Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-29
IUKA, MISS.
Closing Exercises Of :Ihe Iuka Female
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Con-
ceFt-MF. 4. A. BIaiF's
Grafton.
From an Occasional Correspondent

From an Occasional Correspondent
IUKA, June 27.-It was my good
fortune to witness the closing exercises
of the above far-famed institution. The
concert came offTuesdsy night, fifteenth
instant. The house was crowded to its
utmost capacity with large and APP
preciative audience, who was held spell
bound for the hours. Mrs. Steger, for
merly Mrs. Tepe of your city, was the
principal of this department, and more
than sustained her high reputation on
the occasion. We had solos, duets,
trios and qusrtettes Of the most elevated
and soul-thrilling character. The pieces
were admirably selected; the time was
perfect, and ell performed with an ease
and grace which showed that they had
teacher Of the highest order OF musical
talent. The music, which poured forth
from the piano and organ in unison, YVES
the most heavenly 1 ever heard.
Wednesday, the sixteenth, was COM
mencement day, and seldom have l
looked upon q class Of graduates who
presented so fine an appearance. Beau
ty and intellect, culture and refinement,
beamed in every countenance. The
first exercise was the presentation OF
certificates to the graduates and others
Hunt, the teacher in this department,
who delivered short and most eloquent
address. This superior teacher, learn,
has had charge of this department and
others for nine sessions in this school,
and no male professor could fill her
place with more acceptability to her
numerous patrons. After the presenta-
ton Of the certificates the young ladies
delivered their essays-some by speak
ing, others by reading. The first was
salutatory In Latin, by Miss Stands, of
SenatObis, which she spoke in style so
eloquent that it would almost have won
the applause Of Cicero himself. Miss
Durrett, OF Pamela, followed with an
English salutatory which did honor to
the head and heart Of the fair young
lady. Miss Wadley, OF Iuks, read
most beautiful essay in French. -Four
others, Misses Barbee, of Shelby, Ellis
and Johnson, Of Iuka, and Foster, of
Memphis, read essays which would do
honor to the more experienced. The
valedictery was delivered by Miss Steel,
Of Iuka, formerly Of DeSOtO, in a man
ner so pathetic, and the matter was so
soul-stfrring, that nearly all present
were bsthed in tears. After the grad
yates had delivered their essays, T. A.
Blair, Esq, Of Jackson, Tennessee,
was introduced by the president
Of the school (Df. Douglsss) 10 the
audience as the orator Of the day. When
1 saw young man arise to follow all
that had heard, and learned from his
exordium that he,had only weeks no.
tice, l feared he would fail; but he soon
relieved me from these groundless sp-
prehensions. Never did l see any
speaker more perfectly st home. His
speech was replete with intellect, wit,
humOr and good sense; gems sparkled
in almost every sentence, and the fire.
quent applause from the large and in
telligent audience showed how highly
this young orator, who once lived among
them, was still appreciated by them. L
predict for Mr.. Blair most brilliant fu-
tuTe. The presentation OF diplomas and
gold medals to the graduates, which
was done by the president in his usual
felicitous style, closed the exercises OF
the occasion. Long will this school
live in the hearts of its friends and pa
irons. l had intended to say some
thing about the beautiful hotel here,
now almost completed, the town and
its mineral waters, but my sheet is full
and must close. OBSERVER.
JUNE %, 1875.