Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-28
sherwood Female Seminary.

This city can be congratulated on the estab
lishment of a fourth female seminary thu
scale of the older institutions, which are col
leges in the arrangement and completeness o
instruction.
In comforting upon young ladies all the &C
complishments of useful and ornamental at
tainments in classics, art, and music, the "Sher
wood" assumes also the desirable task o
equipping those educated and trained undel
it's teaching for the thorough fulfillment of the
various responsibilities of domestic and socia
life, and prepares them to enter the avenues O.
a business career. Ladies are recognized
among businessmen as accountants, stenogra-
piers, statesmen, telegraphists, etc. The op.
portunities to enter these departments are in
creasing. That of teaching is already over
crowded with applications, and more than
many thousands would put the needle aside
for more lucrative employment. If attainable.
In scanning the catalogue of sherwood
Seminary" the design will especially interest
all who have daughters to be entered at an adj
vanced school.
great blessing has been provided by this
institution, which, taking charge of the girl Of
tender years, will discover her gifts of mind
and application, and will return her to parents
and friends. who will at once realize the dis
tinguishing merits and benefits of the accom-
plished, practical education which will enable
her to design and execute successfully and to
meet difficulties which are too often more than
feminine resolution, unaided by confidence in
capacity, can battle against.
The discipline and government are likewise
distinctly enumerated. They are just what
should be expected in connection with other
characteristics of the institution referred to-
In these departments, the wife of the principal
will sustain to the scholars the tender and af-
fectionate relation of a mother, watching
over them in and out of school with careful So
1ictude. The testimonials which have follow
ed Mrs. Massey make reference to these char
acteristics, which were so exemplarily dis
played in the conduct of the former seminary,
to which she occupied the same relation as to
this.
The Principal, Prof. J. L. Massey, is q grad
uate OF the University of Virginia. He sue
cessfully conducted for several years female
seminary in Maryland, and when he an
nounced to his patrons and people of that
section his purpose to change his location for a
larger field, most complimentary communica-
lions were addressed to him, regretting his de-
termination. because of the loss to those there
who had children to educate. In the large col
lection of such expressions are the following,
in which dozen or more of the members OF
the society of Friends bear their testimony
to the worth of Prof. Massey as teacher and
citizen. The subscribers embrace the names
of Miller. Stabler Magruder, Thomas, &C., in
which will be recognized old and sterling Qua
ker families of Maryland
"Thy departure we consider serious loss 10
our community"
Under thy management, as Principal, the
success of our school was assured, and thee
leaves the school prosperous and with bright
promises for future usefulness
Thee and thy family take with you the re-
spect love-" &C.
"Thy scholars love thee with q devotion UeTy
unusual" &c.
In other communications, some from vir
ginia, the tributes to this gentleman are very
fine.
sherwood Female Seminary is upon a
magnificent eminence in the picturesque East
ern section of the city. The large park of old
oaks and the establishment of ornamental
shrubbery, flowers, fountains, &C., give it a
charming aspect. The stately mansion, with
all its complete departments and convenlences,
is first rate basis upon which to enlarge the
growing Seminary. The distant views of
mountain scenery are grand and strike the eye
at every turn. The table.lands of forest and
field and the yales of half of Augusta county
NIL up the space between the high point OF
Sherwood" and the long mountains which
mark the line of the Eastern horizon. The
grounds afford recreation, amusement, and
lengthy walks. The beautiful plateau which
surmounts all is in striking contrast with the
sharp angles ofsurrounding points.
The original design of sherwood" was to be
an elegant retired seat. 1t has happily fur
nished the groundwork of an institution of
learning which, in its influences and useful
ness, is worthy of association with those that
have given a widespread fame to this city for
its educational advantages.