Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-26
UNIVERSITY OF WEST TENNESSEE
Examination and Closing ENercises-A
Most Creditable Affair.
MEMPHIS, TENN, March "a, 1882

MEMPHIS. TENN March "a. 1882.
To the Editors of the Appeal:
The exercises commenced at o'clock pre-
cisely, with prayer by the Rev. B. Lee; sing
ing by the choir The primary classes hav-
ing been examined the day previous, that of
the academic classes, together with the
teachers department, came off to-day. The
writer was visitor, only, from neIghbor-
ing village. He came to see and hear, and
not 10 take any part in the exercises.
Though native OF the South and imbued
with all the ideas of anti-negro schools, yet
he must say that these exercises dispelled
every idea of prejudice. The grammar class,
composed of twelve members in the analy-
teal department and six iu the synthetical,
were examined by special committee ap-
pointed by the trustees The last
sentence is memorable: "Nictory! Vic
tory Long may we flourish and I'M
furl our banner to the breezew
was analysed and pared alphabetically with
out mistake by the junior members Of the
class. 10 geography classes Of teachers in
prt p iration for the profession passed as far
as they had gone in MitchsF5 Outlines to the
| Mlp Of Asia without mistake. Let US not
be too fast, though, in passing. 1t was sug-
gested by gentleman who was present on
the day previous 10 call up one class in the
primary department OF this institution,
| which had been taught at intervals the rudi-
ments of photography by the president HIM
self. Careful attention was paid TO phOnetics
and photography The class numbered
| thirty-two, and they gave evidence OF being
thoroughly drilled, having been tested by
| the same committee, above stated. The
scientific examination was far beyond our
most sanguine expectations. The geology,
physiology, rhetoric, extraction of roots, in
| volution and evolution, We're worthy of a
regular normal training school. History
| was not left out by any means. In
that class the succinct logical and laconic
| STYLE of Ridpath was fully ventilated.
Gui7ofs History Of France and English History,
! embracing the Augustine or EliGabethan
| period of English literature, had their share
! of the programme. After original essays
| and declam atoms the audience were invited
! to a repast that would satisfy the taste of the
most fa~tidious. The people Ton account of
! hard tmes) tried to excuse themselves for no
better fare, but Croesus with his peacocks
could not have satiated hunger any better,
| at least we think so.
| Examination exercises were resumed at
| o'clock, when addresses were in order Cap
! tain Sam Hays spoke at length on the ques-
ton Are Our Schools Gaining Ground?'
| All points were handled with admirable adj
| dress, making very full exposition OF the
| subject in all its details. Captain J. W.
| Levi presented general facts and encouraged
| the colored people 20 perseyere in education.
| Hon. f. c. Smith passed in review the full
examination and pronounced it a sue
| cess. Prof. Pollard delivered himself
in most happy style. Subject: pho
netic Element OF the Euglizh language"
| The Rev. Burrell Lees subject was,
with all thy Getting, Get Understanding"
! Mr.. Lee is one of the oldest residents OF our
| county, and one OF the founders OF our
| schools, who has labor-d earnestly and con-
| vineingly He was received with hearty
applause The president now came forward,
| sff4ble, courteous and pleasing, and closed
the exercises of the session.
| The schools will open sgain Immediately,
| Monday, March 81, 1882.
After the examination the Board Of Trus-
! tees held their regular annual session.
! There being no designations the same corps
1 of teachers will be continued. The board
| closely scrutini4sd the ground and buildings,
| and at the suggestion OF the president
| agreed TO erect another building adjacent, IN
! order to accommodate the influx OF pupils.
/ A committee of five was appointed to COM
| municate with the Hon. \. Stone, of Ohio,
/ TO enlist him as an influential personage;
| also Colonel William \. Hamlin, of Michi-
1 gan. formerly OF Memphis, Tenn, to aid in
! the erection OF a building 10 be used for
| those incapacitated or unable 10 educate
| themselves-the building TO be 50 by so feet,
[ two stories high, finished neatly but not
/ costly. REPORTER.