Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-04-07
.NISSISSIPPPS COLLEGE.
AN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
FOR GIRLS.
A CHARMING LETTER DESCRIPTIVE
oFTHIS CHARMING INSTITUTION.
Governor Tillman Has Given
South Carolina One Like
it at Anderson.

In an extremely picturesque old
town in Eastern Mississippi, is 8
new and progressive college, the
first of it's kind in the United
States.
The Industrial Institute and
College on Washington Avenue
in the town of Columbus! Well
does this school deserve its
connection with two such
illustrioua names, for as Columbus
discovered a new geographical
world, Washington q new political
so l believe the Industrial
Institute and College is destined
to open to woman a new educational
world. The interest, love, and
pride of the Mississippians center
in this great enterprise, and few
strangers ever visit Columbus
without making tour of inspection
through the college.
Let US follow such a party OF
visitors, thus gaining glimpse
of this great school. 1t is.a bright
December morning, and as We
approch the building the first
object to become visible is the
college clock in dormitory tower
which is now striking half past
eight. A square or two further
brings to our view an imposing
scene. Facing the broad avenue
are two stately brick structures
with smooth green lawn in front
q lovely flower garden to the back
and stretching toward the east-a
sylvan park of many acres.
The lawn and flower garden are
tastefully ornamented and kept
in perfect order by the patient
efforts and untiring energy of the
matron, Mrs. Edwards, I,
Approaching the Main Building
by q wide gravel walk, and
entering the Presidents office neal
the door, we are delivered into the
charge, perhaps, of a member Of
the senior class, Miss Rhoda Carr
dignifed, intelligent student
who makes our visit to the College
interesting and instructive.
Soon after our entrance at $3.50
we hear a whistle blown. At once
the first chords of a march arr
struck. Now long lines o.
students, all dressed IN navy blue
file out of the lecture rooms il
perfect silence; nothing is hearC
save the regular tramp of more
than three hundred pairs of fee
keeping time to the music. Th'
presence of so many earnest girl
cannot fail to arouse our interes
at once; we follow the advancing
files to the Chapel which occupies
the second and third stories 0
the main building, and seats abou
fifteen hundred. The stainet
glass windows cast dreamy light
making the artistic interior of tn
Chapel a delightful scene, but tn
most beautiful sight Of all is tn
assennblage of three hundre'
earnest, intelligent faces into whicl
we look from our visitors sea
on the rostrum. We perceiv
even at the first glance that We ar
not in all ordinary "girls' school
| the oldest students of most sucl
schools are rarely more than six
teen or seventeen, while here few
are under sixteen, and the mem
bers of the senior class, almos
without exception, nineteen
twenty, or older.
This fact is significant. A
schools where the majority grad
uate at sixteen or seventeen, W
know a thorough collegiate cours
is impossible. While we are will
ing to claim much for women w
do not consider them such prodi
gies that they can acquire by six
teen what their brothers canno
without earnest endeavor gain til
they are twenty or more.
|
But to return to our visit. If w
are distinguished, one of our part
will now be invited to address ii,
students. If the speaker be g. tru
champion of womankind, an
speak true, manly words-or VIC
manly words, as the case may b
he will be repaid with RESPONSIVE
glances expressing enthusiasm
sympathy, and gratitude. If tn
words are dull and narrow, th
snool.or will ctil1 he 1roatad wifi