Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-24
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
The Bethlehem Literary InstitutiOn-
A Beautiful Retreat-COmmence-
menI Day-The Pupils and
their WoFk-Ete.

From an Occasional Correspondent
LOUISVILLE, June 22.-The Bethle-
hem literary institution, included in the
cooperation Of LOrettO, situated about
fifty miles south of Louisville, readily
accessible by the Louisville and Nash
vile and the Louisville and PaducRh
railroads, the former passing within six
and the latter one mile of the academy.
Hither called few days since by invita-
ton Of the superiOressi Mother Bertha
BoWles, superior in fitness for her posi-
ton, and in all the christian graces and
womanly eXcellencies Of her sex, to at
tend the exercises Of the annual COM
mencement on bright, beautiful morn
ing in June, all nature flushing in the
luXuriant beauties and bOunties Of her
beneficent Creator. In carriage, pro-
vided by my courteous entertainer, l
found myself approaching this classic re-
treat, and was soon ushered into its
tasteful parlors. 1t is not my purpose,
even though the press upon your
columns would permit, to describe in de-
tail Bethlehem and its surroundings,
venturing only q skeleton sketch.
Though public, being Of so ready sc.
cess by the great thOrOughiares, yet, If
dealing in hyperbOle is permitted, it is
the very genius Of seclusiOn, happily
adapting it to the purposes Of its adop'
ton, the seeming paradox recon ciled in
restricting the view to the academic
buildings and its immediate surround.
ings. The adjacent grounds, cOnstitu-
ting q part of its prOpt rty, embrace
about seven hundred acres in high
state Of cultivation, and with all the APP.
pOintments ola princely Kentucky farm
In degree, renders the institution self
misunderstanding all the heart
comforts which SO charmed the great
statesma an in his Ashland home. The
arrangements and construction Of the
buildings mark the architectural taste Of
the designer, and are adapted to the
healthful enjoyment of the pupils-Or-
chards Astounding in the choicest fruits;
gardens, evidencing horticultural and
Horticultural taste; a beautiful grove in
the rear Of the buildings, affOrding
charmed retreat for the pupils during
hours of recreation, while the front ap-
prOach, in its emerald sheen Of q shrub.
berry Shenstone, might have envied, so
trained by cultured art that the enam-
Ored spectator so confused in the blend
ing boundaries hesitates where nature
ends and art begins, completes the tout
ensemble of this marvellous picture Of art
nature. Suffice this for the stage, and
we pass to the draDldtiS perSOnOe. Ar
irving at the institute the day preceding
the commencement, we found the pu-
pills all fiutter with joy, hope and
trembling expectation. Tomorrow
would be the gala-day, and bounding
hearts and joyous eyes chided the lag
giDg hours. The morrow came. The
spacious gallery fronting the grove,
where were seated perhaps twelve hum
dred anxious spectators (Kentucky
encourages and prides herself in
her institutions of leaTning), was
carpeted, and curIOusly-wrOught speci-
mems of needle-wOrk and beau
tifUl paintings, productions of the
scholars, adorned the background,
while they, arrayed in spOtless white,
and flushing in the carnation Of youth
and hope, presented a scene that would
stir the heart of an anchOrite. 1t was
ethereal-sye, a shimmeriDg vision OF
Woudrous beauty. The exercises, en-
bracing French dialogue, dramas, essays,
awarding crowns for superior literary
merit, distribution of prizes, comforting
and farewell address, with in
terludes of instrumental and vocal music,
were admirably sustained in all their
parts by the respective participants, and
space will permit me only to refer spe-
cially to the essays of the graduating
class. The first, Esprit of Poetry,n by
Miss Vallie s. Hubert, daughter OF
Colonel 81. T. Hubert, of your city, was
handled with power and construction
creditable to one far beyond her years,
and evidenced all of mental discipline
and laborious application during her
academical course. Her reading was
clear, emphasis distinct, manner digni-
fed and self-possessed, presence COM
manding; and when bending her grace
full form in adieus to the audieace, her
large, liquid, lustrous eyes, half yelled
by the Overarching curtains of light,
the acclaim of an uuIeluc-
tant applause.
Second-"The acquisition of knowl-
edge requires observation as well as
study" by Miss Mary Gallivan, of Ken
lucky, was perhaps better rendered than
that of either of her class, showing the
mastery of her subject, contending, as
she did, with unconquerable spirit,
against disease, Of which she had been a
victim for the past several months, and
almost staggering with absolute debility,
causing painful sympathy on the part Of
he audience lest her power Of endurance
should succumb; yet with the fire OF her |
soul she mastered the situation, and, to |
heir delight, resumed her seat the pro- |
claimed victress.
Third-"Sweet are the uses of adver- |
lity," by Miss Emma NoOnan, of st. |
Louis, an acquaintance OF the writer for |
he past three ears, was treated with in
,enious argument and glittering soph-
SIMS, but the fair one failed to convict |
he writer with the correctness of her
and the hearts prayer went
Up that the beautiful girl might never test
he affirmative Of the propositions ad-
yanced in her tasteful essay.
F0urth-"Memory, the warden of the
,rain,n by Miss Mamie Embry, of
Alabama, was eminently
reditable to her as the daughter
# Alabama, her adopted State,
g well as Tennessee, the State of her
nativity. Her ideas, forcibly expressed,
we're clear and persuasive, and her die
ion chaste and almost faultless.
Fifth" The Great West" by Miss
ella hewitt, of Kentucky, embraced a
yery comprehensive idea, was circum-
'ented by the youthful reader, and if
Ter representation of the coming
wealth and greatness of the west are in
he realizstiOns of the future, then will
he country of which it is but part, at
ain a political power and grandeur
which to the present seems almost fab
lous.
And now, having taxed you far
eyond elf-prescribed limits, and with
rateful acknowledgements to Rev.
'ather 81. Mertens, of Bethlehem, the
ccomplished gentleman and learned
heologisn, who, with right royal hospi-
Atty contributed to render my visit
1 bid adieu to its classic
hades. The parting hour arrived, it
anged, it's past, but while memory
ssts its scenes and incidents will float
p grateful remembrance in the future
your wayfsrer.
LAW REpORT8,