The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-06-19
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OUR FEMALE SCHOOLS.

as of laces and silks and ribbons, alternating
smiles and signs, but for moment, however
have signalized the various Female Schools
which have combined to make Stanton the
great Educational Centre Of the South, wniie
our streets have been crowded with the Hasn
and fnery of visiting strangers.
Stauuton is justly proud Of these Schools.
Intrinsically they all rank high. and the pa
tronage of three of them, the oldest
byterian, Episcopal and Methodiss-is such
as constitutes them not only nurseries OF m
tellectual and moral graces but OF atfiuence,
from which the community generally is bene~
fitted. The Baptist and Lutheran, 10 their
infancy yet will not only, we hope, be able
70 enlarge their facilities for usefulness, but
realize rich return for the Industry appft-
cation and eminent qualifications OF chose
conducting them.
Our people do not think of how much they
are indebted to the Principals Of these Schools
for the prosperity of our Cfty-the animation
of trade, and the general business thrift that
pervades Nor do they think Of The true
heroism exhibited by the principals in the
struggle they have maintained and in which
they have trlanphed in the bui ding up Of
these important seats Of learning. Rev Mr.
Phillips may be regarded as the father oftffe
Episcopal, for when he assumed control. It
was weak, talteriug, if not dying. His active
energy. devotion to duy, administrative ca
pscity, and classical requirements, however,
have brought it up to the splendid position
it now holds The Presbyterian School, un=
der Miss Juliet Baldwin, is marvel o. sues
cess. and we could not but revert in our mind
to her, as a type Of the heroic women OF the
day, whep DR.. Powell was paying so well de-
served and exalted tribute to the courage
of women, IN his admirable address at the
Methodist church on last Monday, She
stands triumphant upon the very battle field
that had witnessed the almost utter defeat of
number Of the sterner sex, Of much greater
prctensious and far more widely known, than
was this retiring lady, when she first doubt
iugly laid hold of the enterprise. Her sue
cess has been truly wonderful, and is another
striking illustration of the latent capacities
that lie concealed within us. frequently for
want Of occasion and opportunity.
The Methodist School, al SO, is another ex>
emplifcation of what one man can accomplish,
when he is governed by the consciousness OF
inherent elements of success. Rev. Mr. Har-
ris has proved himself to possess remarkable
mental resources and administrative ability
To take hold of and build UP to splendid
success, an almost dead establishment, re-
quires no ordinary mental vigor and tenaclty
of purpose. This he has accomplished.
We only regret that We are unable TO dc
full Justice to the closing exercises of these
various Schools The reader will appreciate
at glance the insuperabe difficulties we had
to encouater, coming as the commandments
did, in sseh quick succession upon each 9th
err, forcing US to comprehend them in Que is
sue of our paper. It would have afforded US
pleasure to have giveu, to-day, the dlstinc-
tious in the preparatory departments, for the
struggles and bu 1dlng ambitions of the little
smls are as much entitled to recognition as
those Of the big girls. But We must folio"
the rules observed in all we'll regulated fami-
lies, give precedence to age, aud pay our re-
spects to long dresses, until they have pass
ed off the stage, and then the younger ones
shall reeeiTe cur Aevoirs They have Their
brides and hopes, and if we caa throw ray
Of sasshine over their plastic, teaaer little
hearts, we will do Sc, and will take pleasure
10 giving their distinctions 10 our next. We
only wish our space were unlimited ard eur
repotorial forces at liberty to follow their cx-
cited and exuberan. ,na.inations We wou d
then have presentea full and satisfactory
pen pertraitxre Of all the captivating and
charming proceedings Of the past week, SO
richly deserving the fullest recosnitien.
The closing exercises, proper, Of the Az
gusts Female Seminary as,d the Wesleyan
Female Institute. last night, came of after
our forns we're ready for the press, and there
fore we capno5 do more than announce the
recipients OF the Medals, Diplomas, &c.
BAPTIST FEMALE INsTITuTE.-The commence
ment exercises of this Institute for Female Edu-
cation took place on Thursday and Friday eve
hing of last week The first exhibition was de-