The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-06-06

the closing exercises of this popular school
We found large number of persons present
from the adjacent neighborhood, and few
from abroad. Rev: r: A. Young and Mr. K
Webb, of Nashville, Mr. James Smiser, MIR
d. A. Mcknight, of Giles, and others, were
on the stage during the day, and Prof. Webb,
the Principal OF the school, called upon them
to designate the lesson or exercise for each
class, and in Geometry, each pupil. Nothing
seemed to be "cut and dried" tor the occasion.
The audience was enabled Ito see exactly how
the scholars were progressing IN their studies
just before dinner, DIR. Young delivered,
rather than read, an address to the school; on
the necessity of reading the right kind of
books. The burden of his address consisted in
showing the evil of reading the trashy htera-
ture Of the day, and especially yellow backed
novels Of per3lclOuS tendency. lie said
one OF the evil tendencies of reading sensa
tionsl novels was in the fact that they created
a deep sympathy in the heart of the reader
for the sufferings of the imaginary hero and
heroine, without furnishing any real means of
gratifying the feeling; which, occur
ring over and over again, causes the mind to
grow indifferent to suffering. He gave an
instance in his experience he asked a lady
member Of his congregation at Nashville, a
well known reader of novels, to assist a GER
tain family in great want and suffering. The
lady, with a semi-celestial look, said she
would immediately relieve their wants before
recital OF the Doctors story. She failed to
succOr the poor woman and her children, and
DR.. Young asked her about it again, and
again, always with the same result The Doc
tor did not wish to be understood as condemn
ing all novels, indiscriminatsly there we're a
number of works Of fiction which would ben
fit young persons to read, such as "Rasselas,"
"Yicar Of Wakefield, and that best and great
est of all uninspired books, Bunyan's "Pil-
gTim's Progress" and many Others he might
mention. His remarks were especially in
tended for the young, because their minds
were more likely TO be untitled for the read
ing of good books by the indiscriminate peru
sal of sensational novels and destroy that
beautiful tralt of the human heart, sympathy
for our fellows in distress. We are Censci-
Gus OF the injustice we are doing DR.. Ioung'S
speech by this imp eTfect synopsis. 1t was
splendid address, and made deep impression
on the large and intelligent audience. He
closed by reciting a conversation between two
gentlemen, strangers 10 him, who got on the
train al Hurricane, and came down to Guile
Okla seated near him. One said something
commentators of the Cuileoka Institute, and
the other replied, Yes, and the Principal and
his brother are gentlemen" "And not only
gentlemen but thoroughly competent teachers,
and graduates of Chapel Hill University,
North Carolina" "Thcir assistants are also
competent and worthy Miss Wambaugh, the
music teacher, is a gem. She sings like
mocking- bird" The Doctor then added his
testimony to Miss WIS skill as a vocalist, "She
is considered in Nashville as second only TO
Mrs Mollie Craig"
The entertainment at night consisted OF mu-
sic, vocal and instrumental and declarations,
etc. We have no programme, and not being
familiar wiAh the names of the pupils, we can
not mention quite number who rendered
their parts admirably. We trust, therefore,
that what we shall say OF such persons as'we
happen to remember will not be construed into
paTtiality. ThOs McCord, of Marshall county,
spoke hackneyed speech on the character OF
Napoleon better than we ever heard 1t before.
Indeed. we cannot say too much in praise OF
his skill as a declaimer. If he continues to
bestow the labor upon this his special gift, as
his present proficiency indicates he has done
in the past, he will become a great orator.
Every gesture was appropriate, every strong
sentence was made to appear strong to the au-
dience by being uttered with strength and
power This constitutes true oratory. There
was no raTing, no wild, unmcaning gesticula-
lions, but every thing was done i'll plain,
sensible way, as if the speaker knew and felt
what he was speaking. Battle HargrOve, of
Franklin, recited The Conquered Banner"
His gestures were very graceful and apprOpri-
ate, and his voice was in full sympathy with
the beautiful and touching poem, but be did
not speak loud enough for the audience to hear
distinctly. Ned Carmack and his band sang
laughable edition of RYE Straw" which
pleased the audience immensely. Miss
Wambaugh an6 several of her Nashville
friends, members of Elm Street Choir, sang
quite a number of beautiful songs, and sang
them exqusItely. In fact, the musical fea-
ture of the entertainment could scarcely have
been better-it was really excellent. Miss
Wambaugh sang one piece with rare sweet
ness aud power. Miss LOurance, of Culleo-
ka, helped perform one or two instrumental
pieces with considerable skill. Others played
well, but We did nos learn their names.
Prof. Webb's Report showed his school to
be in good condition, He had one hundred
and seven pupils during the past session.
The scholarship of the boys and girls was
shown by the report to be very superior. Two
pupils, Georgs Scribner, of Maury county,
aud Granville Goodloe, of Livingston, Tenn,
we're prouounced ready for College. The Prin-
cipal complimented these young men in the
highest terms, and from all we have learned
about them, he did not say word too much.
The exercises took place in the Methodist
church, but even that large room was much
too small 10 comfortably seat all present,
The windows haze been made stationary by
Rev. Mr.. Wilkes 10 keep rude boys oh them,
and this made the ro) m during the exercises
very "Oyenly." We trust that q new aud
larger building will be erected for this school
before the next examination