Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-12-25
The Academy Boys.

Well, the Academy boys had Il Christmas
entertainment too! Why not: They know
how 10 do the thing up in good style, they
always have first rate audiences, aud they
send them home pleased and gratiied.
This time it was the Dlalectic Society
They gave an open session, last Tuesday
night, in their new hall, this being the first
public entertainment therein.
The exercises were presided over by Mr..
+. z. Ryland, president, in a graceful vet
firm Manner, that would have lone credit to
an experienced parliamentarlan.
Tn Rev. DIR. Leyburn made an eloquent
prayer appropriate to the occasion.
The roll was called and minutes read by
Mr.. f. P. Miller. TIL Formally of a treasur-
er's report was omitted.
Mr.. J. G. Russell led off with an essay on
''The Southern Negro" whom he treated
with originality and frankness.
Mr.. F. W. Flshback followed in a decla-
nation. "The Lost Steamship" quite a tragic
and thrilling selection, which he gave with
much feeling and force.
A vocal solo, "Birds in Dreamland Sleep"
was sung by Miss Jessie Atkinson.
Miss Atkinson has a beautiful voice, just
adapted to the room, and her song was so
delightfully."- rendered that an encore was in
sisted upon. She repeated u stanza of her
selection.
Mr.. T. c. Young read an excellent paper,
an essay upon the ''Happy Results Arising
from the Cultivation of Taste" He handled
his subject well and was warmly a%pplauded.
Mr.. j. X. Griffith in his comic recitation,
"The Courtship of Larry Ode" captivated
the audience.
Miss Floyd Searcy followed in a vocal solo,
Queen of the Night" Miss Searcey is 3
great fsvorlte with Lexington audiences, and
she sang so charmingIy that she was reward.
ed with a storm Of applause whose iusistance
would not take no for an answer. As Al en-
core she repeated part Of her song.
The next thing was the debste upon the
questIon:-'Resolved, That LAFAYETTE de-
served more praise for the part he took in
the Revolution than Washington" Affirm
alive :-Messrs. E. G. Bryant and w. 4.
Hays; negative F. W. Ahrens and
W. Monig. Judges:-Messrs. Demand,
Steele and Blanton.
Bryant led off for the afirma tive in q Wig
oroIs presentation of his side of the quss-
ton; followed by Ahrens; then Hays, and
lastly Monlg; with replications by Ahrens
and Bryant. All the young men did well,
remarkably well. Their speeches evidenced
thought and study. The committee after
considerable deliberation decided in favor of
the negative presentation of the case, though
Prof. Demand in its behalf complimented all
the contestants. We have only a word of
criticlsm:-The affirmative made q strong
light, but they went q little too far; they as
sailed Washington, which wa. unnecessary,
and damaged their cause. In delivery prob
ably MIR. Bryant excelled; but the closest
and best argument was presented by Mr.. j
Monig, Another word:-The young men. |
In their class recitatlons, no doubt, are not
so prone to this fault, but In public they be- |
come q little excited and begin their speeches
and declarations in too high a key. 1t il,
Then, difficult to lower the voice and impos-
slpie to emphasize. 1t is u good rule to be. |
GIN & speech, address or essay, in q low. |
natural, Conversations tone; then as the
opens up emphasis may properly and
be made. All this does not mean
that the young men did not acquit themselves
creditably. because they did, but it is only q
hint or two that may lead to their doing
better. Il
The academy is doing good work this year,
ana we think the faculty is 10 be congratula
ted upon it.
we feel sure that when the Dislectic gives
entertainment they will have q full
house. Their new hall is just the thing, and
VIII prove of great advantageto the school.