Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-30

graduating class exercises on Wednesday. Par
ticularly attractive was the large evergreen cross
trimmed with white roses at the back of the stage
Under this was horseshoe, with rose blossoms
for nails. On the outside curve was the class
motto Corpe diem on the inside $50" At
one corner of the stage was large clump of ferns
at the other, a thrifty wandering Jew. Nor must
we fail to mention the beautiful and sweet-scented
bouquet which was placed on the reporters table
Last nights crowd, with achievements packed
every part of the building within hearing distance
of the stage. The orchestra-Bert Waterman,
first violin; W. A. Briggs, second; H. W. Kemp,
cornet; b. J. Holmburg claronet, and T. r. Mer-
rill, Jr., contra bass-was in attendance, and
promptly at the appointed time to begin played
"Menetrier," (overture) from Hermann. Prayer
was then offered by Rev James Kimmel, and the
execution Of Bayer's German Song preceded
the salutatory by Walter II. Vincent, subject, THE
False and the True" He showed that whatever
is true will finally triumph, though some Of the
grander ones have taken ages to become fully es-
tablished. His speaking fully sustained the rep
utation gained the previous evening. Delos W.
Bates, Roxton Falls, Province Of Quebec, followed
with n racy article on "Contentment. lie said
that lie firmly rooted in society is hard to be
uprooted, and though the saying, "Contentment
is better than riches" one would soon
look for brick balloon or lazy lightning as con-
tentment in civization might Workers" was
ably written and almost eloquently delivered by
Rollin c. Blackmer Of Stockbridge. lie believes
that by daylight we may labor and keep pace
with our neighbors, but to excel the midnight oil
must be burned. Music; quadrie medley, from
Catlin. Miss Julia A. Blanchard of South Barre
read sensible essay on Drifting or Sailing"
She noted the necessity of singeness Of aim in
life to insure success, but did not approve of sac
rificing everything and everybody to attain the
goal Of our ambition. Charles b. Cook of Water
loo, Province of Quebec, followed with an Grafton
on True Greatness" As compared with other
speakers the delivery was a little tame. Victor
A. Grant Of East Orange had very interesting
article on 1.-THE Earth as Man Made 1t" The
different beliefs found in the different ages were
well framed and presented. Although the speaker
had not yet recovered from his late Illness his
effort made a favorable impression Music; Sc
lections from "Falstaff,' Bale. The "Cass
Chronicles and Prophecies" were prepared and
read by Miss Fledda Gladding of Plainfed These
proved very interesting not only to those ac-
quainted with the class, but to the audience gen.
orally. Ira A. Priest of Mechanicsville gave a
short but lively article on Hard Knocks One
idea well brought out was, il we would under
stand the lower branches thoroughly, we must
take few hard knocks in the higher. Charles
o. Robbins of Chester then gave complete his.
tory OF the origin, use and change in Artificial
Lights" from the first torch down to Edison's
electric. Music; Sounds from Vienna Woods -
(waltzes), Strauss. Miss Carrie l.. Daniels OF
Woodstock read livery pretty essay on "Circles.
She said as three points determine the circle, SC
also three points determine our characters; Choice
of Education, Choice of Life-work, and Methods OF
Application. Hiland H. Skinner Of Planfield
looked over the affairs Of the country and told
what sort of men one WANTED" to carry on
the works now only just begun. 1t was graft.
flying thought that these men, II found and can
do the work, are TO name their own wages. AL
ston w. Dana of Mechancsve gave the closing
Grafton, whitherward" and the valedictory
which was shorter than usual. Everybody and
everything was remembered kindly, and the part
ing words to the class were very touching. The
class was then introduced and commended to Rev
W. r. Shipman, president of the trustees, by Pro
lessor Priest, and from the hands of the president
received their diplomas with few words of ap
probation for the past and advice for the future
The class song, composed by H. H. Skinner, wa:
then sung, and Rev. J. Kimmel dismissed the
audience.
A very praiseworthy feature of these exercise,
was the brevity of the productions, so that the
audience were not tired, but enjoyed the last az
well as the first. Friends throughout the weel
were extremely lavish with flowers.
At the close Of these exercises, Mr.. ShipmaI
announced that during the three years last pas
the income Of the school had equaled the ex
penses less 5000 much better showing thai
any previous three years lie stated that the fl
nancial agent Mr.. French, had succeeded in get
ting the $4,000 endowment fund pledged, worl
he began about a year ago; but in doing this HI
had been to an expense Of nearly $1,000, and /
was desirable to raise that amount at once II pos
sible. Calling for subscriptions, $500 wer
pledged in a short time. This puts the institution
on a firm foundation and out of debt
CONCLUSION
In the afternoon the annual address, subject
Success" was delivered by Rev. Frank +. Heal.
of Derby Line, and the poem read, by Rev w
S. Ralph of somerville, Massachusetts, author o
Whistling in Heaven These exercises, espe
cially the poem, proved rare treat. Music b.
the orchestra followed, and the exercises close
with prayer and benedicton by Rev. j. Edwar
Wright of Montpelier