Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-08-05
TcoMMUN CATED.
Thibodaux Female Institute,

Thibodaux Female Institute.
This Institution closed on the 9th ut., with
an examination worthy of extended
notice then this brief communication We had
the pleasure of attending the exercises through
out and saw nothing that was not calculated to
produce favorable impression upon the minds
of the audience. There was evidently no special
| examining for an examination" nor collision
between teacher and student. No leading ques-
tons lin themselves half answers) were ad-
dressed to the scholars; they were selected at
random from the different textbooks, and the
replies in every instance were given correctly
and without hesitation. The first day was de-
voted exclusively to the juvenile classes, all of
which acquitted themselves remarkably we'll
1t was subject of common remark that scholars
so young as the majority of them seemed to be,
should so well understand such advanced studies.
Children of nine and ten years of age passed
through the elementary English branches with
as much honor as is common for scholars of
fourteen and fifteen in our public schools. AS
far they went they evinced thorough knowl-
edge of Geography, History and Arithmetic,
in the last of which we thought, whilst hearing
| them recite, they might put to shame the in
mate of many counting room.
On the second day came the junior classes !;
of course, including part of the former studies,
but farther advanced, with the addition Of
Rhetoric, Botany, Natural History, Natural
Philosophy, History, ancient and modern, and
Ancient Geography, in all of which the recita-
tons were deserving of the highest praise
With the reading, all must have been highly
pleased it was peculiarly excellent, not only
clear and distinct but given with the ease, life
and emphasis which makes reading SO charm
ing. In word it was natural and seemed the
eXtemporaneouS production of the reader.
Upon the third and last day came the senior
classes embracing in addition to studies already
noticed, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Schlegels
History of Literature, Chemistry, Geology, As
tronomy and the various branches of Matte
matics All the leading facts, and great truths
in these appeared to have been fully mastered,
and we think that if any of these young ladies
should hereafter be thrown into company where
| these subjects was discussed they would feel
perfectly at home.
We will not particularize as it would rather
be showing our own taste than pointing out par
ticular merit.
| From the simple announcement of ga Dia-
| logue on Astronomy" we were not prepared for
such an exhibition of taste and talent as was
| displayed by Metis, Clio, Vesta and Iris. The
latter being somewhat ignorant las is usual on
such occasions) and Of an en1uiring mind seeks
| in the course of morning call on Clio some
information in regard to the heavenly bodies
During their conversation Vesta enters the room
and is Immediately enlisted by Clio in the cause
Iris amusing queries are answered by Clio
| and Vesta until Metis, robed in white, glides
into their presence with the morning salutation,
and to her as possessing superior knowledge of
the Celestial system, do they all refer. Metis
then proceeded to elucidate the mysteries Of
the Heavens in manner that betrayed an in
innate acquaintance with the subject in discus
sion. Additional interest was impaired to the
scene from the fact, that each asteroid was the
authoress of her own questions and replies. The
language was choice and the manner of speak
ing easy and natural.
The Compositions" which succeeded the
Dialogue were without exception excellent. The
ideas expressed, the language in which they
were clothed and the manner of reading reflect
ed credit upon their several authors. The
Valedictery was touching in the extreme, and
rs the young lady read her farewell to her be-
loved companions aud teachers, her voice trem-
bled with emotion and tears rushed unbidden
| to her eyes. The language in itself was sweet
and full of feeling but the grace and pathos with
which it was given drew sympathetic tears from
many present.
The sweet and appropriate song Goodbye -
was then sung by several of the young ladies
and their teachers; thus ending one of the most
pleasant and attractive examinations we have
| ever had the pleasure of attending. Our space
will not permit US to notice the Musical Soiree
as fully as it deserves.
The Fantasia the opera 81 Puritani," the
Variations on ssStil so Gently" the Fantasia
and Variations on 'sBord du Mississippi" and
the Variations on 'sOft in the Silly Night"
were executed with such accuracy and taste that
had the several composers of these pieces been
present, they could not but have been highly
pleased to have their musical thoughts SO well
expressed.