The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-06-29
The Closing Exercises of the Newbeny
Female Academy

The Closing Exercises of the Newberry
Female Academy
Came off in the Opera House Thurs
day night. A large and appreciative
audience. Notwithstanding the threaten
ing rain, testified TO the interest felt by
the community in this institution of
! learning. The Academy has had Il very
successful year; the health of the pu-
pills has been uniformly good, and the
attendance has been large, many of the
pupils being boarders. Capt. Pifer.
Principal, has been assisted in the lite
rary department by Miss Ella Motto;
Mrs. Bailey has had charge of the Mu-
SIC Department, and Miss Gussie Hood
of the Drawing and Painting. DR..
Mayer, Jr., has given occasional lee
lures on Physiology and Hygiene. That
the pupils have been faithfully taught
and have diligently pursued their studies
the examinations of last week gave
abundant and gratifying evidence. The
analytical method of teaching has been
followed; the pupils have been taught
to think, and to acquire a knowledge Of
things rather than of words. The effect
has been that they have learned facts
and principles, and have thus acquired
confidence in their own ability, which
is the foundation Of thorough know
ledge.
The exercises consisted Of vocal and
instrumental music, essays, &c. The
instrumental music, 90 far as We ara
able to Judge, was good. The singing
was not IS good as the other features
of the exercises; there was one really
good voice, that only needs further
training to be very melodious and
sweet, but there was want Of harmo-
nv In the duets, trios and choruses. But
good voice is very rare gift, and
when denied by nature cannot be
supplied by. art. And one could not
reasonably expect school girls 10 be
good singers-especially one who has
endured the agony of listening to the
average church choir. The essays were.
in general, very good, and they had.
we think, the rare merit of being origi-
nal-not rare with this school, for it is
the rule with it; but rare among female
schools generally. Miss Tslu Clark
had for her subject "Silent Cities;" it
was carefully written and she read it
admirably. Miss Minnie Chalmers had
an excellent essay on Higher Mental
Culture but she read it too rapidly.
Fault Finding" by Miss Bethy Blease,
depicted in forcible style one of the
greatest evils under the sun. She ex-
presses her ideas very clearly snd forci-
bly,, and her essay suffered nothing in
the reading. "Tis passed away" by
Miss Alice Cannon, was wailing of
regret over pleasures gone and wasted
opportunities. 1t was Of the pathetic
order, bu. was not read with good ef-
feet. Miss Alma Kibler's essay. The
purposes of YOUTH" was statement of
the pleasures and the duties of youth in
simple and touching language, and was
we'll read. Miss Miriam Werber drew
a graphic picture Of the glory and the
glamour that surrounded the beautiful
Queen Marie Antoinette on her mar
riage day, and then another Of the hor-
rors that attended her execut:on-her-
subject being 1.-TWO days in the life of
Marie Antoinette." She read hsE essay
very we'll. The Devised Version of
the New Testament" being short
| sketch of the various translations and
some arguments in favor of the late
translation, formed the subject of Miss
Bessie Reese Perkins essay. She read
it very distinctly. Miss Mamie Whites
essay on True Greatness" was a
thoughtful and sensible composition,
and she did it full justice in the reading
of it. Miss lula Jones read, with fine
effect, an extract. The Recitation by
Miss Bessie Wheeler was most excel
lent. Her gestures and her intonations
were natural, and her voice was so clear
and distinct that every word could be
heard in all parts of the large hall.
We were struck with the reading by
the pupils at the examinations last week
and also Thursday night; and it is evil
dent that elocution is very thoroughly
| taught in the school, and properly 50.
There is 90 accomplishment more de-
sirable than TO be able to read and to
talk well.
The exhibition was a very creditable
one, and should be matter Of pride to
teachers and pupils.
The annual meeting Of the Board of
Trustees of the Newberry Academies
was held oath instant. al the teachers
were reelected for another year. Mr..
| D. B. Wheeler was elected member
ofthe Board in place ofMr. VIM. Lang
ford, resigned. A committee was ap-
pointed to superintend some needed re-
pairs on the buildings.
1t is the intention of the Board and Of
the Trustees to do all in their power to
advance the interests of these important
schools.