Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-13


RALEIGH FsxALE SEM1NARY.-The anniversary
exercises of this Institution took place last week.
We regret that we were not able to be present, on
account of indsposition. We clip the following
from the Spirit Of tho Age; and would willingly
transfer the whole article, but for the crowded state
of our columns this week:
''The Examination exercises of the Raleigh Fe-
male Seminary, which took place last week, were in
the highest degree satisfactory to the friends of the
Institution and credtable the excellent President
and his accomplished col ps of assistants while we
are satisfied the parents of the pupils must have
been well pleased with the advancement and prof.
cheney manifested by their daughters.
Monday was devoted to an examination OF the
classes in the Primary Department of the Semina-
ry To US, this is always one of the most interest
ing, because we feel it is the most important de-
partmcnt of education 1t is here the first buildings
of thought are trained; here the first intellectual
impressions made upon the mind; and if these
be imperfect, wolse still, erroneous, the unoru-
nate pupil will have received an injury which the
most arduous study and correct cultivation can new
that the smaller pupils had not been neglected.
What they knew, they knew well, and seemed to
understand-another important consideration.
On Monday night John Williams, Esq, of Eliza
beth City, delivered the Literary Address before the
institution Subject" The Influence of Woman
upon Government" 1t chaste and beautiful
production with just enough of metaphysical dis
QUESTION TO i've evidence Of thorough analysis OF
his subject and of the garlands and graces of poe
try to please and edify his fair auditors.
Tuesday was appropriated to the examination OF
the Academic classes When we reached the Sem
mary large class in Latin was undergoing eXamin-
alton. We felt at once how rusty" we had grown
in limited knowledge of the original language of
Horace, and Homer and Virgil, but as the once ia
miliar songs of these ancient bards fell upon our
ears many a long forgotten sentence rushed back
upon memory with all the appreciation and sublim-
thnsp f,,l ind ha IstIn
classes sustained themselves well.
The classes in Algebra evinced by their correct
and ready answers, and by their demonstration of
difficult problems on the Black Board a thorough
comprehension of the principles of this abstruse
science.
The class on "the Evidences of Christianity"
sustained the best examination on this department
of Literature remember ever to have heard.
On Tuesday night. Rev. Thos G. Lowe. of Hall
fax, delivered the Sermon before the Graduating
class, before an immense audience We shall never
forget this discourse. 1t not the mere tinseled
6rapery which is sometimes called the flowers of
eloquence"-not the gorgeous array of the beauty
and grandeur which romance and sentimenalism
around the creatures Of its Imagination
but it reflection Of the solid and substantial
realities of the gospel-he unsatisfying and unsa
BILE nature of earthly honor and glory the one
hand; and the other the untading, soul sustain
ing and eternal glories of God and eternity and
yet presented in such glowing figures of eloquence
were indeed thoughts that bteathed and words
that burned"
The Graduating Class examination came off on
Wednesday. Business detained us most unwilling
ly from attending these exercises but we have been
told the young ladies acquitted themselves remarka
bly, WELL evncing proficiency in their several de.
partments Of ancient and modern literature that
evinced cultivated intelccts and ripe scholarship.
At night the Concert took place in the elegant
and commodious Chapel Of the Institution which
Was filled to overhowing.
Where all did so well, Will not discriminate
but cannot forbear to remark upon the hcxbiIi
ty and volume, the cultivation and sweetness of
voice of some three Of the fair singers-ev-
dencing as they did capacity for great atialnments
in this beautiful accomplishment
The Compositions, by the members Of the Grad
uating Class, then read in the following order :
l. Miss MoLLIE PORTER Raleigh
"-W things things that are,
Are acith more pleasure chased than enjoyed"
2. Miss ELIZA J. PALMER, Hilsboro':
One Year ago, tonight"
g. Miss BETTE KING, Brunswick, Va:
"Thoughts on Learning School-FareueH"
3. Miss EMMA BRANCH Petersburg Va:
"7he Sehool girl for the Times"
.. Miss Theresa RouNrREE Wilson:
Beauty Is like fragile Flouer."
6. Miss ANNIE FORTE, Raleigh
- Tile Studemt-d Scene Of College Life"
Z. Miss LAURA PHILLIPS, Northampton Co.:
Past, Present, and Future"
These subjects were all well conceived and the
thoughts handsomely expressed-some evincing a
high order Of genius, and all sprightliness of in
tellect and refinement Of sentiment reflective of the
maturer minds of those from whom they had re-
ccived their intellectual and moral training
The interesting exercises Of the evening were
closed by the presentation by President Christian
of Diplomas to these young ladies, certifying to
their skill and proficiency in the Departments in
which they had then graduated. The address of
Mr.. C. in delivering his parting charge and farewell
to this interesting group of young ladies, e.
octiy what 1t should hare been-touchingy eloquent
and faithfully admontory."
NJ c. Adrocate.