Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-19
Is. CeciIiA's Academy-TweIfth An

st. CeciIia's Academy-Twelfth An
V mual Commencement eu
Many a time and oft, during the past
twelve years, when bowed down with care,
when disturbed by the noise and confusion
OF the busy world, when an hours contem-
plation on the vanity Of this world and ali
its pleasures was demanded, 10 invigorate
the soul and quiet the mind, we have Wend-
ed our way to the sacred and classic grounds
of st. Cecilia's, where, in solitude, q
80, sacred solitudel divine retreat
Choice of the prudenti envy of the greatp'
we refreshed oar soul, casting of the cares
and fOllies of the world, and holding sweet
communion with our Heavenly Father,
thus certifying ourselves, as it were, against
the snares of this world, and fitting Us to
! prepare for better. Here on this lovely
! spot, while thousands of soldiers were
camped around, and tremendous armies
were engaged in deadly strife, we could
| listen to the singing Of the birds and the
| humning of the bees-we could imagine
ourselves holding sweet converse with the
spirit of Sister Gertrude, whose remains lie
in bower shaded by the magnolias we
| could hold communion with angels, and
aspire eVento raise our soul to heaven.
At the Annual Commencement the scene
is changed; the quiet which usually reigns
| supreme, on these occasions are somewhat
broken; and yesterday was not an excep
! ton to the general rule. From early morn
ing carriages, laden with their precious
| freight, wendell their way to Mount Yer
non, and the North Nashville street cars
carried out large numbers, so that by nine
O'Clock, the hour fixed for commencing the
exeEcises, the ground was dotted with pat
Ions and friends of the Institution, repre-
senting many of our Oldest and best fami-
les.
In few minutes the doors were opened,
and soon Their latter the opening march
brought the young ladies upon the stage.
The welcome address, written by Miss
Stella Hillners was well delivered by Miss
Kate Breen. As we predicted few DAYS
ago, the musical part of the prog1 anime
was a rich and rare feast even to profess
SIGNALS, the instrumental portion being Ly
such composers as Rossini, Verdi, etc,
and selected from the operas of 'sWilliam
Tell, y "Lodviska," "Traviata," "The Bar
Der Of Seville" etc.
A composition by Miss Nora Ward, "The
Geography of the Heavens" received mer-
tied applause, as did also the composition
vi 1lSS Ddiil6 OcCD, Dub L0t CEOWulllR Ou6
of all was the essay by Miss Mollie Hayes,
on "The Study of Nature a Source of
PleasuTe.n 1t was an excellent compost
ton, and well delivered.
Decidedly among the best features of the
entertainment were the poetical recitations
| by Miss Bell Guest and Miss Kate Egan,
one Of them reciting a beautiful compost
ton of Miss Pattie Brown, former gradu-
ate of st. Cecilia's, and the other "Long
Ago." by Father Ryan, we believe.
The vocal music was excellent, gave,
Maria" by the Seniors, and the "Lullaby"
| Of the Juniors being among the best, and
receiving hearty applause.
The crowning Of the graduates and distri-
! button Of premiums closed the exercises
about half past twelve, leaving everybody
well pleased with the entertainment. Some
departed for the city, but many fingered
about the grounds until late in the after
noon, enjoying the shade and the refresh
! ing breeze, and all the other delightful at
fractions of this really attractive place.
We ought, perhaps, to remark, before
closing, that Miss Bette Rhodes received
the gold medal for faithful observance of
the rules of the institution, and that the
graduates, in addition to other premiums,
received gold medals.