The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-13

proud of their school, and they set full
store by the advantages it offers. Some
OF, the children walk nearly five miles.
being provided for their horses. Two girls
llvlnS nine miles Off ride to the school
every day. The enrolment is usually
about hundred and fifty, including botn
sexes, and co-education mere works to a
charm. bringing better results the teach
ers declare, for both boys and girls. A
more orderly body of students or one more
seriously set on achievement, you would
not expect, or care. to find anywhere.
Mr.. Albert Smith, a graduate Of our
university. is principal, with Miss Florine
Hunt, graduate OF the State Normal
School, assistant in the high school work.
Rev. Mr.. Miller has charge OF the board
ing department. and Mrs. Miller of the
primary school. Provision is made for in
strumental music, the cost being fifteen
dollars {. term.
The teaching in. all departments is of
the best-it is wide-awake, intelligent
teaching. and the result is what always
waits on genuine teaching-that is. earn
est purpose and progress in work in the
pupils.
As is apt to be the case with a gem
timely good school the accommodations
at New London Academy are falling short
of the demand, and SO it's patron saint,
Major Saunders, has set his heart upon
enlargement. In responsible a call, sent
out by him, a. large gathering Of the
nciShbors was held a few days ago. The
day set for the meeting came at a time
of great stress in the belated work of
the farms, but the pressing demands OF
the crops were subordinateG to the more
vital interests of the children. Men, wo-
men, and children-for they all came
there must have been nearly four hun
dred, and a more thrifty or intelligent
company could hardly be round In all the
State. Major Saunders. who was called
to preside, made a strong and telling
speech, giving the purposes for which the
meeting was held, and then introduced
the writer OF this article as the repre-
sentative of the Southern Education
Board. The aims OF the board were SET
forth, our dependence upon education OF
the right sort for all the children was
emphasized and an earnest plea was
made for provision for manual training
in the school. strikingly good speeches
were made by Mr.. e. II. Cline, MI. T. S.
west and by Mr.. Smith. the principal OF
the Academy.
.rhe audience manifested the deepest in
trrest in measures suggested for the bet
torment OF their scnG,'l, and with hearty
, unaniniity pledged their best endeaycrs
in raising the means for charging and
STRENGTHENING its y ork. There is no ques-
ton about having tho will. and there can
hc lttIa-Iess; about their finding the way.
,rhe school has done a great work for
.he section in which 1t is situated and
= ccor the State rs we'll Besides a number
az alumni, who have reached emnence
III other vocaticns it has sent out nearly
= hundred we'll equipped teachers. And
row. free Of cost for tuition. it Is frrnisf-
inr the youth OF two counties wi5k al
vantages that bring preparation for col
lese or for Intelligent activity in business
pursuits In this secondary work it is
doing it's part in supplying one OF the
States greatest needs
What is so well done here may be done
as well in many country neighborhood
OF Virginia. know of neishborh0ods
not a few, where three, four, and in some
cases. six of even ssyen schools may
he merged into one without any neon
venience that may not be easily over.
come.
IN the way such advantages as are
found in the New London school may be
brought within reach of thousands Of our
children who. as things go {now are
getting but husks. The change may be
wrought wherever there exists fair ap-
probation OF the import lance OF education,
with a manly purpose to secure, directly
to the children. for who m it IS intended
The full benefit of the public school fund
More ard more our people are coming
tc see this. and soon we may expect to
hear mighty cry from: them.
Our State Board of Education stands
ready to encourage any movement looking
to the Strengthening OF our schools by such
Sroupfng as tt has suggested. and there