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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[November 



fore the close of the session, nearly two hun- 

 dred pupils had been entered. 



The Faculty was large and of unquestioned 

 ability; the Course of Study was extensive 

 and complete ; and the number of matriculates 

 unexpectedly great. The enterprise sprang 

 forth in full-grown strength. By its system 

 of independent schools, it was able to send out 

 the very first year, a number of young ladies, 

 previously well trained by others, as its grad- 

 uates, and by the success and brilliancy of its 

 Commencement, to attract wider notice and 

 win increased favor. The next year a still 

 larger number of pupils were in attendance, 

 and up to the present time, the average for the 

 six years of its existence has been somewhat 

 over two hundred matriculates. 



In its literary aspect, the Institute has been 

 eminently successful. While but few young 

 ladies (only four) have been able to complete 

 fully its extensive course, yet many, very 

 many, have left its walls with a degree of 

 mental and moral training, that, whether in 

 the social circle or in the school room, must 

 do honor to their Alma Mater and widen her 

 beneficent influence. Nor can it be questioned 

 that indirectly also, in its effect upon other 

 schools, whether previously existing or estab- 

 lished more recently, it has done much to ele- 

 vate the standard of female education, both in 

 Virginia and elsewhere. 



As a pecuniary investment, like many other 

 joint-stock enterprises, it has not met the ex- 

 pectations of some of its founders. The sum 

 expended (about $70,000) being much larger 

 than was anticipated, a balance of debt was 

 left to stand in the way of present dividends. 

 We have little apprehension of pecuniary em- 

 barrassment. Noble men, with liberal minds 

 and ample fortunes, have done much for its 

 origination and support, and we feel assured 

 that they are ready to do yet more when more 

 shall need to be done. And yet we could wish 

 to see the money making idea wholly dissoci- 

 ated from the enterprise. The yearly income 

 might then be devoted by the stockholders to 

 the promotion of its enlarged usefulness, an 

 endowment fund added if necessary and the 

 Institute placed fully upon the broad basis of 

 our male Colleges. 



A .brief reference to the Course of Study, 

 is all our limits will allow further. The plan 

 is unusually comprehensive. It proposes to 

 begin at the beginning, with the elements, 

 and to include and exhaust, as far as practi- 

 cable, every branch which should enter into a 

 young lady's education. There are three de- 

 partments, designated respectively as Prepa- 

 ratory, Collegiate, and Ornamental ; each hav- 

 ing its distinct officers, while all unite and 

 harmonize under the direction and supervision 

 of the President. 



The first of these, whose name sufficiently 

 describes it, occupies three or four rooms apart 

 from the rest in the lower story of the build. I 



ing, and is in charge of several ladies who 

 give it their exclusive attention. 



The second — the Collegiate — occupies the 

 first floor, with its large Study Hall and six 

 or seven recitation rooms. The studies of this 

 department are divided into seven distinct 

 "schools" after the plan, somewhat modified, 

 of the University of Virginia. These are: 1. 

 English Language and Literature; 2. An- 

 cient Languages; 3. Modern Languages; 4. 

 Mathematics ; 5. Natural Sciences ; 6. Moral 

 Philosophy ; 7. History and Political Economy. 



Concurrently with this division, however, 

 a partial arrangement into classes is likewise 

 maintained, in the belief that a union of the 

 two plans is better than either alone. 



Instruction in this department is given by 

 male Professors mainly, with two or three 

 ladies in the lower classes. 



The Musical and Ornamental department 

 has also a full corps of teachers, and embra- 

 ces all the branches usually included under 

 that head. 



The Institute is now under the Presidency 

 of Mr. Charles H. Winston, who was appoint- 

 ed to that post at the beginning of the last 

 session. It is gratifying to observe the indi- 

 cations of progressive usefulness and enlarged 

 success which it affords. With the prestige of 

 the past, and the encouraging propects of the 

 present, we can confidently predict for it a 

 brilliant future, which shall claim a yet bright- 

 er page in the annals of female education. 



What may be Learned from a Tree. 



[The following article is extracted from 

 a very interesting book from the press of D. 

 Appleton & Co., by Harlan d Coultas, author 

 of " Organic Life the Same in Animals as 

 in Plants, &c., &c." It is entitled 8 What 

 may be Learned from a Tree," and will 

 prove a rich treat to the reader who has a 

 taste for deducing moral lessons from natural 

 science — who 



" Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, 

 Sermons in stones, and good in every thing."] 



And now, reader, imagine yourself seated 

 with me beneath the shade of some grand 

 and glorious old tree. I am going to let 

 you into the secret of a few bright, guiding 

 thoughts, which cheer me along through 

 life. Spring has covered this tree with 

 another generation of bright, green leaves, 

 all of which are at work on its fabric, and 

 usefully employed. They will soon pass 

 away, and others will take their place, for 

 Nature knows no backward movements. 

 How many such generations of leaves have 

 already expended life in building up this 

 tree! 



