Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-12-24

a first class house(as NC used to writeitint the
old theatre times,) both in point of quantity
and quality, assembled at the Athenaum, last
evening, to witness the first contest between
the two Literary Societies of the Wheeling
Classical Academy. The old rendezvous again
wore the brusque and business like air which it
used to IN the palmy days of the Legitimate
drama" under Hanchett & Dufield, and which
it didn't use, to ever since its decline and fall
under the former of the firm, or still later under
the unfortunate ministrations of Meeker & Tozer.
The programme of performance was as fol-
lows:
sEtpcr onA4loss-Messrs. RObt. Dalzell and
a. P. Tallman.
EssAYs-Messrs. T. H. Norton and W. H.
Quarter.
onrGrSAI oR2rIoSs-Atessrs. L. S. Jordan and
W. H. Parker
DEBA7ASrs- Messrs. G. NJ. Wise and S. o.
W. Dunlevy.
Concerning the performance as an evenings
entertainment, we can say nothing but good
1t was altogether creditable to the academical
regime Of Mr.. Harding. II was something new
forthe young lads under hiscare, and the youths
of the city generally, and will no doubt exercise
very improving influence among them. At this
writing we have not time to enter into detailed
consideration of the separate performance
such as we always liketo, when we sit down
to notice an exhibition of the kind. Were we
inclined evento draw any marked distinctions
between the merits of the different performances,
the decision of the judges would happily re-
lievel us.
The two Young gents who delivered select
orations were rather unequally natched-the
second on the list-Master Tallman-haying the
advantage of years-a stronger voice and
more self possessed manner than his COMPETE
tor. He did exceedingly well. The two Es-
says were good-the latter, however, (Mr. Quar-
rier's,) wanted the animation and clear enuncia-
ton which Mr.. Norton gave to his performance.
The two orators labored under the disadvantage
of very stale themes-upon which people now
a.days expect little beyond what they already
know even from older heads. In point of de-
livery, Mr.. Jordan attracted more attention,
than his rival, Mr.. Parker. The last per-
formance-the debate, of course-was the
chief feature of the evening. The ques.
ton was: ibid existing circumstances re-
guire the Execution of Charles the first of
England" This might be called the question
among young academicians, and the very mem
ton of it calls up to the mind the line
ooh you meier school boy,''
and 1--WE might add did you never debate this
question: Poor old Charles, he was executed
butonce, to be sure, but then he's been condemn-
ed ten thousand times. We are afraid that he
met with harsh treatment last evening, although,
sentimentally, we incline to endorse the doings
of that "Praise.G od.barebones era. The young
gentleman on the acknowledgements altogether
too much on the generally received opinion: was
toosweeping and opinionativeinhis arrangement
of the sentiment adverse to his side of the ques-
ton. He should have dealt moro largely in
facts than he did. His opponent set him a good
example in this respect. Both the young men
spoke with comrnendablc degree circumstances
We conclude with the award of the Judges,
viz:
Select 0ration-To Mr.. Tallman.
Essay-To Mr.. Norton.