A SKETCH OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 519 



Branches, and Painting ; Miss A. A. Schroder, Wax Works ; Miss S. 

 Katie Smeltzer, Organist ; Mrs. A. E. Smeltzer, Matron. 



WILLIAMSTON FEMALE COLLEGE. 



At the beginning of the year 1872, Rev. S. Lander, of the Methodist 

 Episcopal Church South, with the co-operation of the citizens of Wil- 

 liamston, in Anderson County, determined to open " a school of high 

 grade for the education of girls." A building formerly used as the Wil- 

 liamston Springs hotel was rented, and on the 12th February, 1872, the 

 school was opened, with forty pupils. So great was its promise that dur- 

 ing the fall season a joint stock company was formed, which purchased 

 the building, and organized a permanent institution. In December, 

 1872, it was proposed to place the college under control of Conference, 

 but as the Methodist Female College was about to be re-opened, in Co- 

 lumbia, the compan}^ deemed it best to preserve this as a non-sectarian 

 institution. A vote of nine-tenths of the stock is now required to place it 

 ungler the control of any denomination. 



Increasing patronage caused the erection of additional accommodations 

 in 1873, 1874 and 1875. The standard has been also raised from time to 

 time, with beneficial results. Attendance has been steadily increasing, 

 the catalogue of 1882 showing a list of 138 students. 



PECULIAR FEATURES. 



Several new features have been introduced into the management and 

 curriculum of this college, for which the President claims the sanction, 

 not only of theory, but of practical success. These '' innovations " de- 

 serve special mention. 



SEMI-ANNUAL SESSIONS. 



The year is divided into two sessions of twenty weeks, each sub-divided 

 into four sections of five weeks, and followed by a vacation of six weeks. 



New classes are organized each session, instead of only once a year. 

 This ensures better classification, and allows each pupil to find her level. 



TUITIONAL PREMIUMS. 



Instead of offering " prizes " for excellence, the college makes deduc- 

 tions from the regular tuition fees as follows : for an average of from 80 

 to 85 per cent., a discount of ten per cent. ; for an average of from 85 to 



