The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-05-30
S. Laton. .......
Awarding Of Diplomas

The essays were in general of higher grade
than is usually found in similar exercises. This
was undoubtedly due in part to tie good taste
which dictated brevity and forced the writer's
to condense their thoughts and expression,
thus avoiding to a great extent the diution
and gush which commonly pervade this class
of composition. The pieces were practical and
sensible aud warrant the commentator which
was freely bestowed upon them by the audi
tors. Among the more notable for force and
beauty of expression, vigor of thought and
excellence of delivery, we may fairly mention
those of Miss Lavnia E.. Pendleton, Miss Mary
j. Gale, Miss Emma D. Averl, Mr.. Ralph S.
Bragg and Mr.. Winfield S. Laton.
The diplomas were presented to the class by
: Gnvarnor Ding1ey. as President of the Board
OF Trustees, in an appropriate and happily ex-
pressed address of congratulation, accompanied
by suggestions for future guidance, brief, forci-
BILE and practical. An elegant bouquet was
presented by the class to Mr.. G. T. Fletcher
the principal, who acknowledged it in an ad-
mirable address. The music was furnished by
teachers and:students, and was very good A
vocal duet by Misses Hughes and Grindle and
an instrumental duet on violin and piano by
worthy Of approval. On Thursday evening a
social gathering of students and alumni occur
red at Normal Hall and was undoubtedly en-.
joyed by the participants.
On the whole the exercises may be pro-
nounced a decided success. The school is in
admirable condition, with strong corps of
instructors and a good quality of material
among the pupils. 1t is supplying valuable
element to the teaching force of Maine. The
graduates all propose to teach-in fact an agree
ment to do so is condition of admisson-and
many of the undergraduates will teach during
the summer vacation. Fifty-five of the latter
have already entered upon their summer work
at wages considerably higher, on an average,
than are paid those who have not enjoyed the
benefits of this special training.
Miss Clara BARLEY, who has been valuable
teacher in the school for some years, leaves for
domestic reasons. Her loss is much regretted
and her successor has not yet been chosen.
Any notice of graduation exercises at Castine
would be incomplete which omitted acknow-
Judgement to the citizens for their hearty in
terest and cooperation in everything connected
with the school. Castine, venerable and his
toric abounds in old, wealthy, and cultivated
families, whose hospitality is unbounded and
whose open doors greet the official visitors on
these occasions with cheerful and gratifying
welcome. People there seem to never grow
old. Several of the visitors will always re-
member with affectionate admiration delight
full host and hostess who are called by the
calendar eighty-four and seventy-one years of
age respectively, but who really stopped grow
ing old fifty years ago, and who cherish
kindly, cordial symp Athy for and interest in all
things cheerful, bright and youthful
The class of this year is probably the best in
material and promise that has ever been sent
from the school and the prospects for next
year are most encouraging. The school is, as
we have said, i'll a thoroughly satisfactory con-
dition and is one of the most useful- and valu-
able of the public enterprises of the State