The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-08-08
Commencement at UrSHaliMe
Academy, OpeHOUsaS.

Town, QnJ1l last saturday Wnon Jupiter
Pluvius abdicated, and we enjoyed an
interregnum of bright weather gladly
welcomed by the numerous friends of
the Ursuline Academy. The ladies who
have charge Of this institution had kindly
extended an invitation to the Press; and,
as the cause of education in it's broadcast
sense has ever d deep interest for us, we
gladly availed ourselves of al OppOrtu-
nifty to attend the commencement exer-
cises.
AS the little clock tolled off it's nine
strokes we found ourself one of a large
audience assembled in a class room ap-
propriately fitted up Is a theatre, whose
neat stage appointments betrayed the
dainty touch of woman's fairy fingers"
The firstpiece, lie TriOmphe'del la Fol-"
a satire on Summer friends" was
charmingly rendered by the young ladies
who all acquitted themselves so well that
comparisons would be unjust and special
commentator impossible. Should this
Knight of the goose-quill ever visit "la
belle France he will certainly claim the
hospitality ofMadame Fritz, even though
the secrets of his editorial bosom be at
the mercy Of prying Jeanette with her
coquettish cap frill crushed against his
key-hOle.
The awarding of Academic honors fol-
lowed, and young ladies and wee maid
ems trippeddOwn the steps and modestly
bent their heads before the venerable
Father to receive the floral chaplets, the
thought of which has often sOftened the
asperities Of old Murray and lent to
learning's rugged path a charm not all
it's own. "Les Babillardes," a %Quartette,
was sung with much spiritby the Misses
Gr6vemberg, H6brard and Meginley.
The merry gossips, like the fair sex gen
orally, vOwing eternal silence in a tor
rent of words.
Wemusts specially commend the young
ladies who, in "QuarterD Day" presented
in so ludicrous a light the Of the
teacher. Geography used to be our
strong point in days "lang syne," in our
roundabout days we thought we knew
all about Imaginary lines" deeply i'm
pressed on our minds by some lines on
our Jacket rather more tangible but our
geographicallore grew beautifully less"
before that little lady who gave a defini-
ton of the equator that put our brain in
a whirl.
The distribution Of English premiums
was followed by the A. B. c. chorus, a
merry little roundelay well rendered by
the youngest pupils, and deserving of
the enthusiastic applause it received.
81" The Eartlf-childin Fairy Land" was
next on the programme. The curtains
rolled back disclosing a gorgeous throne,
while behind the seen sweet voices
were heard threading in and out a merry
tune. In q moment a host Of fairies
came tripping in, heralding the coming
ofdame Titania herself. RObedin misty
folds Of "soft, bright green that fairies
love- her Majesty mounted the waiting
throne and graciously received thehom-
age of her subjects. But even in Fairy
realms there comes NJ
-' the little rift within the lutte
Which soon or late will make its music mute
The Queens favorite has been detected
in I've with O child of earth, the
penalty of which is death. Betrayed by
an envious companion, the culprit fay
and the little wanderer are brought be,
fore her Majesty and arraigned for treas
ON. Very sweetly did each prisoner
plead for the other, and with touching
eloquence beg to die for her friend. "ai
though to die were some great fun !;
, but justice in fairy lands infexible, ant
: as the tOlling Of the solemn lily bel
sounds their death warrant the prison
ers, bound with CHAINS of flowers, ar
: led awaytoexecution. Buta discordan
. blast of the trumpet fills the air, an(
: enter geniclothed with forest green,
his golden horns trembling with the in
dignati0n of the "conquering hero.
With truly masculine eontemptf for fem
mime logic, he informs her Majesty tina
. a year since the law had been repeale'
= under which she had condemned til
: generous fay and the earth-child to die
: During his ten minutes usurpation 0
I the throne of the Fairies the kindly gen
r releases the prisoners, and all join in th
n Emery, merry dance" while the autho
3 of their good fortune felicitates himself
with conceit worthy of the represents
tive of genus homo, on the absolute Ne
cessity of masculine meddling in fem
mime affairs. ass 7a. .f.' ~.
Z We congratulate theyoungladies ths
# the rainy day of which they sang s
o cheerily in the closing chorus came nj
n to mar the pleasure of the happy gree
~ ing Of "home and friends once more
= The aledictory by Miss JEANNE Hear
was eloquent in diction and graceful
g delivery, a composition of which mar
~ a competitor for collegiate honors mig
IL well be proud. Though she archly bat
is us not expect the weeping paragraph
'e the frequent resource of the valediet
le rian, there were clears in the voice
10 that gave new expression to the wor'
y of gratitude to kind teachers, and ba'
an afeetionate farewell to YOUTH
friends and companions.
nj In rendering our thanks to the ladl
he Of the Ursuline Academy for the eou
70 tesy extended to us, we can butcongrat
# late them on the success of their zealo
2 labors ii the cause of education. The