The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-02
Examination OF t.c Public Schools.

Although no public notice had been given y
the examination Of the public schools 'he pu
pills had been on the qui uiue for some aaI 5
and had made extensive preparations lor en'
event. The woods and gardens were desPolle'
of their floral treasures, and the nlmDle mn
gers of the scholars we're soon ent"iniue
graceful ornaments of the c7ergreens anc
flowers. Every part of the buildings where
wreath OF garland could be placed was deco
rated; the pillars in the main rooms were al.
most hidden By garlands OF overSreens and
| moss. while the class rooms, particularly II
the Normal School, were converted into fra
Grant floral retreats. There was generous
rivalry among the pupils in regard to the deco
ra.ions, each class being anxious that its
teachers room should be the most lastly or
namental.
YESTERDAY the weather was all that could
have been desired. and by 9 o'clock the friends
and parents of the pupils had assembled in the
different school houses, to witness the examina-
ton. The commissioners who had been as
signed to the different schools we're also pres
ent, and seemed TO take much interest in the
proceedings, questioning the pupils on their
past studies. The answers were generally
prompt and accurate, a fattering proof OF the
efficiency of the teachers and the application
OF their charges.
TIE NORMAL SCHOOL
was perhaps more largely attended than the
others, as the pupils were all young ladies of a
larger growth and the studies more advanced.
The scholars were assembled in the main room
and the opening exercises conducted by the
principal Miss Simonton; after which they
were examined in geography. Several selec-
tons from the poets we're then sung in unison;
division 4, sang the &c Bridge of Signs = divis-
ion B, an extract from "Chilce Harold" the
first class I" q hymn to the sunrise in the valley
of Chamouni," and the second class Bingen
on the Rhine"
The scholars had been previously trained in
this exercise, and the result was all that the
teachers desired, the different pieces being
rendered as if sung by one voice. The piano
accompaniment was almost unheard amid the
full tones ofthe choir of little singers After the
singing, the classes we're dismissed to the differ
ent rooms, and the examination by the teachers
commenced. The black boards were occupied
either by maps neatly drawn in chalk, or by
astronomical or mathematical problems. Some
of the maps drawn on paper by Miss Romans
scholars were very creditable, every proportion
being preserved, and showed talent for draw
ing that should be cultivated. Miss earns
and Miss Kelly's rooms on either side Of the
stairway on the second floor, were the most
accessible, and we're crowded with visitors
through the entire morning. Notwithstanding
the number of strange faces and the presence
of the commissioners, all questions We're an
swered readily and correctly. In the advanced
classes, several difficult problems in astronomy
and mathematics were solved without hesita-
ton.
The questions were propounded by either
the teacher or the visiting commissioner, and
there was no opportunity for ''cramming." !"
The examination was concluded in the several
class rooms, but, on reassembling, the scholars
repeated the exercises of the morning, and
united in singing several hymns, closing With
ssPraise the Lord" An address was delivered
by the Hon. G.. G. Memminger, and the prizes
awarded to the successful scholars. The fol-
lowing list gives the names Of those who
received the commendation of their teachers :