The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-07-18
From the Daily Ne,os.
Jackson Female Institute---Examina.
ton Exercises.

The examination exercises of the Jackson
Female Institute were held on Wednesday
and Thursday last. We were fortunate
enough to be present at the closing exercises
on Thursday night, and although the crowd
was too great for the accommodations, and we
found ourselves among the numerous outsid-
ers, we nevertheless saw and heard enough TO
force Us TO tine conclusion that the jackson
Female Institute Is a school of the first order,
and that the course of studies pursued were
studied as they should be. Prof J. C. Kee-
ney, the Principal. is man of large expert
ence and eminent abilities as an instructor of
youth, while his estimable lady is gifted with
great powers of mind, and the capacity to inn
part her knowledge to her pupils. Scholars,
too, under her charge soon feel at home: and
those who commit their children to her guar.
dianship may rely upon it that they are in
good hands Miss Buckmastsr, also. is a
teacher who has won the esteem and conf
dence OF pupils and patrons, and we hope her
services will be secured for the next term
The music department was under the charge
OF Prof. +. d. Nutting who is too fayorably
known IN this community to need more than
mention i'll this connection. While we were
present, several difficult pieces were admirably
performed by Misses Mary Lester, Ella Stokes.
Bette Freese, Mollie MiIliken, Jennie Knapp,
Jennie and Cornelia Guion. The other mem
bers of his class performed equally well the
night previous. Several of the pupils were
quite small, and it was surprising to observe
with what rapidity they produced melodious
sounds. The compositions we heard were
very fair, and compared Evorably with pro-
ductions usually prepared for such occasions.
A series Of interesting chemical expert
ments were explained, and, for the most part
performed, by Misses Mcpherson, Lester and
Stokes. Hydrogen being the first subject
called Miss Mcpherson explained the ration
ale OF its preparation from water by means CT
zinc and sulphuric acid, and the composition
of water as deduced therefrom; the remarka-
BILE lightness Of hydrogen gas as proved by the
ascending power of soap-bubbles filled with
it; its combustibiiity. while being itself nom
supporter Of combustion its powerful explo-
sion when mixed in the proper proportions,
with oxygen gas, and the formation of water
as the result of its combustion, were expert
mentally illustrated.
The properties OF phosphorus were next ex-
planned and exemplifed by Miss Stokes. Its
first discovery, and its occurrence in bones,
were mentioned; its extreme combustibility
was shown by burning it under water, by
means of current Of oxygen gas, the result
being the formation of red oxide Of phospho-
rous. The formation of snowy phosphoric
acid when the substance is burnt in air, and
the complete abstraction of the oxygen of the
latter, so as to leave only nitrogen which will
not support life or combustion, were shown,
and the consequent conclusions regarding the
composition of air, were dwelt upon. The
beautiful experiment of the self-infanimable
phosphurretted hydrogen, its preparation, and
the possible explanation OF some natural phe-
nomena afforded thereby, were also noticed.
Miss Lester explained the occurrence in ma
ture, and preparation of nitrogen, its proper
ties of not supporting life or combustion, and
the facility with which its combinations are
decomposed The composition and proper
| ties Of its combinations with oxygen, and
among these particularly of laughing gas or
protoxide of nitrogen and its various effects
upon the human system were dwelt upon. b.
Carbon, its occurrence in nature, as dia-
mond, graphite and anthracite, as well as the
properties of these substances; also the prep
aration and properties Of wood charcoal, were
next explained by Miss Mcpherson. Carbon
| ic acid. its mode of formation and occurrence
| in nature, were mentioned, and its remarkable
heayiness, as we'll as properties Of not support
| ing combustion, were very successfully illus
trated by pouring the gas from jar to jar upon
a lighted taper; whose instant ignition after
blowing out the flame, and brilliant combus-
| ton in an atmosphere Of oxygen gas were al
SO shown. Carburetted hydrogen, its occur :
renee in mines, the prevention Of explosions
by means of Davy's safety lamp the prepa-
ration of Illuminating gas from Goals and
from alcohol, by means Of oil of yitrioi, the
brilliant light of the gas SO prepared, were
explained and illustrated by Miss Stokes.
The exercises throughout were very inter-
esting and were protracted to a late hour.
| The next session will begin on the first
Monday in October; and as Prof. Keeney is
determined to spare neither pains or expense
in securing the most competent teachers, and
the best facilities in every department, we have
no doubt that the session will open under the
| most ancoiIra ring auSniceS. - :