Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-17
STATE FEMALE COLLEGE.
Close OF the COMMENCEMENT
Rtfng Essays and MusIc-Address by
Judge nOFEan-PresentatIO OF
Medals by Colonel J. W.
CIapp-AWRrd OF Diplomas.


In the APPEAL of Tuesday morning
we took occasion to report in terms OF
praise the interesting exercises of Mon
day night at the State female college.
The commencement proper extended
through Tuesday and Wednesday even
ings, the authorities Of the college deem.
ing it better TO have two meetings than
to keep the audience through a sitting
which, however interesting, would
weary by its length. We commend their
example to those who have the arrange
ment of school exhibitions; it is far
better to have two entertainments of two
hours each than to weary their friends
and themselves by crOWding everything
into one night and keeping an audience
through four or five hours. On Tuesday
evening a large crowd filled to the
brim the pleasant chapel, and,
what is unusual with such
audiences, listened carefully and
with Unhagging interest through
the entire programme. There is no
place where the stalking. fe1d" COM
monty makes himself more conspicuous
than school and college exhibitions;
yet we never saw an audience at such an
exhibition where there were so few OF
them. This fact was largely owing to
the cleaTness and distinctness with
which the essays were read, the high
character and excellent execution of the
music, and the promptness with which
everything moved forward. One of the
most gratifying features of the essays
read was the absence of that grasping
after maturity of thought not to be
expected in young women only just ma
ture. Nevertheless they were sufficient
ly mature In thought, aud were pure
and finished in style, and were read in
such amanner as rendered them audible
and ineligible in the remOtest part OF
the room. 1t was the common remark
Of numbers who were present that they
had never heard essays better read any
where. 1t was a triumph for their
teacher in elGcution. 1t is not our OBJ
ject to pay personal compliments, but
we may be permitted to say that for ma
turity of thought, purity of expression,
and distinguished excellence of elocu-
ton we were best pleased with the es-
says, 1.-THE Education of Womsn,n by
Miss E. helms; Launched" by Miss
NJ. Phillips (whOm we are glad to know
is Memphian), and Through Life"
by Miss Atkins. Two of the essays de-
served mention, forming pair-"Only
Girl" a bright, mirth-provOking
piece by Miss L. Clspp (also Mem
phian, daughter of one Of our best
known citizens), and "Only Boy" by
Miss M. A. Harris-Written in verse,
bright, witty, ana well read. The must
cal part of the entertainment was of the
highest concert character, and Memphis
may be proud to have within her gates
a music school which produces such ex-
cellent work. The walls of the chapel |
were covered with the fruit of the art de- |
partment, and we were surprised to find |
work Of such a high character. There |
seems to be in the school an enthusiasm |
in art which is carrying it to the highest |
degree Of excellence. OF course |
in the night, and during |
the other occupations of the |
evening We could not give them q close |
examination, but those about US who |
had visited the room during the day |
were enthusiastic in their praises. Last |
night was the closing evening of the |
year. Hon. r. J. Morgan, so well and |
favOTably known in our city for his elo-
quence, legal attachments, and interest !
in all those things that tend to refine
ments addressed the graduates on the
subject, Religious Worship The adj !
tween tne Feugidm or Gue heathens and
ancients, and that OF the Christian. 1t
was attentiveIy listened to by the grad
yates and the audience, for, in addition
to its historic information, the address
psrtoOk of such high moral and literary
nature that the effects Of true and false
religion among different nations and
ages were set forth with ad-
mirable ease and excellent effect.
At the close of Judge Morgan's speech,
the following young ladies, Misses Kate
Weber, L. Kimbrough, a. Taylor, Z.
F. Nelson, NJ. Poston, and
J. Poston were called forward aud re-
ceived the medals awarded to them. AT
this point there occurred q pleasant and
unlocked for episode. Prof
Collins, advanced to the front of the
stage, and declared, as the secretary OF
he faculty, that the highest of all re-
wards were those which were bestowed
and unexpected on those who
worked solely from conscientious re-
ssrd for duty and the high aim of self
He therefore publicly
jailed the names Of Misses Eliza helms, |
Ada Raines, Agnes Taylor, Kate Web
)er, and praised them in the highest
erms for their diligence in study, con-
cientious discharge of duty, and IN
yaTying lGdy-like department. He did
Tot mean to disparage others. but these
i've had Obtaiued the unanimous and
commentator Of the faculty.
After this Prof. Collins called up the ]
enior class, cOmplimenting them in
he pleasantest manner on their career
While in his classes, and from the hands
f DR.. Collins. their hOnored president,
hey received the diplomas and medals
Oward which they had worked so long.
'hus closed the commencement for this
ear, which the lifelong friends OF the
chOol declare to have been the most
rilliant ever held here. Tennessee may !
yell be proud of this jewel in the west
IN circlet of her crown of schools, 8
rOWn which is fast making her the !
Athens of the south, L
The medals mentioned above were
in a graceful manner and with
appropriate remarks to the young ladies !,
y Colonel J. w. Clspp. The names of s
re graduates are Misses Fannie NJ. At 9
ms, Alma Campbell, Sue Collins, Laura
lapp, Mary A. Harris, Ida Lockard, :
la Macon, Laura NOll, Eliza s. Nelms,
aTV PhilliOS ROsa 7. Sailar Y