Clippings From the Seminary Notes Printed in Mt. Carroll Papers.
Mrs. Edith Kenny Ball writes from Maryville, Cal., asking for Seminary news.
Mrs. Ara Ingalls Morgan is enlarging her business and has sent out cards with "Purchasing Agent Gowns" and her address, 663 West Adams street, Chicago.
The members of the Library Committee connected with the Seminary have been making additions to our library, and we hope they may be able to continue in this good work.
Miss Flora Whitmore writes: "Scarcely a day passes that I do not think of my pleasant year with you at Mt. Carroll." Miss Whitmore is expecting to prepare herself for a Kindergarten teacher.
Miss Joy has received letters from a Teacher's Bureau asking for names of teachers. She has sent several and some of the students are now corresponding in reference to positions that seem very desirable.
One of the Seminary Alumnae applying for a young friend she wishes to have enter the Seminary, says: "As grow older I realize more and more fully how much the two years spent at the Mt. Carroll Seminary has meant in my life."
Dr. Shimer has received a copy of the "Dental and Surgical Microsm," edited by S. J. Hayes, D.D. S. M. S. A., and Mrs. F. R. Hayes, A. M. Mrs. Hayes will be remembered as Miss Redington, formerly preceptress at the Seminary.
Miss Elizabeth Roggy, one of our alumnae, who has been in attendance upon the University of Chicago this year is to spend the summer, or a part of it at least, at Chautauqua. Miss Roggy has prepared herself especially as teacher of Latin.
Another of the Alumnae, a bright teacher in one of the leading cities of our State says: "I do not think that I should ever have thought of life and of teaching in just the way I do, had it not been for the spirit of truth which pervades the Seminary life."
We are gratified to learn that a Chicago art critic highly approves of the art course in the Mt. Carroll Seminary, as shown in the excellent preparation of Miss Bawden for advanced work. Miss Bawden is now in the Art Institute and is making excellent progress.
Miss Brownlee is studying vocal music with Mr. Wheeler, one of the leading teachers of vocal music in Chicago. He speaks highly of her and is kind enough to say that all of Mrs. Hazzen's pupils come to him in good condition for study. There is nothing to undo.
One of our present patrons writes, "My husband and I both studied in our State University and my own experience has made me forever in favor of young ladies' schools. Girls cannot go to school and keep up society without seriously impairing their health."
Mrs. Emily Seamans Winans writes cheerily from her home in Waukesha and sends words of kind remembrance to the friends of other days. George Winans (now Captain Winans) and Emily Seamans were among the students of the early days and will be pleasantly remembered by a number of our citizens.
Miss Alice Lichty seems to be admirably adapted to her present situation. She is in charge of the Music Department in Ewing College and has become thoroughly identified with the institution and in full sympathy with its work. The school is having a prosperous year and Miss Lichty's class, with other duties, fills her time full.
The Art Club organized by Miss Sherwood, most enthusiastically supported by Miss V. Hurley, held a meeting in the Baptist Church parlors Thursday afternoon. It speaks well for our little city, that it has literary, music and art clubs to help in the culture of the place and that it has sustained so well a course of University extension lectures.
A student of other days says: "As the time draws near, I so much wish I could be with my friends at the Seminary during commencement week. I wish, as many others have said, that I could tell you how much I feel my indebtedness to you for that year of helpfulness spent at the Seminary. I remember it as one of the most pleasant of a lifetime."
Mrs. L. Carter Downer is with us for a few days. She will be remembered by some as one who spent a year in Mt. Carroll, relieving Miss Joy so that she might have leisure for resting and for visiting schools in the East. Mrs. Downer's home is in Urbana, Ohio, and she is well and favorably known throughout the State as an educator and as State Secretary of the Women's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society.
In reporting the meeting of the County Institute one of our town papers says: "The afternoon session was opened with music, Miss Hood, of Lanark, presiding. Miss Armoret Alford, of Milledgeville, presented a paper on "Delsarte," followed by a lecture and dissection of a specimen of the Felis Domestica, by Miss M. Gordon, of the Mt. Carroll Seminary. This was one of the most interesting exercises of the day."
The Seminary itself, with its commodious, well-furnished buildings; its spacious grounds, magnificent shade trees, and tennis and croquet grounds, make it one of the most desirable homes to be found. From the bountifully supplied tables to the pleasant library—all is homelike. And a stranger cannot but be impressed with the spirit of generosity afloat, when he sees the great baskets of fresh grapes and apples always at the disposal of the students.
The eleventh, the school's birthday, was merrily celebrated this year. It had been planned to have tea on the lawn, but the cold drove all back to the house for the supper carefully prepared by the housekeeper, Miss Sweeting. The Juniors gave a reception in the evening in honor of the Seniors. Music, flowers, cake and cream were furnished the guests. The Sophomores, with friends and a group of younger students, had their own fun in schoolgirl fashion.
This year the students represent ten states of the Union, reaching from Florida and West Virginia on the south, to the Dakotas on the north. An important feature of this school is home life—a life rarely found in boarding schools. The situation is admirable. Nature has done wonders for Mt. Carroll. The quiet little town with its picturesque hills and valleys, its handsome residences, its sweetness and purity, make it a suitable home for a school of this kind.
The Journal and Messenger, of October 25, Cincinnati, has a brief article on the Mt. Carroll Seminary, in which we find the following : "But what is especially attractive about Mt. Carroll is the home surroundings. It is beautifully situated in a picturesque, healthful little town from which it takes its name." Study is conducted under the most healthful influences and the welfare of the students is a constant care with teachers. They endeavor to have these under their care become noble examples of womanhood. A cultured mind and a Christian heart are sought for.
