Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-06-08
FEMALE ACADEMY.


of the week were opened with &
commencement sermon from the
Rev. J. p. McFerrin. There was q
large congregation at the Methodist
Church on Sunday morning to hear
this fine discourse. His subject was,
'The comparative dignity of man
among the other beings of the uni
verse as demonstrated in the incar-
nation and ascension of the Son OF
God" The sermon was full of no
bic and inspiring thought and well
calculated to arouse the thoughtful
young heart to holy aspirations, and
to direct the life in paths that issue
in the highest eternal good. Indeed
there was inspiration in the scene
/ the upturned faces of so many fair
young beings just treading on the
/ threshold of life, and eagerly listen
ing to Gods servant pointing them
through wisdom's paths to the
blessed goal.
After this the students of the fair
sex waited for those of the unfair
sex to get through with their COM
mencement, and then on Thursday
morning business commenced at the
Academy with
THE ALUMNE MEETING.
This was a new feature at the
Academy proceedings and was well
thought of. DIR. Plummer, the pop
ular Principal of the Academy,
stated, in opening the, meeting that
this seminary has for thirty-four
years been in operation as a chart
cred institution, and that during
that time hundreds of fair graduates
had gone forth from its halls into
the scenes of domestic life, many Of
whom had sent daughters to the
fostering bosom of that alma mater
which had retained so strong hold
on their own feelings of gratitude
and affection. In the hope that
these feelings might dispose many
of the alumne of former years to
enjoy a social meeting within the
familiar old building, he had sent
invitations to everybody he could
hear of within reach who had in
former days been a pupil of the
Academy, that a considerable num-
Der had accepted the invitation, and
that he hoped that they would have
a pleasant time in celebrating the
remembrances of Auld Lang S57ae.
The amusements opened with a
composition for the piano, the sub
jects of which were from Verdi's
opera of Ernani. This piece was
well executed by Miss Mary Macrae.
Next, Miss Lula POindeXter read
the annual essay Cor the essay which
it is hoped will be an annual observ-
ance). 1t was not the first time we
had heard this accomplished young
lady. and we were prepared with
expectations that were more than
realized. The title to her address
was comprised in the single inter
rogatory "Why?" She supposed
the question to be asked achy the
former denizens of the GAINESVILLE
Academy had met together from all
parts of the State, and the answer
was an eloquent effusiOu of the feel
ings with which old and young, the
matrOns who had been Academy
girls when younger than their
daughters are now, and the sweet
girl graduates of last year met to-
gether in happy Renaissance of
their joyous school days. This was
the principle 'chy, and the principle
response, though the pertinacious
interrogative was put forward again
and again in enquiry regarding
questions by which all the philosO-
pliers from Solomon to Stewart Mill
would be baffied were they to I'M
dertake an answer.
Then followed one of the brilliant
waltz songs now so popular, sung
with spirit and much facility of ex-
ecution by Miss Dora Plummer.
The annual poem was then read
by Miss NJ. Valiant. The young
lady had been seriously unwell for
some time and her strength had not
sufficiently returned to render her
equal to the task Of audibly deliver
ing the composition. We have
been promised a view of the manu-
script, however, and will hereafter
report accordingly.
Miss George Beaumont then sang
LongfelIow's poem, "The Day is |
Cone" as set to music by Balfe.
The music and words are both beau
tiful, and it is always a privilege to |
listen to the sweetly sympathetic |
of Miss b. We viii suggest, |
however, that a song in a somewhat |
higher key would have been better |
adapted to her voice, which is a
mezzo soprano of rare excellence, |
whereas this song was written for a
very deep contralto. Spite of this
the singing was very delightful.
Now followed the address of the |
Hon j. r. GOodpasture-Subject:
"THe Sphere and Education Of UO- /
man" We think we have heard |
this subject treated before at cele-
brations of female academies; our /
honorable legislator, however, got |
some good arguments and senti-
ments out of it, and we were dis
posed to cOncede him our dis
tinguishcd consideration but for
merciless onslaught he made on old |
bachelors and old maids, whom he |
denied the right to hold place upon
this sublunary earth between the |
wind and his nobility. What have
old bachelors ever done to him? or
4 L. y