poses, and to use all proper means to promote "the desire and appreciation of education among the people." They are intended to be preachers of the faith! With them lies the responsibility. Have they done their duty in the past? What ought they to do now? I reply: If enemies have arisen, grapple with them. If adverse statistics are produced, let them be searched and answered. If the people have forgotten the argument, reproduce it everywhere. If they are simply lethargic, "cry aloud and spare not." You have the State at your back and belong to a powerful corps of fellow workers. This day there is an army of over 10,000 men and women in Virginia organized for the work, not only of teaching children, but of enforcing the law, and of promoting the educational spirit. At the head stands the commander in chief, chosen, theoretically at least, for his special fitness for this great command, and with his Board of Education, armed with a legal and moral power far greater than has ever before been entrusted to a State authority. Under him is an army of over 1,500 school trustees and nearly 9,000 school teachers-picked men and women-distributed in every city, town, county and magisterial district; and so completely organized that an order from headquarters will speedily reach every one of the 10,000 and command attention. What mighty power is here! Who can doubt its ability, if vigorously handled, to accomplish the beneficent end for which it was created! And if it is not pushing forward the cause, must there not be weakness some where?

I claim no right, Mr. Round, to make such remarks, more than is possessed by every citizen of the Commonwealth; and I beg that I may not be understood as making any personal reference. This is my last testimony in behalf of our public school system. Happily I have the opportunity to utter it where there is nothing to condemn, and everything to praise.

Very truly,

W. H. RUFfner.

Lynchburg's Art Loan Exhibition.

BY MRS. ORRA LANGHORNE.

The very interesting and instructive Art Loan Exhibition recently held in Lynchburg gave abundant proof of the popularity of the public school system among our people.

When Mr. Glass, the energetic and progressive Superintendent of Schools, gave notice of his desire to procure funds for a library for the High School there was a prompt and vigorous response from citizens of all classes. As soon as the Art Loan Exhibit was decided upon and a committee

appointed to collect works of art, heirlooms, and curios of all kinds, the work began in earnest. The exhibition was held in the beautiful new High School building, recently completed at a cost of $24,000, which is a great ornament to the city.

Houses were overhauled from garret to cellar, and parlors dismantled. Everybody's grandfather and grandmother were taken down from walls, were they had been hanging since the originals instinct with life had sat to have "the counterfeit presentment secured." presentment secured." Libraries were ransacked for ancient volumes which had been handed down from generations of long ago. Priceless heirlooms, evidences of brave souls, who had fought in foreign wars and in the evil days of civil strife, were brought forth to aid in this work "which makes for peace" in the cultivation of mind and heart.

The result was a collection so full interest that those best acquainted with the resources of the city on the James were astonished. The exhibition was kept open by day, and until 10 P. M. for a week, the ladies of the community giving their services freely to aid the teachers in their task of displaying and explaining the various depart

ments.

A handsome collection of engravings and carbons was sent from New York, and occupied one of the spacious and well-lighted recitation rooms. This department was several times entrusted to young girls from the High School, who received visitors gracefully, giving all information desired cheerfully and intelligently.

Another room was devoted to the display of "Home Talent," and contained specimens of work from the city schools,-many of them very creditable to both the pupils and instructors. In addition to the student work were some excellent pictures in oil and water colors executed by residents of the city, some of whom had studied abroad.

Twelve pictures exhibited by Miss Louise Smith, of Fanquier county, now art instructor at the Randolph-Macon Woman's College, in this city, attracted much attention. Miss Smith studied for five years in Paris, adding the advantages of travel and familiarity with famous works of art to her native talent. Her paintings are landscapes, studies in charcoal, and a portrait exhibited at Paris Salon of 1897.

