Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-03
The Columbia Athenmum.

To the Editor of the Union and American:
Last Saturday we gave a report of the
Athenaum examination and concert of vo-
cal and instrumental music, and it is now
proposed to notice the remaining exercises :
Immediately after the concert we were
presented with Mendelssohn's grand can
tata, "The Hymn of Praise" which was
charmingiy sung by the Athen@um music
school. The solos, Duets, quartettes and
choruseS all were splendid, and showed that
the voices had received the most careful
training. The Athen8um deserves great
credit for eultiVating high order of clas-
steal music, much of which is arranged at
the Atheneum. As anEns5 vance of this we
may mention the beautiful harp obligato
with the grand chorus 81 waited for the
Lord" This was the first time that Men
delssoha's Hymn of Praise was ever pro-
duced in Tennessee, and the performance
was of the highest order of excellence.
Friday morning was devoted to an exam
nation of candidates for graduation, and
the young ladies greatly distinguished
themselves in mathematics, composition,
mental and moral philosophy, botany, chem
istry, history, literature, etc. Miss Files, of
Alabama, read an original Latin salutatory,
which was very fayorably received. By
special request, Miss Adams address to the
alumn8 was postponed until the afternoon.
At meeting of the Faculty, Examiners
and Trustees, thirty-three diplomas were
awarded in separate schools, and nine full
diplomas to young ladies who were de-
clared full graduates of the Columbia
Athen9um.
When o'clock, the appointed hour, ar
riVnd thp AtknOaar1ua nd
posed for the occasion, was performed on
three pianos, and the pupils, graduates and
faculty entered and took their places on
the platform. A very large and
intelligent audience hal already
mencement exercises. Miss Anna Hopson,
OF Mississippi, read neat and graceful saIu-
tatory, which was followed by Won Web
er's chorus, ebay Slowly Declining"
Miss Carrie Warren, of Columbia, Tennes-
see, read the valedictory which was full of
original thoughts most beautifully express
ed. Miss Belle Adams, of Aberdeen, Mis-
sissippi, read an address to the alumne, a
large number Of whom were present.
This address must be heard in order to be
appreciated, hence we will not attempt to
give any description of it further than TO
say that it gave a glowing account of
Southern women, and dwelt at some
length upon the characteristics of female
education in the South. The accomplished
speaker closed with noble tribute to the
memory of the founders of the Atheneum.
The add ess is highly praised by all vino were
so fortunate as to hear it, and we are hap
py to learn that efforts are being made to
have it published. Twelve prizes were
awarded by the Secretary OF the Faculty,
who made an eloquent speech on Study as
fine Art. Diplomas in separate schools
were awarded by the Principal and full d.
plomas were presented by the President of
the Board of Trustees. The graduates
joined in an afectionate parting song which
war arranged at the Athenaum. The Prin-
cipal delivered an able address to the grad
uating class, and the ommencement exer-
cises closed with a beautiful 'Good. byeD
chorus. All of the performances were per- i
fectly successful, and clearly show that the
Columbia Atheneum continues to occupy
an exalted place among the literary institu-
tons of our country.
NOM TIFITNrp In