Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-06-03
For the Fayetteville Observer.
Two Days at Oak Hill.
BY MALCOLM.
"Many green isle needs must be
In the deep wide sea of memory.


attending the closing exercises Of
Oak Hill Institute. Having for
many months heard of the great!
and growing reputation of the
school, we joyfully laid aside pro-
tessional cares for two days, to
attend the examination; and our
impression now is that never were
two days more pleasantly or prof
itably spent.
On Thursday, May q, after a.
rapid drive (Apropo8, a few hun
dred dollars worth of work on the
Shelbyville pike would in a short
time save it's cost in the wear and
tear of vehicles) we arrived at
the village of Oak Hill. Several
new buildings and other improve
ments said to us-this is an en-
terprising and prosperous commu-
nifty. We rested for a few min
utes at the new and commodious
residence of Prof. Himebaugh, and
then proceeded to the Institute
The building has a commanding
site on the top of a hill overlook
ing the village. A want of shade
trees and good fences showed at
first sight that the accommoda-
tons are not in all respects such
as they should be.
A class of young ladies in
Xenophon's Memorabilia was the
first that we heard examined
The instructress, Miss Fannie
Landess, invited several of the
visitors who were known to be
educators, to conduct the examina-
ton. Several passages were called
for and read with fuency and
critical exactness. The most mi
mute particles were noted and ex-
planned, and the grammatical prin-
ciples stated ger6atinl ct liter0tim.
Then followed q class in practical
and one in mental arithemetic,
both exhibiting a thorough drill
ing and accurate knowledge of
the principles Of the science. A
large class of geometry, composed
of about an equal number of
young ladies and gentlemen was
listened to with much interest,"
We wished that all who doubt
that woman's capacity is equal to
mans could have been present, to
see misses in short dresses and
bib aprons demonstrating the
most abstruse propositions, and
answering without hesitation
questions asked by the audience,
Miss Sallie Landess is certainly
a very efficient teacher of mathe,
mates. 1t is impossible to par
ticularize all, but a class in Virgil
deserves especial mention. Their
correct pronunciation and critical
analysis of sentences reflect high
honor on their teacher as we'll as
themselves.
After supper we again assem-
bled, to attend the anniversary Of
the Panalethean Club. The ques-
ton, SIS obedience right?" was
discussed at considerable length,
afirmatively and negatively, by a
gentleman in speech and a lady
in a dissertation on each side. Con
siderable ingenuity and some
knowledge of the philosophy Of
history were evinced; but we con-
fess we could not see the point
If the disputants had understood
each other there would evidently
have been no difference. In the
journal, there was too much mo-
notony, too much straining after big
words and too little variety. Wei
could not help thinking of the
criticism of old Fadladeen, that
sit was like the futter of the
aviary without its song" There
were, however, some honorable
exceptions, among which "Practise
what you preach" was the best. |
knowledge comes but wisdom |
lingerE," a chaste and beautiful es-
say was read by Miss Kate A. |
Stone, of Alabama. Taking eve
rything into consideration, the ex-
ercises of the night afforded an
excellent mental repast; but a
liberal sprinkling of Attic salt
would have improved the flavor
of the viands. Let it be remem-
bered, too, that slang is not wit.
On Friday, the exercises con-
sisted of essays and orations and
a lecture on Education by Rev.
DR.. J. B. McFerrin of Nashville.
The latter is only mentioned here
because we propose reviewing it in
q separate article. 1t is impossi-
bic to give even the names of all