The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-06-23
RicaYille.

The closing exercises at the Ricoyille Institute
were concluded on Friday evening last after a
thorough investigation of the progress made by
the pupils, and as we had the pleasure of being
present on the occasion, think it nothing but
justice to the Professors and patrons of the In
stitute to say that no institution, be Its name
and fame ever so widespread, could surpass the
proficiency exhibited by the Students, which
was clearly demonstrated in this examination.
We were informed that on Tuesday and
Wednesday the Primary classes we're examined,
and suffice it to say the little ones could not have
done better. The exercises on Thursday bespoke
for those who read compositions some mature
ideas, and those who detained, unrivaled ora
torical talent. Need not tell us that mankind
is deteriOrating, intellectually, when we see
such exhibitions of precocity in the children of
our land. Place them under such ~judicious in
structors as Prof. IS Goforth and Brown have
proven themselves to be, and this age will send
out stars for an admiring world to gaze upon as
bright as any of those that past ages have given
us as examples.
Thursday night was occupied by an address
delivered by Rev. j. II. Martin. of Athens, and
owing to the inclemcncy Of the weather, many
persons were prevented from attending, yet the
Institute was crowded, and the lecture was in
t%cresting and highly appreciated by the audi
ence-
Friday was occupied by the Senior members
of the school in reading compositions and deliy-
cring original speeches, intcrsperscd with music
by Il part of the Mouse Creek String Band
A number of compositions were read and spceche:
delivered, which VIC would like to specify as be-
ing Extraordinary productions, but as they were
all so near u perfect success, we feel it would
be unjust to those not named.
After u few hours recreation, Friday evening
the people again assembled at the Insti
tutc, and at early candle-light, were called
to order by Col. II. Il. Y~carwood, who has acteC
rs Marshal for FIVE successive years. The Colo
mel is so well known to our citizens that we ncet
not say anything except that we think MS a Mar
shall he cannot be cxceled. We then had the
pleasure of seeing presented to the audience ont
of Our old friends, a Mr.. Stephens, from Blairs
VILE, Ga, who delivered an Grafton that w0ult
have done credit to u Dcmostheuse; after which
the graduating class was introduced, composed
of two young ladies from Hamilton county, Ten
ncsscc, and after reading their essays, Prof
Brown advanced and conferred the honor of Mis-
tress of Science upon each of them. The eldel
of the class then read the ValcdictOry, prepared
for the occasion that was II credit to her and
due appreciation for the old motto, Sctelcid eS
p%otentia.
,.o-, 1....k f,.V, rnN, .,t,,r ann ihn l.
to the citizens of Riccyillc for their kind hospi
tally during our stay in their midst, Ricevill,
is a live town and its citizens arc deeply inter
ested in the cause of education, as shown b!
the manner in which they have sustained thei1
Institution. Success to Riccyillo; and may it
citizens he Jealous in the cause which is Of St
great Importance to the youth of our country.