This truly benevolent institution is a branch of the "Franklin Institute for the promotion or the Mechanic Arts," at Philadelphia, and its design is to furnish woman another source of maintenance by preparing her to enter upon the lucrative business of engraving, designing, etc. It was commenced in November, 1848, by Mrs. Peter, whose benevolent heart had been pained for years, by seeing so large and increasing a number of deserving women, exposed to deprivation and suffering, for want of a wider scope in which to exercise their abilities for the maintenance of themselves and their children. After long deliberation, she selected this department of industry, not only because it presents a wide and almost unoccupied field in our country, but because these arts can be practiced at home, without materially interfering with the routine of domestic duty.

For two years she taught private classes in her own dwelling, and being greatly encouraged by her success, in March, 1850, she presented the cause to the managers of the Franklin Institute, who reported fuvorably, and it was taken under their patronage.

The committee on instruction having had referred to it, by the Board of Managers, the project of Mrs. Peter for the establishment of a School of Design for women,reported as follows:

It cannot be a matter of doubt even to the most careless observer among us, that there is, in our city, a great want of ways in which female industry may be profitably employed; and that this evil is increasing is eviden profitably employing their labor were counted out to them. Id the severe commercial crises which affect our country from time to time, many families are suddenly reduced from comfort and even affluence to poverty, and the evil alluded to is much increased since no small share of this suffering falls upon widows and single women.

The person, therefore, who points out a new field for the employment of female industry, must be looked upon as a public benefactor; and any mode by which such a field may be rendered ascessible to necessitous women, recommends itself strongly to society as a power-ful agent in the advancement of our civilization, and the relief of suffering.

It is, however, very desirable that whatever mode may be devised for the employment of female industry, should be of such a nature as to allow it to be exercised at their own homes, or at least without crowding them together in work-shops; and especially without forcing them into contact with the opposite sex - practices which are too frequently destructive to female delicacy, (a quality not less valuable to the community than beautiful in itself) even when they do not lead to habits of actual immorality.

Now, one of the distinguishing peculiarities of the female sex, whether it be an intrinsic difference in their intellectual nature from that of man, or only the result of a difference of education, and a habit of close observation, is the very general possession by them of a more refined and coirect taste, and a power of delicate discrimination, especially in regard to the effects of form and color - effects which strike almost every one among us, but which few, except women, are able to analyze and produce at will, heretofore little., if any attention has been paid to the cultivation of this peculiar faculty; and even in our most elaborate systems of female instruction, it appears to be considered as very subordinate in importance to other branches less fitted to the peculiar capacities of their minds.

On the other hand, amidst the very rapid advances which we have made in manufacturing, it must be admitted that our improvement in the arts of design has been by no means commensurate with other successes; and, while the quality of our materials, and the cheapness of their production are enabling us gradually to exclude foreign productions from our market, we are still compelled to depend almost entirely upon foreigners for our designs and patterns; thus exhibiting ourselves rather in the light of successful imitators of others, than as original inventors. Thus the designs of our articles of furniture, and the patterns istence of this state of things mast necessarily render us tributary, and in so far inferior to foreign nations.

This is another matter well worthy of the attention of our community; and if, by any means, we shall succeed in freeing our manufacturing industry from this slavery, which is a defect and reproach upon it, we shall certainly have made another important step forward in our career as a producing nation.

The plan which has been submitted to the Institute, and upon which the committee is called to report, appears calculated to diminish or destroy both these great evils, by providing a school in which young women may receive a competent education in the arts of design, and their various applications to manufactures, thus farnishishing them with a heretofore unoccupied branch of industry, for which by their very natures, they are peculiarly fitted, and by which they may sustain themselves by their own labor, while at the same time they give to our other arts that stamp of originality and nationality in which they are now in so great a degree deficient.

The successful establishment of such a school would, moreover, fit them for employment in many arts, such as woodcutting and engraving, for which their quick perceptions of form, and their delicacy of hand very especially fit them; while even should they, in these and similar branches of labor, finally supplant men entirely, no evil could occur, especially in a country like ours, where such broad fields for male labor, lie entirely unoccupied.

Your committee therefore think that the project is deserving of the warmest approbation of the Franklin Institute, and respectfully recommend the Board of Managers to adopt the following resolutions:

Res Ived, That the project submitted by Mrs. Peter for the establishment of a school of design for women, as tending to furnish women with a large field for the exercise of their talents and industry, and to increase their usefulness to society, is, in the opinion of the Franklin Institute, worthy of the highest commendation, and if successfully carried out, cannot but be of great value to the community.

By order of the Com. J. F. Frazer, Ch'n, May 15, 1800.

The school has now been in successful operation about a year, and the present number of pupils is about 65. Mrs. Anne Still, the head teacher, is quite enthusiastic in her devotion to the cause, and is admirably adapted to fill the post she does, if we may judge from the handiwork of her pupils.

The pupils are principally engaged in devising and sketching patterns or designs for calicos, delains, oil-cloths, carpets, wall paper, table carving household goods and utensils of every description, mouldings and carvings, and nearly every article of use or ornament. The terms of admission are talent and skill suitable to some of the departments of labor, a determination to make the knowledge here obtained, useful to themselves or others, and a small tuition fee of $4 per quarter, or if unable to pay this, simply an entrance fee of $2.

As soon as the knowledge of drawing is acquired, the pupil, if skillful, can commence to earn rapidly, while at the same time improving herself. The occupation is so light and delicate, and so lucrative, that with skill, a young woman can seldom, if ever, do so well for herself in any other way. We are rejoiced to see such a school opened and sustained, for it will accomplish much for women, and we hope a very few years more will find such an institution in our own state. But I have neither time nor room remaining to speak now of the Female Medical College, so it must be for another No.

Answers to Correspondents.