The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-07-13
For the South Western.
Mansfield Female College-..Gommencem

#EAEhSiSsS.
This old and distinguished institution has just closed
another scholastic year. and the undersigned respect
fully solics short space in your pubc-spirited and
widely circulated journal to give to your readers
brel account of the proceedings of this most interest
ing commencement We feel sure that this favor will
be cheerfuy extended to u.s. as this college has been
the alma Mater of Of Shreyeports most gifted
daughters, and has now in training others who will
make their marks high in the history of the institution
The examination of the various classes commenced
on Thursday, the 23d ut., and continued until the
Tuesday evening following. The writer Of this was
present during much of the time and cheerfuy bears
witness to the thoroughness of the institution as
hibited by these examinations. There is no humbug
here. The leading idea with the teachers is to in
struct their pupils to think to reason to analyze to
investigate. Dir. Editor this institution makes thor
ough scholars. The ornamental branches, though by
no means neglected, are made subordinate to the
sod and seems to be the object of the President to
send out young ladies' with minds disciplined and well
stored with useful and practical knowledge well as
polished by the elegant and polite branches.
On Sunday at II o'clock the annual sermon before
the graduating class was preached by the Rev. John
WILKINSON OF the Louisiana Conference, stationed
in your city Mr. W. took for his subject the charac
ter OF Mary and Martha His analysis fine and the
contrast was drawn with masters hand His deliv-
cry was dspassonae and impressive and the discourse
was, in all respects suitable to the occasion and fully
up to the representation which had preceded him.
On Monday light the regular concert Of instrumental
| and vocal music was gven under the direction of
Madam j. B. de Michelly, the Professor of Music, and
her accomplished daughter The audience was large
and attentive, and the general impression that the
concert was decided success-that the young ladies
had been skilfuly and faithfully instructed, and that
the musical department of the institution had
been more ably and successfully managed
On Tuesday night " The Romance of the Forest a
kind OF melo DRAMA off under the supervision of
the same ladies' An entrance fee of one dollar was
paid for admission to this entertainment. The pro-
ceeds are to be appropriated to the purchase of chem
ical and philosophical apparatus-the college having
been stripped of all these APPLIANCES duEne h
audience, and the performance was superior to any
thing Of the kind ever witnessed by the writer. 1t
was success in all its parts and reflected great credit
upon Madam Michelly and the young ladies. The
singing was superb and the music most excellent.
Everybody was peased-indeed we never attended an
assembly where ater and more general satisfaction
was expressed.
Wednesday, commencement day, was clear, bright
and hot At an early hour the immense college hall
was filled to its utmost capacity-wh much the largest
gathering Of the kind since the beginning of the war.
AT ~ o'clock the exercises opened with singing
and prayer, conducted by Rev. Baxter Clegg of the
Louisiana Conference. Majar James S. Ashton, the
popular and talented attorney for this district and also
n resident OF your city, then introduced the
orator of the day. The Major spoke forty.fve min
utCo manner. Ills SUBJECT
was the Battle of Life" He was striking in bis Ian
guage and happy in his delivery. The expectations
OF the audience pitched high, but pleased
to say that the Major than met them and greatly
added to the envable reputation which he already
Joyed as torcble and popular speaker The citizens
OF Mansfield, among whom Majo Ashton first resided
when he emigrated to Louisiana, were much gratifed
at his effort aud expressed great pride at the brilliant
prospects before their former friend and associate The
essays OF the graduating class were then delivered in
the following order: Miss Mary Frances Guy, "The
Sunset Of Life; ~ Miss Annie Vickers Reaves. "The
Dreams of the Future; Miss Porter Parsons, "The
Charge of the Crescent Regiment" These young
ladies were all from Mansfield. 1t would be invdous
in US to draw any distinctions but suffice it to say that
they acquitted themselves in highly credable and
satisfactory manner, comparing most favorably with
those OF any similar occasions The degrees were
then conferred by Rev. Charles B. Stuart in few per-
tlnent, pathetic and impressive remarks Then fol.
lowed the valedctory address by Miss Annie Howard
Stuart, the talented and accomplished daughter of the
President. We have heard number of valedctories,
both at male and female colleges, but must conscen
tiousy say that we never heard better one than this
delivered by Miss Stuart. The subject was indeed
trite, but she handled it most sklully and in man
ner which evnced her excellent training and superior
scholarship. After the benedction by the Rev. Mr.
Wilkinson, the audience dispersed.
Thus has passed the most successful and satisfactory
commencement within the knowledge of your cores
pondent who has been regular attendant on these
exercises for the last years The good order for
so large number of persons was surprising indeed,
we scarcely anything during the entire time incon
sIstent with propriety.
The next session will commence the 2sth of Sep.
TENDER, an announcement to this effect having been
made by the President. He will be assisted by an
able and experienced faculty and to persons DESTROYS
Of giving their daughters thorough and useful educa-
ions, we know of no school in the South presenting
superior advantages With good crops and prosper
UT hat will ho fop
he young ladies applying for admission.
July 2, 1870. VISITOR.