New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-20
CITY HIGH SCHOOLS,
Commencement Exercises.

Commencement Exercises.
The commencement exercises Of the Cen
tral High School, for boys, took place yes
terday at the institute, on Burgundy street.
The occasion was one of peculiar interest
to the friends Of the pupils, considerable
number OF whom were present 1t was also
matter OF great interest to the members of the
City School Board, to the Division Superin
tendent, and to the friends Of education
generally. Most especially was it of high
interest to the faculty Of the High School,
for it would show FORTH in some degree, at
least, the result Of month after month Of
close and toilsome labor, in shaping the
minds of the pupils, and fitting thsn for
the business of mature life.
The New Orleans Central High Scool for
boys is the result of the consolidation OF the
four high schools that formerly existed un-
der the old city administration. These high
schools were partially consolidated some
years ago, and in 1867 the boys high school
was fully consolidated as it exists at pres
ent.
The faculty of the boys high school at
the present time is as follows: John Per
cival, principal and Professor Of Rhetoric
and History; Mr.. John V. Calhoun, Profess
sor of Latin and Greek; William T. Bell,
NJ. D.,Professor of Natural Sciences; Mr..
John f. Seaman, Professor Of Mathematics
Mr.. Adolphe Jacquet, Professor Of CONNER
cial Science and Drawing Mr.. Jules Lam
bert, Professor Of French.
The number OF pupils on the school roll
is, at the preseut time, one hundred and
FIVE; average attendance, ninety-fve. The
pupils are classified as follows: Firs. year,
second year, juuior class and senior class.
1t will be seen then that the course Of in
sruction comprises four years. This, with
the preparation obtained in the primary
and intermediate schools, will enable a
pupil, with PROPER attention, to obtain an
education so thorough rs to fit him for any
OF the ordinary walks of life, and SO pre-
pare his mind by habits OF study as to
enable him, without difficulty, to make
speedy and adequate preparation for those
pursuits requiring more extended attain
meEt and mental preparation.
1t must be supposed that Of those pupils
who, by diligence and industry in the
schools of lower grade, find their way into
the high school, the larger number DO not
20 through the full course Of instruction.
This will account for the small number Of
graduates at each commencement. Since
the consolidation Of the schools in 1867 the
following have been the number Of gradu-
ates each succeeding year: In 1866, ten
graduates; in 1863, thirteen graduates; in
1869. eight graduates, and in 1870, six grad
yates. 1t was expected that for the pres
ent year the graduating class would have
numbered eleven instead of six, as there
were that many candidates at the June va
cation But owing, it is supposed, to the
protracted vacation on account Of the prev
alent sickness. five of the eleven did not re-
turn at the close of vacation, hence the
small number OF the present graduating
class.
Among the gentlemen present we noticed
Mr.. Superintendent Carter, Nessrs. Van
Norden and Tracy, Judge Shannon. Mr..
Kendall, secretary of the School Board,
Senator Pierce, and number Of other well
known citizens.
The exercises were opened by music, exc
cuted by the quartette band engaged at the
French Bazaar, consisting OF piano, flute,
violin and horn. Mr.. Aug. Davis, Of Black
mars Temple Of Music, presiding at the
piano. The fine piano used was procured
from the establishment of Mr.. Blackmar,
POI Canal street, and the music iLterspersed
between the exercises was OF u superior de-
scription.
Mr.. Percival, the principal, made short
opening address, giving brief but suecinct
Icsume of the progress Of the High School
since its consolidation in 1867. The saluta-
tory address was then delivered by Master
III. Lehman. This young gentleman spoke
that showed how well ne had studied his
subject. There was the redundancy of
gesture generally characteristic of young
speakers, but this will be modified by the
teachings Of future experience. Next came
a very creditable English composition, by
Master George Cade. The composition
smacked OF juvenescent crudeness, but there
the career of the speaker, should he elect to
pursue literature. mo Excellence Without
Labor defamation by Master Thomas
Flannigan. was exceedingly well declaimed.
"Souvenirs of School Life" This piece was
certainly credit to the speaker, not the
less ST. because he was slightly embarrassed. |
The whole composition evineed good sense
ana SOou ItcliGI.
"Derniers Moments dun Jeune Peete."
spoken by Master Joseph Anderson. This |
was rather a daring flight for Master -sndcr
sou. The grammar of the French was I'M
excepionable, but the accent siEacked of
the Kings English, and the Presidents |
American. The original defamation by |
Master Lehman was passable.
THE High School Student" by Master |
j. Mclean, OF the second year class. was |
creditable performance. But the Original |
address to the graduates of 1870" by |
Master 3. Carnes. Of the Junior class, was |
without dispute, the very best among the |
efforts of the students. There was unmis-
taxable oratOrical power, the animus Of |
the true orator was there; and we venture
to say that if this young gentleman follows
q pursui: necessitating the cultivation OF
oratory, he will occupy no mean place as n
speaker among the orators OF the rising
generation.
At this point the principal. Mr.. Percival,
after q few remarks asked ii the first class
lad elected Il representative for the occa-
sion. In response. Master Lowenstein
stepped to the platform and delivered a
lengthy address on the subject Of
the labor of teachers and the Justice of
awarding a less tardy remuneration for
their labors.
The raledictory address was then deli
vered by Master George Wright. and thiS
time his action was uLimpeacha BILE, for he
spoke good English.
The graduating class then appeared on the |
stand and the diplomas were awarded. The
names of the graduates are Joseph A. An
ierson. George Cade, Thomas q. Flannigan.
John w. Holmes, Moses Lehman, George
Wright.