At all other periods of the year, these families will consist of young girls of delicate constitutions or poor health, to be trained to health and vigor, and at the same time to pursue a moderate course of study in the Seminary classes. These lady principals will also take charge of the Seminary classes in Domestic Science, Physiology, Animal Chemistry, Botany, and Calisthenics under direction of the Principals of the Seminary. On this plan two teachers will be supported by endowments provided by the citizens, and two by endowments provided by the Association.
The Trustees of the Seminary will control all funds given for the Primary, Preparatory, and Collegiate schools, and the Executive Committee of the Association will control the funds given for the University department. As to the probability of raising endowments, the former agent of theAssociation testifies that he was cordially welcomed to the pulpits of almost every Protestant denomination and sometimes took larger collections than were given for any other objects.
There is one reason for endowing the H. F. Seminary, little understood. Three female institutions are soon to go into operation in Massachusetts, one endowed with a million and a half, another with half a million, a third very largely provided. These will offer advantages and salaries commanding the best teachers, and the public High Schools will do the same. Thus the boarding and other pay schools not endowed, will soon lose their best teachers and take up only with a humbler class. This, and the multiplication of studies and classes, will make boarding and day schools for the wealthy class, unless endowed, very inferior to the public High schools and endowed institutions.
Many female colleges have attempted a regular course of study demanding few classes for each term, and that all pupils enter at regular periods. But not one that I know of, has raised endowments to support teachers. Not even Vassar, though provided with over half a million, has a single endowmentto support a teacher. All has been spent in expensive grounds, buildings, and furniture to draw pupils from parental watch and care.
If this half million had been devoted to providing endowments for this Seminary, some ten or twelve of the highest class of women teachers might have permanent positions and incomes.
In reference to the patronage to be expected for the health department, Dr. Dio Lewis gained very large patronage by taking charge of young girls in delicate health who thronged from every part of the nation.
I will close by giving a specimen of the applications constantly made to me from all quarters for teachers out of health. I think if it were notified in the public prints that help could be given to such applications, they would count more by thousands than by hundreds.
So much and so often have I been pained to turn away from such piteous appeals, that nothing but the hope of some day meeting such a sympathizing and influential body of friends and followers of Christ, has sustained me.
"Dear Miss Beecher:"Having read of your plans for aiding teachers in regaining health, I address you in behalf of a dear and only child. I myself was a teacher, and by intense interest and labor lost my health. My marriage afterwards was unfortunate, and ever since the birth of this child I have had to struggle alone and with poor health to support her and myself by my needle."My child is fond of study, is a graduate of one of the best public schools, and afterward attended an excellent Grammar school in N. York city. The principal told me she was the brightest in her class, and had a depth and clearness of mind unusual in her age. She was much beloved in her classes, especially by her teachers."But her studies were too severe, and for a long time she has not been able to study or do much except practice on the piano, for which she had the best of teachers, and would like to teach it when her head gets stronger. I have consulted one of the best physicians, and he says she may recover in time, that too much study is the cause of her trouble, and that she must not study at all."Dear Miss Beecher, you cannot imagine how great is my interest in your plans, and how I long to place my daughter under your care. I thought the anxieties of a mother would prove some claim on your kindness, and that you would excuse me for applying to you for advice and help. If my child could go into some christian homenear the sea-side and do light work to pay for her board, she would be willing to do so; and perhaps could teach one or two scholars in music. The poor child now feels distressed and discouraged, and I know not what to do. She is a Christian believer and a member of the church, and I hope our Heavenly Father will show us some way of help and comfort in this our low estate."
"Dear Miss Beecher:
"Having read of your plans for aiding teachers in regaining health, I address you in behalf of a dear and only child. I myself was a teacher, and by intense interest and labor lost my health. My marriage afterwards was unfortunate, and ever since the birth of this child I have had to struggle alone and with poor health to support her and myself by my needle.
"My child is fond of study, is a graduate of one of the best public schools, and afterward attended an excellent Grammar school in N. York city. The principal told me she was the brightest in her class, and had a depth and clearness of mind unusual in her age. She was much beloved in her classes, especially by her teachers.
"But her studies were too severe, and for a long time she has not been able to study or do much except practice on the piano, for which she had the best of teachers, and would like to teach it when her head gets stronger. I have consulted one of the best physicians, and he says she may recover in time, that too much study is the cause of her trouble, and that she must not study at all.
"Dear Miss Beecher, you cannot imagine how great is my interest in your plans, and how I long to place my daughter under your care. I thought the anxieties of a mother would prove some claim on your kindness, and that you would excuse me for applying to you for advice and help. If my child could go into some christian homenear the sea-side and do light work to pay for her board, she would be willing to do so; and perhaps could teach one or two scholars in music. The poor child now feels distressed and discouraged, and I know not what to do. She is a Christian believer and a member of the church, and I hope our Heavenly Father will show us some way of help and comfort in this our low estate."