Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1878-07-06
FELICIANA FEMALE COLLEGIATE
INSTITUTE.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

The closing exercises at this most excel
lent literary and educational institution,
on the evening of Monday last, 1st
inst, was the occasion of the assembling
composed of ladies and gentlemen of
West and East Feliciana and Wilkinson
County Mississippi. We doubt whether
any event occurring in this parish has
ever been the means of drawing together
an audience more notable for its brillsan-
cy and intelligence, than that which
upon this occasion, to witness
the interesting exercises and to pay
a just tribute to learning. Two excur-
sion trains, provided by the energetic
and efficient President of tho w. +. Rail
road, Hon. j. B. McGchee, brought large
numbers from both ends of the road, the
party from Woodville being accompanied
by the Amateur Brass Band of that place.
The order of exercises was opened
at o'clock, with an impressive prayer,
by the Rev. Mr.. Stratton, Of Jackson, La,
after which the programme which we give
in another column, was followed out to it's
close. Want of space preclndes our giving
such a detailed account as we desired to
do, or ofmaking that SPECIAL m ention of
many, to which their merits so eminently
entitle them. We can state however, in
brief, that each and all Of the pupils
acquitted themselves with q degree of
proficiency in their several literary and
musical representations, which did them
great credit, and reflected that need of
praise upon the mana ement of the In
stitntion SO eminently due to its ability
and efficiency. The rendition of the
several vocal and instrumental selec-
tions, by Misses Reeve, Howell, Littell,
Christian. Blanks, Levy, Slack and
Catlett was at once brilliant display
of their proficiency and n merited
testimonial to their accomplished teacher
Miss Palmer.
The literary essays read by the gradu-
ates, Misses A. Littel1 and H. Levy, are
particularly deserving of mention. They
evinced high order of literary culture,
were couched in elegantly expressive
language, and delivered with that quiet
and self possession which
speaks of inward consciousness ofability.
We trust that we shall be afforded the
opportunity of lay ing both of these ele.
CANT literary productions before our
readers in a future issue. The essay by
Miss Levy, the accomplished daughter
of our esteemed friend and former fell
low-townsman, Mr.. A. Levy. of Jackson,
was particularly mcritorious. It's subject
"The Israelites and their Mission" was
treated with an ability which gave evil
dence ofprofound study and historical
erudition
The address to the graduates, by Major
II. S. Van Eaton, was an able and elo-
and touching appeals.
At the conclusion of the address, Hon.
Samuel J. Powell, member ofthe Board Of
Trustees, presented the graduates to tho
Principal, stating that they had been
presented by the Faculty and recommen-
ded by the Trustees, as recipients of the
degree of Mistress of English Litcraturc;
wherupon Mrs V. z. Howell, Principal,
with a few pertinent and appropriate
remarks bestowed the diplomas, and
delivered testimonials to others whose
proficiency and application, during the
term had rendered them worthy of the
distinction.
Tho exhibition concluded with q
charming cantata entitled miracle ofthe
Roses" which embraced the entire school,
and the most prominently pie asing fea-
ture of which was the array of ':little
ones" in the character of fairies, and the
excellent manner in which they acquit-
ted themselvs. This concluded the in
tercsting exercises of tho evening and
the audience was dismissed with a ben
ediction by Rev. Mr.. Stratton.
In conclusion we must congratulate
Mrs. Howell and her able assistants upon
the evident and abundant success that
has accompanied their efforts during this
the first torn of the Institute in our par
ish- We sincerely trust it may he but
the beginning of long career Of prosper
ity in the future, resulting from be-
stowal of that patronage which an ap-
preciative people should give to such an
Institution, laboring IN their midst in
the great cause of education. In another
issue wc shall endeavor to present at
least few of the many advantages and
which render Feliciana In
stitute so eminently worthy Of the sup
port of our people.