The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-26
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

Day School of the Ursulines Convent.
It was our rare privilege yesterday to be
present ct the commencement exercises OF the
day school Of the Ursulines Convent. An H.
vitation signed by the Rev. Father Raymond
was the magic sesame which opsned the por.
tails elosiag from the outside profane world
the mystic and sacred precincts OF the con-
vent.
we reached the place some time before the
hour prescribed for the ceremonies, and we
sat musing for some while upon the scenes,
among which we felt almost as an intruder
within the walls OF q nunnery, which we did
not find, after all, 20 gloomy as they have
been painted BY the imaginative pens OF
rhapsodio romaneers.
A large yard laid out In beds upon whiea
blossorned flowers ct delicate colers, whose
perfumes gave to the morning breezs fra
GRANGE which made. 1t doubly refreshing; tall
rounded by large and spacious galleries.
Surely there was nothing dismal or gloomy
here.
Quite the reverse. Here seemed 10 be the
domain Of peace, tranquility and content
lnent. Here we're no heart bufnlngs, such as
press the life from out young souls, Or Either
the roses upon the rpsiest cheek. Here were
no getting disappOintments, such BIS bend the
loftlest brow and furroW itWith deep-laid
Even the wanton breezes which toyed with
the Huttering curtain seemed ghteI- heafted
and fresher than that which we had felt be-
fore.
An essence Of purity and happiness seemed
To hang about the place, and Inspired for o.
moment lightness OF heart and a content.
ment Of spirit such as we had not experienced
for long time.
Our musings were interrupted by the iron
tf,lIi
busy day. and under the guidance Of the
Mother Superior we were ushered into the
room where the ceremonies were to take
place.
scholars, in their neat and pretty uniforms OF
white and blue, while behind them sat the eS-
peetant mothers. At one end OF the room
stood b table grooming beneath The weight Of
was hoping to receive. At this table sat Rev.
Father Raymond who presided In the alb
senee Of the Archbishop.
A chorus BY all the schools, to. which sue
ceeded D French piece founded upon the
took part ID this acquitted themselves Of
| their parts In a manner which reflected high
credit upon themselves and on their pro-
| fessors. An interesting and charming bevY
| impersonated the various virtues which tend
| which are as rare as their impersonators
were pretty and pleasing-a terrible blow at
poor human nature. Une jour de joie ct
daltegrssse was the title Of the second
chorus most sweetly sung BY the pure, fresh
| voices OF innocent childhood. And We must
sincerely admit that this part OF the pro-
gramme gave US much pleasure. It Was SO
refreshing to hear these voices toned and
modulatad by nature, ii which art, with it's
| qlavers and semi-quavers, found no place; q
song which was the joyous Warbling Of in
nocent little hearts.
The distribution Of the prizes, followed by 9
| few eloquent words from Father Raymond,
| closed this entertainment, which, though 1t
has gone gllmmering In the dream of
| things that were," still its recollection lives
| and will always be q source OF pleasure and
| qualification.