Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-06
OUR SCHOOLS.

vast extent, and built in the handsomest style
Of Elizabethean architecture, 1t arrests the
admring attention Of every passer-by, no
matter were he from Rome, tina, city of st.
Peters Cathedral. And how picturesquely
is this noble pile set off, by its ample en-
closing domain, thickly studded with grand
old forest trees, whose kindly foliage, stirred
by the summer zepbyrs, whisper to the mus
ing student underneath, delicious inspira-
ton and encouragement. We admired the
wonderful natural beauty Of the place, and
its marvellous advantages, for being, by the
hand oftasteful labor, made into quiet, cool
and clustered haunt for the study and medi-
tation of the scholar. And, in more pro-
sale vein, we appreciated too, that this could
be done with no very costly outlay.
five recollect Alright, this institution, be-
fore the war, was under the control of
powerful and wealthy religious sect, and
under its auspices had begun to attract much
support from abroad. Now, only little
corner ofthis vast building Is used for educa.
tional purposes, and has grown into a -four
ishing local school, 1t is true, and presided
over by q gentleman whose attainments
would grace the professorship of any Uni
versity; and yet il is only mere local aca-
DENY, after all. To devote an edifice, so
costly, capacious and beautiful, to a mere
local school, seems rs incongruous, as the
abandonment Of some princely estate to the
raising of cabbages in little corner of its
wide demesnes. Stroling on to the Female
College, we were again struck with sense
ofincongruity. We did not say oft, like one
OF Shakspearc's characters, "to what base
uses are we come at last" inasmuch as there
were no longer any negro soldiers about the
premises, and besides, we remembered that it
would soon be opened as Female Seminary
by the Rev. ]. B. West, gentleman every
way qualified to restore its ancient prestige,
30 far as teachers can do so. This building
is inferior to the male college, in archtectu-
raj beauty, but not in dimensions We
should think it capable of accommodating
200 boarders with rooms, besides twice that
number Of outside pupils. It has also very
lovely grounds, not so extensive as these of
the male college, but equally graceful and
charming, with their adornment of the ORR
ginal forest trees. We trust that our own
community at least will give this academy
that encouragement which the qualifications
and energy ofits present Principal SO much
deserve. We warmly sympathize with tina,
feeling, that prompts parents to give their
daughters the highest educational advan-
tages. But in estimating such advantages,
they should discard the mere fashionable
repute Of schools abroad. Such advan
tages as they offer, should be well investi-
gated, before consenting to trust their
daughters, at an age that SO specially requires
the vigiant care Of the mother, 10 the
supervision of strangers.
We wish all success to the gentlemen, who
are now teaching, or about to teach in both
buildings. They both eminently deserve it,
But the deduction of our rambles about
these two fine buildings was this thought:
Cannot the puvlic be induced to take hold
OF these two magnificent educational insti
tutions, and give them, if not q
national celebrity, at least far more than
mere local prosperity and prestige p
What town or spot in the whole South more
fully meets all the requisites of a national
college for either sex, particularly for the
Southern part Of the nation, than Clarks-
vile? In the first place, our city is remark
ably healthful, and especially for the Southern
people, seeking refuge from their fever breed
ing Summer heats, and not desiring to go
into the Northern States, does this temperate
latitude offer great inducements We are
also easily accessible by railroad and river to
all parts of the Union. And our community
offers also a society favorable to the deve-
lopement of the strongest moral instincts,
without restraining due conventional
education. II presents neither the tempta-
tioLs of the crowded city, or the restraints
of the village; in fact, offers a just mean,
between the affected reinements of fashion,
able life, and the gaucherie of backwoodism.
To these natural advantages we have added,
that Of having. already erected, two build.
ings, that for beauty, vast extent, and
loveliness of grounds belonging to them
are not excelled by any similar institutions
in the South. We talk of restoring our
former once vast tobacco trade, and discuss
many other agencies by which GAINESVILLE
might regain her old prosperity. But noue
of these instrumentalities can do as much
for our city, as the public fostering of these
unusual educational resos rces. Such united
and energetic action, on the part of our citi-
zens, as would place those two institutions
of learning, upon sure and lourishing
footing, might after awhile, induce
overtures of guardianship from some power
full sectarian or secular organization. But
TO promote such overtures, we must first go
earnestly to work ourselves. How VIC should
best 60 to work in this matter, it were pre-
sumptions to direct, and therefore We will
only suggest that some of our citizens should
call a public meeting to consult upon "our
Schools" and that such meeting should
organize and appoint committee to solicit
subscriptions, to place these colleges upon a
successfnl hasis We ara ionorant of thai,