Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-26
From the Memphis Bulletin.
Nashville Female Academy.


Nashville Female Academy.
NASHVILLE. Monday. June ii, 1897.
To the Eiitor Of the Morning Bulletin:
Il has been the good fortune OF the writer 10
witness the exhibition which has been Just closeo'
Of the proficiency and scholarship OF the senior
graduating class Of this time-honored institution.
Unlike most exhibitors Of the kind, the au'
dience was not taxed with public examination,
upon the several branches usually comprised IN
the course of female education, but we're enter
tanned and delighted by series Of original essays,
unsurpassed in beauty and briiiiancy, for such an
OCCASION and pronounced with a clear distinct and
musical tone, that filed the hsll and not unire-
ouently elected involuntary bursts OF applause,
though promptly chez ied and interdicted by tho
Principal, Rev. Mr. Elliott These essays were
each preceded by select pieces of music on the
piano and guitar. by some member OF the class,
often accompanied with song, which were received
with marked pleasure by the audience.
An original essay, creditably written, is, in our
Judgment the highest evidence Of a cultivated
mind. The object Of ell education is first TO en-
tighten the mind with knowledge Of things. then
TO teach it to snslyze and compare, to combine, TO
think, and lastly, to present thoughts and conclu-
siOns clearly, forcibly and eloquently. This is the
highest excellence TO be attained by education, It's
object, its goal and that is the best system, the
best school, which will most successfully attain
that result. The mOdlls opsrdndi, the process by
which il is most successfully arrived at, is matter
for the enlightened and philosophc instructor, Of
which the public really know but little, end are
easily duped.
As to the originality of these essays, credita-
bic TO the young ladies and the institution there
cannot remain a question. That upon many Of
them much time and labor was bestowed, in
thoroughly imbuing the mind with al the facts and
illustrations german TO the object in hand, we do
not doubt. No human being could have prepared
h EN- without il, but that single one pla-
giarism, cannot be insnuated by any cOmpe-
tent 10 Judge without a deliberate calumny upon
the institution and violation Of both truth and
Justice. We speak thus strongly, because in many
similar schools, essays are too often vamped up for
the OCCASION from scraps Of favOrte authors, or
written out entirely by some older head Each
one of these ESSAYS, however, bore the impress of
lie fair author rejecting to a nice observer the
lights and shades of her character and taste.
They were read just as they were penned, without
correction from the teachers as to grammar or
STYLE Obvious criticisms apparent to more
practical writers. Sometimes they were little
deficient in regular connections, or decked with
gems, brilliant and beautiful, but not artistically
adjusted. These were evidences Of originality,
which would strike any Que competent to Judge.
Again we had the often repeated assurance from
the Principal Of the Acadamy, publicly announced,
OF their entire originality. Any one who knows
him. must have the candor 10 admit he Is incapa-
bic of a willful misrepr sentation. thorough
and accon plished scholar; there is nothing he
would so much abhor as Charlatanism in the field
of letters.
These ESSAYS, being original, gave the highest
evidences of scholsrshp,-oi minds thoroughly
awakened They were read, too, with clearness
and elegance we never before witnessed IN an eX-
hbition of the kind. Toread well, is Of itself one
of the highest accomplishments. 1t is the foun-
daton of elegant conversation which lends such
charm to female society.
Another very noticeable feature in this school is
the kind AID gentle, but strict and watchiu, con-
troll which is exercised over the department Of its
inmates. Il is favorte motto with the principal,
''tbe lady first then the scholar" We may here
remark too, and il is but simple Justice, that no
one possesses in higher degree the will and abll-
~ 10 impress aud awaken the female mind than
does Mr. Elliott. A ripe scholar, literary aud
scientific, an enthusiast in his profession, he has
the peculiar grace Of elccuton to chide his pupils
nj any moment, without ruiiling their temper or
exciting resentment; and reproof thus skifuly
adm s'eIsi is more potent than was formerly
the birch of the pedagogue.
But the GROWING merit, as we conceive, OF this
institution, aside from its intrinsic worth, is the
fact that il Is a southern institution in heart
and sentiment, and not sectarian in religion. The
teachers are mostly southern or English, and sub
ect to 10 religious test representing as they do,
nearly all the various denominations.
The exercises of the occasion were closed by
vsledictory sbsay, read by member of the class
chosen by her associates for that delicate and in
teresting office. II was chaste and unostenta-
tous effort, but full of that eloquent pathos that
speaks TO the heart and causes the tear 10 gush
from its fountain. Diplomas were then delivered
90 the graduates, forty-6ve in number, sccompa.
MED by few appropriate words of bdectionate
farewell from the Principal.
We were surprised TO find this institution did
not awaken a more intense aud general interest
in Nashville It's rays penetrate every section
Of the Southwest, but do not seem 20
quicken the home soil Hot that il is not
largely patronized, hut there is an impression that
at the North a much higher standard Of excellence
is TO DO attained, and that young lady must
needs receive the polishing touch among the elite
of Boston or New York. Now, no northern fe-
male society is more polished or elegant than that
of Nashville; aud Who does not prefer the pure,
silvery accent Of the southern lady, to the hbom-
Unable idioms aud dialect OF the northernP VIII
does not prefer her easy, natural and graceful man
ners 10 the art and aiiectaiion Of the atteif Her
modesiy and lemiIiae charms, that shrink from
public gaze, 20 the brass, the masculine mind and
physique Of the admirers Of "Uncle Toni HeT
truly christian charity "doing her aims not to be
seen of men" 20 the mock philanthropy aud false
philosophy that is always seeking nOtoristy uu-
becoming the se19 Then educate your daughters
at a southern school. Eschew the illumination
Of northern influence you would the deadly
Upas.
This institution is really one Of the highest at.
fractions OF Nashville gem OF viii, IN she should
be Justly proud Il reflects honor upon the State
and upon the South. The eIertOns now being
made for the improvement aud establishment o.
the buildings, their enlargement aud increased &C
CONGREGATIONS, should be rewarded alike by tbs
the trustees aud the public thus widening she
usefulness and influence Of an Institution adapted
TO our present wants.