The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-01
THE MASONIC SCHOOL EXAMINATION.
INTERESTING EXERCISES.

INTERESTING EXERCISES.
= The examination Of the scholars Of the
Masonic Academy yesterday morning was
one of the most interesting and pleasant af-
fairs of the kind that it has been our priyi-
lege to attend during the present season.
This school was established i'll January,
1867, little more than one year ago, under
rather unfavorable auspices, but those who
inaugurated the enterprise have now the
pleasure Of beholding, as the fruit of their
labors. an institution alike rejecting honor
to the Masonic Fraternity, and comforting
inestimable blessings upon those children
of the departed brethren who are there be-
ing educated. It is controlled by Board
of Directors consisting of three persons from
each Masonic body in Richmond, and every
Mason in the city contributing TO its support.
The Principal, Mr.. John H. McRae, q
well-qualifed and experienced teacher, is
assisted by Mrs. McRae and another highly
accomplished female teacher, under whose
care the young ladies are placed. The
school is taught in rooms on Broad street
between Ninth and Tenth, and numbers 81
male and 80 female scholars, the curricu-
lum of studies embracing oil the English
branches and French.
The examination yesterday took place at
Washington Hall, before the following
members of the Board of Directors
M. E. William L. Maule, J. P. Little, and
George Jacobs Worshipful J. F. Rsgnault,
J. S. Calvert, ]. R. Dowell, Peterfeld Trent,
W. Lovenstein, and Thomas U. Dudley
Brothers Alexander McRae, Powhatan Wei
siger, 0. F. Weisiger. NJ. ]. Michelbacher,
and J. NJ. Strother.
The venerable President, Most Worship
full John Dove, being absent, NJ. E. Brother
Jacobs was called to the chair, and Wor-
shipful Brother Loyenstein appointed Sec
retery.
The scholars filed into the room at about
II o'clock, neatly attired, with happy faces,
armed with piles Of books, and at once the
examination commenced.
The examination of the female classes
was conducted by their teacher; after
which compositions were read, as follows
"The Change of Seasons" Amanda Gun
ningham "The Masonic Academy" Miss
Ophelia C. Charles; Gratitude" Miss
Clara Chalk; Vacation" Miss Sallie
Maule; "School Days." Julia B. Poore ;
" Morn, Noon, and Night" Miss Juliet
Upshur; Truth" Miss Lila 0. Bingham ;
Procrastination, % Miss A. D. Wiley !;
"Idleness and Industry" Miss Sallie Betty
"Our Homes" Miss Jennie Word "Close
of School," Miss Grace Beverley.
The composition of Miss Charles, de-
scribing the school and expressing graft
tude and affection for the teachers and the
Masonic Fraternity, was we'll written,
gracefully read, and was the subject Of
special commendation. Those of Misses
Cunningham, Upshur, and Chalk also de-
serve special mention, while nearly all
were highly creditable.
Miss Florence Chalk, one of the smallest
girls, recited prctsiiy he poem, Bingen
on the Rhine"
The boys were thoroughly examined in
grammar, geography, and other English
branches. The compositions read were
" Cruelty to Animals" by Samuel P. West
Woman" W. E. Prescott; advantages
of Education" Judson Cunningham
. Home," R. 0. Deupree; "The Masonic
academy" Heath Lorton. That Of Master
Prescott was unusually good.
The examination being concluded, Most
Excellent Brother George Jacobs read the
names of the pupils to whom prizes had
been awarded. We give their names
Young Ladies.-First prize for deport'
ment, Julia Grey. sewing machine; first
English, Sallie Maule, writing desk
arithmetic, Amanda Cunningham, a writing
desk second English, Julia Poore, port
folio third English, Florence Chalk, q
portfolio.
Boys.-DepoItment, P. E. Tyler, tool
chest first English, Judson Cunningham
tool-chest; second English, w. Waldron
a case of mathematical instruments third
English, Solomon Ellick, q Latin diction-
ary fourth English, A. E. Stephenson,
" Roman Antiquities %; fifth English, ia
cob Grey, Goldsmith's Works"
These were all the regular prizes, but the
Board of Directors were SO we'll pleased
with the composition of Miss Ophelia
Charles that special prize "a handsome
fan) was procured and presented to her.
One more prize remained-a handsomely
bound copy Of the Bible-which the pupils
were allowed, without previous notice, tc
give to the schoolmate who in their opinion
was most deserving the honor. Miss Clara
Chalk was almost unanimously chosen tc
be the recipient, and it was presented tc
her by Mr.. Jacobs in neat speech.
Most Excellent Brother Jacobs then, on
behalf of the Board, addressed the pupils
in few words, expressing the satisfaction
of the Directors at the evidences of pro-
gress presented, and the tokens that the
work under their supervision promised tc
bring forth good fruit. He alluded particu.
larly to the fact that this was not, as had
been intimated, free school, but a pa5
school. Every Mason felt ita pleasant duty
to contribute towards the education Of the
children of their departed brethren who, il
the days of their lifetime, found equa
pleasure, in the discharge Of their Masonic
duties.
The children were then drawn up in line
and marched into the ante-room, where 6
bountiful supply of ice cream and othe,
refreshments was spread out for their en-
ioyment. With this entertainment the ex
ercises closed and the Masons withdrew
their hearts cheerssi by tho good work done
and the scholars dispersed with happy
smiling faces, ready 70 commence another
round of school duties Oh the morrow.
s. T. PENDLEToN's SCHoOL.-The exer
c;ees oP Pendle ;on's English Classical anC