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

OF the buildings themselves. Although
these buildings have been largely added to-
even now they afford accommodations tt
but limited number of boarding pupils
scarcely more than rs OF so can be accom-.
modated, and in view of the fact that
Staunton Female Seminary is, to. say the
least, an adopted daughter of the Luther
an denomination, it would be eminently
right and proper that professed friends Of
the church and of the school should take
immediate and practical steps toward its
substantial endowment Nowadays it is
well enough to put 'script in the purse
of those enterprises which, like this, have a
God-given mission to perform abundance
OF means signifies increased usefulness,
and this can only come from judicious, yet
liberal expenditures. But inasmuch as
such endowmentS are not, as yet, forth
coming, the other fact remains that, the
number of pubils in attendance being rela-
lively limited, the most thorough classif-
cation can be carried out, and each pupil
receive more of the time and attention of
the teacher than she could were the same
corps of tutors called upon to instruct a
larger number.
The scholastic year Of 1882, beginning
the LIST Wednesday in September, opened
under new auspices, Rev. James Willis
succeeding Mr.. Miller as principal. Mr..
Willis is, judging from what we have
seen and heard of him, man who is thor
oughly in earnest. and his work as an edu-
Gator has certainly had good beginning,
Tor there has been an increase in attend
ance at the Seminary since he assumed
management. He is graduate of Roa-
noke College, class of 1874 and of Gettys-
burg Theological Seminary, class of 1877,
is an ordained clergyman OF the Luth-
RhnrRh q Of rhnr,
ners and of scholarly accomplishments.
He has surrounded himself with staff of
teachers who are eminently fit for the re-
sponslble duties they are called upon to
perform, and, whether in the routine stud
les OF the school or the so-called ornamen-
tai branches, the young ladies attendant
upon StauntOn Female Seminary have
such advantages of instruction as are rare
ly accorded.
In his work the Principal is ably and
cordially assisted by the Board of Trustees,
many OF whom are residents of Staunton,
and prominent among our professional and
business men. 1t is needless, however,
TO give their names in this connection.
The course of study in Staunton Female |
Seminary is very thorough the utmost |
care is taken in the selection of teachers, |
and the school government is that of |
We'll egulated family-in fact, every effort |
is employed to supply the home-like feel |
ing which is so healthful to mind and |
body and for this the Seminary is right
fully noted. The principal and his wife
are at the head of most interesting fam
ly; home government, kind impulses
and actions, and those graces that adorn,
oeautlfy and sanctify the home circle are
and this, of itself. is sufficient
10 place the school high in the esteem of
parents. No pains are spared to make the
seminary peer of the best, and at the same
lime the expense account incident upon
attendance is placed at the minimum.
The attendance is not bounded by Church
" State Hires. Pupils of nearly all denom-
nations are upon the roster, and States
is far remote as Texas and California are
represented. In fact, the school is a +
World in miniature. and a very attractive
world it is, thanks to the Principal and
us estimable wife, the vice principal, as
listed as they are by able teachers, and
ustalned by feeling of sympathy and
onfidence which has been engendered dur
ng the comparatively brief regime that
low controls the school. AS the simplest
natter of justice we may say of the Vice
'rlncipal, Mrs. Willis, that she is recog
llzed as having worthily won and worn
he title of ''lady.'' She is one of the
aoSt accomplished women who grace sOci-
ty, and her social requirements are equal
ed by her literary and linguistic attain
lents. Not only is she thoroughly educa-
ed In English branches, but she speaks
french as if she were Il Parisienne,-in
Their words is a scholarly woman, and in
ttaining this distinction she has sacrifice
d none of those attributes which we all |
ccord to the gentler sex. On the contra
Y, she, and women like her, ennoble and
lorify those attributes
That the success of the Seminary may
each much greater bounds must be the
'lsh of every true friend of education. no /,
latter what his OF her UNCONVENTIONAL !,
reed.