Worcester daily spy., 1851-04-05


H1GH SCHOOL ExHIB1TIoN-The annual ex-
hibitiOn of the High School Walnut street, passed
off yesterday, with more than usual ecat, and iuiy
demonstrated not only the ability and indeia'igaole
energy of the teachers, but the aptitude, learning
and intelligence ofthe scholars.
We visited first the English department, and saw
the geometry class examined, by MIR. Starr me
young ladies and gentlemen appeared to be as Ia
mar with Euclid as with the English language; and
in their descriptions of the various theorems nomna-
ted, evinced an intelligent acquaintance with In
ductive mathematics. The history class in the same
department, manifested perfect knowledge OF the
events which characterised the early days of Amerl
can nationality; but we think that the true basis Of
American glory does not seem to be yet fully appe-
cated in our academies. 1t certainly does CRAFTY
our national pride to contemplate our victories over
the British; but it answers no good to make them
the leading facts -four history. Its more honorable
to us that we have subdued glorious continent and
built up great nation, than that we have conquered
tie English
The classes in Latin Greek and French, under
the ablessupervision of Mr.. Wheeler and Miss Har-
wood, were extensively and critically examined in
those several languages; and eyinced considerable
acquaintance, not only with their general signifca-
lion but with their structure and grammar. The
most critical observer must have been satisfied that
all that was exhibited was exhibited intelligently.
The more we observe the workings and results of
our Free Schools, the do we feel proud of our
State and its Institutions We trust that Massachu-
sets will always maintain, at least high condi-
ton of educational excellence as was yesterday ex-
hibited at the High School in this city.
| The afternoon exercises consisted principally of
declamatons recitations and the reading of compo-
stons. In none Of these performances was there
much opportunity to find fault. The reading was
far above the average of the best academies whose
exhibitions we have attended, and the originality OF
thought care of expression and purity of dction dis
played in the compositions, spoke well for the intel
ecual attainments of the scholars and the ability of
the teachers. The declamations were not so good
as we have sometimes heard upon former occasions,
but on the whole were by no means discreditabe TO
the school.
Where all was so good it is hard to particularise
the special merits of any particular performance.
The Irish INIT iton by one of the lads whose name
we did not'learn, spirited imitation of the fine
old Irish gentleman, and the defence of the Chero-
KEGS, by Master Ruggles, was well delivered.
Miss MilIer's recitation of the &C katidid" poem
was excellent, also the recitation of a Poem,
by Miss Knight which followed.
The compositions were submitted in the form of a
periodical, which has for some time past been pre-
pared by the scholars, two of whom are chosen each
week, we believe, to act as editors Some of the
essays evinced the possession of high order of in
teect the part of the contributors of both sexes
Among riUsv that would epooify as partcplarl,,
good Were those upon "Crime, by Eliza A. Cunning
ham. "The hand of the Creator in Nature. >" bv
E. S. Holmes. Eerly Friendship" by Miss Bar
Der. "Happiness," by Miss Rice CA Dream. -
by Eliza S. Messenger, was well drawn aIleporica
illustration of the ycissitudes of life, Master R,r
ker's defamation of Willis spirited poem Parrhas-
lus, had some fine points, but was little too drama
lc In some parts and at times hardly distinct enouob
to suit that portion of the audience al distance from
the rostrum. Among the many excellent original
compositions which our space will not permit US even
to name, we would notice as deserving of especial
commentator, Poem written for the occasion. bv
Miss Henrietta Algcr, and another, entitled the
Voice of the Sunbeam by Henrietta P. Whit
ney. mysterious Knockngs,'' parody upon
Poe's Craven, twas most happily conceived and ex-
ecuted, and the Antislavery poem, by Miss Cross,
was splenddly delivered
1he Town Meeting discussion, which was partici-
pated In by most the lads in the senior classes was
something entirely novel upon such occasions, and
gave an interesting variety to the proceedings
Throughout the whole afternoon, the spacious school
room was crowded with admirng spectators, hun
dreds being obliged to stand and the universal satis
faction evinced by all present, in the performances
could not but have been in the highest degree graft
| tying TO The teachers Worcester has right to be
proud OF her public Schools and so long as thevman-
tam their present high position, we believe the most
misery tax payer will not grudge the liberal appro.
pratons made by the city fathers for their support
MRS. PARTINGToN ON THE SToRM.-Tbe
Pathfinder furnishes us with the subjoined reflections
thnn nnI, n