The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-29
GRAMMAR SCHOOL NO. s.

It's the custom in the Eighth Ward Primary School
to hold special exercises every Friday morning us .
means OF making the school more attractive TO the
600 little whose names are on Its books. Yester-
day. being last Friday OF tho school year. the exer
cises were much more elaborate than usual, pro-
gramme enumerating some score or more OF recita-
tons dialogues, solos, duets and various other per-
formanes OF miscellaneous kind The decorations
consisted OF flags and flowers small banners bearing
the Stars and Stripes being entwEed about the iron
pillars supporting the ceiiing and larger bits OF bun-
ing standing groups intervals aleng the walls
Numerous bouquets and vases containing fresh cut
flowers stood upon the piano aud the teachers desk
but the room, WHEN 1ied with tho children Of the in
FAINT and elder classes, was radiant with a beauty
greater than that OF any vegetable growth. Tho
children Of the primary department OF this school
show no traces OF hotnouse culture, but ratner OF
abundance OF outdoor air and light. STILL ike all
other children, they set high value upon vacation
days, and their little eyes sparkied yesterday at the
near approach OF perfect freedom. Parents too had
neglected their pleasant DUTY and The little ones
arruyed In spotless garments OF Calico muslin,
linen and in some fcw cases silk. The ages OF the
pupils range everywhere from Jour to eleven years,
aud infant class room Is separated from that OF
us,s All Eide omen vosssraay allowing he
eye 10 take IN tho entire floor at glance. Mss A.
Wiiet., the principal OF the school, sat at the ein
waited desk, while 0enind her, ON the platform and
about it, were gathered Mr. j. Gilmore Boyd, trustee
the school; Mr. Partridge AMI some thirty or forty
more ladies' aud gentlemen, parents OF the pupils
The exercises opened with recitation by Master
Gudal,a followed by that very familiar song. sMary
had u little lamb, " In which tho whole school Joined in
infantiie chorus The ''Usefui Grip was then dc.
scribed by Mas Pena Miller, and shortly aftcrward
dialogue listened TO in which something was told
OF an s.Heiress IN CaIicon rne infant class
ercised It's lungs on "Yanxee Doodle" air not
wholly unfamiliar to the audience. Miss Annie Tyner
told of some Of the disagrceaDie traits OF "Lilte
Chatterbox," and Miss Mary O'Bren expressed
wish in the song, "Put Ny Little shoes Away" which
UNANIMOUSLY ecno~a ny the chorus. Among the
otner sololsts and recitattonists were Miss Addie
Lopez Disz Miss Lizzie Cunningham aud Master
Henry Piagne. All vi these performances were iol-
lowed by tho warmest applause, but none more
80 than 'sIhe Mockins Bird' duet Tor violin
and piano, ire volinist being Master Michael
Mather, Of the hrst class and tue pianist Miss Josie
Herrick who had general direction VI the musical
crc'ses. Two other piano aud violin duets were
played, before The ABOVE and another near The
eud Not the least Interesting feature OF the enter
tainment was a brilliant performance with wooden
DUMP bells swung by fourteen little girls. The "Fowcr
OF Lpertyo was rccited ny tive boys, and the cxer-
cises concluded at the expiration oil an hour with
chorus, "Vacatisn.' The ch dren mot with m uncx-
pectea pleasure In little address by their trustee,
Mr.. Boyd Regular studies were then resumed and
on Wednesday next, at noon, tho school will be closed
for the summer me reception OF the boys depart
ment OF the gram mar school, IN the same building,
will take place on Tuesday next