TO
exist. The hold upon the affections of this
community is too strong to suffer this time
honored Academy to be snuled out" The
withdrawal of the State patronage certainly
will not destroy their interest in it. Never
was there more unanimity of public scnti-
ment anywhere than in the settled purpose
of this community. that un9er no circuna-
stances shaU tbs school be diScontimued.-
With improved buildings and increased cdu
catlonal facilities. it is confidently believed
that 1t will grow in popularity and usefulness.
As your article gives the impression that
our doors are closed, and is thus calculated
w ihluiC U.S. 1 iiuSl YOU VIII make lllc nCCtS-
saly corrections in you next issue.
Respectfully yours,
Gro. X. BEcnrEr.,
Principal W. n. Academy.
1t is gratifying to find that the former
donation from the State served rather to
retard the growth and prosperity of the
Academy, than a benefit, and that its with
drawal has served as stimulus to arouse
those who have the success and prosperity of
the institution at heart.
With regard to the condition of the Aca,
denny for the past two years, or during the
time Il has been under the direction of its
present Principal, Mr.. Bcchte, we most
cheertully omit it from the charge of having
supported chronic state of lingering exist
encc: but that such was its condition with a
few brief exceptions, prior to the prese Mt
Principals taking it in charge. is too true.
We do not intimate that the State donation
has been Charity since Mr.. Bechtcl has
conducted the school, but we knor that it
was such the greater part of the time inter
N'ulliS ''t"tth It's 'di ny tlIu brightest MS
tory and the past two years. We hope the
noble resolve of the Trustee. that the school
"shaH continue to exist. will remain stead
fast, and not prove mere piquc Of the pres
ent time. Mr.. Bechtcl's note reveals one
very interesting f;tct,-that since the with
drawal of the State donation. the community
have resolved that "under no circumstances
ShaH tie SrhDol be aiscontinucl' What a
fortunate thing it would have been had the
donation been withheld twenty years ago.
since the patrons of the school, by being
thrown on their own resources. have been
aroused to a proper sense of duty. The wis
dom Of the recent poicyof the Legislature
has been manifested.
There is no more healthy and desirable
ncighborhood for an Academy or College
than West Nottingham, and we trust that all
the hopes of its Trustees and PRINCIPAL. with
regard to the school, may be more than
realized, and we are happy to have it in our
power to dsabuse the public mind of any
false impression in regard to it that our
former publication may have created