Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

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4 THE AUGUSTA SEMINARY ANNUAL. Stopford Brooke ' s Literature Primer next engaged our at- tention, the progress of the language and of English prose and poetry until the time of Chaucer being carefully studied and S3 stematically reduced to tables. Several weeks were then spent in the company of Chaucer ' s pilgrims in ihe Can- terbury Tales, the Prologue being recited, while the various Tales were read as outside work. The elements of Chau- cer ' s poetry, his love of nature, his portraj al of the manners of the da3 and his representations of men and women were made points of particular notice during our reading, and afterwards were brought out in compositions on the various topics. An essaj on the Canterbiuy Tales completed our study. After a brief sketch of the interven- ing literature, Spe7iser ' s Faerie Queeiie was closely survei ' ed, the spiritual and historical allegories being carefully out- lined, while all references to his own times and to chivalry were dwelt upon, and his use of Biblical and mythological allusions, superstitions, and his peculiar versification held our attention. An essay, the theme of which was one of the subjects noted above, finished our study. The study of Shakspeare ' s play oi Richard III. was our next class work, the story being carefully recited. The three parts of Henry VI. and Bukver ' s Last of the Barons were read for the further development of the characters, while the historj of the Queens involved in the play was read from Miss Strickland ' s Queens of England, the chief points being given in class by the various girls. Other authorities were read, all increasing the interest in the different characters. A comprehensive review includes points upon Shakspeare ' s creations and his dramatic power, the development of his various characters, together with essays on the Two Little Princes and the Poet ' s Use of Foreshadowing and Irony. At the time our paper is sent to the press, w e are beginning Paradise Lost, which with a brief outline of the literature as far as the Restoration , brings us to the beginning of the second year ' s course. Lizzie D. Hanger.

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THE AUGUSTA SEMINARY ANNUAL. 3 Literature Course, 1891. (RIRSX YEAR.) T HE WORK OF OUR CLASS, though comprehen- -■- sive and at times requiring close study, has been so interesting that we cannot connect with the study of our daily lessons the dull school hours, which school girls some times speak of when the} ' have disagreeable tasks. The first three months of school were occupied with Welsh ' s Coiuplcte Rhetoric, an outline of each chapter being considered a part of the daily lesson; frequent short compo- sitions were written to illustrate the various principles learned from our text book, while at the same time themes were assigned, the preparation for which required much reading and thoughtful consideration. Various subjects from Te7iny son ' s Idyls of the King aroused our interest in the early Keltic stories. Then we gave all our thoughts to the Anglo-Saxons, reading in connection with the class work Harold and Hcreivard from which materials were gathered for the essaj s on various phases of life among the Anglo- Saxons. The Anglo-Saxon language, the language of our forefathers, came next in the regular course. We read from SweeV s Primer xzxxoViS selections firom Alfric ' s Lives of the Saints, translations of the Bible, and the Old Chronicle. Dr. Morris ' Eleineyitary Lesso7is in Historical English Gram- mar, in connection with the Anglo-Saxon, gave us a new knowledge of our mother-tongue, while OliphanVs Old a?id Middle English and SkeaCs Etymological Dictionary excited the deepest interest in investigating the origin of many of our common English words; we now made our own happy discoveries and noted the derivations and rela- tions of many words. A general review of our study was confined to a thesis (for so we liked to call our little books) upon the Anglo-Saxon language, in these theses all points of interest and importance being dwelt upon. Their length was somewhat inordinate, but I am sure no one can look back with anything but pleasure upon the hours spent in compiling our history of the language.

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THE AUGUSTA SEMINARY ANNUAL. 6 LiterattJire Course, 1891. (Second Vear.) A COURSE OE LITERATURE in some Schools may mean a slight course of reading, the knowledge of a list of names of writers and their works, and a small ac- quaintance with Shakespeare, Milton, and a few other celeb- rities. The first week ' s experience at the A. F. S. proves that such is not the case here; and I think all who read of what we have done, or have tried to do, since last Septem- ber, will believe that our work is serious. Bacon first, was placed before us, and tried the mettle of every girl. Some found the contest was unequal and went back into the Junior class. Whoever has tried to understand ' ' The Advancemeyit of Leanmig , ' ' W sympathize with us in the terrors of our wrestle; by the help of various well known school girl devices for sharpening the wits, after several weeks of hard fighting, we triumphed, and felt ourselves conquering heroes. We turned wath lighter hearts to our next work, and began to feel a little confidence in our tested powers. We now studied Burke ' s Speech to the Electors of Bristol. Burke divides his subject into lour parts, taking up in turn the tour charges made against him: 1st. Neglect of his con- stituents. 2nd. His conduct in the affairs of the First Irish Trade Laws. 3rd. His opinion and mode of proceeding on Lord Beauchamp ' s Debtor ' s Bills. 4th. His votes on the late affairs with the Roman Catholics. This speech excitedin us a deep interest in the affairs of Ireland, in the laws against debtors, and the laws against the Roman Catholics. This awakened interest was further stimulated by the prepara- tion of essays on the following subjects, assigned to the different members of the class. Irish Legends and Superstitions ; St. Patrick and the Early Church ; Poetry Illustrating Irish Patriotism; The Irish Orators, Curran and Gratton; Home Rule in Ireland;