The daily gazette., 1878-06-27
The Girls OF No. I.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT THE
OPERA HoUsE-BRILLIANTs SUCCESS
OF THE CLASS OF '7S

III.
being occupied, while all available stand
ing room was eagerly sought after. In
spite of the sweltering heat the audience
enjoyed the interesting occasion and it
was the general impression that in regard
to the commencements of the present year
the girls of No. 1 fairly take the lead.
The stage, for the occasion, was very
handsomely arranged, the mountain and
forest scenery being used. In front was
magnificent cluster of ferns, while near
it stood a table bearing basket of choice
flowers. Pending from the top of the
stage was the motto of the class, 81. S. f.
M" beautifully formed of flowers and
evergreens. When the curtain rose it
disclosed the girls composing the glee
class, arrayed in white, seated upon the
stage, while to the rear, apparently up in
the mountains, appeared the graduates,
who marched down amid the glare of red
lights and took seats upon the stage. This
was rather pretty in one view, but it was
too suggestive of variety theatre perfor-
mances TO either be appropriate to the oc-
casion or particularly creditable to those
who devised it.
The exercises throughout were very in
teresting, and the essays were marked
with force of expression and depth of
thought rarely found in school girl COM
positions. The singing by the gee class
was very good, and was led by Prof
Rhoads, while Miss Matte Pickles ably
presided at the piano.
Henry Eckel, Esq, presided over the
exercises, which opened with prayer by
Rev. X. b. Cook, and "Song of We'll
come" by the glee class.
The first essay, "a Retrospect" by
Miss Mary b. Wonn, referred to the rapid
flight ofyears and to the lapse of time
since the first graduating class of the
Girls High School, appeared before a
Wilmington audience. 1t hoped the
audience would be charitable, and look
kindly on all shortcomings, and said the
class of '79 would endeayor to entertain
the audience pleasantly and profitably.
Proceeding, the essay claimed that wo-
man had nobly occupied her sphere, the
chief elements of which were courage,
love, prudence, patience, benevolence,
faith, dependence and fidelity. In man
ner showing enlarged study and patient
research, the essayist deduced facts from
past and modern history to prove that
women had nobly exemplitied all these
elements.
A "Flower Garden" by Miss Sallie r.
Shaw, was a rare poetical production;
referring to the beauties Of Gods own
flOwers-the smiles of His Goodness
and drawing comparison between
them and the gardens of four modern
literature. In the latter the essayist
found many buds and blossoms, bearing
the same relalion-the same lack OF
culture, or evidence of careful attention
with the flowers OF natures garden.
The essay was finely written and dis
played fattering knowledge of the
leading poets and authors.
Song, "On the Mountain Life is Free"
was then spiritedly rendered by the
glee class.
Essay, "Afer," by Miss Emma
johnson, referred 10 the great importance
OF this WORD though it is but little one
of five letters, and of Saxon origin. Ac-
tions, both evil and just, have their
natural consequences. The word was
carefully considered in It's various bear
lngs. The "After," of the husbandman's
industrious labor Is abundant crops Of
the politicians untiring maneuvring,
power, popularity and wisdom in polit-
ical councils ; of the scholar professional
while the CATER" of the
christians life of virtue and goodness is
a calm and peaceful rest.
Essay, "The Iufrmites of Men Of
by Miss Sarah NJ. Jones held
that sometimes the infirmities of men of
genius are more interesting to the stu
dent oil human nature than their works. |
In support thereof, the pitiable infirmi- |
ties of Milton, Goldsmith, the Dean of
Dublin, Worcester, the author of the |
first English dictionary, Scott, Schiller,
Byron, Bacon and many others were
described. This essay was excellently
written, and was read in a Clam, self |
possessed manner.
Song, "Echo Land" by the glee |
class, followed.
Essay, "The Stars of English Litera-
ture," by Hattie f. Vincent, contemplate |
ed the vast armament of literary stars,
that have shone over the English speak |
ing world for the past three centuries.
The soul-feeling teaching of Shakespeare
were most brilliantly analysed, while the |
beautiful and pathetic utterances of Mil |
ton were unfolded in all their pure
thought and lovely simplicity. This es- |
say was undoubtedly one of the finest |
school productions ever heard in this |
city, and its sentiment and thought, as |
well as the effective manner in which it |
was read, gained for the fair essayist the |
applause of the audience.
"a song, "The Rose Bush," by the glee |
class, followed.
The Adams Prize, gold medal, for |
excellence in English grammar, was then 1
presented by Benz Nields, Esq, to Miss
Jennie Stewart. Mr.. Nields made an
impressive address, congratulating the
recipient on her success in securing the
prize from fifty-eight competitors, and
dilating at length on the great value and
Importance of the study in which she had
achieved such a signal success.
The audience literally applauded, while
Mr.. Adams shook hands with and per-
sonally congratulated the successful
girl.
Essay, "Summer Driftwood for Winter
Fires" by Ella ID. Burns, graphically
the driftwood from mighty
forests, that on the bosom of streams are
to the great sea, with the brok-
an spars and driftwood of mental growth
that floats out upon the sea of life. Much
Of this driftwood was drawn into the
naelstrom of forgetfulness, but some, at
east, has been gathered in and used as
'uei to be consumed in beacon light to
r,;lo ~, ,,,;nd that follows A II ShOuld |