The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-24
BETHNEL ACADEMY.
THE SUMMER SESSION OF THREE
MONTHS CLOSED IN HAPPY STYLE.
A Program Of Exercises Affording an
Intellectual Treat, and sumptuous
Repast Truly Refreshing to the Pa
irons and Visitors of the School.
Correspondence of The Appeal.

Today the Bethnel Academy, under
the management OF Prof O'Brien, closed
its summer session OF three months with
an intellectual treat as well as an excellent
dinner to the patrons and visitors of the
school.
The academy is situated right in the
center Of as rich and prosperous a farming
country as the State of Tennessee can
boast Of about one and half or two miles
east OF this town.
The country surrounding, in this season
Of the year, looks like garden. The
crops-corn, cotton oats and other farm
ing products-look as though the farmer
could be the happiest man on earth. The
school building is standing in one end OF
4 the beautiful, shady grove which nature
Il has planted, and which the hand OF man
"A cannot improve. 1t is indeed pleasant
and inviting spot when the sun throws its
s. searching rays upon us, as in the last few
days. Your correspondent arrived at this
ID desirable spot, nearly WORKOUT and feeble,
N at about 0 o'clock am, and was immedi-
ately received with all the cordial welcome
M Characteristic OF the people of such coun-
q try as described, and conducted into the
schoolhouse, where the teacher, before q
p large audience, was reviewing his classes
1sdas bright and intelligent lot OF pupils
as Memphis or any city in Tennessee can
Il boast Of. Your correspondent was truly
surprised to find aschool in Shelby County
30 far in the country that can compete, in
advancement and brightness Of its pupils,
with. any in the city. There were
no Rotations, but merely a review
OF the ground over which the pupils had
gone during the session, in which the
school children conducted themselves SO
that both their teacher and parents can be
proud OF their school. Some OF the smaller
pupils were before the assembly people
N and read selections from their readers in
30 clear and distinct voice that every
word could be distinctly heard in any part
n OF the room. Little boys and girls who
three months before began TO learn the al
phabet read in the Second Reader any Sc.
lection they were called upon, and in so
clear and simple a style that they brought
pleasing smiles OF approval upon the face
oi everyone who listened. would like to
mention the names OF some OF those little
pupils, as they deserve credit for their
rapid advancement, but | did not learn
them all and those had learned | have
iorgot,en, but their sweet, natural and dis
.linct voices left an impression not soon 10
Dc forgotten upon the writer. Some classes
in arithmetic were reviewed, and il was
Wonderful how readily and how rapidly
nroblems were analysed, explained
Ind solved upon the blackboard -
problems in complex and compound irac.
ions which would puzzle great many
|plder pupils were placed on the board
with lightning rapidity and other prob
#ems under almost every subject In anth.
|metic were analysed and explained with
EQUAL clcarness and rapidity. Several
grammar classes reviewed their work, in
| which some OF the most difficult sentences
In the English language were diagrammed
~ and analysed. lntinitives, participates and
f'f relative pronouns, the most difficult sub
jecls in the English grammar, were readily
Hn><-snd ably treated in such n manner tha
anyone could see that they were masten
OF what they attempted TO do. The elias
-. in English literature reviewed the histor,
OF the English language and It's develop
ment from the time Chaucer came upol
the scene down to the time when Milton
Wrote his Paradise Rcgained. The rccita
#iion was iny.gorating and refreshing IL
tic whole. They gave a short outline
Zfketch OF the life OF the prominent Englisl
Xwriten, named their principal writing
aud history OF their most popular pieces
81 Your correspondent was struck with thi
review more than any other. A class IN iai
ural philosophy gave the listeners pleas
n ing introduction TO that science and shove,
wi their proficiency In that branch. Olhe
subjects were gone over which dcscry
a 10 be mentioned with considerable praise
but will say that all in all, from beginnin
10 end, the pupils were clear, natural
bright In their exercise, entertaining in
terestng In the treatment Of their subjects
perfect little ladies' and gentlemen in thci
conduct throughout their work, and CAV
the audience an inyigoratng and refresh
ing literary and intellectual treat Anon
the pupils who deserve special mentio
III whose names / yet remember are Misse
Emma Smith, Lutte Bass, Susie Aller
and Mcssrs John Aycock, Oscar smit
and Felix Bejack. Others did rs well, br
do not remember their names. The Nv
iint mentioned above, Misses Bass an
Smith, are two young ladies Of about II
teen or sixteen years Of age, and they has
on this occasion displayed their eilicienc
in every subject they undertook, whic
would do honor TO much older pupils, an
II they keep on in their intellectual deyc
- opment these two young ladies will he
some near future day ornamentsin socict
and their parents can well be proud
such children. Al II o'clock tho exercis'
OF the school closed, and an invitation VI
extended 10 everyone present 10 cou
out aud partake Of the treat th
was prepared 10 refresh his physic
body, which all enjoyed hugely. Und
the huge shade trees were tables bcndir
under their loads Of all good things 10 ca
barbecucd meats Of great many yariete
several varieties OF cake pies and gre
variety OF good eatables; lemonade and ]
cream was plentiful and about 80 poop
were bounuiully supplied. The prcpar
ton Of this good dinner must DO crcditc
toa great extent, 10 the ladies' Of th
community, who spared no effort 10 la
the best OF everything aud 10 make eve
visitor feel ut home, and spared
1ains to make him enjoy the occasion.
.nay be Judged from the feeling Of 20
correspondents companion, you
man, likcned unto tie apostle Peter
when, with others and Christ went up in
high mountain. he said, 1T Is go
for M TO be here and n thou wilt let
make here three iabcrnaclcs," but 20
correspondent "wilted" not aud 10 &
young man could not larry. II IL n
known what the attraction was the lit,
AIRY treat. the dinner, or the smiles OF q
many pretty young ladies there, that 81
a.. A -. IuNUNts.