The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-07-24
Portland High 4 chool.


noon by men, women and children, who were
much interested in the exercises of the grad
uating class of 49, 1t is the first time such
an exhibition was witnessed in this hail. and
we trust it will not be the last Such exhibit
tions are highly interesting and foreshadow a
glorious future for our country. Our school
rooms are not spacious enough for such enter
tainments. In such close quarters neither the
graduating class nor the audience have fair
chance, but our beautiful hall gives ample
room and verge enough. The stage was occu-
pied by the class, the teachers and the School
Committee. -ssi ..a mi
The exercises commenced with "Class
Song" the rendering of which showed that
the class has not neglected music. The Salu-
tatory in Latin was very well written and spo-
ken by Arthur S. Bird At first we thought
we were attending college commencement,
but when Olivia E. Phillips appeared and gave
us Pandora" the delusion passed away, and
we listened with the more interest to the fair
speaker. She spoke admirably, and appeared
quite at home and less nervous than we should
have been under like circumstances Her ar
ticulation was clear and distinct, her intona-
ton of voice was good, and her manner easy
and natural. The instrumental trio was well
performed by the Misses Bateman and Ella
M. Adams. Undated .gs
Monumental Honors to Public Benefac-
tors" an extract from Everett, was handsome
ly delivered by George w. Edmond. "Boots,'
by Ella M. Adams, was capital, and showed a
good deal of wit and humor. "Boys' Prophe-
cies, /" by George w. Jones, was full of imagi-
nation, and presented an interesting picture
Of what his classmates may be at some future
period. He evidently drew on his imagination
for his facts, if not on memory for his wit. 1t
was really an amusing composition, and he
gave us few touches of oratory in its delive-
ry. 1t was an admirable performance
MANY things answered me-" by Alice Tur-
ner, was very fine. She found good in every
thing, and the lessons taught her in the works
of Nature were well studied. The song
There's path by the river was sweetly rem
dered by Florence M. Patten. "Pictures," q
poem by Mary E. P1ummer, was very pleasant
and evinced very good taste. "Corners," by
Hattie w. Fox, were made interesting. We
didn't know before that there were SO many in
terestng things in corners. There was much
good humer in her pieee. "Girls' Chronicles"
by Sophia E. Hart, was frst-rate, and a vein
of humor run through it, which the audience
duly applauded. "Cliffs," by Clara S. Pierce,
interested the audience. 1t was we'll written:
Return of Regulus to Carthage" (Kellooe
was delivered in good STYLE" The instrument
tai duet was well played by Sophia E. Hart
and Ella M. Adams. Girls Prophecies" by
Ellen Il. Pickering, We're excellent. Ready
wit and pleasant humor characterized the
composition. yankee Notions" were given
by Julia R. Staples in an admirable manner.
If she were a boy the vocation of an auction
eer would become her well. Her performance
was interesting and very creditable. Isabel
Lawrence gave the Girls Vaedictory in a very
pleasant manner. The Boys Valedictorv was
given by Clarence A. Bickford in admirable
style, and it much Interested the audience az
well as the class. Florence N. Patten. Clara
E. Munger and Julia r. Staples sang trio in
good taste. E'H
In Summing up" we confess we were much
more interested in the above exercises than we
expected to be. Much of the speaking was
quite as good as we generally hear at college
exhibitions. The young ladies seemed IN he
quite at home on the stage, and spoke and
acted their parts remarkably well. We think
they must have had excellent training bv THAR
teachers. And the young men also appeared
well in their respective parts. This schooI mn
der the management of tho Principal. A p.
Stone, is one of our most valuable institu tions.
After the exercises were over, Nathan Webb,
Esq, Chairman of the experimenting chool
Committee, addressed the graduating class in
a beautiful and appropriate manner, and then
conferred upon them the diplomas He, then
addressed the large audience pr esens and
urged upon parents the necessity of sustain
Jug the committee in their arduou.s work. NOT
py complaints, but by advice and suggestions
A Latin ode was then sung by the class to the
tune of Sweet Home"