Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-24

ted In the examinations on Tuesday. The young la
dies had not memorized from book, for one book
in existence contains what they recited Miss Cobb
has given her Glasses topical instruction, and has
gathered her materials from wide surface. Tho
Committee would fail to their own Of duty, If
they did not express in the strongest terms their
Of the fidelity and success with which this difficult
path Of practical instruction has been trod The Com
mittee evidence Also which was exhibited by no
class in higher degree, that the minds Of the pupils
had gone along with the teacher easily nelligently
joyfully.
The examinations in Geology and Intellectual PHI
losophy were conducted by Mr.. Clark, on whose
ccssion to the Seminary we would congratulate the
Trustees and the community. The examinations in
these studies were very creditaby sustained. Tho
same may be said of the examination in Botany;
while the flowers submitted to our inspection anayzed
and pressed by tic class, heightened the good i'm
preston produced by their answers and bv their de-
velopment Of topics.
1t only remains under the head of English Studies
to notice the exercises in English Composition This
is usually tender spot in Examinations OF this kind
Committees are not always ihat the compositions
to which they listen are really the thoughts of the
pupils, or the same reouched and invgorated by the
hand of their teachers The Committee in this in
stance have felt no embarrassment from this source.
The intellectual honesty and innate repugnance to all
shains, so Characteristic Of the teacher under whose
direction these compositions prepared afforded us
acomplec guarantee that the young ladies submitted
to US their own thoughts expressed substantially in
their own way. These compositions with scasccIya an
exception were Of remarkable excellence. The only
criticism on them which we would suggest relates to
fttn a1a
merit of clear and distinct u,terance, there was the
fault of uniformity and monotony-too little lexbil-
ity Of voice and variety of expression. We dare not
particuarize among these productions but we will
make bold enough to say that the rendering of the
Scotch lines in the "wizzard Harp" was very finely
done, and that the Poem and the Coloquy gratifed
both audience and Committee alike.
ORNAMENTAL BRANCHES.
While the results of the examination have satisfac-
torily aesed the proficiency Of the young ladies in
what are commonly termed the solid branches we have
been very much interested to observe the excellence
attained in the Ornamental Department Many of
the paintings and pencillings which sdor1f the walls
of the drawing-room, show deicacy of touch and
perfection of finish, to be obtained only by careful at
tention and perseverng labor on the part of both
teacher and pupils.
OF the musical attachments of the young ladies we
have had frequent and gratifying evidence during the
four days of examination. The music vocal as well
instrumental, with which the exercises have been
inerspersed, has been Of high order necessarily i'm
plying the faithluness and competency of the teach
ers in this Department. The choruses under the di-
recton of Prof. Wood deserve especial MENTION both
on account of the pleasure, which they maniiesy af
forded TIE audience, and with respect the cnthusi-
! Will IL ,J 80;
his large class. The concert on Tuesday evening" d-
reced by the same gentleman, made still better
acquainted with rich musical talent on the part
of some Of the young ladies. If all the ladies who
favored us with songs had spoken MS distinctly as
most of them did, we should, have been still more
gratifed.
Under the head of Ornamental Branches we should
notice the ornamentation of the Examinations Hall.
While the exercises to which we have listened have
been suggestive of laborious study amid peaceful re-
treats the graceful and patriotic decorations which
we have had around and above us, have been con-
slant reminders of the beautiful and have told u.s.
that our maidens well as our young men, are i'm
, bued with ardent love for their native-land.
. GYMNASTICS.
We have seen nothing during the week, which on
the whole has pleased us more than the gynastic cx-
ercses under the efficient, we had almost written,
electric, management of Mr. Clark. Fifty young la
dies upon the floor at with dumb bells, wands
ring in hand going through, to the sound of stirring
music, movements calculated to strengthen and de-
veop every limb and muscle, is sight well worth
the seeing We highly commend the costume worn
by part of the young ladies at these exercises, as
both becoming in itself and allowing the greatest
freedom of movements and posture. Whether to re-
fer more to the attention paid here to physical ed
. ucation to the healthiul Vermont breezes, dc
not know, but the fact is certain, that, for
: son, the young ladies here rule iull-heshed
IS and ruddy.
. GENERAL REMARKS
We congratulate the Seminary on its Act of lncor
poration from the State of Vermont, and the State o
- rnssnssnn of snch In