The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-28
OUU SCHOOLS.

Richmond Normal Sch00i.-ln our notice
of the City Normal School yesterday, we
were cut off by thc hour of going to press
from noticing thu closing exercises. After
the examination proper, and the presenta-
tons to the teachers, before alluded to,
Mr.. Washburb addressed the school in
some appropriate remarks, followed by
Rev. Mr.. Mllr, Rev. Mr.. Greer, Senator
Greene, of Pc ersburg, and others.
We much regret that the examination
should have taken place in a room SO
limited. Such an exhibition ought to have
been witnessed by hundreds of our citizens,
and would lave been, but for the impossi-
bility of securing admittance. The best
place that Richmond affords should have
been freelygiyen for this purpose.
If George Peabody could see a school i'll
this city, founded by his mnificence, to
fit young ladies' for teachers of its schools,
crowded pm examination day into a close
room, would he have a high opinion Of the
spirit in which his donation was received by
our peope? When Wisdom leads out her
young Disciples from the school-room to the
consccraed work of life, all ways should
be opcped and stTewn with flowers. The
collegeand university commandments are
thus sgnalized. Shall not these popular
schools, which are the peoples colleges, the
intellc nurseries Of all its children, be
as well recognized in Richmond? See how
Boston, New York aud Chicago celebrate
examination day. With what words of
cheei and encouragement from the highest
sources the young graduates go forth from
the portals Of the public schools? Let
Richmond learn what is expected of her in
the rev era Of popular education now inau-
gurted.
The Richmond Normal School is sup
po,ted by the Peabody fund. 1t is under
the direction of Board of Trustees of
which Horace l.. Kent is president; James
Gordon, vice-president; Mr.. Wallord, sec
reEary, and Andrew Washbmn, treasurer.
C9l. David b. Parker, Asa Snyder, Albert
Otdway, r. M. Manly, S. Ruth, Franklin
Seams, and j. b. Crcnshaw, also, are
members of the board. Mr.. Washbuin is
the executive officer of the board and the
principal of the school. He is assisted in
teaching by Misses M. L. Dodge and Jennie
L. Howard, young ladies of varied accom-
plishments and peculiarly competent ir-
structors.
The number of scholars is limited, and
there are always applications for admission
on file. 1t is necessary for acceptance that
an applicant shall be young lady of good
moral character, and sufficiently advanced
in her studies to enter the junior class. She
is also required to pledge herself, i'll consid-
Grafton of the tuition received without
charge, to teach in the public free schools
of Virginia after graduation for as long a
term as she is in attendance upon this in
stitution. 1t is the aim of the instructors
to fit their pupils to adorn any walk of life,
and to teach intelligently any branch of
learning taught in the public schools.
The following is list of the members of
the senior and cx-Senior classes for the ses-
sion Just closed. The ex-seniors are those
who graduated last year, but have been en-
gagged for another session in extra studies j:
Observation-Disclosures Georgia Fay, Mollie
Hawkins, Ella Farrar, Jennie Clark, Emma
Purdy, Molle Vaughan, Auretta Adams.
iSeaiofs.-Misses Bertha Street, Katie
Arnold, Susie Hill, Lille Bagby, Maggie
Walters, Lizzie Heiss, Belle Pelouze, Mac
Gle Chapel, Helena Laube, Lille Hentle,
Florence Ezekiel.
The following valedictory address was
delivered by Miss Maggie Walters
vALEDIcroRy ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE RICHMOND
NORMAL SCHOOL BY MISS MAGGIE WALTERS.
The past is ever before us and lured by mem
Dry, can enter its silent halls, and behold its
glowing pictures. Memory is the great store
house of the brain, filled with all the varied
scenes OF this life, in which we have been either
participants or merely spectators,-stored with
useful knowledge, or dark with ignorance, Joy
GUS with TRUTH or tortured with remorse; bright
with innocence and hope or black with despair
| it furnishes food for thought and oftentines so
lace for the grefaden. With what delight will
memory hover over the happy years of our
schooi-life; and though our hearts be burdened
with atilietion the remembrance of these halcyon
days, will afford heavenly balm to the grieved
| spirit.
But companions, have we awaited ourselves OF
| knowledge? Have we spent Our time we'll? Let
each heart answer for itself; for i'll its silent
chambers conscience, an ever-waketul monitor
will not fail to rebuSe any misuse of our oppor-
| tunities. This precious boon of memory came
/ from the Omniscient, and He knows whether we
| have rendered it q source of gladness or of sor
row; if we have misused our tme it will I'M
| doubleday be a source of sorrow !; but regrets
are useless, for time gone by can never be re-
called. Let us, then, avail ourselves of present
| opportunities for the future is as a dark chasnl
| into which we dare not peer.
| Who can picture, who can paint, all the glowing
visions memory bringsu what power can wrest
"The visions of childhood the dreams of youth
| That quickened our footsteps, i'll the pathway o.
truth:
The first picture of fancy, each hope and each
fear
Like the faces we miss, to mem'ry most dear.'
/ Schoolna ties, we are about to mart not because
| we are through with labor or concluded ON
/ studies, but because this scholastic year has ter
minated-we wish for such SUCCESS in their effort,
| for the attainment of knowledge; let not q mo
| ment pass by unilnproyed, for memory will no
fail to reproach and reprove for all denquences
Kind friends, we fear have detained you
TOO long already; if So attribute it to desir,
to delay the sad moment when we must part
| We thank you for the interest you have manifest
| ed in our closing exercises, and assure you tina
\ you have thus given us encouragement which w,
| duly appreciate, and for which we heartily thanl
you'll
| Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees, we ofle
you our sincere thanks for the benefit conferred
upon us in the past by your strenuous efforts il
| our behalf you have won our lasting regard
Your Watchfulness over our interests, zeal in thu
fnrherance of plans calculated TO ensure success
your efforts to promote our comfort and the in
terest shown all occasions, have rendered
greatly TO our improvement and stimulated us tt
redouble olr exertions For these and othe
tavors, we beg to thank You, again and again.
How can we part from you, our devoted teach
ers, whose ever Watchful kindness and sympath,
have entered the inmost recesses of our hearts
! Without the holy influence Of memory, we coul,
not say farewell to those who made our tasks sc
light and pleasing. But, believe us that you cai
| never be forgotten. Memory, our beloved pre-
ceptors, Will bind you with an mistaken cha
of thought, returning always love aud gratitud
for yotr unchanging fidelity. If, through tn
long time we have been together aught Ia
arisen to mar the happy routine of our duties i
we have thoughtlessly wounded yor feelings
we ask TO be forgiven.
Conscious of your untiring and unremittin
cxertions for our Improvement we can see bo\