Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-29
THE COLUMBIA ATHENEUn.

| To the Editor of the Union and American:
COLUMBIA, TENN, June 2S, 1672.-Sev-
eral days since we gave a synopsis of the
examination and commencement eXeI cises
of this far-famed institution of learning,
and although these exercises are still in pro
gress it may be we'll to notice those that
have already taken place.
The commencement sermon was to have
been preached by Rev. VIM, a. Nelson, of
Edgefeld, but he was detained by a serious
accident to one OF his children. After
very beautiful selection f.Om M0Eart's
Twelfth Mass, sung with great artistic skill
by the Athep@lm choir with full organ ac-
Compartment, the Rev. A. W. Smith, Of
Columbia, delivered an eloquent and elabo-
rate discourse, which was listened to with
marked attention by the appreciative au-
dience. The Atheneum hall, which is one
of the most beautiful in the South, never
appeared to better advantage, and it seemed
that special efforts were successfully made
to give more than usual attraction to the
exercises.
We were pleased to learn that the course
of instruction at the AtheG8um is remark
ably thorough, as was attested by the writ
ten examinations that have been in pro-
gress since the Sd inst. These eXamina-
tons are conducted on the university plan
and have already produced the best results.
The public examination began on the
morning of the 26.h inst. with school
PRAYERS, which gave evidence of the fact 50
generally known, viz. : that the Athen9um
is not dependent upon any religious sect,
but that it las teachers and pupils from the
various denominations Of christians.
A charming feature of the AthenRUm eX-
ercises is the rare excellence of its choral
music, not only as duty but also as a re-
creation.
The examinations began with the small
est pupils of the PestalOzzian department,
and the Rotations gave evidence of earnest
and faithful work on the part of both teach
ers and pupils. All Of the examinations
showed that there was nothing specially cut
and dried for the occasion. The method of
examinations may be stated in few words,
viz: The teacher stated the work that had
beed accomplished during the ten months,
and invited any visitor to select the topic
for examination, when searching questions
were asked to pupils as their names were
called by any member Of the Board Of Ex-
aminers. The answers showed that the
subject had been faithfully studied and fully
explained. The Rotations were all re-
markedly good, and in consequence Of the
marked attention of the large audience, eV-
cry word was distinctly heard In every part
of the spacious hall.
The Junior department stood an excel
lent examination in the various classes Of
its full and comprehensive course Of study.
Where all of the classes answered so well it
would be difficult to make any special dis
tlnction, though we were very favOrably i'm
pressed with the class in Scholars COmpln-
ion, spelling and definitions.
1t is very agreeable for us to notice the
proficiency in the French class, where the
pupils showed great excellency in prOnunci-
alton and construction Of the language. On
Wednesday evening we were delighted with
the dancing sOiree, which was one of the
most agreeable entertainments that we
have ever witnessed. The dancing school
of the Athenaum is under the direction Of
Miss Mckenzie, of Nashville, who has been
connected with the AtheD8um for many
years, and has made very high reputation
for herself and for the institution.
The vocal and instrumental pieces of
music interspersed in the sOiree were very
creditable, and showed that the ladies had
made high attainments in musical harmony
and mechanism.
Thursday morning opened with an ex-
animation of the third seniors, and again
where all acquitted themselves with so
much credit, it would be improper to make
comparisons. A junior class in Latin read
selections from Caesars commentaries, and
showed evidences of thorough drill in gram
mar, construction and pronunciation.
Numerous specimens in penmanship,
drawing, painting, embroidery, and fancy
work gave evidence of rare requirements in
these departments among AtheD9um pu-
pills.
Some of the classes that deserve partiCu-
lar mention are those in Mathematics, Flo
cution, Latin, Chemistry with experiments,
History, Literature, French, Moral PhilosO-
ply, Composition, etc.
The grand concert Of vocal and instrU-
mental music was an unparalleled success
in every sense of the word. The audience
was one of the largest ever assembled at a
concert in Columbia, and there was quite a
number of visitors from other States. The
order was perfect and everybody listened
with marked attention so that the
universal opinion is that the concert was
one of very superior merit.
The examination of candidates for gradu-
alton is in progress this morning, and the
programme for this evenings commence
ment is very attractive.
We are pleased to know that the Athen-
aum is in a very fourishing condition, and
that there is large number of pupils in
attendance from Cincinnati to the Gulf and
from Virginia to Texas, and there is good
reason for believing that the patronage next
session will be even larger than the present.
The Athen8lm is the result Of work be-
gun by its founder some sixty years ago,
and it is fully maintaining its high reputa-
ton as a thorough institution of learning.
Ton THUMB, JR.