Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-07-28
EDucsTroNAL,

EDUCATIONAL
WE are called upon. by. public duty and impelled
by inclination to notice the Exercises, literary ana
musical, which came off on Thursday and Friday
last, in this place. at the Academy OF the hdseheiu
Collegiate Institute for young ladies' under he care
of Mr.. and Mrs. RAYMOND A large number OF Visi'
tors were in attendance upon this occasion, and the
general opinion, freely expressed was thal no more
successful examination, on the VARIOUS stuues o' VIC
school-room no more interesting exhibition Oh m"S'-
cal proficiency had ever been witnessed IN our 'iaHe'
And cordially concur with this generally express
ed opinion.
On the forenoon of the. first day, the younger
classes, under the immediate tuition OF MISS HELEN
MONTGOMERY, were examined by the Principal in
the fullest and farest mannerpossible Their peror
nance correct and sprighty to an unusu"i oe-
grcc-clearly evincing the sterling but modest merit
of their amiable and accomplished instrnctress we
have never before seen pupils eager and cheerful
in the discharge of their dutss as were these children.
1t would seem that they had never known what 1t
was to be sickened and worn out by the dull round
of ding g.dong discipline usual in primary departments
We could but think, as we regarded their flVacity
and readiness, that the plan OF instruction with them
must be very different from and far superior 10 that
by which our youthful ideas were Taught to shoot.
Tile afternoon of the first day was taken up by the
pcry little children under the care of Miss NELLY
RAYMOND. Their instruction, it appeared, had been
almost entirely oralyet the simplicity and eSactness
of their responses were frequently such as might put
to shame those who had learned from The book.
This part of the examination indeed, seemed to be-
in the estimation Of many present, the most interest
ing of al-giving, Us it did, abundant evidence OF
the careful and cultivated supervaion by which the
studies of this Institution are directed in its hu'nbes
departments Miss RAYMoND ELECTED the praise of
every discriminating visitor by the beautiful prof.
cheney Of her little cheru6 fock They are certainly
being led into the wise fields Of knowledge through
most lovely and inviting portal
On the second day, the young ladies OF the Semi.
nary were taken through the ordeal OF n close and
trying examination. Ehd~~e do not e1aggernte
when we accord them great accuracy OF reply ana
clearness of comprehension. These classes have
the daily and constant attention OF the Prncipai OF
the Institute, ihnn whom more talented and hnlsll-
ed preceptor cannot be found in any literary college
of our country. His classes, by The excellence ol
their performances at this examination, have fully
proven that community is fortunate in the pos
nession of teacher, not only gifted by nature and
highly improved by education, but devoled, heart
ind soul, to the profession he hos adopted.
On this second dny also, Nrrs. RAYMOND examined
her class in French to the great satisfaction OF the
audiencc-and likewise her class in the Rudimcnts
of music, which drew from at the time the inrol-
uniarv exclamation, Pcrfectm And indeed il was
3d. if there he any thing in perfect recitation npon
every verse and chapter of q textbook. Mrs. RAY-
aoxD is doing much to elevate the taste and refine
the manners of girls; and she richly merits the
confidence of our community. But our limits will
not allow us to say more of the examination than
may I've expressed in single concluding remark,
which is that the Edgefeld Collegiate Institute has
shown to us all that it stands unsurpassed for order,
industry and excellence of instruction in all its de-
par,mens We now tucn for 4 moment to the musi-
cal entertainments Of Thursday and Friday even.
| ngs. k;-.
The Academic hall was brilliantly illuminated
each evening and ut early hour it was crowded to
oyer.nowinr with an AUDIENCE every one of whom
was on the very tipoe Of pleasurable expectation.
Nor were there my who went away disappointed.
True, there Were many mere beginners in music
among the performers, fromslvhom no real harmony
| could be expected. Yet almost every one of them
gave such an earnest Of fdure success, as to COM
mand the approving aprauie of the sensible, indul-
gent and kind-heurted audiel Many of the young
ladies there were. who go-asns very, pleasant and
entertaining Iiua;c-@aiidse---e 1ea ssSrtsd: We
do not desire 10 make invidious distinctions; yet we
cannot avoid saying here, that while many Of the
girls did WE'LL there several who did remarkably
we'll. Misses J. L., T. D., and S. NJ. were those
who gave, pcrhaIp, the most undoubted evidence OF
rapl progress. But where Ill acquitted themselves
so handsomely, all deserve praise; and We chcerfuly
add our editorial appreciation to tile loud pardii'
which succeeded each and every performance OF
these very pleasant concers evenings.
There was one piece, aung by Mrs. and Miss RAY
MosD, which would have commanded the applause
of any audience. We alluds to that beautiful duet,
{" Holy Moher') from Wallace's Opera of Mariana
1t sung with an exaciness and propriety of into.
nation, richness and flness of melody, and an en-.
chan'ing expression which we have never heard
equnlet off the stage, and but seldom on it. But we
have said enough of an occasion which has passed
off to the complete satisfaction of all interested in
the advancement of educational progrsss