Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-11
Educational Association OF virginia
THIRD DAY-NIGHT SESSION.

Inc ASSOCIATION Uuct dt Tue -uQ lCSpy lcllau
Church at S. last night President Glider
sleeve in the chair, aud was opened with pray
er by Rev. ". f. Broadus, of Charlottesville.
The President then introduced Gen. Francis
II, Smith. Ii D, Superintendent of the Viz
gipia Military Institute, who read most en-
tertsiuing and instructive lecture on The
Schools and School-masters Of Virginia 10
| OIden Times" He commenced By stating the
difficulties he had had to encounter in The at
tempt to work up his subject. There were no
| records of these olden times 10 school matters,
| and the personal "reminiscences alone could be
| called 10 to aid him. Even at the present day,
| far too little was recorded and the memory OF
valuable facts would perish unless teachers
would keep, as he earnestly advised them, a
log book Of their daily work.
The grand old men and women Of the Colo
NAL DAYS must have been formed by competent
teachers, and it was greatly to be regretted
that so little could be ascertained respecting
them. There was no public provision for edu-
cation before the Revolution, and the minister
usually taught a school. He was always
graduate of one of the British Universities,
and though he lived as the gentlemen OF the
day lived, he taught well. Latin aud Greek
Euclid aud Land Surveying were his cares; an
usher, usually the parish clerk, taught The
English elements There were TWO classes OF
| laborers negroes and white apprentices, the
latter sold for term OF years to pay their pas
sage money: aud sometimes persons OF this
class being somewhat educated were employed
AS teachers, as they were, when they had
Learned trade, as mechanics. They got land
Of their own, worked it themselves, and
thrived, and from them rose the middle class
of Eirginiaus, which produced the most bril-
liant men of the State. William and Mary
College was the school for those who had
| meals to educate their sons literally.
| 1t was not until 1890 that any Immigration
of professional men began; before that, they
had come only to ill places previously prepared
for them; but then physicians and lawyers from
EngaDd Scotlaud aud Ireland, came over in
pumbers and some teachers, among whom We're
the PendeonS.
On the outbreak of the Revolution all the
persops save twenty. fire or thirty out OF ninety
one, with what we consider mistaken loyalty,
but with devotion to King and c, untry which
we NUT respect, left Virginia, aud though
those who remained were true to the land 81
their adoption; though their vestrymen We're
such patriots us Washington and Patrick Hen
~, the odium which attached to their set-cx-
lied brethren, was extended to them and their
schools were broken up. Then followed dark
period in our educational history, but the sacred
fame Of learning was kept alive by the mothers
of Nirgnia, those grand old Gatrons. who were
the teachers in every home. The Bible was
their text book, and the Psalms. the Sermon
on the Mount, aud the Lord Prayer they re-
uuired to be committed TO memory. They taught
we'll and many great Statesman owed bis ~
diments Of learning to his faithful mother. The
mother Of George Wythe had taught him
Greek and Latin.
From this time until the new era which dawn
ed upon the State by the establishment of the
University and the Military Institute, men from
Scotland and New England, many Of whom mad
left their country for their country good,
came in large numbers TO Virginia as teachers,
and their conduct exercised such an Influence
upon the public mind that the profession, except
when exercised by cergymen, was looked down
upon.
He had addressed letters to many gentle men
asking for information as to teachers 10 early
days, but had received replies from but two,
DR.. Grigsby and Mr. W. r. Gait, Of Norfolk.
He then proceeded to read letters from these
gentlemen giving details as to particu ar teach
ers in that vicinity. They described the whip
pings with the cat-of-Dlne tails, which, on one
occasion, cut young man 5 new cloth coat into
strips the hours OF school, from April to Sep
| y
and vacation, &c. The audience were much
annoyed by audible conversation during the
lecture 1t is a pity that young ladies cannot
realize how much better it would be tor them
to entertain the young gentlemen IN their par
lors, than to choose such places as churches for
conversation. When Gen. Smith concluded,
which he did in about half an hour, the asso-
citation, on motion Of Mr.. Backford, returned
| him its thanks, and the Memorial Commit
tee, consisting of Prof Estill, of Randolph
Macon Col. Allan, of the lnstitute Pres-
dent Davis, of Petersburg Female College,
Messrs. G. H. Winston and Mcclure, Of
Richmond, were called upon, whereupon Mr.
McG uire read beautiful tribute to the memory
of the late John NJ. Strother, of University
School, Richmond, and one by Mr.. Backford
written by DR.. S. Maupin, Of the DIVERSITY, and
on motion of Mr.. Blacktord a new Memorial
Committee was appointed consisting OF Gen. +.
II. Smith, V. NJ. l., Prof. j. B. Minor, 1. Of
Va, Prof. S, w. Averett, Danve Female
COLLEGE, and the memorials were referred to the
Executive Committee for publication.
Mr. Binford, from the committee on place Of
meeting, reported in favor of Norfolk and
Portsmouth, but one of the members of the
committee stating that be had mlsunder
stood its action, and that it was understood at
| Culpeper Court House that the assocla-
ton should meet there, the report was re-
committed.
On motion of Prof Harris, the hour for the
morning session was fixed at 9 clock.
MIR. Abbot, from the Committee on CUES
tions and General Business, reported back MIR.
| Pendleton's resolution about the admission OF
ladies', 10 the following form.
All female teachers of Virginia may be
! Admitted to membership 10 this Association,
on the same terms as others, except that they
should not participate in the oral discussion Of
| questions before this body.
Mr.. B!ackford Immediately attacked the
| report Its adoption would be the de-
struction of the association. 1t would be
impossible to keep up the present, most
pleasant method of entertainment at the
annual meeting, as ladies would consider the