The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-06-12

THE EXAMINATION AT ZION HILL
Mr.. Editor II have Just had the pleasure
Of attending the Examination at ZICn HUI IL
being the close Of the English School, under
the charge Of James C.. Barb Principal anu
C. n. Bloom, Assistant. The Examination
was thorough and complete, aud gave gene''
al satisfaction to the large and resPee'aoie
audience in attendance. Mr.. Barb's eharA',
,srss a .kiIlful industrious and successful
teacher, is so well known that dee'" IL
necessary to give detailed account Vi '"'
r.rio,s exesei.es. have been present a'
nnn,h.r II examinations, and Mr.. Barb'' Will
f.ror.aIe comparison with any have
,ri,rssse5. | care not how talented ana at
,.,,:vs the teacher may be, some OF the stu
d.nt. from Incidence or want OF ability VIII
no sure to fail to perform all that is required
Of them. While can speak in praise oil most
Of the exercises at Mr. BarLs examination,
there was one feature to which object, and
my objection applies to the students and not
to the teacher. There were many young Ia
dies and gentlemen whose age and inteill-
ceDee would have enabled them to write
fair composition or make a respectable speech,
but from wrong motives or false modesty they
failed to do either for fear they might he
laughed at. For their encouragement, vii!
relate the history Of young man who was
raised not far from Zion Hill. About twenty
years ago poor young man, whose father
was unable TO assist him, resolved TO acquire
A good education, and though many made
sport of him, saying that lie would fail as he
lacked both means and talents, yet he falter.
ed not his motto being onward and upward
Br unusual perseverance,, good management
and economy, he graduated at Knoxville,
stpdied law. entered into successful prac-
tice. and was elected Circuit Judge over
strong oppositionl That young man is John
C. Gaut, our present Circuit Judged A short
time since. general gloom was cast over the
State of Tennessee in consequence of the sud
den and untimely death Of Judge Alexander,
one of the greatest and best men in the State.
A few days since saw Judge Gaut upon the
bench, and the dignity with which he pre-
sided over the Court. his promptness in dis
patching business, and his independence and
impartiality in all cases, whether high or low,
rich or poor, inspired me with the hope that
the mantle of Judge Alexander had fallen
upon our young Judge, and long may he live
To wear il with honor to himself and useful
ness TO the STATED And may his triumph over
all difficulties be an example, not only to the
Students of Mr. Barbs School, but TO the
young aud rising generation.
First.rate compositions were read by the
following young ladies:-Miss Amelia Fire
stone. Improvement of Time" Miss Sarah
Copeland, Love Of Home;" Miss Clarlssa
jackson, Improvement of Memory Miss
Harriet Bloom, "Love of Reading" Miss Mar
tina jackson, Hope Miss Susan Bloom
-. Very good Speeches were made by
the following young men |. F. Eaton, "Eulo-
gy on franklin" c. NJ. Gibbs, "Eulogy on
Washngton;" l.. b. Lawson, "The United
States" J. G. McMshan, THE Eye" E. E.
Jenkins, "Superstition;" C. NJ. Bloom, Hen
ny Clay" W. J. Burlington, address to the
Students" BEN BUSTER.
June 9th, 1857.