New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-03
THE COLLEGE OF AVRANCHES'


SIMILARLY HONoRED-A CHEAP fLAO" 1" I'D
TAIN GOOD EDUCATION.
othe Editor Of The TrtoUne
SIR: have just returned from Attending the
commencement exercises of the College Il AFran-
ehes and while the subject is fresh IN ny memory
propose 10 give you an account OF tle occdsioh'
Hearing that the annual distribution OF prizes 1le
nearest equivalent they have to our commencement,
was to take place on the 6th Of August, called at
the college and was favored with card OF invita-
ton TO sit on the stage and assist in the ceremony
As the exercises were announced for o'clock,
thought it proper to take my scat a quarter Oh an
hour in advance, but when arrived aJ the college
there were no signs of an audience the concierge
was quietly taking his dinner and men IN blue
blouses were busy making preparations bringing IN
chairs tables. and benches and putting things to
rights generally. Canvas had been stretched over
the sides and ends of the large court of the ancient
building. which was handsomely decorated with
flags and eyergreens There were raised seats for
the audience and large platform for the invited
guests All of the windows looking out into the
court and commanding a view of the stage were
thrown open and were soon occupied by the gehdy
of the town, who preferred these protected sltua-
tons to the seats below. Two ropes were stretched
from the stage Mt angle like funnel to Keep the
crowd who thronged the yard from coming too near
BY degrees the audience began to assemble. 1t was
a thoroughly democratic company, as women IN
caps BONES in costume. men in blOuses were inter-
spersed among well dressed ladies and gentlemen.
The parents of the boys who were to take prizes
were out full force attended by thortte brothers
and sisters and often the servants as witnesses OF the
bappv occasion. IL was evident that the commence
ment was observed as a holiday by the whole CITY,
All OF the public buildings hotels. and many private
4 a11 Da
presented an unusually animated appearance. At
half-past 2-an hour and half after the appointed
time-there was q sound of distant music, and all
ewes were strained to catch the first sight of the pro-
oesson as It entered the court. Presently stout
beadlo made his appearance and then the Under
Secretary of State, who was to preside dressed III
courtc and wearing various insignia of office;
behind him came the president OF tho college,
wearing black robe, yellow scarf and high round
hat with gold band then the sub-prctect OF TINS
department and the mayor of the city IN foil Official
dress of slverlace side sword otc then the members
of the House of Deputies officers of the army, profess
sors in robes and caps each professor being dstin-
g7lshed by yellow or red scarf. the yellow signify
ing letters the red science, indicating the faculty
to which they belonged. The end of the procession
was brought up by distinguished citizens generally
most of whom had some trouble in procuring seats,
procession and taken possession of the vacant chairs
on the stage. guard of honor, consisting OF one
hundred men in uniform constituting the fire COM
pany of the city, accompanied the procession and
took up their position in the form of parabola in
side of the ropes where they stood during the entire
exercises occasionally presenting arms to give en-
phass 10 certain parts OF the ceremonies.
There were no religious services, as that would
have been inconsistent from a Romish point of view,
for such an occasion, out the orchestra gave some
music and tho president of the college reada pretty
long address giving an account 81 the work OF the
college concluding with some good advice to the
students. Thereupon, Mr.. Savary, Under-Secrotary
OF State who had come from Paris 70 preside. made
a short but ringing speech, which was enthusias-
ticaly received and applauded to the ecno His
strong point was the absolute necessity Of popular
education ia d republican form of government, and
it was gratifying 20 see how well the speech was
received. There were no further addresses of any
kind but all the remainder of the time was occupied
in calling up the scholars who had distinguished
themselves in some way to be crowned. The one
who had taken the highest prize had the honor of
being crowned with wreath by tho Secretary
of State and kissed on both checks. The
military company presented arms, tho drummer
played a tattoo. and the audience applanded.
All Of this went OIL with fine theatrical eject. There
was no throwing Of bouquets. that would have
been regarded as unclasscal. As the name of each
student who had taken a prize was called, the
happy youth stepped upon the stage to have laurel
wreath put upon his brow aud TO be kissed on the
cheek by some Of the dignitarics. Occasionally
il was the father who embraced his son and handed
HIM the prize. The best student in music was
crowned by the leader of the orchestra, who came
down on the stage for the purpose and the best
in gymnastics received his prize from the hands Of
the captain of the engineers, and the most worthy
In religious duties was embraced by the highest
officer OF tho church there present. Finally the
name of Edward Crane, OF kew-Jer5ey. was called
TO receive the first prize IN French. An American
boy 10 carry off the French prizc was surprise To
everybody, and he was most cordially received
when he came upon the stage, fine, manly fellow
Of sixteen evidently able to win other prizes OF the
proper time. The, president Of the college
and the Mayor of the city bowed 20 mo-
handed me the laurel wreath, and l placed
il upon the brow Of my young countryman, kissing
him on each check as the others had DONE and then
startling hun by whispering in his ear how gratiticd
was at tho distinction he had won for himself aud
his country by gaining 50 rare prize soon alter
wards another American of distinguished family,
Hubert Livingston, was sont to mo to DO similarly
crowned for success IN calculus. professor who
sat by my side informed me that young Crane had
only been here about year, and that they had sub
iectcd him TO very severe examination, dictatmg
difficult passages to him. and crOss-questIOnng HIM
on every point, but he stood the test 30 well, and
was manIfestly superior 10 the natye students,
that they could not refrain from according him tho
first prize in French. Everybody evidently regarded
il as rare distinction.
The exercises lasted until p. M, when, the last
name having been called, the president Of tho Col
lege announced to the boys that they were soon TO
have vacation until the LIST Of October. The I'm
der Secretary of State interrupted him by saying
that in consideration of the excellent record made
by the college he was authorized to extend the va
cation week longer-aD announcement which was
received with great applause by those immediately
concerned not excepting the oyerworked professors.
The military company now reformed as guard Of
honor and, headed by the band, marched through
the streets TO escort the distinguished personages 10
Ala raIaoa Of the suh-nrefec where q Grand dinner