Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-12
ICoMMuSIcATEp.


assisting at the examination Of the. pu-
pills OF the Public School located az 81.
Clements Bay. This school has been
for the last two years under the man
agement of Mr.. Frank n. Holmes, and
by his industry and skill has been made
to rank among the first in the county for
the proficiency and good department of
its pupils. The examination was made
as thorough and searching as possible,
and the readiness with which the pu-
pills answered showed careful training.
Beyond the mere ability TO repeat def
nitions from memory. they evinced that
perfect comprehension Of the principle
of things which is the surest criterion
Of good teaching.
The results Of this examination plain
ly show how . really good, practical ed
ucation can be had at our very doors il
we would secure teachers throughout
the county Of the ability and capacity
of MIR. Holmes. But to do this, there
must be greater inducements to enter
the profession than now. There is every
year enough money sent out ofthe coun-
ty to pay boys expenses at College,
who could be for several years as well
taught at home, TO improve greatly the
status Of the public schools. II to this
we could add reduction that ought TO
be made from the unreasonable salaries
paid to on: public officers. the educa-
tional fund would be made adequate TO
realize the wishes of the most sanguine
supporters of the public school system.
So much in passing. The examination
concluded 10 the perfect satisfaction 81
the examiners and with much credit to
| teacher and pupil.
About nisht-fall large and fa>hiona-
BILE audience assembled at the residence
of Duncan Nj. Turner, Esq, to witness
the exhibition Of the pupils. The pro-
gramme consisted of fine selections in
prose and poetry and from the drama
which were delivered with appropriate
taste and feeling. AT the close OF the
exercises, d. c. Hammett, Esq, was
introduced and addressed the audience
in able and eloquent terms. Ofthis ad.
mirable address we regret that we are
able to give but sketch.
The speaker opened his remarks nv
a discussion Of the object Of the schco
tax which he held was levied for the
general good, which could be effecteo
by making not good scholars alone but
good citizens also. He insisted thai
teachers, however proficient, could no
accomplish this by themselves, ane
urged the patrons TO hearty co-opera
| ton. pointing out that tax levies anc
| teachers labor> were of no avail unles,
/ ,. tvvA ,ntv tI,at tiI-Ir CuIIur~n at
tended regularly. Turning TO the school
! Mr.. Hammett congratulated them or
the examination they had passed. which
reflected so much credit OF them anc
their teacher. He cautioned then
against falling into the error of imagin
ing that the road TO learning was a.;
primrose path of da!liance." and urge,
them that in ascending the steep hill I,
science, they would ever recoIlect tina
no true excellence could be achieve,
without constant application. Taking
retrospective glance a, the history o
our country, the speaker showed tina
the brightest lights that had adorned GU
cabinet and bar had arisen from humbl,
origins, and pointed to the names o
Webster and Clay, which should eve
be beacon lights to guide and encour
age those who plead humble circum
stances as an obstacle to their progress
He promised them that their reward
would amply repay them for their la
bors, and hoped that they would Away,
hold in high generation education which
forms the first. middle and last steps j,
the ladder Of fame. The exercises were
interpreted and enlivened Throughout
by performances by the amateur ban,
of Leonardtown. who kindly lent thei
services and showed their usual skill i,
producing those delights of life tina
charm the ear.
The speaking ended. the stage wa
cleared away and preparations were
made for dance, If by that term W,
may denote what was really in itself al
elegant ball. will attemp, no descrip
ton of the ladies' present. To praise
their loveliness would be
ITO gid refined gold.
To paint the lily, to lend a perfume
To IN. violet,
To those who are acquainted in tn,
neishborhood, il will be sufficient 10 sa,
that the reputation which it has long ant
Justly sustained for the beauty and &C
compltshment of its daughters was in n,
degree le>sened. Time fed on eagles
wings and it was at late hour that til,
company babe a reluctant adieu TO thei