Gallipolis Journal

GALLIA ACADEMY—HON. S. TOWN.
We publish from last week, by request, the communication of Salem Town, LL. D.,
with reference to the present state and future promise of our academy. No person
is more competent to speak on such a subject. Thoroughly educated himself he has
devoted his life to the education of others. He is the author of the best series of school
books ever issued from the American press, and as a teacher he was eminently successful.
We are glad that Dr. Town has visited our academy and has thus given expression to
his opinion of it as the means of educating. The trustees and citizens generally have
good cause to congratulate themselves on the favorable commencement of the institution.—
Here is the letter.
[For the Gallipolis Journal.]
Mr. Editor: Permit me through the medium of your columns, to present a few
brief remarks to your citizens, with reference to the present state and future promise of
your new academy. Having been conversant with the educational matters of our country
for many years, it gives me pleasure to notice and bear testimony to the general and steady
improvements, with the increasing facilities every where employed, for a more general
diffusion of knowledge among the masses of the people, as well as the ample provisions
made for the higher scientific attainments, mainly to be sought, by all who desire them, in
our academies and colleges. Of the former class of institutions, yours is now offering
educational advantages, which, if duly improved, cannot fail to render it the pride and
ornament of your town, and at the same time contribute largely, to the common stock of
useful knowledge among the rising generation of your own city and its vicinity.
I have visited your seminary during the past week, and witnessed the exercises in each
department, sufficiently to satisfy myself, that the organization and discipline of the school,
are judicious, and the mode of instruction well adapted to facilitate the progress of the pupil.
The teachers appear to be untiring in their efforts to impart a thorough knowledge of the
several branches under their charge, and the students, so far as my brief visits enabled me
to judge, were applying themselves with becoming industry.
The societies that meet weekly for reading original compositions, and to engage in other
literary exercises for mutual improvement, are worthy of commendation, and if continued,
under proper regulations, must result in many advantages, additional to the common
routine of daily studies.
The trustees, I think, have abundant reason to be gratified, in having secured the services
of a board of instruction so competent, so efficient and persevering, as those now employed;
and the patrons, that their children can here enjoy ample facilities for acquiring a sound
practical education, or a preparatory qualification for entering on the more responsible
duties that await them in subsequent life.
Yours, &c.,
S. TOWN.
Gallipolis, May 2, 1855.