The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-05
New MISUNDERSTANDING Education
From our Travelling Correspondent
NEW MARKET. Nav {

From our Travelling Correspondent
NEW MARKET, May 8.
In coming from Columbia Furnaces
to this place, we pass through the little
town of Edinburg, where we found Mr.
John B. Milligan engaged in lively lum'
Der. trade, from his mill, on the creek some
distance away. We passed many large,
handsome farms in the valley, of which we
learned owners names of only two-Gen.
eral Mems, and the Moores-but many
are valuable.
The city of New Market is very pleas
ant, orderly place, nestled down in the
the valley, at the foot of the mountain,
in Shenandoah county, where the turnpike
leaves the river and crosses the Massanutten
mountain, in q gap, and goes to Luray, in
Page county. The farms hereabout are
fertile, and cultivated by an Industrious
class of farmers. The place contains
about seven hundred to eight hundred pop
ulation, with good schools and church priv
ileges and two newspapers, one religious
and one political the former, sour Church
Paper,o is in the interest of the Lutherans
and edited by Rev: s. Henkel the other
is the shenandoah Valley" and is edited
by G. r. Calvert.
But the distinctive institution, of this
city, is the ''New Market Polytechnic In
stitute," under the special management OF
Prof. B. Hyde Benton, a thoroughly edu-
Gated gentleman and superior practical
teacher. His system of teaching, is not
only eminently practical in itself, but it
also makes the knowledge and use of the
sciences thoroughly practical and available,
by the students, in active life and business,
as we'll in the mechanic trades, engineering,
farming, the professions, and in the mer-
camille pursuits. Here the students not
only learn completely the philosophy
and use of all apparatus, in chemistry, as
tronomy, telegraphery and the other
science; but they learn how to make them
all, having all the necessary tools, imple-
ments and shops with blow-pipes and
lathes, for doing the work, in
the most ingenious and perfect
manner. They not only learn
the theory and principles of science and
engineering, but they learn the practical
application in all the actual performances.
have never seen anything so thorough,
complete, and effective, in the mode and
results Of teaching the sciences as | found
them here.
Prof. Benton's devotion and enthusiasts m
to science and industrial improvements re-
minded me Of DR.. e. Pa Rowland, of
Washington. Here are splendid telescopes
and microscopes, Geographic and electric
machines, in greatest perfection, all manu-
featured in the Institute. by the Professor
and his students, together with many
other instruments and apparatus. But
no one can begin to appreciate
the excellence of the tuition and the acqui-
sition of useful knowledge, at this institute,
without full inspection and being present
during the exercises, which have enjoyed.
1t is just the place where young men
should 90 who wish for really useful,
practical education in the sciences, as well
as literature and the classics. In fact, it
is about the only place where they can
learn the trine qualifications, Of making
using, and understanding the principles
of scientific and engineering instruments,
and APPARATUS. And there is no other place
known to me, where all this education car
be obtained at so low price, the entire
expense for board, tuition and experiments
being less than 5000 per year.
Prof. Benton is ably assisted by Prof
Joseph Salyard, a fine scholar, and supe-
rior mathematician. A visit to this insti
tute will furnish more interesting enter
tainment than any theatre or museum, ant
better instruction. This city, and thu
state. may well be proud of it, and all vii
honor themselves by sustaining and en-
couraging it literally.
/ could very easily and justly say much
more in regard to it, but have not tint
or space, but the above is written for tn,
benefit Of those who need its advantages
One thing IS particularly noticeable
the students all show the greatest respec
for Professors Benton and Salyard ant
their department everywhere, is that o
gentlemen.
The citizens informed me that Smith.
creek, which runs near here into the Shen
andoah, is named after Captain John Smith
who, in the days of the colony, had Sc.
we're fight on its banks with the Indians.
The postmaster, who is an earnest frient
of The JOURNAL, and makes efforts 70
its circulation, showed me slab of hand
some marble, found near this place, dark,
mottled, like leopards's skin.
Mr.. Holtzman keeps the "Central Hotel.
! which is neat, comfortable, pleasan
home for travellers, where they will fin,
clean rooms and good meals. lalt
Good livery rigs can, at all times, b
had at the fine establishment Of John P
Windle, who also owns an interest in
stage line from Mt. jackson to Orkne
Springs, which are nicely fitted up for til
summer visitors. 8G
And New Market will be found com
Portable place for summer visit, by guest
, who desire quiet, healthy resort.
Shenandoah, in the Indian language
means WDauphter of the Stars.u NJ