The examinations on the 13th and 14th were listened to by a large number of the more intelligent of the colored patrons and friends of the school. Members of the press were also present, and showed themselves highly pleased. The pupils went through their examinations in all their various studies in a manner which showed they were perfectly familiar with all they had gone over in their text-books. All showed thoroughness and promptness, from the lowest to the highest class. Problems in algebra were demonstrated, axioms given, translations from Latin and English sentences analyzed and parsed, in a manner that did credit to teachers and scholars.
On the night of the 14th, a literary entertainment was given by the pupils, which included vocal and instrumental music, with essays, declamations, etc. Two allegories, “The Pilgrim’s Choice,” and “Light Hearts’ Pilgrimage,” deserve special notice, for not only the beautiful manner in which they were rendered, but for the life-lessons they taught, and the mental power developed by those who had so successfully learned their long and difficult parts. The essays, “Missed Lessons,” and “Little by Little,” and “No Excellence without Labor,” showed marked ability in the pupils, and a strong desire to aim high and persevere in their efforts to obtain greater advancement. The quartette singing was listened to with almost breathless attention; and, indeed, one could not help thinking that here was a band that, with proper training, might in time rival the famous Jubilee Singers. I am sure little Miss Kitchen, the youngest of the singers, would even now create a sensation in any audience; her fearlessly clear, high tones give promise of a “star” singer, could she have proper training.
Teachers and scholars deserve great credit for their efforts, and their merit is appreciated to that degree that they have been called upon to repeat the entertainment on the 17th.
A Bright Day in Athens.
MR. JOHN MCINTOSH.
May 24th, the closing exercises of my school came off. Between the hours of nine and four o’clock, over two hundred persons gathered into the Knox’s Institute, to witness the closing exercises and a spelling-match between my school and another from a different section of the city. Prof. A. Brumby, of the Georgia University, and the Mayor of Athens, were present. These distinguished visitors remained some hours, and, on leaving, spoke very encouragingly to my pupils and patrons. They said that they noticed many indications of progress and thoroughness.
Prof. Brumby said he was perfectly astonished, and so were his pupils who came with him. He said good work was being done at the Knox’s Institute, and he hoped that this work would continue. The Mayor said many good things, among which were these words: “You are not only being taught lessons in books, but also lessons of virtue and morality.” He bade us go on. My school beat in the spelling-match, and this encouraged my pupils greatly. The Athenians are awake. I shall return the latter part of June to labor for three months under the free-school system.