Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-03-15

o. IL IASilSJb ~. Naul pDei, a f<talA pOSl,,
M. Campbell, L. Trassell. J. Hayman, M.
Jones, M. A. Ellis, w. A. Ellis, M. Loomis,
VIM. Ioomis, d. Cross, W. Cross, w.
Miles, b. Elliott, II. L. Sibley, ]. Hopkins,
j. @. Angel, l.. Young and Wm. Alex
ander. Some of the young men engaged
in the exhibition were not connected
with the school; but a majority Of them
had been in attendance during the late
session.
During the performance, we listened to
declamations on the subjects which follow:
Day conceals what night reveals, by J.
Hopkins; Emmelt's defense, by d. Cross;
Caalin's defiance, by w. A. Ellis; Our
duty 70 our country, by CIR. Hopkfns;'
Barbarily of National Hatreds, by L. Trus-
sell; The Bible, by Amanda Adams; Pat
rio,ic speech, by B. Elliott, and How dad
acted hoss, by l.. w. Philson.
AS will be seen by their titles, tie larger
part of the dcclamations were of high
character, both in moral and literary point
of view. Emmett's defense, We consider
one Of the finest pieces of oratory of which
our language can boast; lille the mourn
full circumstances which surrounded its
talented and patriotic, but sadly unfortu-
nate author, at the time of its delivery,
serve to give it additional interest. And
the favorable impression OF the audience
was still farther heightened, by the truly
impressive manner in which it was re-
hearsed on this occasion. Our duty to
our country, The barbarity Of national ha-
treds, Cataine's defiance, The Bible and
Hark the joyous Birds. will not soon be
forgotten; while the intensely humorous
comicalties of the Patriotic speech, Dads
acting Hoss, &C., have certainly produced
all the beneficial effects, without the pain
of cart-load of "drugs and medcinesl"
In the course of the performance, there
were two discussions; one by six young
men, and entitled young America, and
the other by fourteen young ladies, upon
the subject of "gentiliiy."
The first, is fine and cutting satire
upon the ultra -progressiveness ola certain
class of the ''rising generation" who, dis
carding those rules of good morals and
"steady habits," which should guide us
all, suddenly burst forth into the glorious
manhood of tobacco-chewing, cigar -smo-
king, whisky drinking -loafers-to their
own disgrace, the chagrin and trouble OF
worthy friends and fond parents, and the
great evil and expense of all good society.
The second, most beautifully and truth
| fully showed, that true gentittty consists
not in the accidents of birth, ,suchas wealth,
talents, or the honors of position-although
each Of these may be auxiliary thereto
but rather in practicing the combined pre-
cepts of virtue and religion-"act well
your part--there all the honor lies. -
Both the style and sentiment OF the exer-
else were excellent. By the way, too, the
'boys' must look well 10 their laurels, or
loose them, so far as elocution is concerned.
The ladies spoke finely.
The following dialogues were rehearsed
very much to the instruction and amuse-
ment of those present:
Effects of influenza; Female Exquisites;
Fractions Man; Widow Bedott and Elder
Sniffle's Courtship; The model School;
The virtues and Graces; The Farmer and
Philosopher; The Walking Dictionary;
The Country Cousin; Peter Keazle and
Lady; Sentimental Charity; Three years
of Farmers Son; Hobb and Nobb, and
All for good order; the latter scene in a
common country school.
These performances, we think, were ex-
ceedingly we'll adapted to the end in view
in their selection, viz: the diciplining Of the
actors, and the combination, in high de-
gree of instruction with amusement.
The "Virtues and Graces," performed
by twelve young ladies, dressed in white,
and representing twelve virtues OF re-
lgion-each bearing an appropriate en-
blem of the character she sonated-was
one of the most beautiful and pleasing en-
forcements of the cardinal requirements OF
religion and morality, which it was ever
our good fortune to behold. The lessons
of purity and goodness thus taught by
"our graces," cannot certainly fail Of being
like "bread cast upon the waters"
"Three years of farmers son" exhib-
tied but too truly the path trodden by mary
an unsophisticateG "farmer boy" en-
tranced by the thousand allurements OF
city life; although we fear that too often
the sad history Of these unfoItunates does
not contain that "return of the prodigal,'
which in this case suffused SO many moth
er's eyes with tears. The lesson which it
taught will long be remembered
The "Farmer and Philosopher" was a
fine exhibition of one of the multitudinous
co oaflicts in which knowledge is so fre-
quently engaged with ignorance-of the
conflict of scientific truth with dull, stupid
bigotry and perverseness. However, as is
usually the case, truth and philosophy
came off victorious-thus teaching the all
important lesson that light must prevail
over darkness.
The "Female Exquisite" is the keenest
back stroke at certain boarding
style" of modern female education, which
often prevails with the ''fast" descendants
of occasionally lucky snobs, retired mer,
chants, and accidentally fortunate specu.
lators, which we remember ever to have
seen. Certainly, no young lady who lis
tened to its performance will ever seriously
E initiate the Extensively discussing affecta