The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-22

The school has had a great history, and it's graduates have not only strengthened the faculties of many colleges in America, but have been pioneers of education in Turkey, Per sia, China, Japan and other faraway lands.
 But my purpose in calling attention to this splendid institution for the higher education of young women, is to correct some facts of history as stated by MT. Curtis. The honor of being the mother of female colleges in America does not belong to Mount Holyoke. as MT. Curtis contends, but to Elizabeth Female academy at Washing ton, Miss. This southern institution antedated the one in the Connecticut valley by many years. and wrought a work that largely affected the social and intellectual life of the early south west.
 MT. Curtis says: Mount HolyolSe col lege-it was called a seminary till 1905-was the first institution ever es- tablished to offer higher education to young women, and tablet to Mary Lyon, it's founder was recently placed in the Hall of Fame at the College of the City of New York, between those of Emma Willard of Troy another pion- ger and progressive educator, and Maria Mitchell. the astronomer"
 And further on, quoting from the biograp phy of Miss Lyon, written by President Hitchcock of Amhurst college, he states that in 1924 she left school at Sh elburne Falls, where she had been teaching. and entered Amherst to study chemistry. She raised the funds for the esta blishment of Mt. Holyoke sem mary in 1856 by personal solicitation, collecting s27 900 from 1910 subscribers. The fact is also stated that the semi nary had q curriculum far in advance of the educational course offered to women-that it included among other studies, logic. moral philosophy and "the natural sciences taught according to laboratory method" Candidates for admission were required to pass eX- amina tions in arithmetic, geography, history. English grammar and especial Iy Watts on the Iliad." The seminary opened it's doors in 1S37 with faculty which consisted of a principal, an as- sociate principal, two teachers and three student assistants.
 Now, as to the truth of history: The Elizabeth Female academy, located at Washington, Miss, six miles east of Natchez, was named for Mrs. Elizabeth Roach, who donated the grounds and buildings. and opened it's doors to pupils November F, 1878, under the presidency of Chilean r. Stiles, with Mrs. Jane B. Sanderson as lady principal. The institu- ton was chartered by an act of the Mis- sissipp Legislature, approved February +. 1Sl9 when David Holmes was governor of the young state. So thus, according to the almanac, the lizabeth Female aca- demy antedates the Mount Holyoke Fe- male seminary just 19 years-from 1918 to 1S37
 As to the educational standards adopted. all catalogues and early advertisements. indicate that the academy anticipated by many years the ordinary demands of that day. 1 quote from the first catalogue as follows:
 Academic Department-Course of Study The studies of the senior class are: First session. Chemistry, natural philosophy, moral philosophy. botany, Latin, Esops fables sacred history, vlri Romance H. lustrates.
 Second ession-Intellectual philosophy Evidences of Christianity, mythology, general history Latin, Caesars Bella Galica.
 In 1925 Mrs. Caroline NJ Thayer. edu- cated in Boston, and niece Of General Warren, the hero of Bunker Hlll. became the lady principal. She was woman of rare accomplishments, an authoress of some distinction. and had genious for administrations She was connected with the school from l625 to 1854 At the com mencement of 1929 the board of visitors. which consisted of such disting ushed men as Robert l.. Walker J. r II. Clai- borne and Dr. J W. Monette. made a report in which they say: Such honor able proof of female literary and scien- tific requirements has seldom been ex- hibited in this or any other country" And referring to the distinguished lady prin- clpal add these words: "The literary and scientific character of the governess. Mrs. Thayer. is too wel-known to admit of com mendaton from us.
 So that in literary standard and high educational aims the school Missis- sippis little territorial capital was not behind the New England institution that Is still center of wholesome intellectual and spiritual life under the shades Of