Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-06-26
For the 2n.etntou
The Loeb willow Exhibition'

] Messrs. Editors In these DAYS whom u,
tschoolmaster is abroad in its most literal eonoo
compared with the days of our FORE fathers-col
lege academy and school commandments have
become an institution. had the good fortnne
to be one of the five or six hundred pleased of.
tendants upon the exhibition Of the school a,
Loeb Willow on Thursday last. This school nm.
der The management of Mr.. j. Hotchkiss and
Mr.. Grinnan in the male department. and Mrs
Hotchkiss in the female, has just closed it's frs
session. but relerate the universal wish 81
its patrons, that it may long continue to aff,rd
the benefits of education, TO Increasing numbers
of generous youth. The day was q most charm.
| ing one, the suns rays being tempered with de.
| lightful breezes. a stand wss erected nv tbe
| young men of the school, in shady nook of the
orchard and festooned with evergreens. inter
spersed with flowers. Comfortable seats. under.
spread with velvety carpet of greensward in.
| vited the many guests, to their occupancy. and
Mr.. Turner's fine band OF gentlemen musicians
RECALLED US at intervals with delightful music
The large audience of ladies and gentlemen be.
ing promptly and quietly seated by 10 O'Clock,
and the stand occupied by number of the cler-
gy, the teachers and the young gentlemen
speakers of the school, Bishop Glossbrenner. by
invitation, invoked the divine blessing in a most
solemn and appropriate prayer Some eight
young men then followed each other in the de-
livery OF original essays, and | but speak the
common sentiment when | say tits rare that
their efforts are surpassed on any similar occa-
sion anywhere. 1t would seem invidous to dis
criminate or single out one or more of the num-
Der where all were so little amenable to criti-
cism, yet cannot forego the opportunity of
mentioning the speech OF Mr.. J. X. Campbell, of
of Highland, on the UNITED States" MIR. ]. "a.
Whitmore, of Parnassus, on "Virginia.n and Mr..
ID. T.. Cook, of Ohurchville, on "Cultivated In
tellect." Their efforts for beauty of composition,
the good sense which ran through each. and the
faultless manner of their delivery elected unuual-
tiled praise. The attention on the part of teach
ers in our common schools, academies, colleges,
and the University to elocution, has been shame
fully neglected. IT'S to Mr.. Hotchkiss' credit
that in every school with which he has beer
connected since coming to Augusta, he has de-
voted proper degree of attention to this sub
ject. How many OF our young men are there
who have passed through their preparatory
course, through College, and the University, and
thence have found their way to the bar, or it
may be into our Legislative halls, and would
have been shamed in an effort az public speak
ing when compared with the young men of this
school. The exhibition of Mrs. Hotchkiss' de-
partment came OFT on Wednesday evening, and
was most highly complimented by those who
had the pleasure of witnessing it. The females
composing her school, were seated Immediately
in front of the stand, and the writer does not
know that he ever looked upon more lovely
and interesting group. The distribution of
wards OF merit to those of the pupils that had
won distinction was one of the most interesting
features in the days performance. The Rev.
John F. Baker delivered an admirable address
on the subject Character" and ilnpromptu, as
it doubtless was, ELECTED the unqualified appro-
baton of every one. A recess Was then had,
when most delightful picnic on grand scale
took place, each patron of the school within
reach having brought most abundant supply
OF creature comforts, which all enjoyed, but
none so much as the bachelor portion Of the au-
dience, a large sprinking of whom were present,
and to whom the bright eyes and bewitcning
smiles of their lady friends added the zest of
pleasure. The audience again assembled and
dwelt spel-bound upon the delivery of poem
prepared for the occasion by the Rev. T. Hemp
stead, of N. T., which take pleasure in saying
will soon be published. Thus passed one of the |
most pleasant days to the good people of Church.
vile and its vicinity, which venture the asser
ton, they have enjoyed for long time. May
they have many more such, and may the COM
munity sustain this school, as its merit deserve
A VIRGINIAN