Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-14
Ripley Female College

Editors Rutland Herald AS every pa |
rent who has a daughter to educate
must feel an interest in education and !
schools, l am very much inclined, |
through your columns, to speak Of my !
brief and accidental visit to Ripley Fee
male College, Poultney, Vt.
OF its President, DR.. Newman, l need !
say nothing, Cor the public has long |
known him as 3 scholar, educator and |
christian gentleman. He is the right |
mar in the right place. Nor need | |
speak of Poultney, for it is well known
to be one of the plessantest little viii
lagos of New England; beautiful loca-
tion in all respects for female school
OF the first grade The village is not
only pleasant but suiet, and remarkably
healthy, while the surrounding scenery
is really charming.
Many excellent things might be said
Of the teachers In this rising institution;
they are all persons of noble character,
fine scholarship and eminently success
full in their work.
The recent examination at the college
was perfect success, the best we have
ever been permitted to attend. The
classes were examined in the most prac-
tcal manner, and yet gave entire salts
faction to all present.
But we desire to speak more particu-
larry of the Musical Soiree, which came
off on Tuesday evening, Feb. 5. Theen-
tertainment was opened bya piano duet,
Don Pasguale, by Rosellen.
All my life | have known much of
schools and have had the pleasure OF
listening to the good music OF our Fast
ern cities, and l am frank to admit that
| never knew a school concert to open,
progress and close with such brilliancy.
The character of the music would have
IT dected great credit upon professors
had such occupied the place of those
school girls The piano solos, two of
Beethoven Sonatas, were played with
great effect indicating not only great
proficiency upon the part of the pupils,
but the desire and determination OF
Prof. Button 70 elevate the taste and
standard of his pupils in classical music.
No audience in our small towns are ca
pable Of approaching or understanding
that style of music, for it is so seldom
presented to them. But among all the
hamlets and villages that dot New Eng
land probably there are few, IL any,
who would give the silent attention OBJ
served here.
The vocal quartettes were selected
with great care and taste, and sung with
perfect harmony and beauty. The enun-
citation was especially marked by the
visitors as superior. This feature Of
singing, so much neglected, seems in this
school to have particular attention, and
Professor Duttoa is Major General in
his profession.
The vocal Duets and trios, were con-
Quoted by an assistant, Miss Hewett,
and she performed her part excellently,
bringing out her classes with vigor.
Indeed her pupils acquitted themselves
fuely. If sometimes little diffidence
was manifested, we admired it, and
thought how much more becoming in
young ladies, than that extreme holiness
too frequently exhibited by public sing
ers.
Last, bat not least, the vocal class
claims my attention in this brief notice.
/ was happy to find what some Of our
schools are adopting, namely, the teach
ing OF our vocal music in classes. The
exercise itself is very beneficial, and it
affords very agreeable recreation from
slHdy. But above and beyond this, it
extends to our homes, and 10 our Choirs.
It's Influence is felt in the Sabbath even
ing singing around the family hearth,
and the minister of Christ and his con.
gregation are made to rejoice in the i'm
provemens Of church ps4lmody.
In closing / would say that our vast
country is blessed sbove all Others, in
Its schools for ladies. Some are greatly
superior to others, some excel Ia one
department., Others In another, hut per-
fiction is to be found in noue. However