The true Democrat., 1856-01-08
For the True Democrat Letter from Fort Smith.
Fort Smith, Ark., Dec. Fist, 1Ss

Having been present at play performed by the young ladies of St. Ann's Academy few evenings since, think a brief notice of thei, performance is due them. They Certainly die credit to themselves and their teachers. 1 will endeavor to give the programme of tn. evening as far as 1 recollect it.
 At about z o'clock the curtain was drawl aside, when Miss Carroll appeared upon tn, temporary stage and delivered short address on behalf of herself and schoolmates, as fol- lows:
 l |" 1 feel complimented and highly honored Tn being selected by my school companions to hail the presence of so many respected friends amongst us this evening. You will kindly re. member, that myself and my school compa nons, in whose name 1 address you, are bu children, and you will, we trust, overlook any defects ln our youthful efforts to afford vol some amusement on the present occasion."
 It Was delivered without any hesitation, witt 1 just enongh embarrassment to make the audi ence interested in her success.
 The pupils then performed the Irish tuto in three scenes, and delighted all present, by the manner in which the various characters were sustained. A Miss Boothe. who ha, scarcely reached her teens, appeared as "Terry O'Rourke," and sustained her part with a degree of natural ease and self-possession, which ap. peared astonishing for one of her age All the characters were very we'll supported, and the performance gave entire satisfaction to those who witnessed 1t. Between the scenes the vi. sitors were entertained by music on the piano by some invisible performer. We noticed the following amongst the pieces performel- Jenny Lind Polka, Love Not, quick step. The Ariel Watzes and Russian March, Gertrude Dream Waltz, Hail Columbia, etc., etc. Not being an amatuer, we cannot speak critically y of the music, we can only say, that, according to our taste, 1t was very we'll executed Two of the pupils sang Old Dog Tray, with guitar accompanyment, after which was a concert by the sable minstrels, and comic lecture on dt luminaries oJ dis world by Plato Sugg, esq After the performances of the evening the visi- tors partook of a supper which was kindly pre- pared for them by the Sisters, and returned home, delighted with the evenings entertain ment.
 The manner in which the pupils acquitted themselves reflects the highest credit upon the system of education adopted by the teachers it was the strangest proof of the mental inn provement of the children. It was an evidence that their minds though young, were compre- hensive, and that what they were learning, they learned understandingly.
 We could not help but look back to our own schoolboy experience, when on an occasion ol the kind we had to commit some hackneyed "selected piece for Reclamation" or an sipid poem and deliver it ina sing song sort of style without being able to understand it ourselve, ', or make 1t intelligibe to others. What pleas ing reflection, too, for the lover of bis race and country to think that here almost on the con- fines of civilization, and where, too, but few years back the wild mustang ranged undisturb- ed and the buffalo reigned undisputed monarch of the forest-to find children exhibiting de- gree of mental culture, and undert aking the deliniation of character-an evidence of intel ligence, which half century back was regard ed as the acme of polite learning.
 The hall in which they performed was large and commodiouS, and contained about two hundred persons. The academy is situated about one mile from the river, the grounds are handsomely shaded by the native forest trees Tie house which has lately undergone exten- sive repairs is neat and comfortable, making the academy in our opinion most pleasant retreat
 SPECTATOR