Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-28
II nion aud 9ispatth.
Largest Circnlati0n in ciIy and staie.
THE FIRST NIGHT OF w. n. WARDS
6,nHfMEECFRFEr

ed 50 large an audience TO the Masonic
Hall. The exercises were opened with
prayer, by Rev. DIR. Bunting. Then fol-
lowed Duet by the Misses Curry. Next
in order was Latin salutatory by Miss
Florence Mclean, of Middleton, Tenn.
This language, though dead to us, was once
the language OF almighty Rome, "Lone
mother Of dead empires" With it Fully
charmed the Roman Senate and through il
Virgil, when reclining under the shadows
Of the wide spreading beech, sang the Seige
of Troy and the pastoral beauties of q.
Shepherds life. In it is found the most
sentenfious and most expressive military
dispatch ever framed by a victorious gene
raj. "Veni, Vidi, Vice" That essay would
have charmed Roman audience, but it
was very gracefully accepted by the crowd,
as we have heard no one yet attempt a cri-
ticism on the matter or accentuation of the
language.
The next on the programme was " Ben
Bolt" but we believe Ben did not make his
appearance. Ben knowing be was on the
antiquated music list, concluded to bolt,
knowing hissweet strains would be drowned
by the grand operate echoes which would
follow.
Next, Duet on guitars, by Misses
Sproull and Bramlitt, which was touched
with great delicaey, and at times gave
out notes as sweet as the still, sad music
of a dream" Then an essay on Fallen
Heroes" by Miss Hattie w. Alternately, of
Alabama. This essay, Astounding as il did,
with sentiments exhibiting just appreci-
alton of the heroic in character, touched a
chord which yibrated TO the heart of the
audience when she spoke of the noble, but
dead heroes of the South, over whose nm
marked grave she spread a wreath of ininaor-
telles, gathered from the garden Of her own
sunny Southern heart.
Then Miss Cooper delighted the audi
ence with that beautiful and sentimental
Song whisper what thou feelest."
Our observation has taught us that the
best place TO whisper what we feep' is not
amid the hum of the multitude, but where
the moon, pouring its lambert fame DER
mrytle bowers,
Seems like = canopy which love has spread
Above the sleeping world"
Next essay, on Onr Esthetic Nature"
by Miss Matte ID. Bright, of Fayetteville,
Tenn. Such a revel through art-World we
have seldom enjoyed before. Our aesthetic
nature, as developed and Swallowed forth in
art and sculpture, was traced from the days
Of Tubal Cain, through successive grada-
tions, 10 the golden age of the world when
Phidias, by his wizard power, called forms
OF unearthly beauty from the sleeping
granite OF Pentelicus. This essay was full
of profound thought, on q subject meta
physical in its nature, but instinct with
poetry from the admirable manner in which
it was treated.
Then succeeded song by Misses Robin
son, Sproull, Lee and Hudson, kindly as
sisted by some Of the bass voices of the
Mendelssohn Society. This songwas high
ly appreciated by the crowd.
Then followed an essay on History" by
Miss Anna B. Bramlitt, of Nashville This
essay carried as back to remote ages Of the
world, to where Tradition first held its du-
bious chart to the searcher after Truth.
Then along its devious track we wander,
till the invention Of letters and hyerogli-
phie wrested from the doubtful muse of
Tradition, the ensign of authority, and
placed il in the hands of Clio, who has pre-
sided over that department Of literature,
from an early age till now. This essay
evinced much historical reading, and re-
fiected much credit on the investigating
mind of the author.
Next in order was charming song, sung
in the highest operate style by Miss Fanny
]. Robinson, of Huntsville, Ala, whose
finely cultivated voice threw its clear re-
verberations TO the remotest part of the
hall After this came an essay-subiect-
''The Shadows We Cast" by Miss louie
Buford Of Pulaski, Tenn.
The many exquisite thoughts which un-
derlie this subject were woven into rich
festoon Of poetic flowers and scattered with
| princely profusion as though her mine OF
| imagery was inexhaustible As our life il
pure and holy 40 will be our shadows. As
the sunlight falling on the pure rain.drop
builds the beautiful rainbow, so every sun
beam which falls upon life of purity ane
self-sacrifce will cast a shadow of mingled
purple and gold across our lives, which
will grow brighter as the shadow begins Il
lengthen.
Next came the Mareailho Waltzes,
which were well executed by Misses Robin
son and Pullin.
Then an essay. Subject: Drifting
On" by Miss Della Bnford, of Pulaski
Tennessee.
This subject was one which admitted o
infinite variety in its discussion. Life wa
compared to
81 gulf Of troubled waters-where the soul.
| Like yeXed bark, is tossed upon the waves
OF pain and pleasure by the wayenng breath
| OF passions"
Mans bark was launched near six thou
sand years ago on a stream whose surfac
had never been ruiiied by the winds @
heaven. Urged by the momentum Of hi
nature he floats along this stream who's
banks are enamelled with all the flower
which bloom in Edenis bowers But
whirlpool was ahead, but soothed by tn
lullaby Of its fallen waters, he goes drift
ing on 60 remediless woe had not Deit
held out his hand and calmed the fury {
the wave. Ii \ impossible TO follow tn
reader ON this fairy voyage around whicl
she throws 20 much of the drapery of y
nance The essay displayed a clearnes
and beauty of style which entitled her {
the honor which she has just received, tina
of Mistress Of the Liberal arts.
Then the musical part OF the entertain
ment was varied by the introduction of IN
harp with most exquisite song from tn
bird-like voice of the sweet warbler (
| Cliff Cottage.
Next an esssy-sHbiect, Not Away
shall the clouds obscure" by Miss Mar
Glen Curry, Of Nashville. This subieC
is the golden voiced message which hoT
is ever whispering 70 the sorrowing heal
of humanity. When chaos brOoded over
shapeless world, this greattruth touched ih
heart Of Deity, and at his command
Grim darkness felt his might
Aud fed away,
Then startled teas aud mountains cOld
Shone forth an bright IN blue and gold.
And cried 'Tis day lis day
- Hail holy light. exclaimed
The thunderoue clouds that hamed
Ger aaises white;
And lol the rose, in crimson dressed,
Leaned sweetly on lily's breast
And blushingly murmured-" Light
God said when he hung the rainbo
across the brow OF Mt Ararat, Not alway
shall the clouds obscure"
This essay exhibited much delicacy
, | perception, and a taste refined by high ca
l ture.
IA 81. ma