Gazette Of The United States

FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Address of a young Lady of fifteen, on her leaving the Academy at
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1790.

placed here.—The days appointed by him, for the completion
of my education, are numbered and finished.

With a heart, overflowing with the tenderest emotions, I now
rise to bid a long farewell to a neighborhood, from whom I have
experienced the most constant and friendly offices: To a society,
who have as constantly covered all my faults with the mantle of
love, as they have, with a friendly partiality, encouraged my progress,
by magnifying my few improvements—to take a most respectful
and dutiful leave of Teachers, from whom I have experienced
every attention, and every useful; to bid a fond adieu to
companions, to whom I feel myself bound with the strongest
cords of love and esteem.

In taking leave of this peaceable, happy society, I beg they
would believe me truly grateful for their many pledges of affection;
and fully sensible of the advantages I have enjoyed, in having
my youth formed by such examples of domestic economy—
purity of morals, and reverence for religion.

In taking leave of you, my lovely and dear companions, I am
supported by the pleasing reflection, that the hill of science you
are now ascending, presents prospects the most happily calculated
to alleviate a separation from your relations and homes; and that
the road is planted with every flower, which, perhaps, it is possible
for academic ground to nurture. I speak from experience,
having preceded you in these rural scenes and scientific walks.

Could I give form to fancy, or embody thought, each of you
would be delighted with the picture my three years study here
has impressed on my mind.

My lovely companions! If life be the bounty of heaven, to enjoy
it rationally, is certainly the first happiness of humanity; to
observe it with a virtuous delicacy, the peculiar felicity of our
sex. We are not here nurtured to ride the
whirlwind of thoughtless dissipation. But in these calm retreats
we are taught lessons which dignify the character of our
sex—entitle us to respect in society—and, if duly attended to, will
have a happy influence in rendering us accomplished and agreeable
companions.

Separated we soon shall be, by returning to our several homes;
yet, by indulging a retrospect of the sciences we have here studied
together—of the pleasure we have experienced in the company
of each other; and the friendships we have here contracted and
cemented—shall we not daily meet in this asylum of peace and
innocence? Wherever accident or circumstances may place us, I
doubt not, but it will be our daily petition, that the persons of
those whose time has been so sacredly devoted for our benefit,
may forever be encircled with the rays of a divine benediction;
and, that into a source whence we have derived so many advantages,
a constant tide of peace, success and happiness, may forever
roll.

Amiable and beloved Tutorees! With what language shall I
attempt to describe the gratitude, with which my rising bosom
glows for all your tenderness and all your care? Were I an orator,
and able to ascend the highest ladder of eloquence, I should
there need an Adam to give names to sensations which no language
can now express.—If I have not improved, it cannot be
charged to your neglect.—Should your partiality for me, suppose
me bordering on an accomplishment, it is but a small return for
your unremitted attentions.

It is not necessary I should bring these, my lovely companions,
in the arms of the love and friendship I feel for them, and present
them to your care—they are already infolded in the bosom of
our tenderest affections. Could the personal virtues of teachers
ensure them success, there would not be one in this lovely circle
but would answer the expectations, and even the most sanguine
wishes, of those who have sent them here for an education.—These
are not compliments lavished by vanity; but truths extorted by
the justice due your characters as teachers.

If to form the tender mind to virtue, to science and usefulness,
be of the first consequence in society, what praise is due him, who,
with such impartiality, abilities and attention, presides in this
large, and increasing Academy?

Partial as I am, Rev. Sir, to this mode of education: warm as
my bosom glows with respect and gratitude for your paternal and
unceasing care for my improvements, I have not risen to disgust
you with a catalogue of commendations, of which, few of your
acquaintance—none of this society, can be ignorant. That respect
you have taught me to entertain, for the most virtuous and decorous,
I feel for you.—The useful and moral precepts I have so often
received from you, I will endeavor to carry with me into the
world, and hope I may be able to improve upon them as I advance
in life. Whilst the finger of science, so evidently points to
this innocent sublime retreat for the education of our sex, may no
demon of discord be permitted to enter these peaceful groves.

May the roots of this tree of knowledge of good only, you are directing
our feeble sex to approach, be forever supported and enriched
by the unshaken soil of virtue, and its branches continually
encircled by the rainbow of refined and useful science.

To the late Director of this infant Academy, and his amiable
lady, a tribute is due which I will not sully by attempting to describe.—Their places being so agreeably, and respectably filled,
does not lessen our love and esteem for them, or with us, eclipse a
ray of the purity with which their characters forever shone. Had
not an important demand in the church called them to a more elevated
situation, pleasing would it have been to this Academy could
they have continued a charge, for which nature and education had
so happily formed them. The winds, on whose wings our sobs
were wafted to Lititz, and the Lehigh with whose waters our tears
were mingled, can witness to the grief and reluctance with which
we bade them the last adieu. Their friendly images are too deeply
engraved upon the tablet of our hearts for time to erase.—May
the gentle breath of peace forever attend them!

I have now arrived at the most distressing scene, circumstances
have ever forced me to endure. —

The curtain of separation is now drawing

I must bid you a long—perhaps with some of you it will
be an eternal adieu.

May our separating not break or weaken,
but extend and strengthen the cords of love and friendship
with which we have here been bound.—

To your own breasts,

my beloved and dear friends I appeal for a description of the sensations
with which my bosom is now agitated.

With the sincerity of a friend—the duty of a child—and
love of a sister I bid you all a final adieu!