The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1871-08-02
tFrom the Maryland Church Record.l
A Visit to st. Mary's.

| AS the aim of n Church paper
is to advance tho interests Of the
Gospel and tho Church, I know
not how J. can better sorvo those
interests than by presenting
through your columns ono of tho
most wide]y.inHuentlat agencies
for that cnd--1 mean st. Mary's
School, Raleigh, North Carolina-
q school Of tho highest literary
grade now, for twcnty-nino years
past, doing its good work, and up
TO the present day undor the act
I've and constant direction of it's
first fouhder md head, the Rev.
Albert Smedes, d. D. n,.'t
Permit mo to. give your readers
a picture Of st. Mary's as T havo
seen it and as know it. Reach
ing Raleigh by railroad, at the de-
pot wo take tho omnibus for a
half-milo ride to ST. Mary's school.
AS We enter tho spacious beau
tiful enclosure ofSt. Mary's grove
twenty acres Of beautiful oak woods
we cannot fail to admire tho ia
cilitics afforded, and tho pleasant
inducements hold out to tho pupils
for abundant and hcalthful oXor-
else. Clean and wido walks and
carriage drives, wind in graceful
intricacy through every part of
these SECURE retreats 80 that ono
may heartily tire ones self with
walking without going over the
same ground tho second time. AS
wc approach, striking array Of
buildings is in visw. Tho institu-
ton consists of y largo contre
building, with two large square
buildings, ono ut each side, and
thrown considerably in advance
OF the centre ono; and thesc wings
arc united to the main building
by covered galleries Of good BRICK
work, making tho whole front q
sort Of apsis or concave scmicir-
Gle. At the side and somewhat in
tho rear of ono Of tho wings is
the chapel, gem Of u church,
designed by UpjoGn. We ascend
tho broad and lofty flight Of stops
in tho centre building and enter
the parlor, whero VIC have q few
minutes to notice it's great size
and admirable adaptation TO its va
rious purposes, tho walls covered
with valuable pictures, and works
in bronze and othcr works Of art
scattered about the room, all Of
them acting powerfully but silent-
| ~ rs agents IN refining and cMti-
waiting tho taste. Conversation
at meals is encouraged, not re-
strained. And wisely, for it pro-
notes health and good digestion !;
and since the teachers are min
| glcd with tho pupils at the tables,
the latter arc being formed to
what many girls sadly lack, the
habit Of society and conversation.
L believe, attor all, that tho living
example and spirit Of tho head Of
q school is its great element Of
power and influence IN education,
if it has any. 1t is prominently
so at st. Mary's. If there ever
was man formed by nature and
fitted by culture and experience
for his peculiar sphere Of duty, it
is DR.. Smcdes. A truly kind and
genial nature, a fountain Of Joy
GUS youth spring ever fresh in his
heart, Il gaiety such rs is rarely
met with and which in him is in-
born, but united with singular
clcarness Of mind, soundncss Of
Judgment, and manly decision Of
charactcr-mapncrs the most fin
ishcd, tastc and purity of style
in address and speech that may
be pronounced faultlcss-all these
seem TO be in him the great agcn-
cics in education, for the sake Of
which desire to have my children
under his guidance. 1t is these
things which TO me mako st. .Mary's
school, Raleigh, valuable above
many institutions of perhaps the
Same standing in other respects.
From an observation Of twenty.
eight years, in which many Of it's
old pupils, and among them many
Of my own connections, have come
under my eye, ] am heartily
persuaded Of tho admirable results
to body, soul, ind intellect Of the
discipline and course Of education
Of this noble institution. One
thing at St. Mary's has struck me
forcibly-I am sorry [ cannot say
it is universal clscWhcrc--and that
is a spirit Of modcsty and rcvcr.
encc in the young ladies. A pert
and aippant behavior in the young
of that sex is especially offensive
to good taste and morals. But |
500 nothing Of it horc. have
never sccn it in the graduates Of
st. Mary's, but, on tho contrary,
that modest, dignified, sclfre-
spoct and tender conscientious.
ness which is woman's greatest
charm.
But we must bid adlcu to ST..
Mary's. 1t is no sceno Of idlenoss,
and lockers on feel rebuked.--
Thoro is no stagnation horo, but
all is life, energy, and systematic
work. | must tear mysclf away
md return to nv own duties. sin.