Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-14

columns Tor visitOr 10 express the plPasuTe
with which be witnessed a portion of the ex-
ercises at TIE late examination of the pupils
| of this popular institution 1t was my first
| visit to the College, and TO this pleasant,
/ rural town, and my first acquaintance with
/ any one connected with this seat of learning;
and if first impressions avail more than re-
peated inspection, for corrs cfness of obscrs "a
| ton. as some suppose, / have this excuse at
/ least for occupying the attention of yeur
/ readers for a few moments with reference TO
those Impressions ! heard classes examined
in Algebra, in &c Geometry, in Fr'nch. in But
/ ler's Analogy. and in Wayland's Moral
Science. The reading in French was done
with fuency and ease. there being only ex
ception enough to make this true as gener-
al remark. A similar criticism may be made
! in reference to the mathematical excl cises.
/, Nearly all were perfect. while two or three
were not so ready in exhibiting demonstra-
lions before the audience. Or course, some
allowance should always be made for male or
female, on exciting public occasions.
The examination of the Seniors-a class of
| nine young ladies-was dfcid, dly interesting.
| After an hours exercise in French, under the
direction of Mrs. Shelton, the President
brought out from this class, by process pro-
tracted through more than two hours dis
play of large share OF knowledge and rea-
soning ability on the Analogy of Revealed
Religion, and on its kindred topic-Moral
Science. Not satisfied, however. with bis
own uDtiring efforts, he appealed to the
dience, as be had before done, for some one
else to continue the examination, which
| should remark. had been conducted, as in
| other studies. from any page selected by any
of the audience. But. Notwithstanding his
demeanor of mingled dignity and pleasant
| ness of manner, which rendered these exer-
: cises all the more agreeable. / think the au-
dience could not help feeling that three
1 hon nprh for
one class, and that further persistence, while
it was needless, should b. regarded as 'cruel
/ and unusual" test of their patience.
| The members of the graduating class each
read an essay before receiving their diplomas.
| When l say of these essays that they were all
worthy OF publication in the Enquirer, you
| may think me disposed 10 fatter: butthis is
my opinion. Two of these essays attracted
| very special attention; one a spirited, spicy.
| graceful efiusiop from the pen of Miss Mary
| j. Nolen, entitled THE School Girls Solilo-
qny." and the other an admirable piece by
Miss Martha V. Powell, whose popular theme
was 1.-THE Sunny South" This essay, willie
ii warmly advocated Southern rights, princi
pies and feelings, approached in dignity and
comprehension the character of State
paper, and was received with the highest APP
plause. .,Our Country. its Past, Present aud
Future" by Miss Mildred A. Nelson, who also
delivered the Vale dctory, was likewise
listened to with peculiar pleasure. The
Mystery of Life,' by Miss Martha V. New
som, who bad pronounced the Salutatory, as
we'll as the remaining essays did not fail to
secure for their excellences the admiration OF
a large and approaching audience, though
their subjects pertaining more TO the senti-
mental and IDEAL were addressed more to
internal reflection and sacred feeling.
The exercises of Commencement Day were
relieved by occasional musical performances
conducted by Professor Hess. captain" in
his profession. And here, if | bad room.
which know have not, l would speak OF
the thrilliant concert which came off on Tues
day night, under the same leader. Ont of
fifteen pieces OF music in the second part,
observe that SeUe1 were composed as well as
performed Ivy pupils Of the College.
President Shelton. in comforting the honOrs
of the College, accompanied this official acl
with an imprOmptu address to the graduates,
full of sound thought and good advice. The
most prominent sentiment was. that every fe
male should aspire, in every walk of life, to
be true roman, in all The beauty and glory
and compreh nsiveness OF that lovely name.
The exercises closed with a literary address
by Orville Ycrger, Esq. of your lif--abound
ing city; and the rich, appropriate thoughts.
andanimated expression of the speaker SHOW
I'd him fair representative OF the selN-
ments of an enlightened people on the subject
of female education. There was but one ex-
preston of taste well, gratifed with this clos
ing course in feast OF days. had not th'
pleasure of hearing the address of Mr.. Carpen-
ter, on Monday night, but heard it well spo
ken of.
The exercises closed at dinner-time on We'd
nesday did they? Well, suppose they did.
:. scholasticalls speaking;" but had you
dropped in, "a did. on Wednesday evening.
after tea and mingled with The hundreds of
participants, old and young, in converse
ton party within those ample classic halls"
you would have thought, from the hum and
commoton in this a. map OF busy life, that
there were some exercise still progressing.
Alter enjoying this delightful reunion for
hours that Fl tied like moments. and partak
ing OF the Injuries of magnificent table
all a compliment to the young ladies OF the
Senior Glass by citizens OF the town and
vicinity-the company separated at "a season
able hour. --~r
One of the most distinct impressions made
on my mind during this visit, was that The
pupils of this school are remarkable for good
behavior, and that in a grnteel aud rein, d
sense. They had an air of bchaving well.
not from consiraint, or for EFF, ct. but because |
they were used to the habit, and took pleasure |
in it's exercise. Another rable impressions |
r, ceived was. that not much attention was |
paid TO gaudiness of ornament, or to vulgar |
appetite for mere extravaganza in apparel !
How much the pupils are indebted for good |
taste in this regard to the plain and christian |
example of Mrs. Shelton, and how much TO
the sensible views of the community by which |
this institution is cherished. leave for those |
web acquainted to determine. In regard to
behavior, it was peculiarly gratifying TO hear
the President announce the fact in his address
to the graduating class. that he had never,
during the three years of their continuance
under his care, had occasion to address to any
one OF them single harsh word.
1t would not become me to prolong this
communication by speaking of the eminent
qualifications OF President Shelton aud his
lady for the respective positions which they
occupy. Nor shall more than allude to the
cheerful and abundant hospitality 80 grace
fully dispensed. 10y which the stranger in
their domicil is made to feel acquainted at once,
so far casual visitors need he. The Scrip
ture rule, "by their works We shall know
them amply sustains their already excellent
in the results of this. and doubt
less of former examinations. and they need
no other praise Let inquirers attend their
Exam MAJ ions, become acquainted with
their graduates, and Judge for TIA ms Ives. 1
think they cannot fail 10 he struck with obvi-
Gus difference between an enlightened system
Of education, here exhibited, and the I'D
displays too often resorted TO in
schools which depend more upon the unde-
served compliments OF prepossessed friends,
than upon solid merit.
This college | understand numbers hun
bred and twenty-five pupils, and is approx
mating what cunsid'r very reasonable
maximum. say one hundred and fifty. More
than this number 1 should think hardly de-
'irable. May success attend ID, Brownsville
Female College, so long it continues wor-
Thy OF patronage, aud no longer.
VISITOR.