Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-07-21
From Carroll County.
CnrroHton. Ark.. July. 1857

CarroNton, Ark, July, 1857.
 MEssRs EDIToRs.-As it is known that you have great soicitude respecting the educational medium of your widely circulated paper to say few words about our academy at Berryville, in the north western part of Carroll county, and the annual examination of the students of this institution which has just closed. Berryville is ! a rural village, situated in the midst of an ex- tensive and fine agricultural district; and on ac- count of the low price for boarding, the healthy locality of the town, it's enlightened and moral population, it's freedom from ostentation, extra vagance and vice, and numerous other conside- rations is peculiarly suited to be the seat of literary institution, and nursery for students This academy was founded three years ago by MT. J. H. Ray, the present proprietor and prin- l cipal teacher, than whom there is no. in the State, a more accomplished gentleman, or one better qualified to discharge the important and delicate duties pertaining to the intellectual and moral culture of youth. With him it is trulya
 | | To teach the young idea how to shoot
 To pour the fresh instruction OCT tho miud To breathe th enlivening spirit, and to fix The generous purpose in the glowing breast" For the want of a commodiouS building Mir. Ray has heretofore been compelled to limit the number of his students to siXty-fve or seventy; but now in an elegant new academy house which he has recently had erected accommo- dations are ample for more than double that number. The next term of ten months will commence the first Monday in September- Mir. Ray invites public patronage and is deter mined to spare DO pains necessary to make his school worthy the high reputation it now n joys. He has secured the services of Mr. Dodd, who is arpe scholar and an experienced teacher to assist in the male department; while in the female department he will have the efficient aid of a lady of excellent education and rare omplishments. The annual examination and exhibition at the Berryville academy com menced on "Wednesday last and continued through three days 1 was present and had the l pleasure of hearing all the students examined on most of the branches of education they had been respectively pursuing and must in candor say, that have never known scholars to acluit themselves with more credit, or reflect more honor upon their instructors.
 | At intervals in the course of the examination variety was given to the exercises by declama- tions, dialogues, and the reading of com m"os- tions, which heightened very much the interest of and eutyened the occasion. Among the compositions read, those of Miss Robertson and Miss lIolrord, deserve especially to bo remarked upon and praised. The first production dis | plays the fine taste, the lively seua,bility, and the arden. imagination of its autnorcss, and tne other a combination of talents which the literary eliasions of ladies of only "sweet six tcen' rarely possess.
 O4 Fr.lay eveains after the examitation was over, l attended at the spacious hall of the academy party given by the teacher and stu dents. l. WAS indeed, q social party. A gene rous glow of sociahty lighted up every coun- tenauce and the spirit of friendship appeared to warm and animate all. The geademeu were comPanionabe, conyersable, gay, and gallant; and the ladies, God bless them, were just as they should Dc, bcwtching and beautful.- When first entered the hall, the scene pre- sented was brilliant beyond description. All | the ladies in snow white were arrayed on one side; and under the resplendent light of chan da.iers seemed fairy yision like unto
 ' Su,h sights a- youthful poet, dream Ou >tln!ueI t.e- y haunced s-rea,n.'
 There were many ladies present of whom I would like to speak, but am adnonished that for the want of space can only mention few of them Miss II. D. was in attendance, and of her l will say, that know of no lady among the most brilliant and beautiful more capable than she of throwing interest around each pass ing hour and of muillng the footsteps of time with roses. And then there was her sister, Mss J. b, with her auburn locks, and eyes of ceru- , lean blue, while her lips like d cleft ruby gemmed with ocean pearl seem breathing taIm., The Misses H. were both out, and 'the ad- mlreI Of ali admres' on the occasion. The Misses B. younS beautiful and accomplished and both of them adorned with all that earth or heaven can beatow to make them amiable and lovely were there impartns happiness to all who came within the range of their iuau- ence. Miss Q. R., the prairie flower of course, was out, with all her heart winning bIandisa- mouts; and here, if allowed to paraphrase the emotio's of my own soul Miss, would say that
 '. ! youlI gaze forever on t',y firne-s,
 Thine eyy, .,re smiling ,.ars. ;lld u.y grace
 Buao 'lA7 thy ol with ,- cNu-it Taleuo>,."
 Miss NJ. R. was also of the company, and though just in the dawn of womauhood con- trbuted mmeasuabIy 10 paIliate dulness. and