The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-05-20
NORMAL SCHOOL.
Examinations Tuesday and
Wednesday.
GRADUATING EXERCISES.
SYNOPSIS OF THE ESSAYS.
Addresses of Prof. Kiehle and Prof.
Moore.

SYNOPSIS OF THE ESSAYS.
Addresses of Prof. Kiehle and Prof.
Moore.
The examination began on Tuesday
morning with exercises in the Model De-
partment, under the care of Miss hurry.
The members Of the algebra class acquitted
themselves honorably and were watched
closely by all present who were acquainted
with the study, but there were no outside
questions, as all seemed to be satisfied with
the tests applied by the teacher. The
geography class answered promptly and
showed proficiency in the use Of their maps.
The examination in reading was conduct
ed by member of the graduating class,
who evinced . marked aptitude for the
business, and the juveniles bore the test
quite as we'll as the grown up scholars Of
the Normal Department in the afternoon.
Miss Ida Lathrop recited "Me assuring
the Baby in a way that left few dry eyes
in the room, and Miss Lulu Owen gave
Summer Day" in an admirable manner.
Miss Carrie Moore read an essay, "The
May Day Party" which was modelschool
essay in that it was on subject not alto
gether outside the knowledge and expert
] ence of the writer. 1t was, moreover, we'll
written and we'll read. Considerable time
was devoted to singing-rather too large
part, as appeared to many in the audience.
The programme might have been more
agreeable with shorter exercises and more
variety, but every recitation closed before
the scholars engaged in it seemed to have
said all they wished, for they are evidently
happy in the school room Miss Jennie
Powell and Miss Carrie Moore presided
alternately at the organ and evinced must
cal taste and careful training.
The afternoon exercises were in the
Normal Department in presence of good
audience. There is fine Chickering piano,
and Miss Inez Moore played accompani-
ments correctly to the two songs with
which the more solid branches were in
terspersed. A portion Of the D and E
classes were examined in reading by Pro-
lessor Moore, and their proficiency showed
very careful study. The c class under
Miss Gunderson gave synopsis Of United
States history, using the map freely to
point out the separate acquisitions of ter
ritory, and giving history of the purchase
of each part; of the various annexations
into which manifest destiny has led Uncle
Samuel; of the admission of each State,
and many other important transactions in
the late political history of the country.
1t was gratifying to find the attention of
pupils turned SO pointedly to the more re-
cent portion of our history, but the lack of
voice, in both teacher and pupils, was a
drawback to the pleasure of listening.
There was decided improvement in this
respect in the performance of the class in
Natural Philosophy. Prof. Gray spoke
with great distinctness, and quite succeed
ed in making his pupils speak so as to be
heard, and as they were fairly posted, they
acquitted themselves we'll. This examina-
ton showed marked departure from the
ordinary method of teaching natural phi
losophy, in the demonstration of principles
in place Of illustrations, thus requiring the
student to establish the truth for himself
as the proof of the law of variation of gray
ity, the equal pressure of liquids, specific
gravity, etc. The class was taught by
oral instruction, no text book having
thus far been found which rises above SIM
pie illustration, which from the point Of
view Of principles says such phenomena
must be, but from the point of view of obser-
walton simply says such things are.
The GROWING effort of the day was the
examination Of the class in Physiology by
Miss McCumber, the assistant principal,
who has the voice of natural orator and
has cultivated it by careful and distinct
enunciation. Each of her words was heard
in every part of the hall, and her pupils SO
far initiated her as to give distinct idea
Of what they said, as well as by saying all
that was necessary to prove proficiency in
their study. Professor Rhys conducted
most of the singing exercises. He has
been engaged in teaching the rudiments of
music and seems we'll calculated for laying
solid mathematical foundations for struc-
tnre Of sweet snunds
Wednesday forenoon, after the usual
opening exercises, Prof: Gray put the A
class through an examination in algebra IN
which they acquitted themselves admira-
bly,. The ground passed over was defni-
tons and the theorems in the first four
books of Robinson. A difference in the
development of geometrical concepts was
| brought out by the definitions of magni-
tudes from the way in which they are gen.
Grated. 1t has been found very successful.
This was followed by discussion of the
bases of and different kinds of reasoning.
An examination of the D class in &C.
ography reflected much credit both on the
teacher, Miss Gunderson, and the class. 1t
was on South America-the map being
used freely-and covered the various
physical features of that country: the riv-
ers, mountains, plateaus, climate, m DISTURB,
etc. The quick and sharp criticisms of the
class showed the general attention given
by all and their familiarity with the study.
1t is bright class and was we'll handledby
Miss Gunderson.
The entire school was drilled by Prof.
Rhys on the rudiments of music, the con-
struction and transposition of scales, etc.,
followed by singing which was an agreeable
surprise to nearly every one of the audi
ence.
The recess which followed was improved
by many in examining the drawings
placed on the blackboards by different pu-
pills. Most were good, and some of them
deserve high praise as evidencing not only
talent for drawing on the part of the stu
oen's out an advanced state of cultivation in
the art' The first lessons in drawing have
oeen during the past term, forty minutes
each day being 80 occupied under the d.
rection of Miss McCumber. Among the
more noticeable pieces of work were per.
spective drawing of the Normal School
building, made, not from any plan or other
picture, but from actual measurement; an
other of Prot: Moore's residence; represen-
atoms offs lily in garden vase; hang