The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-14
cATHoI1c SCHOOLS n rLAoUs1rmx.
ExAMINATIoN AND ExHIRITION--

D~eAAAOA1AV D&AkAVO4S0
EXAMINATION AND ExHIRITION--ss
To the Editors Of Morning Star.
Knowing the interest that you and ths
many readers Of your esteemed jo2rna
beg leave to trespass little on your space
with q few words from Plaquemine. There
are two Catholic schools here, the Academy
of st. Basil, under the charge of those de-
voted instructors of female children, the
Sisters of Holy Cross; and st. Johns school
for boys, taught by Messrs. Dominique and
Conway, undef9he direct supervision of the
Pastor, Rev. F. d'Hemecourt.
The Academy, in which day scholars as
well as boarders are taught, is situated
about the centre of the town. 1t is a fine
building, capable Of containing some forty
or fifty boarders, besides the day scholars.
During the scholastic year just closed there
tendance. The Sisters have lately been
enabled to paint their main building, SO
that the place has quite neat and cpictur-
esque appearance, with its green blinds and
railing, and its arble-colOred front and
sides. The play grounds are extensive,
and are shaded with a number of fine wide
spreading trees. At present there are four
Sisters engaged in the work Of,teaching.
St. Johns school cannot as yet boast
equal advantages. The building used as a
school house was intended originally for a
private dwelling, so that the rooms are en-
tirely too small. Moreover, being only
rented, for want of means to purchase 1t or
house better suited for educational pur-
poses, the payment of the rent must be a
constant drawback.
But Father d'Hemecourt, aided by Mr..
M. Schlatre and other devoted friends of
education in the parish, intends to build
school house sooD. The previous success
of those gentlemen in procuring for the
Sisters the house they occupy, is guaran-
tee that they will not fail in their design
now.
The examination at the Academy began
on Monday, the LIST inst, and lasted two
days. The doors of the institution were
thrown open to all who desired to be
present. The children were thoroughly
sifted as to their knowledge of the
several branches studied throughout the
they answered really well. 1 can
hardly understand how they were able
to retain such an amount of newly
quired knowledge, and be ready to give
evidence of that knowledge in their ready
replies. Doubtless they never would have
made such display as they did, were it
not for the repeated reviews which they.
are required to make during the
year. One feature of the examination that
pleased me particularly, was the clear and
Ineligible manner in which the children
explained, when asked, the meaning of the
occasional hard words that occurred in
their lessons.
The exhibition and distribution of pre-
miums took place on Thursday morning,
the 4th inst. First was played q drama in
English, written for girls, and entitled
80 Education" A French play, the Mar
tyrdom of St. Agnes" followed. Both
pieces were we'll acted. and the numerous
audience, consisting chiefly of the parents
and relations of the children, seemed to be
the rendering of The various characters. A
discourse was then delivered by Rev. F.
Du Bernard, Pastor of st. Gabriel, where
in he sh6wedthe advantages and necessity
Of good Catholic education, and refuted
some popular objections brought against
the system pursued in Catholic schools and
The boys were examined on the Friday
md Saturday following. For the most
part they did credit to themselves and to
heir teachers. 1 was particularly pleased
with Thomas Hebert, Charles Biehler, and
Fred. Leblanc, and a small child whose
name do not remember. Their exhibition |
md distribution came off on Monday, the |
9th inst. "Sebastian," play written by |
r. d. MCGEE, from Cardinal Wiseman's |
we'll known tale of Fabiola, was selected |
or the occasion. 1t was very we'll |
especially considering the fact |
hat the boys of this scho9l made their
irst essay on the stage. Indeed the acting
If the five principal characters would have
lone credit to persons older in practice
Cd. Shanks as Sebastian, Fred. LIE Blanc as |
oancratius, Charles Biehler as Carvinus,
Thomas Hebert as Quadratus, and John A. |
3arbay as Maximian.- After the distribu-
ion of premiums, Mr.. M. Schlatre address
ID few plain matter of fact observations |
o the audience, wherein he called upon |
hem to laid in the erection or pur-
hase of suitable school-hous for the |
Boys of the town and Parish.
A FRIEND OF EDUCATION.