Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-05-29

| GOuse Hnu M8Shhucehe sauttrtahu-
| ment.
The first graduating class of the Los
| Angeles High School made their ap.
pearance before the public as class
last evening, received their diplomas
and bid a final adIeu to the school.
AS class, this of rs has been preem-
| inent throughout their course for stu
diousness and genuine talent. Los
Angeles may we'll be proud of this
first ripened fruit grown upon her
tree of knowIedge-t Public School.
Long before the time appointed for
| the commencement of the exercises,
Turn Verein Hall was crowded from
floor to gallery, every available nook
holding somebody anxious to witness
| the interesting ceremony of gradua-
tion. Tt stands as a credit to the peo-
pie of Los Angeles that they have al
ways rallied around the public schools,
assisting and encouraging them as
much by their moral as their financial
support. No public exhibition yet
given in the city has failed to draw q
full audience and prove the most COM
plete success in every way.
The exercises commenced shortly
| after O'Clock last night by music
from the Enterprise Brass Band, and
a prayer by Rev. Mr.. Campbell. Be-
side the members of the graduating
class there were seated upon the stage
DIR. Lucky, uperintendent of the
Public Schools, Miss Hawks, Assist
ant Principal of the High School, Gov.
j. G. Downey, Rev. DR.. Hill, Rev. Mr..
Campbell, Rev DIT. Packard, and the
members OF the School Board.
DR.. Lucky announced that the
next exercise was not on the pro-
gramme, and that by request of the
Board of Education the report of the
committee appointed to pass upon the
examination would be read. Rev. Mr..
Packard, pastor of the Congregational
church. read the report, which we will
publish tomorrow
The Salutatory Address was deliv-
cred by Mr.. Henry w. O'Melveny, of
the graduating class. The young gen
tleman stepped forward with conf
dence and spoke with a finish of adj
dress that would have been creditable
to many an older orator. His remarks
were quite short, Immediately to the
point, and therein displayed much
tact on the part of the young gentle
man.
written essay entitled "Altars of Sac.
,,,G II 4 rlzJo
thought, and had that greatest of mer-
its, pure, finished English, without an
attempt at display. The young lady
read with clear, full voice, audible in
the remotest corner of the hall.
Miss Addie Gates then read an es-
say entitled "Study; it's Incentives
and Rewards The composition was
finished and full of practical thought,
eiciting hearty encore and shower
of boquets from the audience.
After music by the band Mr.. Henry
Leck delivered an original grafton
which he called "The Pathfinders."
His remarks We're principally confined
to historical subjects, introducing not
only practical but mental pathfinders.
The orator acquitted himself with
much credit.
Miss Yda Adds followed with an
essay on Dreams" The text was
closely adhered to and some ideas
brought forth which were certainly
original; perhaps too poetical to with
stand the shafts of investigation.
There were practical thoughts, also, in
the composition, as SHOWN by the fol-
lowing beautiful words: "On the
whole, dreams are not reliable; beau
tiful they are, but with dangerous
beauty, for they tempt us with their
brilliant attractions, to destroy by
their baleful effects. But more beau
tiful, more fascinating and more per-
ilous than these are day-dreams. Oh!
the gorgeous air-castles that arise be-
fore us! Blue, tranquil skies; clear,
placid waters; luXuriant flowers and
forests brighten and glisten, bloom
and wave, in our lovable waking
dreams. Sweet music echoes through
stately halls, and loving voices float
around us, thrilling the heart as
naught else can." Throughout, the
composition was marked with thought
and deep feeling.
"HerOes of Peace,n an essay read by
Miss Lille Milliken, was q finely pre-
pared paperand given with good effect.
Has Eloquence Declined ?' was
the subject of an Grafton delivered by
Mr.. Henry O'Melveny, and received
with applause.
Miss Mary Thomas read ar, essay on
"Worth and Wealth. in which she
balanced the value of money and
brains to n:cety and gave, of course,
the preponderance to the latter.
In the midst of his grafton, Mr..
O'Melveny met with that very COM
mon mishap of forgetting his cue. He
hesitated a moment, wavered, made
his bow and retired in good order.
Meanwhile, the exercises were con-
tinued, and after the reading of the
essay of Miss Thomas, the young ora
tor resumed his place on the stage and
finished his address in fine style. This
is what we call "clear grit.' To suffer
a momentary lapse of memory is only
natural; to face an audience for sec
ond time under the embarrassing cir
cumstances, requires genuine pluck,
which few possess. By his slight err
ror the young orator covered himself
with glory.
THE vALEDICTORY.
The exercises on the part of the
Graduating Glass were concluded by
the Valedictory, read by Miss Jessie
Peel. The paper is worthy of repro
duction, and we publish it with pleas
ure:
| no ty,o rructaas tn tha BOARD of Ed