The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-09
/" Mount de Chantal.n

from the New orleans P!cayune.
Not many years ago comparatively small
school sprung into existence in the smoky at
mosphere of Wheeling, West Virginia. Gra-
dualy, as its unusual advantages became
known, the number of pupils increased until
II was found that the original house, though
greatly enlarged, was insufficient TO accom-
modate them. With equal enterprise and
Judgment, the Ladies Of the Visitation, under
whose auspices the academy Is conducted.
bought, some time since, 4 beautiful tract OF
land, or more than hundred acres, two miles
from town. There nesting in perfect para
disc OF hill and dale is now 10 be seen n spa
cious and elegant building-the site bearing
the title ~ the head of this article.
Education is a very Nexed question. There
are comparatively few persons who understand
that the real object OF school discipline Is 10
prepare the mind, by thought, for action. 1t
Is common error 10 suppose that certain
number of books "gone through in stated
time Will enable the student TO fight well the
great battle of life In the present stage Of
our conntry's history, we need strong men
and noble women; and that our fashionable
colleges and boarding schools do not send forth
such men and such women - 4 well-TecogniZed
fact, which we cannot sufficiently dcplore.
There are, however, few schools doing their
utmost to fulfil their true mission, and among
the foremos; OF these stands " Mount de
Chantal.' We would strongly advise all who
have daughters 10 educate 10 examine the
claims Of this institution before running the
risk OF sending delicate young girls where they
may be injured morally and physically.
A city is not the place i'll which 10 educate
children. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, ample
space for exercise, are Indispensable adiuncts
to a good school. All these are 10 be found at
Mount dc Chantal. 1t is proposed, rs soon as
the weather will permit, 10 open regular
riding course, where the young ladies can
daily exercise on well-trained ponies. A
Ska ting pond for winter, several games or
croquet for Summer, 4 bowling alley, gym
nasium and billiard room for all seasons, show
h,tt I, haS ht- nn H.
rate the mind at the expense of the body.
We have as yet, said but little Of the build
ing itself 1t is arranged with view TO elo-
gance rs we'll rs comfort-large airy rooms,
we'll l-heated and admirably ventilated-some
devoted 10 study, others 10 rccitations, 10
music or recrcation-all opening into spacious
corridors but the pride of the building is its
Music Hall, q finely proporuoned room, in
which the pupils of the Academy give occa-
sional musical and literary soirees TO their
parents and friends.
In music, both vocal and instrumental,
Mount de Chantal may safely challenge com
petition with any academy in the country
while the French language is taught with
peculiar accuracy for pronunciation and
accent, enabling the pupil to converse with
f!uency, after sufficient practice-a thorough
knowledge of this language being deemed
indispcnsabe BY means Of weekly eXhibi-
tions in private in the presence of teachers
and pupils, the young ladies are trained TO that
self possession so essential in musical per
former. Great attention is also gwen 10 eio'
cution, both II, English and French, and III this
manner choice readings vary the programme OF
each Saturday evening.
The rate OF board, with such fare and accom-.
modations us have only 10 be ties ted 10 be duly
appreciated contrasts wonderfully with the
extrayacant charges in other directions, and
can be easily ascertained by addressing the
dlrectres, Of the academy, Mount de Chantal,
near Wheeling, West Va. j. NJ. j.
n B-The above remarks should have great
r;,l, 1n1 "a q " n IprS
many of whom are men Of culture and refine
ment with incomes often inadequate TO pro-
vide such advantages for their children as their
high standard Of taste would dictate.