GEORGIA.
Atlanta University—Examinations and Commencement.
REPORT AND COMMENTS BY A GEORGIA EDITOR.
[From the Macon Telegraph and Messenger.]
For several days the Board of Visitors, appointed by the Governor to the State University, have been diligently attending the recitations of the several classes of this colored seat of learning, and are greatly pleased with what they have seen.
The pupils are perfectly orderly, well behaved and respectful in their demeanor, and not a few are good scholars, and give satisfactory evidences of progress.
A large preponderance are of mixed blood, and several would pass for white anywhere. There is no perceptible difference, in the aptness to learn, between the mulatto and his coal-black associate. Perhaps the latter sticks closest to the text-book, and is less disposed to investigate. But this may be owing to his superior tractability and habits of obedience. Some of the best students, male and female, are full-blooded Africans.
They read Greek and Latin, demonstrated problems in mathematics, discoursed upon international law and the Constitution, recited history, geography and grammar, and, in short, pursued successfully the curriculum of our highest schools.
To the questions propounded by the Board, too, they usually gave sensible and intelligent replies, showing powers of thought and self-reliance not commonly attributed to our colored people. Indeed, while it would be wrong to say that the recitations were perfect, yet it can truly be affirmed that they were highly creditable, and compared well with the examinations of our white institutions. Again we repeat, the decorum and behavior of the entire body of students indicated a most marked improvement, as compared with former years, and was unexceptionable.
The teachers are inferior to none in the State for thoroughness, patience and skill in imparting knowledge. They possess the confidence of the pupils, and, under the wise administration of President Ware, everything moves like clockwork, and no serious outbreak has ever occurred.