The New Orleans crescent., 1868-12-20

Time in its irrs s'stible fight has borne another
year into the past. The moment has arrived when,
| our happy school days over. We must leave the
peaceful seclusions Of these dear old walls and
enter into the bitter struggle Of life. The eudear.
ing ties which have bound us 20 closely together
VIII be broken. The glorious thoaghts and sunny
dreams which have made life 90 happv and so
| pure are to be realized or blighted.
We will be compelled to face the many and re-
sponsible duties Of life, bat the sweet beams of
hope win gladden. our hearts and strengthen our
purposes as "o'er lifes stormy path We roamu
Happy have been the hours, days and years
passed in gensleness and peace within the school,
room. We have lad our trials. but are they not
The inheritance Of mani and have not the pleasure
which We have enjoyed In pursuing the foWsry
paths of literature been ample compensation,
Kind friends, before we utter the sad words
which sever the links that have endesred us to
each other, we will retrace our steps aud On.
deavor to lay before the mind the fields of know
ledge through'which We have passed.
Through history We have seen the earth In all
her lovelinees, created BY the 0mnipotent; the
globe overx helmed by the wssers Of the deIuge.
and have learned that ell empty splendor must be
laid waste while an eternal stiffness rests upon
and shrouds the ruin.
We have traced the huge globe on which We
have transported ourselves toward the moon, sur
veyed its deep caverns and lofty peaks, the rug
ged and romantic scenery that diversi6es the sur
face. fscs Of the % %gSesnly orb q plight We have wan.
verse, leaving the sun and ell the planets behind
till they appear like scarcely discernabe speck.
and contemplated millions of stars aud starry sys.
TENS beyond the range of the human eve, and
travelled through suns and worlds throughout this
vast space.
We have learned the rules and forces that gov.
ern the universe. We have seen from the princi-
pie of grsvitation proceeds all she beauties which
arise from the majeatic river and roaring cataract
And through all our studies we have been made
to realize that life was. given rs for an exalted
purpose, to alleviate the disresses and bring
tentment to the aching heart of man.
And now that our scholastic duties are COM
pleted, an unknown fear creeps over rs. We ehud-
der at the thought Of standing alone in the portals
Respected friends. accept our thanks for your
kind attention in listening to youthful produc-
tons and giving MS such encouragement as will
assist Ms in travelling the rugged path of life.
shadows will ERE long darken our pathway, and,
when they do come, we will look back to the
present and be cheered BY its kindly recolec-
To you, our worthy directors, too much praise
cannot be accorded for your zeal in urtherance of
the cause of education, and the special interest
you have manifested in our behalf. Under your
fostering care the High Schools of New Orleans
rank second to none In the country.
And to you, most respected superintendent our
gratitude is due, for the countenance we have re-
ceived from you since we first commenced the
ascent of the mount Of science to ths present.
when our labor has been amply rewarded by the
glorious expanse that opens before our enrap-
tured gaze from its summit.
And to you, dear teachers-and especially to yOu
beloved principal-our hearts 90 out in remem.
brsnce, while time shall run its course. You have
acted towards us In kindly and forbearing spirit
and though we may not have seemed appreciative
at all times, still we were ever thankful for your
kindness. And in the unknown future. when per-
haps minds shall be shrouded with suffering and
gloom, we will wander in fancy back to this dear
old school room, and to its guardian spirits, aud
II will be sweet to remember the joys, the griefs,
the sorrows that now swell our hearts to overflow
ing. Rest assured that the seeds which you have
sown have not fallen upon barren soil. Soou will
they blossom, and, oh may you live to see the
fruits. May God In Heaven smile upon your holy
calling, and strew your life-path with thornless
flowers, and may angels guide you to the Mercy
Seat on High, there to receive the golden crown
which you have 80 nobly won.
Beloved classmates, must we part I! How true
it is that we realized until over how strong
the links that have bound us together. The
ways OF life are many; some are strewn with
flowers, some with thorns, and others have them
scattered alternately. We must 20 forth into the
wide world. to battle with its surginQ billows.
Dreams do not ft us for its stern batue6elds we
have duties to perform, happiness TO enjoy. mis-
cries to endure, storms and tempests will gather,
but let rs not faint or faltcr. Human life is not
perfect without some sacred sorrow, Frightening
and eaddenng present joys by its strong contrast.
Let us speak words which will be remembered
In after years in the chambers of grateful hearts.
The sad hour of parting has come perhaps we.
may never meet again, but we break those links that
have bound us together as classmates and friends.
Let us cast one serious thought upon the future.
and it's duties and responsibilities. Let MS resolve
not to give ourselves up wholly to enjoyments and
pleasures, but continue to devote our leisure mo.
ments TO Improvement and ever instil into the
minds of our associates the innumerable advan-
tages derived from 1t. Then farewell kind
-teachers-classmatea-a last and long
farewell.