New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-27
FIFTEENTH WARD SCHOOL EXAMINATION


AND CHRISTMAS PREsENrArIoN.-The eighth semi
annual examination of the Ladies Department of
Fifteenth Ward School, No. 30, in Thuteenth-st.,
near Sixth av, Miss Sophia S. Cornell, Principal,
was held By M Superintendent McKeen in pres
ence of crowd Of ladies and gentlemen, friends Of
the pupils, on Wednesday, the 25th inst. There
were about $50 pupils present, with Miss Julia
Cleland and seven other assistants. This school
stands at the head of the Ward schools and the re-
suits OF the protracsed examination on Wednesday
were Of the most gratifying character The class In
Arithmetic, taught by the Principal in person, was
equal and in some respects superior to anything
We have ever witnessed in Ward school The
manners and general address of the pupils were
graceful and easy in the extreme, and LEFT nothing
to be hoped for from the more exclusive train
ing of the private school The main room was
tastefully decorated with festoons Of evergreens
and on the rear wall the words " knowledge is
Power" appeared, composed of evergreenS and
flowers. The walls of this room are elegantly
painted pale rose color with some tasteful designs
representing various figures in astronomical and
mathematical science, placed in such manner that
the eye of the pupils must always rest some form
of beauty or interest At the close of the exercises
Mr.. McKeen made some remarks, in which he ex-
display of useful needework and tasteful articles of
embroidery was very highly commended, and gave
evidence of the most thorough training There were
large number OF paintings and drawings on the
walls some Of which were of high merit. The pen
manship was natural and elegant, well becom-
ing for the educated woman. Music is taught by
Miss Cornell, and the exercises on the piano and in
singing equal to any school efforts it has been
ntrrf IN cfpn IN N hIstn VarQ
examined by the Principal in person. upon the pres
ent condition of the world, and especially in refer
ence to the history of the late struggle in Hungary
I'm which degree OF political knowledge was dis
played that would have shamed more than one Con-
gresham we know of. The exercises being ended,
the scholars were dismissed TO meet on Friday morn
ing to arrange for the Holidays and make some
Christmas presents to their teachers
On Friday morning we called and found the higher
classes present and engaged in the pleasing task of
interchaneng good wishes and talking over plans OF
amusement The presentations were as follows
To Miss Carwell, splendidy bound volume of
"Our Savior with the Prophets and Apostles !" to
Miss Cleand, large Bible richly gilt and bound in
morocco, 10 Miss Ferguson, an elegant papier
mache Portfolio; to Miss Swift, an alabas.er ink
holder and watch.case to Miss Cochrane, a Bible
bound in raised Gothic work Of elegant and UNIQUE
pattern to Miss Gilchrlst, tasteful volume en-
titled " The Dream y to Miss Pettis, fancy box,
filed withenvelopes and note paper to Miss Cham
berlain. Burns Poetical Works :" to Miss Lindsay,
"Tuppers Poems" The school was dismissed at
IL NJ. to assemble again on the frs. Monday after
New Year.
The Primary Department, Miss NJ Ashley, Prin-
cipal with eight assistant teachers and 500 pupils
was examined by Mr.. McKeen yesterday, and passed
with much credit to all concerned. The concluding
exercises were had in the Boys Department, ]. J.
Doane, Principal, with assistants and 470 pu
pills. The classes examined in the class rooms
in the most thorough manner, by Mr. McKeen and
the teachers, in presence of f. C. Benedict, Presi
dent of the Board of Education, and a number of
members of the Board, all of whom expressed them
selves being highly gratfed at the condition Of
the classes.
Several Improvements have been made in the en-
frances TO this house. The doors now open both
inward and outward, a condition that should be
universally enforced in the Public and Ward School
Houses. No 90 was pronounced by the examiners
being in the most satisfactory condition, and
fully up to its high reputation.