Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-26
st. Johns Academy.

of the Thirty-Sixth Annual Commencement
of St. Johns Academy. Long before three
o'clock crowds of ladies througed the passage
and stairs, and by four, not only Was every seat
occupied but all the available standing room
filled with ladies. The room was hand
decorated, a large carpeted staging used
at the distribution of Nit. Vernon Institute
having been left standing. and the window back
Of the stage being covered by lace, over white
%curtaios, beautifully trimmed with ferns by the
young ladies OF that school, while 10 the centre
hung the old crimson banner of 81. Johns,
bearlug It's name and date OF institution. The
natioual aud battalioo colnrs We're displayed
over the gas j-ts, which were elegantly deco.
rated with evergreen and lilies. Seats were
arranged 90 the stage for all the cadets aud the
medals and premiums were displayed 90 a sta I'D
made for the purpose.
Just before four, the battalion, marched 10
with liked bayOnets, aud while 20. B, under
Capt. Hill. marched 10 the right of The stage
and stacked their arms; 20. A, under L'euten.
act Commanding Arnold, marched to the front
and went through the manual of arms, both
by command and tap of drums before stacking
on the lett. The ease anu p, eclSlon with which
their movements we're executed cummaudei
universal applause.
the literary exercises then began with u
humorous Salutatory by Robert w. Arnold, of
this city, a young gentleman of much self pus-
session and grace OF maoner, whose illusions to
the tailiDgs OF bimseIf aud his classmates were
mnch enjoyed by the audience. He was fol-
lowed by Thos. I'll. Il O'K:effe, of Richmond,
10 u speech on The Trials Of a Graduating
Glass which Was, also, loudly applauded.
Scenes 10 q Mnrket," by james B. Filzpcr
aid, OF Alexandria county, was a lively picture,
10 which our Pohick aud Postum Fl III friends
were painted iu glowing colors. Lave" by
Julian 3 Chanccy, Of Fairfax, was d credit
able production, and elected much applause.
The best OF The speeches, however, was that
of Pertoo q. Bowman, Of iIarrisonburg, eh.se
wit flashed out 10 brllliuGt sciulilatiuus in an
address On Fashion, which he delivered with
more ease aud sell. possession than is usual in
young men Of his age.
The names oil the "Graduales IN E..xlish
Studies, . comprising the above naued Young
gentlemen, with Frank NJ Hill, Of this clty,
aud tIank q. Woodson, Of Hurrlsouburg, who
had been called BONE hy the death of bis
father, and was represented lu the ccrnmuuy
by his friend aud lnwnslnan, Charles Y. Nc.
Quadc, were next called by the Principal, and
they formed toto line facing the audience.
His Honor, Mayor Kemper, then made them
Il brief but beautiful address, before presenting
the diplomas, and Linden Kent, esq, came
upon the stage and presented to Frank NJ. Hill
the Neale Medal, for the mosn upse,fsh stu
dent" presented TO the school by S. Chap
mau Nrale, esq.,, President Of the Soci-
ETY. of Old Students. aud voted to the recipi-
ent by a TWO third vote on the fir. ballot, no
other student receiving more than Eve votes.
Though MIR. kent's remarks were very brief,
they we're Very eloquent, expressing 10 two or
three minutes what it would have taken some
speakers hait su hour to say.
The Vsledictory Was then delivered BIZ Frauk
NJ. HUI. OF this city, u student Of five ycars'
s,aoding, who had much difficulty in depressing
bis feelings during the delivery. Indeed sew.
eral Of the graduates and others could not re.
traiu from tears during this afroting part of
the exercises, aud the subsequent few fare
Well words of The principal.
John St. Clair Brookes, esq the orator
selected by the Patrick Henry Society, was
then Introduced, aud, Tor twenty minutes, held
the audience enchained by the Il w OF ell quent
words which issued, like a torrent, trom his
lips. His voice is full aud somorious; his
IoSoGiobt StoSIioI3 As CUml ONtllOU, GIe-
CANT. We predict for him a brilliant future.
The Principal then explained aud defended
the method pursued 10 awarding Donors, and
explaining that those who studied Latin had
been allowed ten per cent. for the time lost
from EogIish sluilcs, thereby. and Mayor KEN
per distributed the medals, &c., as follows:
For Diligence Senior Class, "a year-Silver
Medal to Peytoo 6 Bowman, of Harrisonburg,
IS per Ct; Frank M. Hill, OF Alexandria, SO /:
Robert w. Arnold, of Alexandria, II; Thos.
Ii. K. O'Keeffe, Of Richmond, Is Premium
to James B. Fl zgerald, of Alexandria coun.
~, 90:
S:uior Class = lst Year-Gold Medal to John
i. Johnson, OF Alexandria, IS Silver Medals
to Owen j.. Nugcnt, If All xaudria, % Chas
T. McQuaide, Of Harrisop5urg, 80; j. Fleming
Lasender, Of Alexandria, SO Geo. L. Buyer,
of Alexandria, 81. Premium to John ID. pur.
cell, of Alexandria, rs.
Intermediate GLASS; I'd Year-GoId Medal
to W. Benjamin Dent, of st. Mary's county,
Nd, 81. Silver Medal to Charles O Lavender,
OF Alexandria. SO. Premium 10 John j. Fitz
gerald, Of Alexandria couuty, "a Thomas S.
Gibson, of Alexandria, 81; Charles H. EShuan,
OF HarrlsoDhurg, 80; Samuel g.. Loeb, of Har.
rs nburg, IS; Frederick III. Hart. of Alex
andrla county, "A
lnlerucdiale Class -lN Y%ar--Siiver Medals
toJ B-njmiu WAIKIKI, of Fairfax county, sS;
Wm. L. A'klnsou, Of Alexandria, 81; George
!. Price, OF Alexandria, Sc Premiums to Willie
U. Ogden. of Alexandra, SO; T.. r. Archie
Bu'ks, Of Stafford county, 81; Paul +. WIlis,of
Charles county Md 81; j. Franklin Carlo, of
Alexandria, Is; j. Albert Aruold. of Fairfax
county, II; Thomas A. Walsh, Of Fairfax COUP
ty, II.
Junior Class I'd Y~ear-Silver Medals to
Joseph NJ. Monroe, OF Alexandria, 81; Edward
+. Winters, OF Alexandria, 81; Charles F,apkeI,
of Baltimore, IS. Premiums to 6. R. Lee
Cole. Of Alexandria, SO; Thomas f Nugeut, of
Alexandria, so; Ephralm NJ. Adams, of Alrx-
andrla, 10; Albert 5. j. Price, of Alexan.
dria, 70.
JUNIOR Class list Year-Premiums to En-.
gene b. Pndgett, Of Alexandra, 81; J. Harry
Cats, of Fairfax county, IS.
For Observance OF Rules. Gold Medal to
Paul +. Wills, of Charles county, for pertec,
observance Of both house and school rules,
Silver Medals to Charles Fl. E,hnan, Of