Among the studies sent from New York, which comprised many copies of the works of great artists, portraits, classic scenes, and beautiful representations of childhood, nothing was more impressive than the group of Hebrew prophets. It is quite safe to say to the ordinary Bible reader

this picture was startling. Probably not one in the hundred who have been accustomed from their earliest years to hearing the noble, inspiring, poetic or pathetic utterances of the prophets of Israel ever thought of them as represented in this group. If called on to describe the appearance of Moses or Isaiah the American student would doubtless depict a venerable figure in flowing robes, with majestic mein and benignant countenance, surrounded by silvery locks. The artist of this remarkable picture had evidently studied his subject in oriental lands, and had been able to secure models for his figures from the race which gave to the world the Hebrew scriptures in the land of their birth. Adapting himself to the times of the ancient prophets, his models, arranged in the costumes in which the passing centuries have seen no change, he depicted them as they lived and moved and had their being." Believing themselves endowed with supernatural power to call down the wrath of heaven upon offending nations, or stay the hand of the God of vengeance when about to destroy the faithless children of the chosen race, they assume the attitude of fierce denunciatlon or passionate supplication. It is a relief to turn from the weird and awsome assembly of ancient seers to the lovely representations of the gentle Christ, as in the beauty and innocence of childhood he clings to the Virgin's breast, or illuminated with divine intelligence he stands among the doctors in the temple.

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in these latter days, in its cruel and reckless methods, from its manner of execution when originated. In "Thorus in the Flesh," by Captain N. I. Floyd, a Lynchburg author, who knew whereof he spoke, is given a full account of the foundation and administration of "Lynch Law” in the disorderly condition of society following the Revolutiou.

The Otey family were well represented by portraits of the father of several Confederate officers, and his sons, one of them Hon. Peter J. Otey, now member of Congress from this district.

Another Р ortrait of interest was that of "Jimmy Steptoe," the clerk of Bedford county for more than fifty years. The original is one of the characters mentioned in the scene so vividly described in Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, when the unfortunate loyalist Johany Hook was the victim of the great orator's eloquent invective. Portraits of several of Mr. Steptoe's descendants were shown, among them Colonel Edward Steptoe of the United States army in ante-bellum days, and Colonel Maurice M. Langhorne of the Confederate States army, Dr. Daniel Tompkins, Dr. Henry Latham, and Drs. William and Otway Owen, the latter, assistant-surgeon general of the Confederacy, and like his father, famous in his line, appears among the "beloved physicians" whose memory is cherished by Lynchburgers.

Several exquisite portraits of Lynchburg ladies in the bloom and beauty of early womanhood, delighted the eyes of all who gazed upon them.

The families of Mrs. Nannie Pollard and Mrs. Lucy Otey Walker, the originals of two of these portraits, possess treasures equal to anything the brush of artist has preserved.

Very interesting also were portraits of Virginia matrons of the early days. "Lady Wyatt," Mrs. Norvell, whose picture was marked "Colonial Dame of 1776"; the beautiful Champ Carter, daughter of King Carter; Mrs. John M. Otey,

and others, whose descendants, many of them occupying distinguished positions, are scattered over Virginia and many other States.

Wonderfully preserved were the miniature portraits, 300 years old, of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick, ancestors of Major Thomas I. Kirkpatrick, one of the noblest products of the Scotch-Irish race planted on Virginia soil.

The collection of miniatures, many of them possessing great artistic value, besides being highly prized as heirlooms, was large and most interesting. Among these was an original picture of Napoleon, given by one of the Bonaparte family of the second empire to the famous actress Ristori, and by her to a friend who came to live

in Virginia, and gave the miniature to Mr. D. Lee Powell, of Richmond.

It was extremely gratifying, as well as encouraging to beginners in art, to see the collection of work done by Virginia artists, who have attained wide celebrity. Notable among these was the admirable life-size portrait of Cardinal Gibbons, by Fisher, with other fine pictures from his brush. A number of beautiful pictures, family portraits, copies of famous artists and original designs by Hubard, who spent many years in 'study abroad, attracted great attention and admiration.

