Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-19
THE CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE GAINES
INSTITUTE, THE MISSES BOWERS,
PRINCIPALS.

AS a most agreeable episode in the dull
monOtony of the last two or three dreary
days, it was our privilege to be present,
yesterday, at the examination of this well
conducted institution. On entering the
school-room the quiet, dignihed and
graceful bearing of the instructresses at
once excited our admiration. We could
not but think, as we quietly seated our
selves amid the hushed stiffness of the
hall, while IN of the little pupils was re-
citing, in mastery style, 1.-THE Battle of
Ivry," that parents could not erin placing
their children where such perfect disci-
pline seemed to reign.
In this very important part of educa-
tiOn-goOd reading-Miss Bowers eXcels.
Few ladies, not professional "artists, - nm
derstand elocutiOn as she does; n none
could heAr her rendering Of Hoods
Bridge of Signs, " in the p~laintive pathOs
her gentle voice assumes, without feeling
that size is mistress of the art.
The proficiency of the pupils in mathe-
MATES algebra, practical and mental
arithmetic), was highly creditable. The
class in mental arithmetic did wonders
for their little minds. The intricate ques-
tions they solved with so much rspidity
and accuracy would have puzzled older
heads.
But the gem of the day was the class in
Shakespeare. The readiness with which
young girls, scarcely in their teens,
ave familiar quotations from Shake
speare, is something that is seldom
witnessed in schools. In after life surely
these young ladies must look hack with
gratitude to their teachers for their care
full training in this rather extraordinary
study.
In all the instructions given by the
Misses Bowers, their aim is TO teach prin-
ciples rather than a bare knowledge of
facts. They desire the pupil to get at
the root Of what they learn, and not to be
satisfied without thoroughly understands
ing every subject they attempt TO investi-
gate.
In addition to this laying of the ground
work, the education which these ladies
impart is eminently calculated to fit
young persons for intercourse with re-
fined and cultivated people. This was
evinced by exercises in grammar, analy-
sis of the English poets and fluent recita-
tons in mythology.
At tho close Of the examination the
venerable DR.. Wheat awarded medals to
those young ladies-one for literary at
tainments in English, to Miss Susie Win
chester, and two others to the most dill
gent in the French language, Misses MOllie
and Lizzie McClelland. Some
of the other pupils would have been
equally honored, but for absence from
sickness n other causes
Before awarding these prizes, DIR. Wheat
the attention of the school by a
chaste, beautiful and solemn appeal to
their moral sense, directing them to the
all important thought That although every
one could not obtain a medal, all could
gain the appreciation of their Heavenly
in the efforts each one made, this
being, after all, the ultimatum of educa-
ton, placing the moral far above the intel
The good Doctor, in his peculiar
style of adapting himself to
comprehension of the youngest child,
pictured to their Imagination that great
day, of which this, the last day of their
term, was q type, when all who
make the proper effort, may receive the !
reward bestowed upon the faithful, and
hear those welcome words of admission
into the Kingdom OF their Heavenly Fa-
her. This most important lesson will
doubtless remain long in their memories.
June Is, 1870.