The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-07-11
st. Peters School Exhibition,

pied l3SC 1ueSuay, !" euheSuay ana L urS-
day evenings with its examination and ex-
hibition exercises. The large hall in
which they were held was crowded every
evening, notwithstanding the intense heat
of the weather, and with an audience ap-
parently very much delighted. In truth,
the programme was so varied and arranged
with SO puch tact that the drier exercises
of such occasions were relieved from all
eanui by the abundance of other perform
ances more popular in their nature--
When pupils really know the matters
they have been studying, it is apparent
almost at first sight. A long and minute
examination is not only very wearying to
restless and perspiring audience, but to-
tally unnecessary besides. Nearly every
one present at such places judges by APP
pearances. If the children answer in
stanuy and unhesitatingly, if there is no
stammering or delay, spectators judge, and
judge justly, that the answers are correct.
Two or three times around class, if the
questions are promiseuous and the answers
of the proper kind, is sufficient to satisfy
any one that the objects of instruction
have been attained and that the pupils have
learned what was expected of them.
We give as an instance at this examina-
ton a class of Religious Instruction which
was examined the first evening. A large
circle of girls were asked several times
around not syllable was missed OF
hesitated at in the whole examination
they spoke so loudly as to be heard
throughout the hall, and with so much
readiness that the whole exercise occupied
but few moments. The result was that
the audience were delighted instead of be-
ing bored, and were more convinced of the
proficiency of the children than they would
have been by a longdrawn, hesitating ex-
animation of an hours duration. There
were other examinations also which did
great credit to the teachers, though occa-
sionally some pupil would not answer
loudly, enough to be heard by all. o..
Mr.,Jovian, the principal, deserves great
credit for the boldness with which he has
made desirable innovations upon the old
traditional notions as to the programme of
exhibitions. Everything dull and tiresome
is omitted. and every element of amuse-
| ment and interest is introduced, in such n
way, however, as to show off the profcien-
cy and talent of the pupil. Music, instru-
mental and vocal, is of frequent recurrence,
showing that the amenities and accomplish
ments of this life are regarded of some i'm
portance, as well as arithmetic andL>other
dollar and cent staples. Beautiful groups
of we'll dressed children are/arranged on
the stage in such a way as to present a
charming tableau, white really giving an
exercise in elocpGon. Every thing is done
promptly, and not IL moment is lost. In
intervals/between more elaborate pieces,
boys>come out in front of the curtain and
rceite an effective little poem or grafton.
We can hardly discrimin ate with justice
between the different performances when
there were so many excellent ones, so many
indeed, that we cannot hope to recall all
those that struck us most flvorably. In
the way of spectacular pieces, the grand
event was the song " Driven from Home'
Miss Nellie O'Brien, standing in front of
the curtain, sang the verses of this touch
ing little poem, while at intervals responses
were sung by band of young misses be-
hind the curtain representing a chorus of
angels. At the conclusion, when the fer
saken child sinks to her knees in exhans=
ton, her eyes raised towards Heaven, the
curtain rises, the spirit chorists become
visible, and one of them coming forward
assumes an attitude of readiness to bear
the little sufferer to the Heaven at which
she is gazing. Just Mt this moment an ar
tifcial illumination throws it's beautiful
lights on the tabieau, producing an illusion
of the glory to which the group is supposed
to be ascending. f'
Another consisted of five little girls per-
sOnating the five spirits. Though the chill
dren were all very small, they showed such
thorough training, and acquitted them
selves with such effect as to reflect great
credit on their teacher and afford manifest
pleasure to the audience. The "Six Vir-
tues" was another interesting piece prettily
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