The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-07-10
sssass. IcoAIMUNIcATEDsl
The Columbia, Tenn. AIhennnm.

The examination and commencement ex-
| ercises of this favorite and famous school
| for young ladies have recently taken place
1 No annual occurrence is more highly an
ticipated and enjoyed by the people OF
| Maury county than this, and, in fact. it is q
matter OF interest to many intelligent per-
sons throughout the country. Within the
past month the young lady pupils of the
Athen8um have been busily engaged in
their written examinations for degrees in
the several schools, and we are pleased to
know that these exercises evince a very
| high standard of scholarship among the stu
| dents as well as remarkably successful
work on the part of the large and accom-
pIished faculty. In the Athen9um the
South can boast of one of the largest and
best fem ,le schools in our country. Ee-
sides being located in one of the most
healthy towns in the South, it offers adj
Vantages i'm the arts, sciences and accom-
plishments that are unsurpassed in this
country or in Europe. There are some
long-establ shed customs retained at the
Athenscuu, because they have proved to be
better than anything else that has been
suggested, but DIT the same time the instltu-
ton keeps vigorously up with the best and
the most modern Improvements in educa-
ton.
Probably the Faculty was never before so
excellent as il is ut present. We would not
deUract one laurel from the former Rector,
Franklin q. Smith, whose name and fame
as an educator of females became widely
known, vet we think we will be fully borne
out in the assertion that his mantle has
worthily fallen on his sons, who have
shown themselves competent in the dis
ch arge Of their duties as educators.
Professor Robert ID. Smith is a Christian
gentleman of high culture, and shows him
self to be wonderfully adapted TO the con-
troll of this important Institution OF learn
ing.
Mrs smith. daughter of the Hon. Jas.
H. Thomas, is truly model in the dis
charge of her arduous and responsible du-
ties, by which she makes the Atheneum
delightful home, while it is at the same |
time Justly celebrated for the work that it |
has for many years done, and Is still doing, |
in the cause OF higher education.
Miss Mackenzie, of Nashville, has been |
for the past twenty years Identified with |
this institution. and u better teacher can
now here be found.
Dr. VIM. A. Smith undoubtedly is thor |
oughly acquainted with the theory and |
practice of teaching, as he knows how to
make his pupils love their studies, and
hence we are not surprised at the remark
ably good results OF his system. Ia "A very
great measure the success attending the
AthenBum has arisen from his manage
ment financially. He prides himself i'll his
charge and profession, devoting every
|
ion, earnestly desiring aud seeking with
Ill his energies to attain pre-emlnence III |
ais calling. But Instead of saying a few |
words about each III tmber of the learned
md efficient faculty, must not forget that
-ou expect 10 hear something about the IN
erestiDg exercises.
The charming operctta was under the di-
ection of Miss Josie Freeman, of MisSis-
ippi, together with her excellent assist
ntS. Nothing could have been more beau
itul and entertaining. 1t fully maintained
he hi gh and long-establlshed reputation OF
he a rhentcum.
It would be almost impossible to give
orrect description of the dancing soiree, as
more than realized our highest exDecta- |
IONS. The grand concert of vocal and in
music was held on Thursday
Veulng OF the examination; it was under
he direction of Prof. Won AdeluRg, whose ,
Xceilent yocalists and performers on va ,
ious musical instruments made the even
NJ surprisingly delightful
The displays of specimens in pcnman-
hip drawing, painting, embroidery and
lncy work We're very large and unusually |
oOd; they showed that the fair DuDilS ,
al made very great progress in these arts i.
uring the past session.
The commencement exercises took place {
II Friday afternoon, ard were very enter c
aiming. on will see from the programme .
nat Mississippi carried of the highest .
onors, Miss Amanda Morgan being Salu- l
ltorian and Miss Elsie Orr Naledictorian. c
he orator of the evening was Gen. w. G.
M. G., whose eloquence greatly
loved his large and Intelligent audience. ,
Long may the Athenfeum continue i'm its
resent hourishing condition, and may it
ljoy large and wcll-deserVed increase i'm
Ic number of its pupils at the opening of i
5 next session, which begins the first of =
eptemDer. VISITOR. '