Gen. S. S. Munford, one of the ex-Confederate officers residing here, kindly loaned for the exhibition the exquisite series of pictures attributed to Sir Joshua Reynolds, brought from England by Lord Baltimore and by him presented to his friend, Governor Ogle, of Maryland, ancestor of Mrs. Munford. The four pictures, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are most admirably represented by blooming maidens, sturdy manhood and feeble age.

[CONTINUED.]

Correspondence.

The Ruffner Celebration.

MANASSAS, Va., January 1, 1900. "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." July 21, 1861 Manassas was the storm-center of the greatest civil conflict of history. Just eleven years from the eve of that desperate opening battle, on July 20, 1872 an ex-Confederate soldier born and reared on these plains, and then a carpenter and contractor, raised the framework of a public free school house, the first built under the new school-law in this historic town. It was the good fortune of the undersigned, then a school trustee and formerly for four years a Union soldier, to have designed the building and to have direction of its erection. It was in some way one of the results of the great conflict referred to, and one of the few results which nearly all participators in that internecine strife now regard as fortunate.

The school law required that all our schools should be numbered and named and the undersigned had the pleasure of presenting a motion before the school board, whereby the school became known as

RUFFNER SCHOOL, No. 1.

The first Superintendent of Public Instruction said in his first annual report (page 5) that the first schools under the new School Law were opened in November, 1870. This is of course true,

but it is, I hope, with a justifiable pride that I state that I had a part in opening one year previous to that date-viz., November, 1869-a free school for white children and another for colored. Those persons interested will find, by reference to page 420, of the Code of 1860, that it was the duty of the County Court to appoint annually a superintendent of schools for the county. As the people had adopted the Constitution establishing public free schools, at the election held July 6, 1869, I suggested to the County Court the performance of that duty, so that if possible schools might be started in anticipation of the new law. There were then no funds whatever to support the schools, and of course none to pay the Superintendent and School Commissioners, as the old officials were known. The court could find no one to accept the office. In that state of affairs the Presiding Justice said that if I would accept the appointment the court would appoint me, and I could make the attempt. I accepted, and wrote to the authorities then in power at Richmond, and ascertained definitely that no money could be obtained from that source, except small amounts from the Freedmen's Bureau for colored schools. I succeeded, however, in getting $300 from Dr. B. Sears, General Agent for the Peabody Fund, $114.73 from private donations from the North, and private subscriptions from our own citizens of $350; also funds for colored schools from the Society of Friends in Philadelphia. The latter contributions were continued for five years after the public school law went into effect, and the Peabody Fund, which was mostly used for the white school, was continued for three years. Second-hand furniture was obtained from Washington at moderate prices, and school books, maps, &c., were contributed by publishing houses in New York. Subsequently this property was turned over to the public school trustees, under whom the same teachers continued their services.

With this beginning, Ruffner School No. 1 was continued. Most of the time with two teachers down to 1896. At that time it became necessary to obtain another building and to employ three teachers. The rapid growth of the town made a new building and four teachers an absolute necessity, and on January 1, 1900, the new building was dedicated and the new corps of teachers installed.

DEDICATION.

A more beautiful day for this conspicuous event could not be imagined. The extreme cold weather of the last days of 1899 had passed, and the sun arose to see the Plains of Manassas glittering in a beautiful drapery of snowy white, a contribution of nature during the previous night.

Two hundred children were in their seats promptly at 9 A. M., and soon after that patrons of the school to about the same number assembled. An "Opening Ode," written by County Superintendent II. M. Clarkson, was sung, and Rev. W. H. K. Pendleton followed with a dedicatory prayer.

Then Superintendent Clarkson read the important letter from Dr. William H. Ruffner, the great man whose name the school will forever bear. The undersigned, as chairman, in introducing the paper attempted to explain to the smallest children who Dr. Ruffner was, and he told the grown people that he would be prouder to have the record of Superintendent Ruffner than that of all the Governors of Virginia since the war combined. He also promised that the trustees would place in the building a picture of the first Superintendent of Public Instruction as a testimonial of the royal service he had rendered to the children of the Commonwealth.

