Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-03-26
For the Grand River Times.


leving you of the time and pleasure of no
ticing public examination, which closed
on Friday evening last / was gratifed at
the announcement, and much more at the in
yitatiop extended me Of joining the closing
exercises that were to end the winter term of
the Grand Haven School, Under such cir
cumstances, therefore, with accredited creden-
tials for my presence, may not be thought
too arrogant if l avail myself of your col
umns to make all the acknowledgement /
can for the kind invitation accorded me.
With the fact that upon all such public coca
sions, stranger may gather the clearest and
most correct estimate of the literary stand
ard of aplace, you may imagine that for
est begirt and ice bound village, with a grand
Eloquent expletive to its name rather amused
than assured me of any profit as wendell
my way to the school room. But I'm there;
and really, if as we are told in many places
that " the school master is abroad" certainly
they must have centered here, for such host
of girls, boys, young ladies and young men
as were there gathered together, surprised
my risible propensities into reflection. Where
did all the children come from? was the first,
and how many teachers are required to gov
ern thems was the next thought, while l
fancied that if Grand River had proverbial
" single currency" children must, at least,
be the bullion of Grand Haven.
The school was called to order and the ex-
ercises commenced under the direction of the
Principal, Mr.. TAYLOR, who seemed, at the
outstart, to combine the requisite qualifica-
tons of a successful teacher-a nervous &C
tivity and ubiquitous vision, coupled with
and efficiency, with the faculty of
drawing out and kindling the energies of his
pupils Music first greeted lis from number
of girlish voices, accompanied by an instru-
ment whose harmonious notes vibrated at the
touch of delicate fingers" Next stepped
up one of the young orators who took the
stand and in his boyish tones assured us that he
meant to prove more oratorical than his years.
Two colored boys made their appearance in
upon the stage and acquitted them
selves nobly, and much to the credit of an
ignored race. Dialogues and speeches, alter
mated, spiced with compositions and music.
| could not refrain from searching out and
identifying the parents or. relatives of the
young performers as they severally took their
stands upon the stage, to display their pow
em, the glistening eye, flushed cheek and
earnest attitude told volumes of the parents
hearts. To attempt to criticize every per-
formancc would occupy too much space and
inclination; but l would say that with the
exception of one or two of the boys, and a
few girls who usurped the rights of the spec
tators by smiling during their own rehearsals,
the performances were highly creditable to
the actors, and reflected honor to their Prin-
cipal and Teachers. In the dialogue of the
school master deserted of his pupils, but In
tested with complaining parents, the charac-
ter of the Irish terlnagant and "his mither's
darling" with the reaction upon the little
was finely developed and was cal
culated to excite the pride of tall gentle
man with head, shoulders, whiskers and light
looming above his fellows, whose
daughter, if mistake not, she must have
BEEN A lad of robust stature, with Roman
nose, spoke well, and l fancied discerned
The father with compact head twitching with
satisfaction under badger overcoat. An
other noble boy, erect and Independent, fear
essly acclaimed, while / discovered less
fearless exclusive countenance, with an an
Gent head environed with the frosts of many
dinners, chuckling his plethoric habit with the
Joy of paternal honors. Next was youth
who, though he spoke with careless, indiffer-
ent cast, wore a countenance which betoken-
I'd thought, and I caught an eye swapping
rom delicately pointed and striking coun-
tenance, which told me had not mistaken
The maternal side. Another, whose motto
was " excelsior" characterized himself in the
case and grace Of his delivery. Compost
- u IL. L. uo,J .to -, ..