Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-06-27
EDUCATIONAL
Closing Exercises Of MIR. Il. III. Hatch
er's school.


er's school.
For The Union and Dispatch.
At such a season at this, it is a relief to
go further into the country, and leave even
for short while, the heated, populous
thoroughfares where gather the busy, ex-
pectant throng, in the varied pursuits of
trade and traffic. The peaceful calm that
seems to rest over everything refnes and
elevates. The joyous carol of the birds fill
the soul with the music of their gladstone
songs. All nature, from ~.
THE hills
Rock ribbed and ancient as the sun. to the
Stretching in pensive quietness between"
from the simplest flower that blooms in its
own untrodden wild to the giant oak that
lifts itself in grandeur toward the sky,
speaks its lessons Of faith, hope and truth.
But when to these inspirations are super
added moral and intellectual ones, visit
to the country is elevated above the happi-
ness of the passing hour, into instructive
and lasting benefits.
Such privileges as these were enjoyed by
those Of our city who attended the closing
exercises of Mr.. <. III. Hatcher's school, at
Mt. Zion Church on last Thursday evening.
Mr.. Hatcher, by his energy and eficien-
cy, has built up, during the last three years,
a large and hourishing school in this popu-
lous and refined neighborhood. Coming to
that vicinity quite young man, and COM
paratively unknown, he found the country
laid waste by the ravages Of war, aud the
spirit of education at stand-still. But de-
termined TO succeed, and knowing no such
word as fail, he entered with a zeal, equalIed
only by his ability, upon the work before
him. Overcoming every disadvantage, and
winning the confidence and respect of all,
he has in this short time established his
school upon a firm basis, and educated
those dnder his instruction up to a remark
able proficiency in all their various de
partments Of study.
The exhibition on Thursday closed out
the past FIVE months term. Even before
eight P NJ, the appointed hour, the church,
which had been beautifully decorated with
evergreens, was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity, while many could not even obtain
standing room. Indeed, it would be invidi-
Gus to draw distinctions where all we're so
successful in the parts assigned. First
camethe oratioDsand declamations from the
young gentlemen. These gave evil
dence of much oratorical and intel
lectual ability, and met with uni
versal appreciation, as evidenced by the
applause of their auditors. Then the dia
logues and dramas were brought success
lively upon the stage. The dialogues,
although short were very entertaining.
But it was reserved for the dramatic repre-
i 81
the historionic talent, and the intellectual
capacities Of the various actors and
Actresses. The dramitizations of Ara
minta Jenkins" the " TAttler," the
Dancing Dutchman," Aunts Legacy,
and tie " Talisman," made up the pro-
gramme ia this respect. Whether in the
pointed hits of the one, or the truisms Of
the other; in the magic scrape OF the
"Dulchmau's fiddle" or the wholesome adj
vice OF the "0ld Woman, in the moral
Of " Cinderella with her fairy slipper or
the intensely exciting scenes Of the Tails
man, they we're all Instructive and inter
esting. The latter piece, lthe Talisman,J
was dramatized by Mr.. Hatcher for this
especial occasion, and 90 well did each OF
the characters play their part, that at
times, the Crusades seemed pictured before
US as a living breathing reality.
At the close Of the dramatic representa-
tons The following prizes were awarded:
Miss Bessie james, for the best acting
In the same connection, Miss Ida Young,
As the Old Woman, and Miss Matte
Singieion as the HERES, 10 the play Of
Aunts Inheritance Mis- BOuisl Stewart
as the Qaeen, Mr.. L. II. Young a. Sir