Then came the principal of the school, Mr. Charles H. Ruffner, who spoke for five minutes on "What We Hope to Accomplish "; and the paper of Mrs. Fannie B. Metz, principal of the Manassas Institute, was presented on the topic, "The Relation of the Academy to the Public Schools." Hoping that the SCHOOL JOURNAL may be able to print all these papers, I will not mar them by attempt ing an abstract of their valuable contents.

Hon. Charles E. Nicol, circuit judge, was tben introduced, and spoke on "What the State Expects from our Public Schools." He spoke in He spoke in high praise of the officials who brought the new building to its completion, and strongly endorsed the public school idea, but expressed the opinion that all who aspire to higher education should pay for it. Any other course would, he thought, cripple the common schools.

Hon. E. E. Meredith was next on the program to speak on "What the Taxpayers Expect from our Public Schools." Being detained by important business, he gave his time to his partner, Mr. J. B. T. Thornton.

The latter is the oldest son of Maj. William W. Thornton, the first county superintendent under the public school system, who was all to the county of Prince William that Dr. Ruffner was to the State. The son spoke on "The Beginnings of Our Public School System." He told several amusing anecdotes connected with his father's efforts to establish and popularize the system in the county, showing how many good citizens had been obliged to change their opinions from strong prejudice to earnest endorsement.

.At 11:30 A. M. the Bull Run Council of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics pre

sented a flag to the school, accompanied by a thrilling address by their representative, John H. Trimyer, of Alexandria. The flag was received by Superintendent Clarkson, who, as a Coufederate soldier, once thought it his duty to fight against it. Those who have read Dr. Clarkson's poems and vigorous prose need not be told that his remarks were beautiful and appropriate.

The benediction was pronounced by Rev. Robt. Smith, the oldest preacher of the county, and, at 11:55 A. M., the school children and audience adjourned to the campus, and as our court-house clock began to strike "high noon" on the first day of the twentieth century, the Star Spangled Banner floated from the tower, amid the acclaims of all.

The people then dispersed with three cheers for "Ruffner School," and three more for the flag.

During the exercises, Col. John T. Leachman, the veteran chairman of the Manassas School Board, entered amid rounds of applause, after a long ride from his home. He was the first chairman in 1870, and occupies the same position now. Only four days before he and his lifepartner had celebrated their golden wedding.

The undersigned had also the pleasure of introducing Mrs. Estelle D. Cross, the first teacher of the first free school, and who continued in that position for four years, until her marriage.

Mr. E. E. Beachley, the contractor, was also introduced, and, along with the absent architect, Mr. Julian P. Balwin, spoken of in terms of commendation.

The singing was under charge of Prof. Joseph Bowman. Among other pieces was one called "Century Bells," specially prepared for the occasion. It raised the world wide debate as to the date of the opening of the new century. We thought it appropriate that Manassas should be at least one year ahead of the rest of the world, and if the world is not satisfied, so much the worse for the world.

The writer has heard for a long time that Virginia-was fifty years behind the times. Now, it seems from the opinions of our wise men that we are a century ahead. Be this as it may, the Ruffrer boys and girls were delighted to think of being in the twentieth century, and we all feel that for our own community at least a new era of Peace, Progress and Prosperity had begun on these battle scarred plains.

GEO. C. ROUND, Clerk of Manassas School Board. January 1, 1900.

I congratulate you on the improvement in the JOURNAL. I think it is better than I ever knew it to be.-Supt. A. G. Smith, Caroline county.

Rockingham Teachers' Association.

At the regular mid-winter meeting of the Rockingham County Teachers' Association, on December 2d, in Harrisonburg, State Superintendent Dr. Joseph Southall, and Mrs. Moffett, of Rockbridge county, were present, and added greatly to the interest and enthusiasm of the meeting. The attendance of the teachers of the county was good indeed, far exceeded the number that usually turn out to these meetings. The morning session was devoted wholly to addresses by the visitors. First, Mrs. Moffett spoke "Vertical Writing." Her speech was an appeal for the vertical system. She said it is the natural method, being very simple and easy to learn, and, at the same time, it is much more. legible than the slant system. Mrs. Moffett's remarks were very encouraging to those teachers who are introducing this system of writing into the schools of the county.

