The Portland daily press., 1874-06-24

| Inc graduating exercises of the class OF z 4
Portland High School, took place in Fluen
Hall, yesterday afternoon. There was the
usual large attendance, and the hall was
packed, and people standing even in the door
ways and on the staircases. The hall was very
finely decorated by the class of '75 The dec
| orations were remarkable for the good taste
displayed The platform was frlnged with
evergreen, and the alcove was archei with the
same Upon the escuteheon of green ON the
front of the platform were the figures "a IN
| carnations The walls bore the class notices
in evergreen. and on the platform were stands
and baskets of flowers. The desk was smoth-
cred with bouquets.
The girls of the graduating class were elabor-
ately dressed as usual, and presented very
| pleasing spectacle. From among the folds of
| the white dresses shiny boot peeped out every
| now and then, belonging to some boy of IA
quite shut out of sight by the young beauties
about. The school committee and the teach
ers also occupied seats on the platform.
Ihe exercises began, as usual, with the class
song, written on this occasion by Miss Fuller.
1t was followed by the Latin salutatory by c.
w. Lucas. 1t was spirited production, and
stood all.
The first essay, "To What End % by Miss
Hunt, was a serio-comic and quite fresh an
aysis of the old subject, "Life and Character"
The piano solo, by Miss NJ Blanchard was ad-
mirably executed.
The original defamation by Philip L. Paine
was well delivered.
Miss Hoopers Essay showed thought, not of
the so-called schoolgirl order. Her enunci-
alton was very distinct. The French recta-
ton by Miss Longley was pronounced auec une
oi0acite tout q fat FrdncaiSe The piano duet
by HI. F. W. Morse aud Miss Wiley was very
spirited, and the execution could hardly have
been beaten.
Miss Libby, in the first part of her essay,
dscoursed beautifully upon the universal love
of freedom. Then passed to consider the fact
of voluntary slavery, so nearly universal,
which she called can Inconsistency" Her
delivery was admirable, and every word was
distinctly heard by the audience. Her fine
presencs added much to the effect of the de-
livery.
James w. Judge delivered his part in a very
pleasing manner, and his subject, "Ambition,"
was uHcly IreaIeu.
The poem by Miss Rollins had that rare
merit, brevity, and was both short and sweet.
The song sung as double quartette showed
the result of excellent training, and called
forth general appreciation.
In the class essay by Miss Alice Blanchard,
which was well delivered, some of the weak
nesses of the present day were treated as
''Sophisms"
The class chronicles by Albert B. Hall, and
prophecies by Miss Talbot, were, we doubt not,
exceedingly witty, but were best appreciated
by the class.
If it were not to be partial we should say
that Miss Webster in her song carried of the
honors of the occasion. We believe we shall
hear again from her voice.
The valedictory, which is perhaps considered
the most honorary part, was delivered by AL
cred e. Benton, who acquitted himself admir-
ably. 1t was very apparent that his selec-
ton as valedctarian was in accordance with
the Judgment of the class. r3
The girls made an unusual effort to be heard,
but the deafenng noise from the street ofton
defeated their purpose. The attempt was
praiseworthy.
At the close Of the exercises Mr.. Talbot of
the School Committee, conferred the dplo-
mas.
The Latin ode, written by Miss Scales. was
then sung by the class
The Brown medals were then awarded to Al
fred r. Benton, Clinton W. Lucas, III. f. w.
Morse, Alice b. Blanchard, Florence NJ
Scales. and Maria w blanchard