The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-19

A few days since there passed imtC
| the higher life a woman whose intelec
tual attainments, educational work and
far-reaching personal influence make il
| fitting that some brief account of hei
| life and labors should be given for tine
.'ensample of those who come after"
Elizabeth Dancy Battle, the Youngest
child of William $. and Elizabeth Dan.
cy Battle, of Edgecombe county, inherit
ed culture and brilliant mental gifts
from many distinguished forbears of
both father and mother Mr.. Battle
beautiful home in Tarboro was known
throughout the State for its charm and
delightful hospitality, and his daughter
even as a child, had every opportunity
Of coming in contact with men and wo-
men of high cultivation; thus uncon-
sciously absorbing culture and acquiring
interest III many of the vital questions
Of the day. These associations and the
effort to keep pace with brothers older
than herself early produced a
vigorous, though not am abnor-
was graduated with distinction from
ST Mary'S School, Raleigh, choos-
ing as the subject of her graduating es-
say a discussion of Henry George $
Progress and Poverty" choice.
which, as after years proved. showed
her strong humanitarian tendencies.
Her school life at st. Mary's had been
frequently interrupted by severe and
protracted illnesses, and in recognition
of her unquestioned ability and unusual
general information she was permitted
to do Il large part of the last years
work at home, returning to Raleigh
only to take her diploma.
The characteristics which so diStin-
guished her in after life were marked
at this period and among the students
her personality made itself felt as a
power. Ever since her graduation in
1884, Miss Battle has devoted herself
to education, and has steadily advanced
in her chosen profession from one posi-
ton of Importance to another of wider
scope Her first teaching was done in
Mrs. Pcnder's well-known school in
Tarboro. then for several years conduct
ing most thorough and successful
school Of her own in the same place
Her aim was to give Il sound, broad
education and her girls were always
we'll prepared for whatever school they
principal Of ST. Mary's School. which
position she held until 1895. when she
resigned her place to go TO New York
PROFESSIONALLY Miss Battle was one of
the most marked Influences of St
Mary's, and the impress that She left
ON the life of the school and the char
acters of those with whom she came
in touch can never die.
Possessed of singularly clear judg
ment and broad, sound views Of educa-
ton, her cooperation with the late rec
tor of ST. Mary's. DR. Bennett Smedes,
was hearty and effective. The students
soon realized and fully appreciated her
keen sense Of justice, remarkable in
woman. Every grievance, every vexed
question brought to her notice was dis
passionately considered and justly set
tied: no personal feeling influenced her
Judgment: decisions were always
thoughtfully made and rarely needed to
be reversed. With this sense Of justice
We're united a rare gift of sympathy
and an unusual power of comforting
and helping i'll any distress or emer-
gency. But her sympathy was never
enervating for her very personality was
yitalizing. Her own lofty self-control,
laugh others control her courage
gave heart to the timid. her
endurance made it easier for others to
endure. The insight into character and
ability which gave to each person the
most suitable place and work, was in
valuable to her, and conduced greatly
TO the harmonious carrying out of many
of her plans.
The teachers whose work she super
yised are bound to her by strong ties of
loyalty and love. and the example or
her earnest purpose, her large views OF
life and splendid triumph over frequent
physical pain and WEAKNESS. to those
who knew her well, will ever be an
inspiration
The summer of 1891 Miss Battle spent
at Mas, in Sweden, studying the Slojd
method of manual training, and there
those ideas of practical education which
she spent the last four years of her life
in developing, received their first dis
tinct impulse. She was convinced of the
value of manual training for girls as
well as for boys, not only from a strict
ly unitarian point Of view, but because
she thought the care and accuracy de-
manded by this work most useful in
mind culture.
In 1895 she accepted a position in Dr.
Sachs School in New York. and fought
there most successfully for three years.
During this time she also began TO
study for the degree of doctor of peda-
gogy at the University Of New York.
In the autumn and winter of '9S ana
80 she taught and studied continuously,
and was the only member of her class
of men and women to take the degree of
doctor of pedagogy in 1890. The chief
studies pursued were psychology. phiio-
sophy and pedagogy. Her thesis was or
the value of manual training, and neccs
STATED much original investigation,
during its preparation she visited all the
important night schools in New York
city and worked with the classes in
wood-earving, in straw-plaiting. in ham
mered brass and in fine carpentry. Be
sides this material her thesis was illus
trated with nearly 200 drawings of the
different articles of use made in the
schools. For the present year she had
accepted the position of instructor in
mathematics and supervisor of the
senior students in the famous Brierley
school in New York. One of her cher
lshed AIMS was to assist in the introduc
uon Of manual training in the schools
OF North Carolina and only a few weeks
la1F faFsA I..s, i