PRAISE FOR THE MALE ACADEMY, 1835.
Mr. Editor,—To encourage, in every suitable way, the Southern Institutions of learning, is most certainly the duty of every citizen of the South.
With this view, I lately, as a visitor, attended the examination of the pupils in the male department of the Raleigh Academy, now under the superintendence of Messrs. JOHNSON and HAYWOOD; the results of which satisfied me that this Insttiution deserves high commendation and is pre-eminently entitled to the confidence and patronage of this community.
After listening attentively for two days (most of which time I was present) to a very critical examination, in the varous branches of English education, as well as the Latin and Greek Languages, I must acknowledge, that I never at any Literary Seminary, witnessed more striking proofs of rapid and useful efficiency in the pupils.
The exercises did not appear to be conducted, as is too often the case, as if the design were merely external show, but rather to exhibit the real proficiency each pupil had made in the different branches of education. •
We apprehend that no person, who rejoices in the progress of learning and wide diffusion of general information, could have failed to be edified.
To see young boys, not more than ten or twelve years of age, before the Black Board, solving statements in "interest" & "The Rule of Three," with the readiness and accuracy of a skillful accountant, was what I had never before seen; nor, indeed, had I not witnessed it at the present examination, could I have believed it possible.
The students, we thought, appeared quite as well in their examination on the other English branches, and in the dead languages, as in Arithmetic.
On Tuesday evening, the exhibition of the pupils in the public speaking took place. —We expected on this occasion, to be agreeably entertained, but the exercises were far beyond what we had anticipated. The young gentlemen acquitted themselves with great credit. The pieces were judiciously selected, well committed, delivered eloquently, and with pleasing effect. The whole examination, in our opinion, was of a character calculated to reflect the highest credit on the industry of the students, and the talents and skill of the Instructors. We doubt not the community will still continue to patronize and sustain the Institution.
—The Star, Thursday, December 17, 1835.
(Source: North Carolina Schools and Academies, 1790-1840, By Charles L. Coon 1914)
