Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-23
COLUMBIA, TENN.
The Graduating Exercises at the Athe-
nssum, One of the Oldest Schools
in the State.
Miss Lu Lee Bowdre, of HernRndO,
Miss, Takes the Highest
HOnOrs.

Special Correspondence of the Appeal
COLUMBIA, June 20-The commencement
exercises OF the Columbia Atheneum have
always possessed attractions for the public,
but especially has this been true in regard
to those which closed on the 10Th instant.
No institution of learning in Tennessee, or
out of it, has taken a frmer hold upon the
confidence of all true lovers of sound and
thorough education than the Athen@nm. Its
advantages are more and more appreciated,
and its classic halls are more numerously
thronged with the return OF each succeeding
year. Texas alone Is represented by seven
teen bright and beautiful votaries of science,
while Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and
Louisiana also have larg representatives. L
had the pleasure of witnessing the last COM
mencement exercises, and being an outside
party, can speak advisedly and without bias
in respect to its merits After an association
with, and observation of literary institutions
for more than forty years, l do not hesitate
to state that for thoroughness, efficiency and
completeness in all the requirements Incl
dental to frst-class educational institu-
ton, Columbia, the queen city OF Middle
Tennessee, can rightfully boast of its athe-
nseum as having no superior in this favored
land of ours. On Sunday the commence
ment sermon was preached by Bishop X. K.
Hargrove. The house was crowded by an
intelligent and appreciative audience, who
listened with great interest to sermon
replete with practical and appropriate
thoughts. On Tuesday from O'Clock Till z
o'clock and also on Wednesday and Thurs
day between the same hours, the various
classes were examined. At appropriate
intervals, essays and recitations were intro
duced The pupils, without exception,
evinced perfect familiarity with their text
books while the recitations and essays mani
tested careful study aud thorough cuitlva-
cont md
dried" process, but, in every instance, the
pupils, when called to recite, seemed 10 be
taken by surprise. They neither knew what
questions would be propounded, nor to
whom, or by whom, and yet there was
promptness and self-assurance in the answers
which demonstrated thorough proficiency.
l never witnessed a more rigid test Of scholar
ship. On Tuesday evening the soiree dans1Ete
was given by the pupils. Much OF the music
rendered during the commencement was
arranged by one Of the faculty, Prof. Frank
Smith. Herein consists one great advantage
which his institution possesses over many
Others 1t has at the head OF Its music de-
partment one of tie proprietors, gentleman
whose superior attainments in the science OF
music cause his services to be held In high
request wherever the "art divine" is properly
appreciated. On Wednesday evening the
concert exercises were attended by
large and Oppressive h audience sn;Ha I Lfe
exercises CIOccu evening win
the spacious hall filed to repletioD.
After music, the salutatory was delivered by
Miss Lizzie G. Bradshaw, of Columbia. The
address was pleasing and appropriate, and
30 distinctly uttered that every word was
heard throughout the hall. After the de-
livery of the salutatory, class prizes were
awarded to large number of pupils. Then
came the address to the alumni, by Miss
Mary T. Looney. This address abounded in
happy thoughts and useful suggestions to
the graduating class. A select chorus" fol-
lowed, and was beautifully rendered, Miss
Fannie Mitchell and Miss Lizzie Gartner,
of Columbia, giving the solo parts.
| Next on the progr anime was the conierrlng
Of certificates of proficiency. These certit-
Gates were presented TO thirty-nine young
ladies for proficiency In the various studies
| embraced in the college curriculum. Inc
honor was Worthily bestowed and gracefully
accepted. The audience were now favored
with an address to the graduating class by
the Hon. W. S. McLemore. This address
| was pointed, piquant, full of wit and humor,
and was rapturously applauded. The Part
4 ing Song" was next given by the graduates.
| This song, so full of beauty and pathos,
was composed BY Prof Frank Smith, and
the harmony and arrangement by Misses
Lena HendIey, Fannie Mitchell, Ava Pleas
ant, Berta Scott and Cora Williamson. Gold
| medals were awarded TO Miss May Whitslll,
| of Alabama, for improvement In elocutioni
to Miss Ava c. Pleasant, Asheyiile, n. G.,
for improvement in music; to Miss Lu Lee