The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
Close Of the Public Schools.

schools which have been in progress for the
past two weeks, were concluded last Friday,
with the examination OF Prof. Leckey's high
school Department. Throughout all the
schools, from primary to the highest, these
examinations have been rigid and impartial
and the result must have proven gratifying,
to both parents and teachers. The pupils
have exhibited degree of familiarity with
their studies which evidences their diligence
and careful instruction, and is the best testi-
mony to the efficiency of the public system that
| could possibly be afforded.
The exercises on Friday consisted OF ex-
amlnations in algebra, geometry and latin,
together with singing and declarations.
The promptness with which the scholars de-
monstrated the propositions, and the accura-
cy with which they answered all questions
propounded. LEFT no doubt as to their thorough
comprehension OF their studies. In the latin
| examination sentences were selected, indis-
criminately, from different parts Of the book,
| and correctly translated and analysed. The
singing was admirable. Mrs. Fultz presided
at the organ, and Mr. Abby accompanied on
the flute The solos were by Misses Belle
Gillock, Kate Wilson and Josie Gibbs, each
OF whom possesses Il voice OF great ma tural
sweetness. which under the excellent in
| sIruction of DR.. Brown, is developing into
power and accuracy. These young ladies
are all pupils in Mrs. Thompson's room, and
by the time they graduate will be accom-
plished vocalists. Those of our citizens who
regarded the introduction Of music into the
curriculum OF the public schools, as purely
ornamental and unnecessary, should have
been present on Friday morning.
| The rhetorical exercises which are also
under the supervision of DR.. Brown, would
have reflected credit upon orators Of more pre-
tensions. Particularly were the declarations
of Masters Roger Atkinson and Ashby Hous-
hour, unusually fine. Both of these young
| gentlemen are clocutionists of decided ability,
and their efforts on this occasion were uni |
vcrsally complimented. At the close of the |
declarations Prof. Ladd. superintendent,
addressed few remarks to the class. He |
| said that with the close OF the present ses- |
| sion terminated the first four years course |
! VI luC SCllOUlS, tlll UOTC tllC uTSb Oh |
| long and patient efforts. For the first time |
| in the history of the SIaunton public schools, |
| graduating class was to be sent forth, and |
it was class too OF which any educational |
institution might feel proud. He had look |
| ed forward long and anxiousy to the day |
when diploma should be awarded, and fe 1t
| that he should never be able to confer them
7 more worthily than upon those who with the |
termination of the present session conclude |
| their connection with the school. He re-
viewed briefly the progress Of the schools from |
| their organization and feeble start, to the |
present day when they are regarded as one
of the most admirable institutions of our
city, and number ZIG scholars.
The class offering for graduation consist
OF Henderson Bell, Chas. Nelson, Roger At
kinson, Willie Hardy, Lizzie Goode and
Willie Dawson. After compimentng these
students collectively, Prof. Ladd said that
the highest honors had been won by Master
Henderson Bell, son OF Maj. Fl. NJ. Bell, who
during the entire four years course had stood
at the head of his class, and never failed to
make perfect recitation. II
At the conclusion of Prof. Ladd's remarks,
Maj. Bell, President of the Board of Trustees,
congratulated the young graduates upon
their success, and expressed his qualification !
at the progress made by all the scholars He
was followed by DR.. B. Sears, agent of the
Peabody Fund, who paid a handsome trib-
ute to the Staunton schools, and referred to |
them as models of the public system. DR..
Manly. OF the Baptist church, also made a
few remarks, after which Prof. Leckey gave
prize to Fannie Stratton. for the neatest
dictation Book, and Prof. Ladd awarded to
Bette Yost the prize offered several months
ago for the best composition on the Turko-
Russian war. 49,
During this week the written examine
lions for graduation and promotion will take
place.
We have not been able to be present at
the examinations in each of the apartments
of the public school, and regret to have been
deprived of that pleasure.
They have proven of great interest to those
who have attended, and have in great
measure silenced the complaints and objec-
lions, and overcome the preiudices of the op-
posers of the system. That the schools must be
regarded by all as an Institution of which
any community MAY feel proud, there is lit
tie doubt, and just in proportion as they are
fosterea and encouraged, will the general
prosperity of the city increase. The best in
dex of the intelligence of a people is to be
found in the character of their institutions
of learning. II
We are glad to learn that the old corps of
teachers have been reelected for the next
session, which commences on the 18th of
September. They have been faithful,
tireless and efficient. and their efforts
have been crowned with the most signal
success.
DEATH OF Mr. NJ. A. BRIGHT.-This
community was startled on last Saturday
morning by the announcement that Mr.. NJ.
A. Bright, tobacco merchant, was dead. t.
Very few of our citizens knew that he had
been complaining, until the sad information
that ''life's fitful fever'' was DER with him.
He had but few days before returned from
Lewisburg, W. Va, and OH Thursday even
ing preceding his death, was confined to his
room. The cause of his sudden and deeply
lamented death was Inflammation of the
stomach.
Mr.. Bright was a native of Greenbrier
county, W. Va, where he was well and fav-
orably known, and was gentleman of
many noble qualities of head and heart, He i
married a daughter of the late Rob. Guy,
Esq, of this county. For several years past
he had resided in this City. He was in the
5sth year of his age, and leaves daughter
and many friends to mourn the loss of an
indulgent and devoted father and useful citi-
zen.
The FOURTH OF JULY IN HARRISON !,
neutrality-suspicious. are being completed, +
we learn, for Il creditable demonstration in l
Harrisonburg on the Fourth of July. The