The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-05
Chr WRstrrn gfmorrat.
CHARLOTTE, N. c..
For tie Western Democrat.
CHARLOTTE FEMALE INSTITUTE---
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.


Mr. EDITOR: Having attended the Commence
ment exercises of the Female Institute of this
place, deem it justice to give your readers br f
account of the proceedings, which took place on
the 28th and 29th June.
The exercises were opened on Tuesday evening
at 81 O'Clock, by Musical concert given by Prof
Eckhard and the young ladies of the Institution,
which reflected much credit on the performers
though the pieces selected seemed rather foreign
in their character, and little more of the Hail
Columbia " spirit in them would have rendered
the entertainment, for themOs part, more appre-
ciable by the audience. The entertainment was
concluded that ening by selection entitled
"All things are beautiful" which struck me as
being sung and played remarkably well. The
audience again invited to be present on the
next day.
Accordingly, the next day at the appointed hour
of 10 o'clock, full house was liz attendance, and
an Address delivered by the Rev. F. FL.
Johnston, of Lexington, before the Female Mis-
sionary Society. This society has been formed
and contributed to exclusively by the young ladies
of the Institution and has for its laudable object
the aid of the Siam Mission. The address was
exceedingly chaste and abounded in raptures of
eloquence. The Importance of missions was urged,
and especially at that particular point where degra
dation and superstition had for centuries held
sway deluded people, but which had been
recently and successfully opened up to the Gospel.
This was followed by Literary Address from
V. c. Barringer, Esq, of Concord, to the young
ladies, on the subj of Female Education. And
here allow me to attempt brief synoptical notice
of his address. His manner was pleasant and i'm
pressive. He treated the subject in rather novel
light, which rendered it quite interesting In his
introduction he admitted the subject rather stale
and hackneyed one, but by no means barren as
long youthful education should remain an object
of interest. He then went back and traced the
history of female education from the earliest time
down to the present, and pointed out as he came
down, the neglect and the various defects that at
tended her education. He depicted the sad con-
ditiOn of woman i'll the abject vassalaga in which
she was held prior to the middle ages. and the
happy dawn of the age of chvalry upon her
ditOm, which also had its defect by the sentimental
and extravagant ideas entertained Of her character
which defect since that era, he successfully con-
tended was modified and totally dissipated by the
light which graduated from the teachings of the
Bible. That the Bible had made woman enjoy
the enviable position that she does in the
nineteenth century In concluding, he pointed
out the important and responsible duties that
await the educated woman. That her sphere of
action not on the field of bloody strife nor in
the boisterous arena of politics, in the rude
concourse of assemblies, but by the quiet Preside
she ruled the hearts and moulded the characters of
men.
The exercises were continued on Wednesday
evening by another musical entertainments |
thought the selection Of the pieces much better
than On the previous evening; though very diff
cult, they were exquistely performed. A report
Of the highest grades of each class was then read.
| noticed in the Graduating Class or as the Prin-
cpal styled it, 1.-The Class about to leave School"
the first distinction awarded to Miss Lydia b.
Harris OF Cabarrus county, and the second to Miss
Evaline Alexander. OF Charlotte. The balance of
the class consisted of Misses Mag McLester and
Malvina Alexander. The presentation of copy
of the Bible made to each member of the
class, accompanied by few very appropriate, i'm
pressive and affecting remarks by the worthy Prin-
cipal. The graduating class small in conse-
quence of the short time the School has been in
operation; but l learn that the other classes are
very full, and the prospect for an increase in
the number of pupils is quite fattering.
And here | take occasion to say that the Trus-
tees are charging the Building; and the energy
with which they have entered into it will, l think,
insure its completion by the opening of the next
session in September, and there will doubtless be
ample room to accommodate all who may apply for
admission into the Institution. There are also
arrangements made for an increase of teachers,
and there will be full corps in all the depart
ments by next session.
Charlotte, June Both. r.