The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1872-08-10
(For the costrier/
Commencement Exercises at the
UrsuIime Academy.

commencement Exercises at tin
Ursu1ime Academy.
The writer had the pleasure of attending tn
commencement Exercises of the above mos
excellent Institution for the education G
young ladies, on the 26th ult., in the Town G
Opelonsas; and in common with the patron
and spectators who were present on that intel
esting occasion. feels that the notice which i
here given Of it will be but feeble tribute O
praise, elected by both the merit and prof
cheney of the pupils, and the well atteste,
capacity of the able corps Of teachers who CON
duct the Academy.
The want of space will preclude an extended
notice of the entire programme, SO pieasin,
and judieious in its arrangement; yet we hope
the slight review given, viii furnish your read
ers who were not present, with a general ide,
Of the splendid appointments, engrossing in
terest, and perfect success Of the day. Ant
for the benefit of those persons at distanc,
who have daughters to educate, and who de
sire healthy locality, with associations cal
eulated to foster and promote both the intel
lectual and spiritual characters of their chill
dren, we will make slight depression, ani
first notice the Ursuline Convent Grounds
They ara situated at the northern limits of thu
Town of Opelousas, adjacent to the Catholi,
Church. The plat is ample in area, covered
with beautiful native and exotic trees, whose
delightful shadows famed by the cool prairie
winds, afford delightful retreat from the
summer heatk its tasteful and imultifarious
flower walks which thread the sylvan groves,
excite an intimate and direct communion with
nature; its commodious and well ventilated
buildings which embrace the Convent and
School premises, insure all that could he asked
for the health and comfort of the pupils; and
the Nuns, tHeaven bless them,) whose lives
and energies are devoted to God and the edu.
cation of the young, give sufficient earnest OF
the moral and intellectual progress of children
placed under their tuition.
The spacious Academy was filed with an
attentive and intelligent audience, and digni.
fled by the presence of the venerable and
Most Rev'd. Archbishop Perche, of New Or.
leans. his Secretary, Rev'd. Mr.. Gouverneau,
and other dignitaries of the Church. The ex-
ercises were conducted under the auspices of
Mesdames st. Pierre, Hyaeinthe and Cecil, the
pious and efficient teachers of the Academy
directed by the able supervision of the Rev'd.
Mr.. Raymond of Opelousas. The well selected
and splendidly executed music, which inter-
luded the exercises, and formed so agreeable
an adjunct to the occasion, was performed by
the excellent and accomplished Miss Helen
Perkins. e....
Programme: = Prologue, by Miss Jeannie
Heard, was pleasant conception, pertinent
in application, elegant in language, abounding
in good imagery, and delivered with quiet
grace and modulation of voice which gave an
agreeable interest to the effort s'Tante Ma
caste of characters: Misses L. Cochran, A. La
byehe, A. Robin, E. Lalanne, s. Meginley, NJ
L0nailler, C. Roy, +. Leer and /. Grevemberg.
The play illustrated plain but withal q very
sensible and independent old country aunt,
visiting her aristocratic city relations-some
of whom were terribly shocked at the old lady's
rustic manners and simple language, and ex-
tended her anything but cordial and affec-
tiOnate welcome during her sojourn. Subse-
quently, however, pecuniary embarrassments
and the frowns of adversely bring to the city
relations strong reminder of their aunt, and
make them forget her Arcadian patois and odd
decorum. She generously relieves them of their
distress, exhibiting magnanimous forgive
ness forstheir gross abnse of hospitality: and
teaches them that style without means, fash
ion without common sense, and polished man
ners without true courtesy, are but moekeries
OF the true amenities and embellishments of
life. The drama was well sustained by the
entire dsandtts persOsse TO the final curtain,
exciting continued applause from the audience
-many of whom were old s'play goers;n and
artistic talents were manifested, which with
due cultivation upon the "boards" might de-
velope Stars in the dramatic world. We would
not draw invidious distinctions, but we must
say, that Miss Cochran in the role of "Tante
Marianne gave evidence of extraordinary tai
ents in comedy. Her impersonati0n of the
character, with the exception of slight fanlt
in modulation of voice, was almost inimitable.
But that could be overcome by study and ex-
an artist. The costumes used, har-
excellently withithe period, national
lty and tout ensemble of the piece. The ap-
pointments of the Stage were arranged with
dramatic taste, and much scenic effect; and
instead of being an improvised structure for a
day, would answer admirably for permanent
histrionic representations.
The Song of Welcome to the Most Revd.
Archbishop, by the pupils, was well rendered,
and evoked smiles OF appreciation and warm