The attendance of the citizens from the town was a very pleasant feature. Brewer Normal has made a deep impression on the white people. They acknowledge the good work that it has done and is doing, and believe in the possibilities that are before it. The students in attendance during the year were 168, an advance upon that of any previous year. We have had much for which to be thankful during the first year connected with this institute; but let this be an inspiration leading us to greater achievements during the year to come. On Friday morning, amid a "sweet confusion" of tears, laughter and farewells, the halls of the school were closed for the summer vacation, and the students boarded the trains to return to their homes. J. D. BACKENSTOSE. * * * * * STUDENT'S LETTER. STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS. The path along which the mind must travel to obtain an education, is much like that on which one goes to accomplish any desired end. The student will find in his way numberless difficulties which seem higher than mountains, lower than valleys, and darker than any forest glade. The Alpine traveler knows that he will meet many a rugged steep, that he must cross many a mountain torrent on slender footing, make his way through many a gloomy valley. He does not give up, but presses forward with eagerness and courage, until he reaches the summit and gazes as a victor on the glorious scenes around. So is it with the student who is determined to become useful to his fellow-men and to God. His path is strewn with difficulties all the way. He meets discouragements and back-sets which seem to him sometimes insurmountable, and he will need all his courage to keep on to the end. In our Southern country there are, it seems to me, many difficulties which do not exist in all parts of our land; but as I hear our teachers tell of their struggles and trials, I conclude there is no broad, smooth way along which one may walk comfortably up to the temple of knowledge.