The daily gazette., 1878-06-22

lively desire for emulation in the hearts
of the present generation.
The orchestra next gave selection
from I'll Trovatore," with the anvil cho-
rus, which was rendered with such un-
usual excellence that the audience actual
ly applauded.
Joseph Newlin Harman, Jr., delivered
the next Grafton, on "rhe age in which
We live" He held that none of the great
changes of the world could compare with
those of the character of the early colo
nists, who sought for and established CIV
ii and religious liberty, under the benign
and progressive influence of which the
present generation nightly prospered.
The present age will forever shine In the
history Of the world.
"Selfmade Men," was the subject of
Joseph Hamilton Springer's oration. he
alluded to the many men of humble birth
whose names had been inscribed on the
pages of history, and held that in many
| Cases adversity was the main incentive
That impelled men to rise above their
original condition. Selfmade men were
In many instances, the strength and sup
port of their communities.
The presentation of the Adams Prize
for excellence in English Grammar was
then made by Anthony Higgins, Esq.
The prize Is a gold medal, appropriately
inscribed, and valued at about $50. AT
ter appropriately referring to Mr.. Adams
choice remarks, aRn0unced that the one
successful boy out of sixty-six competi-
| tors was John G. Tawresey, to whom he
presented the prize.
Amidst the applause of the audience
M aster Tawresey received the gift, and
was also presented with ahand some bou-
qne5 by Mr.. Adams, who cordially shook
him by the hand.
After another selection by the orcbes
ira George Leonard OFT delivered an ora
| ton on "More Light" He asserted that
all men possessed natural, Unborn cray
Ing for knowledge, which can only be
obtained by diligent study and practice.
The noblest labor is that by which men
eDdeavor to become wiser. Labor en-
| larges the intelligence, and the man with
| the most intellectual resources is less
J liable to fall into those habits of idleness
| that beget much of the wickedness of the
| world.
The address TO the graduating class was
next delivered by Lea Pusey, Esq. He
| reviewed the work which the boys of
forty years ago had accomplished, and
| hoped the boys of the present generation
| would not retregrade, but, would, by dill
gence complete and advance the great
work of improvement 80 successfully
| started.
Henry Eckel, Esq, President of the
Board Education, presented the grad
yates with their diplomas. He said it
gave him great pleasure to present them
with these dipolmas, which they had
fairly earned by earnest, successful study.
They were evidences of scholastic fidelity
and reminders of the fact that they are
but entering upon the broader field of the
study of life Then handing each grad
uate his diploma, Mr.. Eckel said:
In the name and on behalf of the
Board of Education l congratulate you
all on the bright mark you have made
this evening, and l wish you God speed
in the realization of every noble ambi-
tion that may impel you forward in your
future career.
The valedictorian was VIM. Bancroft,
who took Popular Fiction" as the sub
ject of his grafton. He analysed the
character of popular fiction, showed that
| some was elevating and some debasing,
but thought that the general tendency of
| fiction was to elevate the popular mind,
and that it should not be entirely discard
| ed because some of it was evil.
In his valedictory he returned thanks
to the audience, to the Board, and to the
| teachers. On behalf of his classmates he
hoped they would never forget they were
members of the class of '78.
| The programme was then closed with
| q musical selection by the orchestra.
During the evening the graduates re-
| ceived many handsome presents of books
| and flowers from their friends in the au-
| dienca