facilities for obtaining a thorough edncation, and in music, none so good. With these advantages, and, what is still better, the high moral culture which has ever been a prominent characteristic, this school should be patronized to its full extent as it justly deserves."
"They are not taught certain rules and formulae, that certain circumstances would produce certain results, but they are given those broad, fundamental, practical principles of life, which under any circumstances will grapple the materials at hand and transmute them at will into elements of success."
"I recommend it to all parents who have daughters they desire to educate. The course of instruction is thorough, the discipline excellent, the corps of teachers in all the departments the best to be obtained. Especially would I recommend the Conservatory of Music of your Seminary to all who are contemplating a musical education."
"After a residence in Mt. Carroll of twenty-five years, and having educated four children in the Mt. Carroll Seminary, we think we speak advisedly and understandingly when we say to parents having daughters to educate that the Mt. Carroll Seminary affords facilities, both scientific and musical, unsurpassed by any similar institution in the West."
"I take pleasure in commending it to the attention of parents who have children to educate and who wish a desirable location, healthful, moral and religious in its surroundings; cheerful, homelike as a school could well be made in itself, with its teachers competent and thorough, and the Principal tenderly and carefully watching over all."
"Where to educate our girls is an important question. Where can moral culture, intellectual and physical development, with the various accomplishments that polish and adorn the character of young ladies, be secured? Where are they under wholesome restraint, surrounded by home influences, and protected from the entangling allurements of society? These were to me important questions when I contemplated sending my girls away to school. In the above paragraph of this communication is my answer to these questions, viz.: If I had more girls, I should commit them to your care."
We also refer to—
Miss C. F. Leonard... 153 Washington St., Cambridgeport, Mass.
Mr. H. F. Hofer, McGregor News.....McGregor, Iowa.
Mrs. M. B. Squier ...... Trempeleau, Wis.
Mrs. A. B. Duer ...... Pawcee City, Neb.
W. R. Hostetter. Mt. Carroll, Ill.
O. P. Miles, First National Bank ...... Mt. Caroll, Ill.
James T. Metcalf ......... Washington, D. C.
Major G. P. McClellend ........ Davenport, Iowa.
Mrs. S. B. Powell ...... Balston Spa, N. Y.
Mr. J. Piper. Canton, Ill.
Mr. J. W. Page, Jersey County Democrat........ Jerseyville, Ill.
Rev. C. W. Pool........... Olathe, Kan.
Rev. J. W. Place. LeLand, Fla.
Rev. J. A. Smith, D.D., The Standard ........ Chicago, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Seymour, Illinois Central Railroad Company . . Cairo, Ill.
I have seldom known any one who deserted truth in trifles, who could be trusted in matters of importance. — Paley.
Conservatory of Music
A systematic course of study, with well-defined grades, is evidently necessary in an institution of this kind, to give music a place among other branches of instruction. We have arranged such a course as will give variety to the pupil's work, and acquaint her with the schools of musical composition, as well as to assist in the rendering of the best compositions of first-class writers, both ancient and modern. The sonatas of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven will occupy a regular portion of the pupil's attention, and cultivation of taste and of the pupils will be constantly kept in mind.
The department of organ playing will receive attention, and will include the works of the best writers. Pupils will be taught to play a score without the use of the old-fashioned "thorough-bass" figuring, which involved constant violation of the rules of strict musical composition, and which has no place in modern organ playing. Knowledge of the of the pipe-organ of the present day will be imparted, together with instruction in the department of registration.
It will be the aim of the instructor to assist the student in harmony to a practical comprehension of the rules of musical composition, and to encourage and cultivate whatever germs of talent may show thmselves.
The "thorough-bass" method, mentioned above, is incidental to harmony, and is included in it. The study of "harmony" or "musical theory "' will further be made practical by being called to the pupil's attention in connection with the piano-forte and organ playing, enabling the performer to obtain an understanding of construction of what she is playing. A mastery of grammar is not more indispensable to the accomplished orator than a mastery of harmony is to one who would excel in music. It must underlie all sound culture.
The system of daily lessons in music has been tested here many years. Its advantages are various and not be enumerated. The result is the most thorough and complete musical discipline, helping to build up a Conservatory of Music second to none in the West.
It is designed in the Piano Method to impart correct principles of technique. The sensibility and will of the pupil are largely exercised in giving direction to muscular action, so that which is often purely "machine" work is brought under mental control. Thus are soon developed a musical perception and discrimination in regard to tone and touch, qualities greatly needed as a means to fine interpretation.
Careful attention is given to the use of pedals (especially the damper), in accordance with William Sherwood's ideas on the subject, as expressed in a supplement to the Etude for September, 1884.
The following Piano Course can but serve as a clue to the work, for there must be made necessarily many variations in adapting it to the needs of individual pupils. In all cases, as soon as practicable, a varied selection of pieces from the works of the best composers is given, and with many pupils it is often thought best to make these
