The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-08-24
LOCAL ITEMS.

COMMENCEMENT AT ST. CHARLES COL
LEGE.2Old Sol is propitious to youth
and ambition, and never were his smiles
more benignant than on the 18th of Au-
gust when, somewhere in the wee sma'
hours we buckled ON our pen and were
away to St. Charles College, to enjoy the
"feast of reason and flow of soul" pre-
pared for the edifeation of their friends
by the youths. of that time-hOnored in
stitution.
Before entering the town of Grand
COteau, we had a momentary glimpse of
the College buildings, surrounded by the
beautiful oaks which stand a living
monument to the taste Of one of the old
est of the brotherhood, every tree having
been planted by his own hand. "The
grovesAwere Gods first Temples" and
sweet4s ast be the thoughts of this ven
cradle en- pacing beneath these
leafyai Dking III through nature
to Natures God" On our arrival we
secured our Rosinante andmingled with
the throng Of chattering humanity,
mounted a flight of steps which tested
the boosted activity of a member of the
"Hook and Ladder" and found our
selves in a cool p~arlor, overlooking the
neatest of flower beds, where brilliant
"~bachelOr's buttons" and prim cold
maids lifted, side-by-side, their stately
heads.
The Pavilion prepared for the accom-
mediation of the audience, though large,
was crowded with the youth, beauty and
chiyalry of our country. The stage is
large, and its scenery and appointments
do credit to the taste of the Fathers"
who have charge of the Dramatic Corps.
The. curtain wal down, and we could
well imagine the futtering hearts that
beat behind it. We hare been young,
and well we know that even adowny lip
will culver with excitement on Com
mencement Day. The music, by the
Philharmonic Society, was excellent and
its inspiring strains would make even a
timid editor courageous enoughto face a
battery of bright eyes bent on the stage.
"The Conquered Banner" recited by
one of the youngerpupils, IRIS tchallenged
our admiration. His enunciation was
distinct, his gestures graceful, and both
received their merited applause.
The English Comedy, "The Village
Lawyer was a humorous satire on the
fOibles and follies of the learned profes-
sion. The characters were well sustain
ed, but we must especially commend the
"honest lawyer and the young gentle
man who personated Sheepface, whose
manipulation of his mother tongue"
was indeed wonderful.
The scene of tue French Tragedy was
laid in the fifth century. The costumes
were very well chosen and becoming
though why the youthful martyr and his
friend should have worn Greeley hats
-Quiea SaBe2 The language of this
Tragedy is beautiful, the plot very good.
and the young gentlemen deserve great
Observation-Disclosures emannerin which
they delivered the noble sentiments
which abound in this Drama, lie Martyr
de st. Hermenegi1de." The roles were
well sustained, the youthful monarch
looked "every inch a King and the
young gentlemen who personated the
Martyr, the Bishops and the brother Oh
the King, evinced dramatic talent of NJ
ordinary quality, aided by careful cul
ture, which wouldf fit them to appear be.
fore far more critical audiences.
The French Drama was succeeded by
A. TAso41s1~rAs1r 20 DpnaHaSI7x.ac . nTNl M
this period the excitement of the pupils
communicated itself to the audience
BY the frightening eye and eager face
we recognizedher ndthere the parents
of the youthful aspirants for well mer
tied honors. The prizes were handsome
volumes, valuable in themselves, and fa
more precious as the trophies of many
victory oven inclination on Incidence
The highestprize, that for good conduct
was awarded to N of ouryonngtowns
men, and his reception OF it, greete'
with applause by the audience, hearth.
seconded by his fellow students.
1t was a merry crowd, many of then
staggering under the weight of the pre-
miums which had been awarded to then
who greeted with one hearty cheer, til
announcement of the r~e-opening of th
College ON the 91st of October. Nodoub
that day will witness the r~eassemblin
of this joyous band, all eager once agai
to don the arlmor of Alma Mater.
While the band was d~iscoursing swee
music, andffriiendsw we're greeting friends
we were 4 chewing the cud of sweet an
bitter fancy and wondering where "
should get our dinner; we were invite
to join d party on route for the spring
distant about a mile, We had d merr
dinneraontl the green sWaTJl Of enc Of til
"Coteau's from which the town re
ceives IFS nalne. Twas q pursuit D
pleasure under difficulty, the plates ha
certainly been imhibing, from the ten
dency they showed to 90 skipping dow
the hill, and the dish literally IRA
away Within SPOON The youngster
however, enjoyedtheir 'tquiipsand crank
and wreathed SMILES amusing then
selves at our expense, quite forgettin
There's achiel amongyo % taking note
and faith! he'll print it, Dusty an
tired u ereached home, very grateful |
the s. Fathers 7 for having given us q da
of so much pleasure, and wishing the
every success III tile arduous paths the
ltayn nl1s1aosA AI.a4 ~ s1uno4; u III a.yny,s