The morning call., 1893-03-12
AFTER THE PRIZES.
The Girls of the Notre Dame Convent
Want Them,

want HEM.
SAN JOSE, March I1-Among the hum
dreds of young lady pupils in the College
Of Notre Dame there are many who are
actively preparing to enter THE CALLS
prize composition contest on the subject of
Christopher Colum bus and his big find.
This college, which is conducted by the
sisters of NOtre Dame, is one Of the most
thorough educational institutes within the
limits of the Garden City. 1t is locate in
the very heart of San Jose and its appoint
menls are thorough and its surroundings
beautiful.
The Convent OF Notre Dame. founded 10
1851, was iucOrp rated by the State Legisla-
ture in 1855, and subsequently the same
body so extended the original charter as to
confer all the rights and privileges Of col
legiate instltu tOns in the United States.
The convent is surrounded by neat and eX-
tensive grounds, furnished with all facili-
ties for the amusement of the pupils and
pleasantly shaded by trellised grapeyines,
graceful elms, peppers. poplars an 1 other
decidu0us and evergreen trees.
The large brick buildings are well ven-
tilated and afford every accommodation for
the objects for which they were constructed.
The entire front is 240 feet long. The east
wing runs back to the depth Of go feet
the west wing is $50 feet deep, and the
whole affords accommodations for q great
| number of pupils.
The plan Of instruction adopted in this
insttution.ls approved by the best families
of the city and tie county. Il uuites every
advantage which can contribute to an edu-
l. cation at once substantial and refined
Particular attention is paid to prOprIety Of
department and personal neatness, while
the health of the pupils is an object OF con-
| stant solici,ude Ton the part OF the noble
| women who have the supervision and edu-
| cation OF the many girls intrusted to their
care.
Belonging to the school is a museum con-
tanning an assortment of specimens in
zoology, cOnchology, lithoogy, mineralogy,
| botany, numlSmatics, and all necessary ap-
paratuS to Illustrate the truths of philusO-
| phy and chemistry. There are also globes,
maps. charts of the various branches of
| natural history, library of choice, selected
| works; in fact, everything to make sciencs
practical and attractive.
Sister Mary Bernadine is the acting
| Mother Superior, and she has a large staff
of sisters, who carefully instruct the pupils
under her supervision. As the Catholic re-
| ligion Is the one prOlessed by tue ladies of
| this Institution the religious exercises are
Catholic; but members of any denomina-
| tion are admitted, providing they be willing
| to conform to the general regulations of the
! college.
French, German and Spanish are taught
| by native teachers and are spoken by many
| of the inmates, therefore the pupils have
| every facility to perfect themselves ia those
!
| English composition in prose and verse, and
| this note and query form in many OF the
recii auons not only stores the mind, but il
is valuable aid in securing command of
| language
Composition being such an important fac
| tor in their course of study, some very fine
] essays in reference 10 the great Christie
| pher Columbus may be expected. Music in
| its various branches is assiduOusly cult
| waited, Independent Of the private weekly
/ 1assn Ipc i,,b ay,dt
of music is also given. The piano course
| embraces eight grades.
Examinations in the presence Of teachers
are held quarterly during the year, and pro-
motion is maze from one grade to another,
| whenever it Is advantageous TO the pupil.
| The system of grading is observed in teach
| ing the various musical Instruments.
| Every quarter general examination of
studies is made and honorary decorations
are awarded according 10 merit At the
| same time bulletins are forwarded to
| the parents or guardians, in which are
| faithfully reported the conduct, profrien cy
and health Of their daughters or wards.
The SCHOLASTIC year consists of two ses-
| slons, the first commencing at the beginning
| of August and ending December %, the
second opening January and closing the
| first week Ia June.
At the close of the scholastic year, after a
thorough examination, gold and silver
| medals and premiums are d stri6uted to the
ulOSl worthy pupils l. ne diplomas ana
| medals OF graduates are awarded 10 those
only who, on completing the prescribe d
course. give on examination due evidence
| Of their proficiency. Post-graduates may
continue the course Of literature and various
complishments, providing they observe
| school regulations.
The school is situated upon ground that
would be of great value to the mercantile
| community. This was realized some six
months ago. when a syndicate of merchants
attempted to purchase the valuable prop
erty and induce the Sisters to remove the
! college. 1t Is rumored that this syndicate
offered as high as S1,500.000 for this site
| alone, but those who have charge OF the
educational institute refused to talk upon
the subject and the merchants interested
are equally reticent.
The object Of the syndicate in attempting 9
TO acquire this valuable property was to
extend Orchard street, which is now blocked
| by the extensive grounds of the college,
and erect substantial buildings for COM
mercial purposes.
Method in Her Kindness.
Blggs-You say your wife ALWAYS nina q