Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1880-06-05
Cumberland Female College.

The closing exercises of the annual
session at this institution came off on
last Thursday, the Sd inst. They were
introduced with singing and prayer.
Then followed spelling match, EN-.
bracing almost the entire school, divid-
ed by Misses Bette Smithson and Lau.
IA Copeland as leaders of the two di-
visions.
The contest was spirited and very in.
teresting, continuing for about one
hour, when all had been spelled down
on Miss Laura Copelands side and
only two left on the side headed by
Miss Bette. We feel that we express
the sentiment of all present, when we
say that the entire school acquitted
themselves very credtably, and showed
high degree Of both attention and at
tainment in this the fundamental
branch of every ones education. Miss
Beetles side came out of the contest as
victors, but we know the material of
which the other side was composed too
well from personal experience to in
dulge for moment the thought that
they were inferior spoilers. They were
beaten, but they beat themselves by a
want of self control. In fact the test
on such occasions is not really who can
spell best, so much as who can be best
selfpossessed to spell under the excite
ment of such an occasion. We no.
ticed on this occasion a young lady
failed to spell simple word of one syl-
able, and we know she is an excellent
speller, and one of the best students
we have ever met in any school. Her
failure was the result Of a want of self
possession. We therefore conclude that
both sides were composed ofgood spell
ers and so commend them.
AT the conclusion of this exercise, very
appropriate and earnest addresses were
made by Prof. w. M. James, Princi-
pal of the Male School, Rev. j. E.
Hickman, of the Synodical Committee
of Visitation, and Rev. M. B. Dewitt,
Pastor of the G. P. Church, all of
which were well-timed and well re-
ceived. We have not space for futher
notice of these addresses at present.
ENTERTAINMENT AT NIGHT.
The exercises were resumed at s o.
m. and consisted of music. vocal and
instrumental, Rotations, essays, and
compositions in the form of debate, all
of which were well rendered and
well received by the large and appreci-
ative AUDIENCE. During the entire day
the Music and Art departments were
on exhibition and the specimens of both
reflected great credit upon Misses Sand
ers and Howell the teachers Of these
departments, and clearly demonstrated
their fitness for the places they occupy
in the school. The copy books for the
session were exhibited and referred to
a committee of three to award the prize
offered for the best in ali respects,
Miss Allie Ross was the recipient Of
this honor according to the decision Of
the committee.
The proposition for debate was as
follows:
Resolved that the pleasures of sight
are superior to those Of hearing.
Misses Pattie White, Mary Ramsey,
and Bette Smithson supported the af-
frmative, and Misses Josie Whitson,
Allie Ross and Laura Copeland the
negative. Messrs. j. M. Walters, II.
j. Craig, and Thomas Black were APP
pointed judges, and rendered unsni-
nous decision in favor of the afirma-
tive, and complimented the negative
very highly. The exercises were then
closed with the Cantata Eva, rendered
by the little girls in a very impressive
manner led by Miss Sanders on the
piano, whose performances during the
day added. very much to its interest
and enjoyment.