The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1877-07-20
From the Guardian
COLUMBIA ATHENEUH.


Cincinnati, teachers and students of the
High Schools and University, being in.
terested in the study of the geology and
paleOntology of Tennessee, found them
selves, a few days since, il the beautiful
city of Columbia, in the center ofa region
OF the greatest scientific interest. Having
had the pleasure of meeting Professor R.
D. Smith, of the Columbia Atheneum, al
the meeting of the Cincinnati Society OF
Natural History, and knowing the Pro
fessor's enthusiasm on scientific subjects
a visit was made to the institution over
which he presides; and the facts there
observed, and which We believe to be OF
the highest interest to all people in
search of educational facilities and in
:erested in the development of such
facilities in the South, will form the sub
ject of the following brief communion
AS we especially pride ourselves or the
work which is done in the public school:
eff Cincinnati, with which we have long
been connected, and of which we know
the minutest particulars, we believe that
we have a very fine standard OF compare
son by which to Judge of the work accom-.
plished at the Athenaum.
Prof. Smith favored us with the oppOr-
tunity of perusing the examination
papers of several pupils, which evinced
the most thorough training in the sub
jects which were therein dicussed, as
well as exhibiting the ability to state
scientific facts, in terse and concise Ian.
guage. The examination papers in geOl
ogy and literature, were gems of compo.
sition, and miniature treatises on the
subjects mentioned. AS scientific train.
ing is now becoming a prominent and
necessary part of every complete educa
ton, we are pleased to say that high
standard of work is evinced by the exam.
ination exercises of the young ladies OF
the Athenaum. In this connection We
wish to make a suggestion in behal
Of this school, and in the interest Of
scientific education in the South
Professor Smith has a fine cabinet
Of fossil, shells and minerals, composed
of collections which he has made person
ally, and of donations from pupils anC
friends. Such a collection as he is get
ting together does not probably exist il
any other school for young ladies in the
country. The specimens are carefully
labelled with the name, author of species
locality, where found, and donors name
in full; thus giving every contributor
however humble the contribution, {
proper recognition in the cabinet. Tbi
fine collection the Professor is now busy
arranging, and, as many vacancies exist
not represented by the minera anC
fossils Of the middle and southern States
we would especially urge upon the
friends and patrons Of the AtheLTum, tC
assist Prof. Smith in this work. Espe-
cially valuable will be contributions o
the shells and fossils from Alabama
and Mississippi; also those Of west anc
southwest Tennessee, which are OF the
greatest interest at this time. AS the
Athenaum Museum is in a conspicuOui
apartment, with ample cases, a very fine
cabinet may be made up by the voluntary
contributions of the friends of the school
in which every contributors name vii
be remembered with grateful thanks
Collections so placed, open to public in
spection, and under an enthusiast like
Prof. Smith, may be productive of last
ing good, and reflect credit upon all who
contribute to them.
1t may not be out of place to say &
word about the musical training Of thii
truly model school. Several elegant
Young ladies. graduates of the institu
tion, were visiting the Professor at the
time of our stay in Columbia, and we
had tie rare pleasure of listening to
music which we have never heard ex'
celled, even by the best pupils of the
Cincinnati Conservatory or the training
schools of the East. To say that 1t was
q rare pleasure, is the most feeble form
of compliment that we can use. We are
assured that the Professors statement,
that special attention is given to musical
training, found conclusive proof in the
elegant and perfect performances OF
these accomplished young ladies.
That a thorough system Of education,
which will produce culture, must be in
the hands of cultivated ladies and gentle
men, no person will deny; and that the
essential feature Of education should be
culture, no longer needs words Of proof.
These conditions are certainly recognized
ats the Atheuaum, and the results at
tanned must be most highly gratifying to
the patrons of the institution, and TO the
gentlemen and ladies in charge.
So highly pleased were we with every
thing about the school, as to be forced to
admit. that here we have found all the
circumstances combined which go to
make up the sum total of tirst-class
school for young ladies; and we trust
that a liberal patronage will reward the
efforts of the Professor and his coadjutors
COLUMBIA, Tenn, July 2, 1877.