Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-26
SOMERvILLE.
Commencement Exercises of the
somervIlIe Female Institute.7


known to the people Of West Tennessee,
ia located in the pleasant village of Som
erville, the county site of Fayette. DR..
". T. Plummer, the President, formerly
of this city, is an experienced teacher,
and with the aid Of his accomplished lady
and corps of competent teachers, has
net only maintained the reputation Of
the institution, but increased and en-
larged its usefulness, which is fully at
tested by the large patronage hehas re-
ceived during the last scholastic year.
Somerville has always been noted for the
intelligence and refinement Of its people,
to which may be attributed in great de-
gree the prosperity and success of this
Female Institute.
The annual commencement exercises
began on Tuesday, the 22d, and closed on
Thursday evening, the Gath inst. The
attendance each day was large, and the
elite of Fayette county assembled, as for
years has been the custom, to witness the
progress and prosperity Of their school,
while many visitors from a dis
lance graced the occasion with their
presence, and exhibited an interest
in the exercises equal to the resi-
dent citizers DR.. Plummer has
adopted the plan of rigid annual
examination, and Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday the various classes were
publicly examined, and in such man ner
that every one, whether peculiarly inter.
ested or not, could at once see that the
students had been diligent in their
studies, and the teachers faithful in the
discharge of their duties. The prompt
ness with which the young ladies
answered the questions propounded to
them, their general advancement and
department, were witnessed with great
pleasure by the patrons and friends Of
the school.
Thursday night was set apart for the
exercises of the graduating class, and at
an early hour the spacious hall was filled
with ladies and gentlemen. The class
educated and trained solely 10 this school
compared favorably with those who have
preceded them, and consisted Of eight
young ladies: Miss Walker Nelson, Of
Memphis, Tenn, Misses Helan Hobson,
Mar. Warren, Lucie Mayo, Kate Dyer,
Florence Doydy, Mollie Jackson and
Sallie Jackson, of Fsystts county. The
essays read by these young ladies were
all so we'll conceived, and in such good
style and taste, that no discrimination
could be justly made.
Miss Helan Hobson read the ga ptatory,
which was a fine composition, and was
well received. 1t is often said 1.-THE best
is reserved for thp last" but in this in
stance the good things seemed equally
Distributed, commencing at the first.
Miss N. Warren. a modest young lady
of Somerville, selected for her subject
"a thing of beauty is joy forever" in
which sentiment we fully cencurred after
hearing tie beauties and joys of life SO
glowingly pictured by cps 81 young aud
fair.
"Ruins Of time" Life compared to d
flowing riyer;' by Misses Dowdy and
Dyer, compared we'll with those pre-
ceding; while Twilight musings" by
Miss Lucie Mayo, taught us that there
are realities even in the castles we build
SO frequently in the DIR.
Memory and san things beautiful
fade and die" by the Misses jackson,
we're well composed and read in pleas
ing manper.
Too mach could not be said in COM
mendation of the "Valedietory," BY Miss
Walker Nelson, of Memphis. 1t was not
only production of literary merit and
composed with care, but was replete with
thoughts of serious moment, pleasantly
blended With the bright hopes and joys of
early youth, the coming struggle OF life
closing with a touching farewell to the
genes and associations so dear to the
student.
After the presentation Of diplomas by
the President, the audience we're enter
tanned by pleasing piecs-in the per-
Torrance of which the entire school par
ticipated-eptitled "Floral Extrayagan-
"a" We are not aware who conceived
the plan aud idea, but 1t Was very APP
propriate sfterpiece, and pleasing con-
clusion of the three days exercises. We
regret that q want Of space forbids more
extended aceognt Of this fairy land
scene" We cannot conOlude without
recognition of the music department,
which added so much to the pleasure Of
the audience. The students 10 this de-
partmeni &c indebted TO Miss Sue
Cooper, their accomplished principal, for
their proficiency and rapid advance
ment. The sxcelIency oftbe many beau
tifpl pieces which we're daily performed
fully attest tks diligence Of the students
and the superior ability of theiE teacher
accom- plished not only in her attain
ments as teacher Of music, but in all
the gentle grace of mind and heart that
beautify and adorn her sex. Miss Sallie
Caldwell. of Someryille, sang several