Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-29
9ebstsS to Gsmgeranse, giteratnra
For the Spirit of the Age.

For the Spirit of the Age.
Mr.. EDITOR The past week has been
one cf unusual interest and animation to
the citizens of Oxford and immediate yicin-
ity. Quite numerous throng of visitors
were attracted hither BY the examination
and other school exercises Of a public char
acter. Our own people, too, who have
ever eyinced deep cor csrn in their lnsti-
tutions &c learaina, tuf1ad out may al
most say a za1sse, 70 atsead the various ex-
ercises above referred 70. On Monday
evening the ball W. gesS m. motion BY the
81 y'i.ls J portion L d III. :. Il Il 1lssner's Maze
Academy. The young men who delivered
addresses Of their own composition (some
eight or ten, connected with some of the
more advanced classes) displayed a vigor of
thought and elegance Of diction, that won
for themselves no small measure of admi-
ration. Those, too, who repeated selected
orations acquitted themselves in excellent
taste. The entire exhibition on Monday
evening showed conclusively that Prof.
Burbank, who presided over the depart
ment of Elocution, was well-fitted for the
task devolving upon him, and has perform
ed the duties appertaining to his position
with uncommon fidelity.
The following Tuesday evening, pur-
suant to previous notice, Prof. A. G.
Browns students declaimed in the Chapel
of st. Johns College. The spacious room
was filled with very refined, intelligent
and attentive audience. Many lovely and
interesting young ladies graced the occa-
sion with their beaming smiles, and Eau
gust presence" Expectation had been
kindled to high pitch and we are gratified
to be able to state that the anticipations of
the public were more than met. At the
conclusion Of the defamation, Mr.. Brown
made capital speech. 1t was well timed
in sentiment, and as to style was terse
and beautiful production. The wholesome
views of the speaker must have taken deep
root in the hearts of his hearers.
On the next evening the pupils of Ok
ford Female College, read compositions in
the presence of large crowd of spectators.
These productions were generally good
0ery good-and were it not our motto to
habitually avoid, under any and all circum-
stances, everything smacking of invidious
distinction, we would designate several
that we deemed specially meritorious.
The following Thursday night was the
night of the week, being che appointed oc-
cason for the Concert by the Music Schel-
ars of the College. Mrsa 3. N. Mills has
control Of this departures, and the self
sacrificing devotion with which she applies
herself to the requirements of her position
coupled with the proficiency Of her schol.
ars, may be assigned as the reason why
!: her Concerts never fail to draw out large
l crowds. All seemed pleased-more than
: pleased--detighted-with the entertain
5 ment Of Thursday evening.
: Not wishing to trespass on your space
q I have forborne to do more than barely al
Q lude to few of the lively scenes that will
0 render the past week memorable in th'
q annals of Oxford. Without extending my
q communication to an undue length, can
: not pay my respects as l would wish t
r Mr.. Venable's Female Seminary-one 9
1t the best Institutions of the kind in th
al State. Nor can notice the other school
'r here Of less celebrity, or the Sermon am
r Literary Addresses brought into life b
1t the recent scholastic festivities.
is Oxford, N. c., May soth, 1859.
If The above Communication was receive
: during the Editors absence, or it wou
ds have been inserted sooner.