The Brookhaven leader., 1883-07-05
Closing Exercises at UaIea Hall.

Elder J. r. Parish, and Messrs. A. Bowsky,
Charley McNair and Sam Magee, we drove
out behind one Of Sam Magee's spanking
mule-teams to witness the closing exer-
cises at Union Hail.
We had never visited this school before,
and our first moments after arriving
were spent in taking view of the outside
situation. Though we had already antici-
pated, much We were pleasantly surprised
to find that our expectations were more
than realized.
What is known as "Union Hall" we
found to embrace q substantial country
church; large, commodious and hand
some frame building, containing two
apartments-one in the rear fronted by a
spacious rostrum-and which has just been
fitted up for occu rancy; then an old school
building occupied before the new one was
completed; and lastly, a new, roomy board
ing hall, Kept by Mr.. Elihu May and his
excellent lady, who furnish board to the
students from distance, and who, by the
way, take deep interest in the success OF
the institution. Two wells of pure crystal
water are on the ground, and the whole
surroundings are beautifully embower
beneath stately forest trees and hang
ing vines, which at once commend the place
to the lover of nature, and the quiet seek
er after knowledge.
A large crowd had already assembled
upon the ground, and after hand-shak-
ing with several of our subscribers and
adding some new names to our list, we re-
paired to the school building to witness
some of the
EXERCISES OF THE DAY.
These were conducted by Prot. W. H.
Dickson, the popular and scholarly princi-
pal of the school, and consisted of exerci-
Sos in spelling, reading, geography, and
pupils showed decided proficiency.
A heavy rain did something to disturb
the exercises of the day, and kept many
away. On this account,
THE BASKET DINNER,
which had been prepared and brought 10y
the hospitable, clever ladies of the neigh
borhood, could not be spread upon the
ground beneath the shady bowers, as had
been expected, but had to be eaten in the
church house upon the benches. Fortu-
nately we about this time fell into the
hands of Mr.. Wiley Maxwell, by whose in
vitation we were permitted to enjoy the
hu hot
agreeable of ladies, Mrs. L. c. Maxwell, his
mother. A basket dinner never looked
more tempting, and to it we did full jus
tice.
Dinner over and everybody given a
chance to pick his teeth and listen to the
emusic of the candidates." who were pres
ent in force,
THE AFTERNOON EXERCISES
opened. The first thing on the programme
was a polished, earnest and practical ad-
Dire IS from Prof. j. M. Girault, orator OF
the day, who as Principal of Little Bahala
Institute, is already known to our readers
as an educator of ability and established
reputation. The Professor has kindly
agreed to furnish us copy IN time for our
next issue, so we forbear a report of it
here.
Prof. Girault's address was followed by
a spicy. pointed and instructive imprOmptu
address from Elder Parish, who was grab
bed up on the spur of the moment, and
pr essed into service.
At this stage of the programme we had
to regretfully take leave; but We learn
that the re 1t of the afternoon was taken
up in examinations in Greek, declarations,
etc., in which, as in the forenoon, the pu-
pills all reflected credit upon themselves
and their instructors.
AT 8 O'CLOCK T. NJ,
came the closing part of the programme.
This consisted of humorous and eloquent
dec lamations, dialogues, recitatiOns, etc,
and a splendid valedictory essay read
by the beautiful Miss Pearlie Maxwell.
1t Is proper to state in conclusion of this
imperfect report that Union Hall owes its
great popularity and efficiency to the eff
forts of Professor w. H. Dixon, the accom-
plished Principal, and his efficient assis.
tants, Messrs. F. A. May and VIM. j. Max.
well; also to Messrs. L. C. Maxwell, John
NJ. May and Vernon Smith, the devoted
Trustees, who are earnestly backing the
teachers with their means and influence
that the Institution may be carried on to 9
still higher plane of usefulness. Prof Dix
on is graduate of the original Cambridge
where he also taught for several years, ant
he is one of the most progressive ant
thorough educators to be found anywhere
in this or any other country. To state tha
such man is employed by them, is one o
the highest compliments which could b.
paid the Trustees.