Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-18
HE w1SD-UP.
Last Day Of the City School Exercises,
Yesterdays Exercises at Masonic
Hail-A Lavge Attendance and n


eSl6rudy was a udy Vi TRIUMPH W TIC
public schools of Nashville. The COM
mencement exercises of Hume High School
at Masonic Hall were of remarkably in
teresting character, and were witnessed by
an audience as large as the Hall could pos
sibly admit. Many who were anxious to
be present were disappointed in getting
even standing room. The UNION AND
AMERICAN reporter with some difficulty
cot little corner where he could comfort
ably look on and take notes of what was
said and done. The exercises commenced
at 8 A. NJ and continued till lis p. NJ, and
consisted of music, speeches and essays.
The culture displayed in the speeches and
essays would reflect credit upon the ma
jority of colleges in this country.
Rev. w. A. Nelson, of Edgefield, offered
PRAYER, after which Superintendent Cald-
well announced the programme Of the ex-
hibtion, in which each Of the graduates
was to take part. The exercises, occupy
ing four hours and rejecting the highest
credit upon the participants, then occurred
in the following order:
PROGRAMME.
Music-s1 will seek my Father" by the
School; Lula Stanley, Salutatory-"Each is
Missioned here" j. III. HALEY, Address
ssLetthere be Light" Lizzie Morris, Essay
81 Don't Know" Music-"April Showers, y
by the School; Emma Perry, Essay-"De-
hind the Cloud is the Sun still Shining
Frank Mckee, Address, Perseverance,;
Music -sRuth and Naomi" Duet-Misses
Mamie Braden and Ella Wilson; Sal
lie Mcconnell, Essay-aThey Say;''
Music-"Sweet and Low" by the
Co1,ONl. lsnHaroo.si
Chas. Hodges, Address-"The South
Clara Shivers (excused), Essay, "Air Cas-
Ties" Matte Shaffer, Essay-"A Visit to
Fancy's Realms" Music-'sSing unto the
Lord" by the School; Jennie Garrett, Es-
say-"Shadows;" Henry Powers, Address
mo one lives for himself alone;" Music
'O'er the Hill, DER the Dale"-Duet-
Misses Lula Plowman and Ada Burgess;
Lula Gaines, Essay-'The Ruins of Time;;''
Music-"The Bell" by the School; Bessie
Blackman, Disqualification History
Maggie Pendergast, Essay = Luxury
Music-"Have Faith" by the School;
Anna Thomas, Observation-Disclosures
Music"
The speeches of the young men were
highly creditable, the essays were all fine
productions, and the music was of the most
meritorious description. All of the speak
ers and readers did too well to allow of any
distinction by special mention. The fol-
lowing
vALEDIcToRY
was read by Miss Anna Thomas.
Science tells us thai vibrations produce
sound only within certain limits; below or
above these limits they are inappreciable.
Still they linger around us, and though far
too delicate to be heard through the natu-
raj ear, fall sweetly on the silvery chords of
the heart, causing there 'unwritten music
This music has neither breve nor semi
breve, scale nor bar, and is not known by
scientific terms. In unwritten, as in writ
ten music, there is great variety OF
sounds which please us as they fall upon
the heart. What to some would seem
beautifully harmonious, to Others might be
a combination of meaningless tones.
"The dandy smiles with a eomplacent
air as he hears the tap of his slender gold
headed cane on the pavement. This, to
hin, is music of the most exquisite melody:
To the lady of fashion there is music in the
rustling of silks and sparkling of diamonds.
Truly it is unwritten, but oh, how delight
ed she is when indulging in it. The
drunkard finds his unwritten music in the
sparkling wine and merry ringing of the
glass. While the gambler hears music
only in the rattling of dice, the shutting
of cards and fascinating games of chance.
.But how different ale the
unwritten tones in which the
man of science delights. The music
that enraptures his heart has deeper, richer
strains, coming perhaps from the little
pearl in the bed of the deep blue sea, Oh
from the heavenly bodies as they revolvt
| in their orbits. 1t may be that unwritten
truths have fallen like music upon hi:
mind, while exploring the history of form
er ages, or while striving to ascertain
the mysterious laws which govern
Nature. How beautiful is the unwritteI
music of nature. Its tones are ever breath
ing, though often unheard and unnoticeC
| by earths teeming millions. We have il
in the sunbeams as it dances lightly to the
music Of ripping waters, or to the thinking
| lily bells. There is music in the brigh
colors and sweet perfumes Of the beautiful
flowers which
"Everywhere about us are glowing,
Some, like stars, to tell US spring is born,
Others, their blue eyes with tears O'erf1Owing
Standing Ike Ruth amid the golden corn"
Gently the tender chords of our heart:
are touched by the whispering leaves and
murnIurs of the throbbing waves as they rOl
ceaselessly in one continuous strain.
Wild harps of earth and ocean,
Make music deep and clear;
Grander than pealing organ,
Sweeter than lutte or lyre
Are the touching strains that greet us
From Natures untaught choir"
"The low thrilling chords of Nature s
untaught choir which wake an echo in the
hidden recesses of our hearts often soothe
the world weary spirit and lead its
thoughts to regions where they can unbur-
den themselves and drink deep from the
pure, limpId waters of the fountain OF
peace"
"How sweet is the music of the rain as
the pearly drops in showers patteringly fall.
Each refrain on the roof and window pane
touches the ''electric chord" which links
the past and present, calling up be
fore us, by-gone days with their varied and
witching imagery. As they gather around
us like sweet dreams, our spirits seem to
murInur, Stay, OH stay, visions of happi-
ness, We were so sweet and Wild and
distant voices seem to say
Ii cannot be-they pass away
SHOW mystic and varied is the music of
the wind, family signing through the leafy
trees, softly breathing on the dropping
flower, lightly playing with the laughing
wave, waiting strains from other shores,
that seem to the departing spirit but pre-
lude to that heavenly chorus which well
comes the way-weary pilgrim. Then,
again, moaning, waiting, dying, it speaks
to us in strains wild and high, proclaiming
the mighty power of Him who ruleth all
things
"What is more impressive than the I'M
written music of the stars. We hear their
soft heavenly strains only in our magma
ton, but ever since creations birth their
voices have mingled in one unbroken har-
mOny.
nForever singing as they shine,
The hand that made US is divine"
SLOW soft and beautiful is the music
that dwells in the moonbeam, which pierces
like crystal lance the waters of the silver
lake. How sweet to hear mingling with
its soft notes the music of the waves as the
oar dips lightly in the clear waters, both
murmuring an accompaniment to the win
ming words of love, which fall sweetly on a
listening ear.
"There is music in the word farewell,
which, when its magic tones reach the
heart. sends feeling of sadness through it.
Yet we are all called upon at some time TO
touch the chords which awaken IFS SWIM