American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-17
Letter from Sharon.
SHARON, July ID. 1865

credtable to teachers and pupils.
Most of those in this school the past
session were youths from ten to fif-
teen years of age--but few being in
the college classes proper. The
speeches at night were delivered well.
n poetical effusion by Tommy Ward.
showed him to be q born poet. A
copy has been asked for publication,
and we hope his modesty will rot
prompt him to decline furnishing it.
The literary address was delivered
by Prof. Creitz, of Mississippi Col
lege 1t was chaste, classical, well
arranged, thoroughly prepared, and
delivered with ease and grace. The
thoughts we're adapted to the times,
and the whole country would do well
to give heed to them. The scenes
and the occasion reminded us of the
days before the war, though it was
not up to the days of the venerable
Dr. Thornton, when the halls OF the
institution were crowded with young
men from most of the counties of
Middle Mississippi, land numbers
from other States,) whose elOquencC
on commencement occasions delight
ed the large audiences that assembled
to cheer and encourage them in their
struggles for literary attainments.
MAY the mantle OF those days come
again upon this institution.
Tuesday was devoted to the exam
nations of the junior classes of
Sharon Female College. They were
thorough and searching A gentle
man, WHO'S president of an institution
in the Southern part of the State,
was present and gave it as his opin-
ion that the examinations were more
protracted than were necessary to
show the ability and attainments of
the young ladies'. That is a COM
pliment to the Young ladies.
The senior class was exam ned on
Wednesday 1t was thorough and
critical, and very satisfactory. A
gentleman of thorough scholarship,
and who has attended many exami-
nations, remarked that he had never
witnessed so thorough and critical
an examination of senior class of
young ladies before that it amount
ed almost to a literary crucifxion /;
and yet through the whole they were
calm and possessed-not exhibiting
the least excitement.
l would like to see them and those
who have left our county for distant
and celebrated schools examined at
the same time. l would have no
fears for the young ladies of Sharon
Female College. The curriculum OF
thisCollege islarge and solid embrac-
ing by one or two years study, more
than most other female schOols-not
giving much attention to the merely
ornamental.
Wednesday night the junior class
es read their compositions to the de
light of all who heard Those were
followed in impromptu addresses by
Rev. G. B. Galloway and Rev. DIR
Il. M. Ward, that were we'll timed
and telling.
Thursday was the great day of the
week-the annual assembling of the
people for their annual intellectual
and literary feast. A class of Sevel
young ladies who had passed the
ordeal of the examination were en-
titled to graduation, diplomas ant
the degree of Mistress of Englisl
Literature. The trustees had con
silered their merits and voted tina
they should have them. They wer,
to give us a final hearing of rich anC
varied compositions and a valedic
tory before they said farewell t,
school days, and everybody and hi
wife wanted to see and hear them
Hence the big crowd in attendance
Misses Alice M. Bledsoe, Zor;
McKie, Gertrude Ella Montgomery
Martha L. Neel. Margaret q. Neel
f Sallie V. Neel, Ellen S. Wiggin
: were before us ready to give us tn
entertainment. They gave it, AM
the audience were delighted with il
Their compositions gave evidence o
: research and thought. think som
3 OF their essays will be in your hand
for publication.
Three of the graduates were sis
tcrS. They have struggled to secur
F, an education, and have given an ex
I ample worthy of imitation. Ifever
e family appreciated an education a
theirs do many hundreds would b
educated who grow up in ignorance
One of the graduates Miss Wig
gins) is the fflh of the same tamil
g of sisters with a diploma fror
D Sharon Female College, Six of til
q graduates have never attended an
other school than this. -.
Rev. DIR. Sullivan delivered an az
4 dress onthe importance of a thOrOug
!; education-so as to develop til
f whole abilities of the man or woman
p His theme was great, and the rang
he took was wide.
Long may Sharon Female COlIeg
I flourish. May the day soon com
f when our streets and halls shall h
e vocal with the merry, cheerful voice
i of hundreds who flock here to
educated. CITIZEN.