Litchfield enquirer., 1877-06-14
HAMPTON. VA. May 3lst. 1877.

l the commencement exercises of the Norm. al Institute were held at Virginia Hall. Many invited guests were present. Among them Mrs. Hayes, wife of the President of the United States, Col. Rogers, his private secretary. MT. White,. of the Tribune, Gen. Upton, Gen. Getty, Commodore and Mrs. Stevens, of Norfolk. and a large number of other distinguished visitors. Among the trustees present was Rev. T. K. Fessenden, of Pennington, Conn.
 The morning was occupied with the ex- animation of the Senior class, and hearing the recitations of the other classes, all of which passed of most satisfactorily. Af- ter dinner the students all repaired to the parlor in Virginia Hall, where they were presented to Mrs. Hayes who welcomed us with smile and shake of the hand. After the reception the students were formed by classes, and marched up stairs into Whitin chapel. where the afternoon exercises were opened with singing from the choir. ~ s
 The principal then announced that gen. tleman of New York had given S70 to be distributed as prizes equally between the boys and girls in the following manner: best oration of boys $20. second prize $10, third $5; best essay of girls $20. second prize $10, third, $5. He also stipulated that committees of three be appointed by the principal to award the prizes. The following committees were appointed for girls, Mrs. Hayes. Miss M. A. Longstreth Philadelphia. Hon. John Goode, of Nor. folk Va; boys, Mrs. Commodore Stevens, Col. R. W. Hughes and Mir. Alexander Hyde. '~
 l MUSIC. salutatory: With the Hampton Students"
 Maria Mallette. Our Duty as Graduates, Henry B: Rice. l A Temperance Story. Alice Harris. E MUSIC. sys.s5. # Selection: Child's Dream of Star, Richards Muse. My Log Cabin School house, Caroline Roberts. Selection: A. Ward at the Tomb of Shakespeare, Boswell 5. White. <a MUSIC.
 l Shall we go to Africa Robert Hamilton. valedctors: E virginia in the Revolution wm. H. Red MUSIC.:
 A Post Graduates Experience. Frank Trigg. After the essays and orations the com mittee on prizes for the girls through Mir. Goode, announced tine following award first prize $2O to Miss Della E.. Irving; second, $1O, to Maria Mallette; third, S, to Caroline Roberts, and s. to Alice Harris-the last five dollars being donat- ed by Mrs. Hayes Mir. Goode remarked that they were not agreed. but as a deci- sion must be given. they had to do the best they could. Col Hughes as chair man of the committee on the young. .men'l prizes, announced their award: first prize of $20. to Robert Hamilton, second. S1O. to Wm. M. Reid; third $5. to Henry B. Rice. The graduating class numbered 53; all protesting christians. ss | Speeches were then made by Col. Rog. CTS and Rev. Mir. Ryan of Norfolk. and by Rev. M. G. Strieby. of New York, presi. dent of the American Missionary Associa. tion. s+s l The visitors were all much gratifed witt the exercises. and left in good spirits.
 In the evening the students repaired tt the parlor of Virginia Hall. and enjoyed themselves till eleven o'clock. with sing ing. games. and congratulations. I All the students who took part in tho exercises of the foregoing program. were
 born in slavery; and to show the prog. ress. they have made. we append fey specimens of their commencement pieces with brief sketches of the writers. Tn,