The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1878-07-11
d. F. BRADLEY, Secretary.

|
l received an invitation to attend the
commencement exercises Of the Cen
tral high school, and knowing Capt.
r. L. Lewis, the principal, to be an
enthusiast on education, one of the
best teachers in the State, and per-
fectly devoted to his profession; and
knowing also that the good people of
Central and surrounding country
never fail of making such occasions
pleasant and entertaining, I at once
determined to be present. ......
On the afternoon of Thursday, the
Goth day of last month, 1 reached
Central and "put up" with that prince
of hosts "Cousin John" Soon after
arriving started out on tour of in,
spection. I noted several new build
ings and saw many evidences of pro-
gross and prosperity. Notwithstand-
ing the hard times Central appeared
to be doing thriving business, and
her merchants, all active, energetic
and enterprising young men, are de-
termined to still further Increase her
business and thus enhance the value
of her real property.
On Friday night we were with MIR
Henry Rowland, for be it known that
Central boasts of two hotels, and
challenges the country to show two
better. "Cousin John" and Mr.. Row.
Ian i are courteous and attentive hosts.
and spare no pains in providing both
for your palate and your comfort
But my object in writing was to give
u brief outline Of the examination and
exhibition. The examination con-
sumed two days. The first was dc.
voted 10 the examination of the pu-
pills of the primary department, and
the, advanced classes in othography
and reading. Captain Lewis is as
sisted by Miss Estelle Gaines, q gifted
young lady and q valuable adjunct to
the school, who presided over the
primary department. Tho rigid and
searching examination of the children
under her charge, and the prompt
and correct answer to all questions,
as we'll as their distinctness and pro-
fciency in enunoiation and articula-
tion, is evidence sufficient of Miss
Gaines talant as teacher, and res
fleets credit alike upon herself and
her pupils. The second day was
devoted to the examination of pupils
in the higher branches. This was
equally creditable and developed the
wonderful tact possessed by Captain
Lewis of instilling into the minds of
his pupils love for the persuit OF
knowledge, and imparting to them
some Of his own enthusiasm in it's
persuit. Nearly the entire examina.
tion was conducted upon the black
board. The classes in Dictionary
were required to define every word
given them, and one class was exam
ined in Clark's Primary Grammar by
the diagram system.
In consequence of the rain on Fri
day morning, the exercises were de-
layed for a time, and the programme
was necessarily shortened.
Soon after the examination closed
the. speaking commenced. Captain
Lewis first introduced Rev. G. w.
Singleton, who stated that it was not
his intention to entertain them with
o regular set speech, but only I'd
make few remarks which he hopea
might BIO of some service to theEl II
the persuit of their studies. Mf.lSin.
gleton's remarks were timely and
), we'll receceived by the audience. c.
p. Barrett, Esq, was thepintroduced
and entertained the audience for thirty
minutes in an address upon "Educa
tion;" after which Mr.. Child was in>
troduced and spoke about the same
length of time upon the "Lights and
: Shadows of Lille" / have heard all
| the speeches we'll spoken of, and be-
; lieve that they were we'll received
| This closed the exercises of the dav.
Soon after dark people began pour>
ing into the school 0rounds from oil