Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-07-04
CoNMrNcrMrNr ExEnclsEs on ROCKVILLE

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF Rockville
ACADEMY The commencement exercises of
the Sixty-Fourth Session of Rockville Acade-
my took place at the Fair Grounds in this
town on Friday evening last, in the presence
Of a large and appreciatiye audience, composed
of citizens from town and country. For days,
aye, for weeks, the students Of this venerable
Institution had been looking forward and pre-
pairing for the occasion which was TO exhibit
the proficiency they had made in their studies
during the scholastic year.
Al an early hour in the evening crowds Of
the beauty and fashion of the place, old men
and young men, wended their way to the beau
full grounds, until every available seat was oc-
cupied. The speakers stand had been grace
fully festooned with evergreen, while the lamps
which decorated the adjacent trees, gave nov
city to the occasion. Soon, then, and while
yet the evening twilight fingered around
these grand old oaks, which for century have
cast their lengthcning shadows around the
spot, headed by their excellent Principal, Mr..
JESSE D. ABnAHAMs, and his co-laborer, Mr..
MELviLbs MARBURY, and the Rockville Brass
Band, the young students, in proper column,
entered the grounds and took their station on
the stand. II was fitting place for such an
exhbition-not pent-up and sweltering in a
renders all uncomfortable, but in the open air
with the gentle zephyrs playing, free scope
was given to ALL If the classic scholar was
reminded Of the Arcadan Grove, be was also
reminded of the labor those must undergo who
essay to climb the Chill of Scence,' where
flames proud temple shines affair.""
and that by unceasing toll they must reach
the summit. lie is reminded, too, that all do
not attain the goal, that some fall by the way
side, while others, like the great Athenian
orator, whose burning words aroused all
Greece, gain the prize by EXTREMIST toll.
The programme for the occasion was good
one made up ofselections from ancient and
modern authors, and in passing judgmentupon
each Of the young speakers, it must be remcm
bored that some of the pieces were more diff
author--particularly is this the case in the
writings of Shakespeare. In fact, in the decla-
nation of any speech, from any author, to en-
ter into its spirit is of most difficult attain
ment and brings into exercise the best talent
Of the dcclaimer, and withal must be accom-
panied with AcrIoN--itis this last which gives
potency to language and gracefulness to the
orator. But we may be DEPRESSING too far, and
must return TO the subject in hand. Passing
by the young speakers, all Of whom acquitted
themselves with credit, the main point of in
terest-as it is on all such occasi ons-was the
contest for the Elocution Medal. There were
nine contestants, namely r. Bowie Holland,
Edward Sionestreet, William Williams, j.
Maury Dove, this young gentleman was OK
cused from speaking on account of indispos-
tion]-W. W. Russell, A. j. Almoney, For
rest Prettyman, g. W. Prettyman, and Frank
Amoney. II would be but faint praise to say
that each Of the young speakers acquitted him
self handsomely, when, in fact, all won the
admiration of their friends, and where all did
so well, it would be invidious to make dstinc-
tons, or point out defec.s-of this latter, what
ever they may have been, all are by this time
fully conscious, and on another occasion may
correct the errors and bear off the prize To
this let every nerve be strained and success
will crown their efforts, and when they enter
upon the stern duties of life, they will profit
by the instruction received at Rockville Acad-
envy, and revert with pride to their Alma
Mater.
At the conclusion of each address bouquets
were thrown upon the stage by fair hands
this is q little episode in college life peculiarly
gratifying to the recipients.
The next in order was the distribution of
medals:
The FIRST honor for Penmanship was award
ed to Harry Hurley.
The second honor for same was awarded to
N. D. Ofrutt, Jr.
In the Primary Department the first honor
was awarded to Eddie Peter.
The second honor was awarded to Cushman
Braddock
In the intermediate Department the first
honor was awarded to Clarence Veirs.
The second honor was awarded to Alex Nun
caster.
IN, the Academic Department the FIRST honor
was awarded to Cbas W. Prettyman.
The second honor was awarded to William
il Williams.
The Committee on Elocution made the fol-
lowing report
We find timpossibe 10 discriminate be-
tween the efforts Of Messrs Frank Amoney
and Chas. w Prettyman.
(Signed,)
E. II. CuMrsroN,
S. G. JONES,
COMMITTEE
medal was awarded to each of these young
gentlemen, the second being the gift of our
liberal-minded townsman, WIN. BREWER, Esq,
under whose care the class in Elecution has
been SO successfully taught
At the close of these exercises E. B, Pretty
=