The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-07-04
AthenRum commencement ENer.
cises.

AthenRum commencement ENer
cises.
AS the Atheneum examination wa
| in progress when we went to press las
week we could not speak fully as to al
of the exercises, but thought best Il
wait until the commencement was over
and return to the subject at present.
During the past month the senior pu
pills of the Athen8um have been Al
work on their written examinations fol
! graduation in the separate schools, anC
we learn from some members of The
| faculty that the examination papers ex-
hibit a high standard OF scholarship
among the pupils.
After the written examinations were
| finished the public examinations ex~
tended through Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday OF last week. Most of the
school sessions closed several weeks
since, but the Athenseum continues its
session through ten calendar months,
from the first ofSeptember to the end OF
June. This seems to be good plan, as
young ladies stop school entirely too
soon anyhow, so that they have no time
to lose from their studies, unless they
are compelled to do so by absolute ne
cessity.
From the programme we noticed that
the examinations were appointed to
begin with the primary department and
to continue regularly through the high
er classes. The Rotations that we had
the pleasure ofhearing were very cred
liable, and show that the pupils have
studied diligently and successfully I'M
der their accomplished teachers.
All of the exercises were we'll attend
ed by visitors, some of whom, we were
pleased to notice, were from MissisSip-
pi, Alabama, and other States. The
general opinion is that the recent exer~
ciSes at the Athen8um were remarka-
bly, successful.
OF the operetta we have already spo-
ken in terms of the most unqualified
praise. The dancing sOiree of Wednes-
day night was interspersed with some
delightful harp and guitar music, which
added materially to the enjoyment of
the evening, and the performances COM
pared very favorably with those of the
palmy days before the war when Column
bia had already established an enviable
reputation for its school entertainments.
The junior and senior examinations
were searching and proved that in edu-
cation girls may compare very tavora-
bic with boys that they are equal to
them in some things and superior in
others.
Under the control of Miss Carrie War
rem we " ere pleased to see that the Ath-
enaum specimens of penmanship have
become, if possible, more beautiful than
ever, while Mrs. Stuart has distinguish
ed herself in the department of en-
broidery, and Mrs. McKinney's pupils
exhibited large number of elegant
drawings and paintings.
The grand concert OF vocal and inStru-
mental music that took place on Thurs
day evening was one of Prof. Won Ade~
lungs happiest efforts; the selections
were all good and the performances
splendid. Some of the credit for the
evenings entertainments is, we under
stand, due to the Professors accom-
plished assistants, Mrs. Mckinney, OF
Columbia, and Miss Jose Freeman, of
Mississippi.
On Friday morning the oral examina-
ton of candidates for graduation took
place, and the young ladies all acquitted
themselves with great honor; their
essays especially were filled with original
thoughts that were gracefully express
ed. Such a class would be an honor to
any institution.
The annual commencement occupied
Friday afternoon, and even before the
appointed hour arrived large and intel
ligent audience had assembled in the
study-hau and awaited the prefOrm>
ances.
Miss Morgan's salutatory was gem
III lIS6lI, anu dIb6I SuCH d GRACEFUL VOL
come the audience must have felt dOub-
ly sure of a pleasant evening. Miss
Virgie Akin, OF our city, and one of the
AthenRum'S most brilliant graduates,
read an admirable address to the alum
me, large number of whom were pres
ent and enjoyed the essay heartily
We have heard many fine Yaledictories
at the Athen8um but the one by Miss
Orr of Mississippi is justly entitled to the
81, Lo;, Of tho hast IF thofDO all
The compositions was filled with litera-
ry gems of thought and feeling which
commanded the utmost silence through
out the audience, so that the sweet tones
of the fair readers voices were heard
in all parts of the hall without the least
difficulty.
After the valedictory was ended DIR.
Smith awarded prizes in the various
classes of the Athen8um, as follows -
LIST Seniors Miss Elsie Orr.
ID Sc Sallie TrbV
3D. l.. Smithwick.
LIST Juniors. Agnes Davis.
ID " Laura FetGFg.
Sd I" Mollie Johnson.
PestaIozzians. Mamie w. Miller.
Boarding Family.-Miss Clara Meal
pine.
Study Hall. Miss Perrie L. Cox.
He presented a special prize which
was awarded by the Board of Examin-
ere to Miss Mary J. Davis of Virginia
for her great proficiency in Elocution.
General w. G.. Whitthorne's Grafton
was, as everybody knew it would be, a
masterpiece of literary eloquence. His
illusions to the past history of the Ath-
eneum and it's present merited success
awoke responsive chord in the hearts
Of all who were present.
Professor Smith awarded thirtY-tWo
diplomas, six OF them were to full grad
yates o. the Atheneum and the others
were in separate schools and depart
ments. The Atheu8um is now in the
most successful condition, but let us
hope that greatly increased prosperity
get awaits it in the future.