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- Examination time was always a hectic time for students at Tulip. There were two main examinations during the year, one in December, the other in June. One Little Rock visitor, styling himself as "Maurice," attended the December examinations at the Seminary in 1852, and later wrote an account of his experience for the press. On Wednesday afternoon, December 1, he related, certain select passages were chosen from the best authors, prose and poetry, which the girls read to their teachers and peers. Several essays written by students were also read. Specimens of needlework and embroidery were displayed on this day. The next day the girls were tested upon the harder subjects. That night a concert was given by the young ladies, followed by an address General Smith, board president (7).
- The cadets were given more difficult examinations. Besides their usual routine of study was the matter of daily ceremony of raising the flag and lowering it in the evening by a cannon and salute demonstration. It was a marvelous experience for the cadets and citizens. The flag pole stood a straight, sturdy one hundred and fifty feet in the air. This piercing and awe-inspiring pole was the pride and joy of the Military Institute.
- As has been written, all was not work for the students of Tulip's two famed schools. Although the town itself was almost "off limits" for the young people, they were allowed to go there often enough. All one had to do was step off the school grounds onto the main street. The students saw and heard men dancing and singing to the fiddled songs down at the tavern. The men stepped lively to such tunes as "Aggravating Papa," "Step Lighting, Lady," "Leather Breeches," "Money Musk," and Cotton-eye Joe." Parties were often held for the young people, too. In the spring they enjoyed strawberries with cream, and there was always carriage rides. Several times a week the great Concord stage from Little Rock to Camden, passed through Tulip, its driver blowing a huge horn on the village outskirts to make sure everyone knew he was on his way. The hoped for mail was brought to Tulip by the stage.
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- 7. Arkansas Gazette, December 17,1852.
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