Next came Dr. Southall, who, after referring to the joke that makes him the father of six hundred thousand children, read a paper full of learning and wisdom on the subject of "Education." He reviewed the history of the education of the State, closing with a high tribute to the public school system, and a hope for a still more efficient system that will insure every child of the Commonwealth a heritage that no one can take from him. Dr. Southall's address was highly appreciated, and the presence of the chief of the educational system of the State among our teachers was an inspiration, as was evidenced by the hearty invitation given him to return soon.

The afternoon session was taken up in following the previously prepared program. The first was a paper by Mr. H. S. Hooke on "Schools of Rural Districts." He said that it is often the case that the very best training is given the child in these schools, and that many of the great men of the land got their preliminary training in these schools.

Miss Bell Hannah next read a paper on "Can We Do Better Teaching in Classes of a Few or in Classes of Many Pupils ?" She held that in the hands of a skilful teacher classes with large numbers can be taught very successfully, and that what our schools need is fewer schools, with longer terms, better teachers for those schools, and better salaries for those teachers. Miss Mary C. Clary followed, maintaining that a teacher can do better work with classes of few in number. Getting the child's attention is the great thing, and one can do that better with a small class. Mr. M. A. Good closed the program with a discussion of Fiske's Civil Government.

The following officers were elected for the next year: H. S. Hooke, Pres.; I. S. Wampler, V.-Pres.; J. H. Floyd, Sec.; Miss Lillie Minnich, Treas.

Before the meeting adjourned arrangements were made for a meeting of those teachers who are following the prescribed course of study for profes. sional certificates on the first Saturday in January. County Superintendent Hulvey took this opportunity to urge the teachers to take the STATE JOURNAL. Dr. Southall also urged upon the teachers to take the JOURNAL, because it is a means of communication between the State Superintendent and the teachers and school officers.

The next meeting of the Association will be held the second Saturday in February. C. J. H.

Schoolroom.

Prepositions.

When prepositions are under consideration in the class, an exercise like the following will show clearly the function of prepositions in the sentence: "The bird in the cage is singing" might be taken as the first sentence. Ask the children to put the bird in other positions or relations to the cage. This will draw forth such examples as these: "The bird on the cage is singing, the bird under the cage is singing, or the bird beneath the cage is singing; the bird above the cage, the bird below the cage, the bird behind the cage, the bird outside the cage, the bird before the cage." The children will suggest prepositions that are almost, if not quite synonymous with some of those given above as in the second and third sentences where we

have under and beneath: "The bird is over the cage, the bird inside the cage, the bird outside the cage, the bird within the cage, the bird without the cage.' A list of prepositions drawn from examples like these, written on the blackboard, will help the children to see what the words called prepositions look like as a class.

Take also cases where the relation is between a noun and a verb: "The boy was running beside the road, the boy was running across the road, running near the road, running over the road, running towards the road, running from the road, above the road, beneath the road, etc."-Educational Record of Quebec.

Blackboard Decorations.

Around the back and one side of my room I have arranged a border six inches in width, divided into eight-inch oblongs, in which I have drawn in appropriate colored crayons, our own flag alternating with the flags of the leading foreign countries, ending with the Cuban flag-the newest embryo republic. Underneath this border I have the sentiment printed in white chalk: "There are many flags in many lands, there are flags of every hue, but there is no flag, however grand, like our own Red, White and Blue." My children have been exceedingly interested in the progress of the border, learning the names of the foreign flags very quickly and constantly assuring me that "ours is the best," "that's pretty, Miss B., let's have it all around the room," etc. ten-year-old boy, very much interested in the present interruptions to our country's peace, brightly suggested that I put "Spain at halfmast." My idea may not be entirely new, though I have never seen a border just like it. I have a

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