Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-06-02

GRADUATION OF THE SECOND cI.Ass-INTEgEsTINa
EXERCISES.
Institute Hall was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity, Thursday evening. on the occasion of the
Second Annual Commencement of the Delaware
State Normal University. The exercises began with
a prayer offered by Prof Harkness, in which lie
asked the Divine blessing upon all educational
institutions in our State, that our youth might
be taught and trained in all knowledge and use
fulness.
The eighth public exhibition Of under-gradu-
ates then began, with an address on Physical
Culture, by Alonzo Hassell, of WILLIAMSON, N.
G. This was All able attempt at enforcing the
advantages to bodily health and mental strength
derivable from the development of physical
powers, a department Of education formerly
neglected but now receiving share of the at
tention it deserves. The subject had been well
studied and the delivery of the speech showed
some of the elements of true oratory
A selection from Hannah More's works, entitled
'The End of Female Education" was then re-
cited by Miss Anna L. Wheaton. This was de-
ers sweet voice and personal beauty made her
performance highly attractive.
Severson b. Cooling followed in defamation
called /" Unfortunate Courtship." He deserves
credit for the conscientious and careful manner
in which he endeavored to interpret the senti-
ments of the writer.
An original composition called Obedience
was read by Miss Sallie J. Allen. This was
noticeable for a sweet simplicity of thought and
style which was very pleasing.
An original French composition Lees
Oiseaux," (The Birds) was well pronounced by
Haywood Conant. More than usual proficiency
in foreign languages was displayed by all of the
speakers whose productions were given i'll other
than our mother tongue.
An illustration of heroic courage. called The
Boy of the Arctic" was declaimed by Harry Bull
lock- The young speaker seemed to have caught
the spirit of his author and interpreted the pro-
duction vigorously and nobly.
Clarence J. Mccullough gave pierpoints
" Whiting. in a pleasing manner. The Yankee
boys industry and ingenuity were well described
and the audience gave their undivided attention
to the young speaker.
methods Of Teaching Reading" an original
article by Miss Anna L. Woodward, was
thorough digest of all the modern improvements
in giving instruction in this most fundamental
part of education. The lady's voice was clear and
powerful. her manner earnest, and the matter
deeply interesting to all. 1t listened to with
pleasure, apparently by those of all ages.
An able temperance appeal called the 'Wine
Cup was spoken well by Charles L. Smith Dis
tinct articulation was noticeable in this lads eff
fort. as it was in the utterances of all who took
part in the exercises. All appeared to have been
taught to speak plainly, and pronounce distinct
ly.
Edward j. Mulilhausen read an original Ger
man production called :. Site und kleider ens
Wharen Names" Speech and Dress of a True
MANI The clear sweet voice. pure accent. and
calm possession of this lad made a most IA
vorable impression.
"our State system of Public Education" Sc
lected article was given with good emphasis, by
Jacob Craig, Jr.
Another French composition, la AIaison Pa
ternalle' (Ihe Paternal House, literally,) was
then read by Miss Ida Lanier. of WILLIAMSON, N.
c.. The sentiment was tender the language
well-chosen the entire piece was graceful in
its construction, and most pleasing in delivery.
A brief but beautifully written article was read
by its authoress, Miss Jennie Webb. 1t depicted
the " Pleasures of Memory" and was in every
respect n creditable performance. Thomas II.
Thatcher then decaimed 1.-The State Normal
School, setting forth the value and work of such
an institution. The clear utterance and manly
self possession of the speaker gave due effect
to the production.
AT this point the exercises of the graduating
class began with Latin salutatory. written and
pronounced by Harry Emmols. The sonorous
language of the worlds conquerors was probably
never heard with better effect on a similar scho-
lastic OCCASION Every word was given with a
deliberation and distinctness that made it easy
to understand by those acquainted with Latin.
A very customary fault of sMch orations in
foreign tongues is that they are delivered with
extreme rapidity, suggestive rather of parrot
like repitition, than of a definite purpose and
perfect comprehension of the instrumentality
employed 10 feacn II. Inns Iault was entlrelN
avoided by Mr.. Emmons, who deserves great
credit for his learned sentences and their sonor-
GUS utterance.
The other members of the graduating class read
original papers as follows .Nithmatic, and
Methods of Teaching it," by Miss Lizzie I.ancas-
ter; Methods of Teaching Geography" by
Miss Sarah J. McKeag . School Government" I"
by Miss Emma Oakford.
These all showed careful study. thorough
training, and deep interest in the subject. As
people propose to devote themselves, they gave
promise of an intelligent and earnest application
of sound principles and correct theory, to the
practice of teaching Scholars placed under the
care of such instructors could not fail to make
great and rapid progress. 1t is well understood
that the great design of Normal Schools is not
merely to give the usual liberal education, but in
conjunction with that to afford instruction in the
best methods of teaching. To this particular at
tention has been paid i'll our State Normal Uni
versity, and the gratifying results were apparent
last night
The whole tone of the exercises was highly
moral and intellectual. Nothing was introduced
merely for the sake of amusement, all was earn
est and elevated, as if instructors and pupils
were resolved to win the rewards due only to
fidelity and zeal.
Rev. Charles ID. Shaw made the parting re-
marks to the class congratulating them on their
triumph in successfully completing their course
of study, urging them to continuance in self
culture, and expressing the hope that their ex-
cellent theoretical training might soon have the
opportunity of development III practice.
Prof. Hardness then conferred on the gradu-
ates their diplomas, with the degree of Artis,
Docendi Baccalaureus, bachelor of the Art of
Teaching) for Mr.. Harry Emmons, and that of
Arts Docendi Baccaaurea on the Young ladies.
There is no English word that accurately trans
lates " Baccalaurea," since the ordinary cense
attached to Bachelor" is not its scholastic
meaning.
Prof Hassell than announced that the degree
of Artis Docendi Magster, had been conferred
upon Professors John Z. Harkness and Wm Il.
Wiggns.
Professor A. J. Lang Principal Of Waverly
Institute, N. j., followed in learned, able and
earnest address, showing the absolute need and
the priceless value of general public education.
1t aboundcd IN historical references, and CAREFUL
ly selected statistics. Comparing the material
resources and the wealth of Wilmington with
those of other States, he showed that our great
est deficiency was in the matter of education, a
very large proportion of our white native popu-
lation being unable TO read or write. He made
an earnest appeal for well appointed State
Normal School, as a most important and neces-
sary aid in the disseminationof education among
the people of our Diamond State.
Professor Lang is a successful instructor, well
known in New York where, for thirteen years, he
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