'The new institution of which I am to be "Lady Superior" was
dedicated last Saturday. People talk to me of the good I am to
do; but the last fortnight has been so occupied in the task of
arranging many scholars of various ages and unequal training,
that I cannot yet realize this new era. * *
'The gulf is vast, wider than I could have conceived possible,
between me and my pupils; but the sight of such deplorable
ignorance, such absolute burial of the best powers, as I find
in some instances, makes me comprehend, better than before,
how such a man as Mr. Alcott could devote his life to renovate
elementary education. I have pleasant feelings when I see that
a new world has already been opened to them. * *
'Nothing of the vulgar feeling towards teachers, too often to
be observed in schools, exists towards me. The pupils seem
to reverence my tastes and opinions in all things; they are
docile, decorous, and try hard to please; they are in awe of
my displeasure, but delighted whenever permitted to associate
with me on familiar terms. As I treat them like ladies, they
are anxious to prove that they deserve to be so treated. * *
'There is room here for a great move in the cause of
education, and if I could resolve on devoting five or six
years to this school, a good work might, doubtless, be
done. Plans are becoming complete in my mind, ways and means
continually offer, and, so far as I have tried them, they
succeed. I am left almost as much at liberty as if no other
person was concerned. Some sixty scholars are more or less
under my care, and many of them begin to walk in the new paths
pointed out. General activity of mind, accuracy in processes,
constant looking for principles, and search after the good and
the beautiful, are the habits I strive to develop. * *
'I will write a short record of the last day at school. For
a week past I have given the classes in philosophy, rhetoric,
history, poetry, and moral science, short lectures on the true
objects of study, with advice as to their future course; and
to-day, after recitation, I expressed my gratification that
the minds of so many had been opened to the love of good and
beauty.
'Then came the time for last words. First, I called into the
recitation room the boys who had been under my care. They are
nearly all interesting, and have showed a chivalric feeling in
their treatment of me. People talk of women not being able to
govern boys; but I have always found it a very easy task.
He must be a coarse boy, indeed, who, when addressed in a
resolute, yet gentle manner, by a lady, will not try to merit
her esteem. These boys have always rivalled one another in
respectful behavior. I spoke a few appropriate words to each,
mentioning his peculiar errors and good deeds, mingling some
advice with more love, which will, I hope, make it remembered.
We took a sweet farewell. With the younger girls I had a
similar interview.'
'Then I summoned the elder girls, who have been my especial
charge. I reminded them of the ignorance in which some of them
were found, and showed them how all my efforts had necessarily
been directed to stimulating their minds,--leaving undone
much which, under other circumstances, would have been deemed
indispensable. I thanked them for the favorable opinion of
my government which they had so generally expressed, but
specified three instances in which I had been unjust. I
thanked them, also, for the moral beauty of their conduct,
bore witness that an appeal to conscience had never failed,
and told them of my happiness in having the faith thus
confirmed, that young persons can be best guided by addressing
their highest nature. I declared my consciousness of having
combined, not only in speech but in heart, tolerance and
delicate regard for the convictions of their parents, with
fidelity to my own, frankly uttered. I assured them of my true
friendship, proved by my never having cajoled or caressed
them into good. Every word of praise had been earned; all
my influence over them was rooted in reality; I had never
softened nor palliated their faults; I had appealed, not to
their weakness, but to their strength; I had offered to them,
always, the loftiest motives, and had made every other end
subordinate to that of spiritual growth. With a heartfelt
blessing, I dismissed them; but none stirred, and we all sat
for some moments, weeping. Then I went round the circle and
bade each, separately, farewell.'