Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-06-30
MEMPHIS LADIES' INSTITUTE.
Its commencement Exercises Last
Week.

ana consequent HoIc 'uuh Orutndri
felt interest relative thereto, the SUDDEN
and good citizen generally pauses here
and naturally inquiries into the educa
tional affairs of the city, peeps into it
school-houses, its natural healthreseI
voirs, and from its annual product
judges the situation. Well, kind editor
do / know how cheerfully you contribut
the power of your pen to the advance
ment of this, the public's concern; ant
if your humble correspondent begs tn,
insertion Of this short notice in you
much read paper, he knows that it is blu
pleasure to you to record from time t.
time such matter. n.f5 g4
To judge a school fairly we must &C
cept its scholars as the power and force
Of its faculty. Little am | disposed tC
accredit schools or colleges with, 1
pretense to- fame and celebrity
which halo of surroundings may
invite, but rather let, by the
fruit produced, the soil be judged
and by the scholars the school be classed
With each commencement exercises Of
this institute have / been, and watched
the character of the school and schooled,
Mrs. McGhee, its principal, bore no small
part in its history.
From the weary and sombre school
room, as younger scholars would havelt,
we have seen some of our brightest youths
step off into the future-again seeming
weary and sombre-school of life; and
how brightly upon the pages OF their
present teachings could one read the
impressed-deep withinimpressed- good
teachings, good morals, and learnings of
the Institute. | know many OF Its
graduates to-day, adjoining the circles of
their associations with learning and
brightness of mind; by their intellectual
and social refinement attracting the con-
geniality of true society And what does
the programme Of this year offer to the
close observer? An increased power of
knowledge, greater influence OF teacher
to the taught, and fattering prospects
generally.
The salutatory, by Miss White, was in
deed worthy of the occasion--a theme
well pursued, each thought bearing close
affinity to the subject under treatment.
The Death of Harrison, recitation
by Miss Buchanan, was deserving of due
appreciation. With the reading of the
first line the student of the poets well
coined a promising scholar of theirs.
The young lady threw soul and pathos
into the delivery, and showed her entire
capability and close study of the poem.
The dramatic knowledge displayed by
the young scholar bespaaks the more
credit for her, and we hope to hear again
from her.
Search for the Fountain of Youth"
b. Miss Whitemore, was beautifully es-
sayed, and called forth loud applause.
Quite her own are the ideas, and of great
credit to so young an author
The next essay, Is there no hope for
the Nations" by Miss Crawford, was
effort Most carefully did the
audience listen to the young historian,
and expressed the wish TO have it for
perusal Such well founded ideas upon
historical truths are not often presented
By young ladies. She must have tray
ersed the pages of history from Josephus
10 Allison and Gibbon. Bravo, we sayl I
The French and German dialogues
we're refreshing to those who could UNI
lerstand them. The participants, as if
hey were natives near the Seine and
Rhine, in most euphonious flow of Ian
guage told their amusing stories, and
spoke credit to their teacher, Mr.. WITT
nan, and certainly for themselves.
Musically, there was not exactly that
profession of talent which on former
occasions shone forth SO brilliantly.
There was no Miss w. nor Miss d. this
lime; but the gift of music is one of God,
md not SO easily acquired when once
wanting. But to the credit of the in
itruotors bel said, that good training and
,arefll teaching could be seen, which,
With time, will bring forth its reward.
Here one word for our little Katie
McGhee. Had Prume been here and
seen the young violinist of scarce twelve
summers standing before an audience of
nearly one thousand attentive people, he
would have been happy with her and en-
joyed it. She Yields the bow beautifully,
and promises as much of success as
it is novelty Her duo with
Prof Seyfert was more than we have
heard from misses Of her age Invita-
ion o Ia Valse is no childplay, and de-
nands acknowledgment indeed. We look
forward to her future, as it
indeed is rich in hopes promising
And now, though late but not forgot
EN-, word for the author of Heroic
Nomen" and the Valedictory, by Miss
linda Oliver She was the observed of
III observers, Graceful and dignifed
The appeared on this, so solemn an
evening for her, dressed in pure snow
White. with but the lilies to compare in
,arb and innocence. She gained, as on
ormer occasions, in advance the favors
f the audience. In the depth of her
lack eye is the seat of her knowledge
effected, and not disappointed was the
udience in listening to her beautiful
ssay and valedietory. She is an &C
scholar, thinker, reasoner
nd writer, versed in literature, music,
rama and science generally.
And here | will introduce one word for
FRS. McGhee, the principal of the school.
Yell is she known with her patrons, and
OF a word could be mentioned here which
not fully known TO the many who per-
onally know her, know her school, and
ave attended her commencement exer-
ises Long yet may she enjoy the
leasures of contented life and happy
ocation; and frequently, when around
ne social hearth her friends and former
upils will meet, may she bask in the
yer Joyous recollection Of having con-
ibu:ad materially to their welfare,
nited friendship with tuition, and thus
memory's IMMORTAL knowledge i'm
ressed the thought Of having duties, holy
nd sacred, conscientiously performed.
VISITOR.
Remember the "Gettysburg Dead"
ienic and its object tomorrow.