The North-Carolina standard., 1849-07-11
For the North Carolina Standard.

MR. EDIToR: In common with large and highly
respectable assemblage of persons, had, on Wed
nesday evening and Thursday last, the pleasure of
attending public examination at Martins Academy.
Mr.. Little an experienced and consummate disciple
marian and gentleman emnently Qualified TO dis
charge the high and responsible duties of the teacher
is Principal of this Academy which is situated in
Wake Forest-a portion of our County long and de-
servedly famed for the morality intelligence and
pectability of its citizens.
Wednesday evening was employed in the exam
ination of what might justly be termed 6 the small
fry,' in other words those studying the Elemen-
tary branches, who, by the facility and Prompttude
with which they answered the many questions pro-
pounded, evinced, in addition to perfect knowl-
edge of the branches taught thorough and practi-
cal course of instruction, which reflected honor on
themselves and their worthy instructor. IL.
Thursday, OF COURSE, was the great day. The
morning was devoted to the examination of the more
advanced classes, who, to the honor of themselves
and their patient instructor be it said, exhibited
throughout highly creditable evidences ofprofcency
and scholarship. Intermisson being announced, the
audience invited to partake of of the most
spienddly served up public dinners the writer ever
saw. Abundance, variety and artistic arrangement, in
addition to perfect order, harmony and decorum,
were the distinguishing characteristics Of dinner
that reflected great honor its worthy furnishers,
Messrs Gill, Dunn, Smith, and others.
The evening exercises consisted of Defamation
by young gentlemen selected from the different class
es, exemplars of special proficiency. / shall not
do these young gentlemen the injustice that would
inevitably attend any attempts of mine - pronounce
an appropriate euogium their speeches. Suffice it
say that they merted and received the applause Of
large and intelligent audience, and were replete
with evidences of the fact that to teach them the
noble and fascinating graces of oratory had formed
inconsderabe portion of the and attention of
their worthy instructor In short every thing seemed
to have combined in harmonious concert give zest
to the pleasures of this literary repasts The ladies'
though partially debared from ociatingon the active
drama of public life, ready to lend their
smiles and their charms to grace whatever is patriot
rie, noble, or praiseworthy Seldom have occasions
like this been adorned with a more brilliant array of
pretty faces.
Every North Carolinian should exult in the annual
demonstrations Of the progress Of education mani
tested by our yearly commandments and public ex-
hibitions. North Carolina has at last awoke, shaken
the dew drops from her slumbering energies, and
seems to be making rapid strides in the accomplish
ment of whatever is destined to exalt her national
character both by the ample provision made for de-
veoPing her resources and the general and increas-
ing interest manifested the subject of education.
Being fully persuaded that the stability and perpetui
ty of free and time-honored institutions depends
on the intelligence and education of the people at
large let us hail and patronize with enthusiasm
ry thing that tends to forward the progress of mind
or the interests of education. Sentiments similar to
these prompted this imperfect and very unnterestng
SKETCH AN OBSERVER.