Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-11
LEBANON.
Corona commencement - 'FOIia,
FIOKes ct Fructus.''

Corona Commencement - "FOIta,
Flores ct Fructus''
Correspondence Of the Union and American.
LEBANON, June SIT was our good for
tune to be present at the closing exercises
of wCorona" upon the evenings Of June
3 and 4, and to listen TO the eloquent and
appropriate address of the Rev. DR.. Sum-
mers, of Nashville, delivered before the
graduating class upon the morning OF the
fifth. Corona is an institution of learning,
devoted to the welfare and education ofthe
fair sex, situated in the charming town OF
Lebanon, and is under the direction Of that
most able instructor, Pref. Stark. Modes
ty forbids our undertaking 70 notice in de-
tail the many features Of interest in the
exercises of the two evenings, and we must
content ourselves as well as we can with
brief sketch. Monday evening was de-
voted to music and literature, Corona COM
mencement proper: The graduating class
read English essays-each graduate read
ing her own composition, and the
music, vocal and instrumental,
was by the music class OF Corona. 1t
would be cause Of complaint did we men
ton one performer above another; and justly
so, for where all were perfect, as in this en-
tertainmeDt, all deserve ''palm branch"
To Judge from the subjects Of many OF the
classes, such as "Trees," "On the Farm"
Swords, )" one was lead to the conclusion
that part of the course Of instruction at
Corona was Of practical nature, and that
something more than an ephemeral educa-
ton was impaired to the young ladies placed
under Professor Stalks charge. Yet, what
is considered, II some quarters, as essential
to female education was not wanting, to-
wit: The culture Of the imagination, and
the emotional part of our nature. For the
intellects Of highly cultivated audience
were charmed by the skill with which such
ideal subjects az "Benedicite," "Behind the
Cloud the Sun still Shining" and, "The
| darkest day that ever shOne has some bright
raw to cheer it." were treated. Yet skill
| was not the only feature in these es-
says worthy ofnotice; they showed healthy
| state of imagination. Ideal, not turgid;
| no far-fetched siIuiles and metaphors.
! Yet the variety in the subjects, and in the
manner in which they were treated, was
! such that all could be instructed and en-
| tertained. One noticeable feature Of the
| exercises was the pureness OF the English
/ used, There was an utter absence OF for
| eign phrases in the essays. Those hybrid
! monstrosities, which are creeping into our
| language and literature at every available
! loophole, were banished from this musical
| and intellectual feast. We cannot resist the
! temptation to add word more concerning
! the ESSAY upon "Words." This essay, and
The manner in which the subject was treat
! ed, gave evidence that Prof. Stark teaches
| from biological standpoint, and that much
/ attention is devoted TO this branch of mod
| arm fau1ale educaiiOn.
| The music of the evening by the music
class was sufficient in itself to satisfy the
! most cultivated taste and ear, and was
| proof conclusive that care, time, and skill
! had been expended both by pupils and
! teacher, during the session that has just
! closed. The selections were from the best
! operas and the best Of modern selections
were performed with ease. Bouquet after
! bouquet was sent up to the fair young
| ladies, and as the last note Of each song
/ foated away applause, generous and in
tended, greeted the ear. The whole enter
tainment was perfect, and one to be long
remembered by those who were so fortu-
nate as to procure seats in the densely
! crowded hall.
Tuesday evening, June 4, found the
beautifully adorned Masonic Hall iammed
and crowded by an eager and expectant
audience. Youth and old age, LONELINESS
and beauty, side by side, all waiting with
fond anticipation the rising Of the curtain,
| for tonight, cantaia, 1.-The Fairy Bridal, y
was to be performed by the music class OF
! Corona. The prompter's bell tingled, the
curtain rolled up, aud there was disclosed
TO the attentive audience a scene Of beauty.
Young ladies and misses, dressed with
Infinite taste, perfect in the rendition
of the parts assigned them, poured
out upon the audience "a food Of
harmony. And throughout the entire "can-
tata," in all the varying changing scenes
the same perfectness of rendition was OBJ
served. The basis efthe play was taken from
midsummer Nights Dream" and we had
PUCK aud Oberon, Titania and Peachblos-
som, with elm sprites, gnomes and fairies
all gorgeously dressed, but with becoming