The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-31
VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTITUTE.

Maj. Hotchkiss, in his admirable PAM
phlet upon Staunton, from which we
have had occasion to make liberal extracts)
in writing of the educational interests Of
the city, gave utterance to simple truth
when he said that 1.-THE four female col
leges of Staunton rank with the first in the
country" Their great usefulness is uni
versally conceded, and their. continued
prosperity is due to the soundness and
thoroughness of the methods Of instruc-
ton employed, and the social and religious
influences that surround them.
The Virginia Female Institute has been
a pioneer in female educational work, as
far as the Valley Of Virginia is concerned,
and to it too much credit can scarcely be
awarded for the influence exerted and the
good accomplished. Belonging. as it does,
to the Council of the Diocese of Virginia
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, it has
been under the patronage and Ito large
eXtent) the management Of that body.
The school was first instituted in 1884; it
was one OF the first institutes of learning
in the Valley that gave practical illustra-
ton of the tendency of the times in edu-
cational matters its system, its methods,
its scope-in brief, all the salient features
are now the outgrowth of nearly half
century of observation and of practical ed
ucatiOn, and the system and methods that
now obtain are, in effect, the crystalized
results of that which has gone before as
precious stones are elegantly mounted as
works of the Old Masters are handsomely
framed, so do we find the results of forty
years labor on the part of this school adOrn-
ed, and the adornment consists in the main
tenace of the highest standard of scholar
ship, the employment of the highest grades
talent, of the utilization of thoroughly tried
and best approved modern methods.
For more than twenty years Rev. r. H.
Phillips had charge of the Institute In the
summer of 1880 Mrs. Gen1J. E. B. Stuart
became Principal, and the management.
has been with her since. No words of eu-
logy concerning her are needed. Her
name is known throughout the country
those who have personal acquaintance
with her know that she is eminently fit to
direct the destinies of the school and to
discharge the high trust reposed
IN her. To those who do not personally
know her we can give no better surety
Than the words of Bishop F. M. Whittle,
who, in his report to the Council in May,
asst year, referring to the Institute, said
Il am satisfied that it's Principal, Mrs.
Stuart, and her accomplished and faithful
are thoroughly worthy to be in
trusted with the instruction, and the men,
al, moral and religious training of as
many of our daughters as may be commit
ted to her care"
That these words of praise were not I'M
nerited is shown by the fact that the at
tendance has very largely increased since
The present Principal assumed manage
nent. When Mrs. Stuart opened the
school on September, $780, there were but
twenty-five boarding pupilsI;.the numoer
It day pupils was also limited. Now,
hough accommodations exist for about
ixty boarders, there are but few vacan-
lies number of additional pupils will
)egin attendance in February, this year,
nd this increase in attendance is in itself
he best eulOgium upon the status of the
chool at home and abroad.
We had hoped to give in this connection,
n lllustratiOn,-One that affords a really
reditable view of the Institute. 1t makes
handsome picture, and it well may. Not
My are the grounds ample comprising
our or five acres), but they are most
harmingly situated and handsomely
dorned. The main buildings present an
nee of solidity, of comfort, that closer in
pection does not belle, and the most cap
ious could find no fault with the school or
is surroundings.
There are three large main buildings
onnected by continuous halls. thus seeur-
ng, at once, ventilation and privacy, and
ffording easy access to all parts of the es-
The sleeping-rooms are well
entilated, thoroughly furnished, and of
iZe to accommodate comfortably, two,
hree and four pupils each.
Besides these, the buildings contain
leat Chapel, large Calisthenium, well fur
lished with all the necessary apparatus.
nipple music rooms-art studio-large
chool and recitation rooms, and com
ortable dining hall, besides parlors, re-
option room and office.
The methods of instruction at the Insti-
ute do not differ materially from those in
Use in the leading colleges and seminaries
II the land. Attention is paid to physical
S well as mental culture, while the course
t study is, made very comprehensive. The
hree departments of the school-prepara-
DRY, academic and collegiate-have each
Orps of teachers selected with special ref
renee to their peculiar fitness for the posts
hey are called upon to fill the severest
ritic, after acquainting himself with the
Methods and the advantages afforded could
la1dly offer suggestion that would en-
lance the intrinsic well being of school OF
'upil.
Such departments as Art, Music, Mod
IN Languages, ETC., are carefully cult
ated. Adept teachers are employed, and
10 pains nor expense are spared to offer to
upils the opportunity of acquiring those
races which society has a right to de-
nand and expect.
AS a closing paragraph we may add that
'lrginia Female Institute is most kindly
9oked upon by other denominations than
Gpiscopalian. Friends of education, of
whatever creed, unite in wishing it God
peed in its mission !; the work that is be-
ng accomplished is a noble one, and it is
eing nobly done.