Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-09

Interesting Account of the Exer-
cfses.

The rec option of the American Kinder
garten, which closed the instructions of the
school, at the chapel building on Drsytch
street, was very well attended by the pa
rents and friends Of the children. Only
brief mention has been made Of the exer-
cises, and in compliance with the request
Of many we give fuller account of the
proceedings, which were quite interest
ing.
The exercises were opened with the chant,
"Our Father Who Art in Heaven" fol-
lowed by recitations on "Colors," Seems"
Virtues and calisthenics. A recitation in
concert, lover the Meadows" was then
given, after which the salutatory was de-
nyeredin capital style By Alice Bates.
Then followed recitatious By Josie Lowell,
"0ur Cat and her Kittens" Willie Eckstein,
HE Didn't Think" and David MTerson,
Elephant on Journey"
The exercise in practical arithmetic was
capital, and the recitation by Nellie Ehrlich,
"Who is Darling Little Girl" was very
good.
Feathers" pretty song, was effectively
rendered by Carrie and CORTLAND Dixon.
Hannah Myerson's recitation, "Con-
stancy,n was very well given. "The Months
Of the Year" were presented BY twelve
children in character, and was very
pleasing feature of the exhibition.
Rstte Alice Connerat told in a charming
manner ''The Story of the Morning Glory"
and Carrie Dixon pleasantly conveyed "a
Chlld's Advice to Mamma"
The great feature Of the exhibition, how
ever, was the presentation Of the extrava-
gsnEa sleeping Beauty" the characters of
which were well personated both in costume
and expression, were as follows:
Hannah Myerson, "Queen Mother" Geo.
Freeman, "King;'' Carrie Dixon, ''Sleep-
ing Beauty or Princess" CORTLAND Dixon,
"Prinee;;" Grsntham Tsggart, ''Bardi, the
Jester;H Josie Lowell, "King's Pages" D.
sephine Jones, "Queen of Fairies" Louis
McNulty, "Cupid, her attendant" Mary
Jones, Marie Habersham, Alice Bates, Mel
lie Ehrlich, Alice Connerat, Masie Ferst,
Earliest Sallie Wilbur, "Sera, revenge
full fairy
The grouping of the characters in their
exquisite costumes at the close formed a
most beautiful tableau.
Prize medals were then distributed for
deserved merit IN different departments,
Miss Hannah Myereon and Miss Josephine
Jones receiving the two highest medals for
general excellence.
The concluding solo, Laughing Eyes Of
Blue" was most exquisitely rendered by
Miss Marie Habersham as fairy.
The valedictory was also gracefully rem
dered by Louis McNulty, as Cupid" This
was followed by the feast, which the chill
dren enjoyed with their little friends.
Where all did well ii is hard to discrimi-
nate, but It is due to award the need of
praise to the "Queen Mother" and the
''Queen of Fairies" for their grace, dignity
and self-possession In the different parts
assigned them. To the sweet solo eingers
and to the fair one who so clearly gave the
sslutatOry. and we would not omit THAT
Smallest Boy in School," who gave the
valedictory as Little Cupid"
1t has been said that the system Of in
struction known as the American Kinder
garten, is not the genuine German system.
1t can only be answered that 1t has never
made such pretensions.
The American system claims to embody
all the attractive forms of beauty and forms
Of knowledge, with their instructive lessons,
sd exquisitely arranged by Froebel, and
t. Intervene with them the alphabet of
language.
1t thus leads our American children,
whose progressive instincts call for books
and states for practice with theory, up the
steps OF knowledge by easy and by fowery
paths.
Urged on by parental ambition, which In
our country brooks no delay, they grapple
intelligentlY with strong thoughts, the out
growth Of those very simple teachings of ear
lier years, and perform more earnest duties
than the occupations which pleased their
childish fancy, aud the exercises which
gave development and recreation to their
little bodies.
1t is a happy thought that the introduce
ton OF this system in Savannah opened
the door for the establishing
of other Kindergartens, essentially
German, and that the successful efforts of
their worthy instructors testify to the sppre-
citation Of kindergarten training by the
enlightened and intellectual of OFT commu-
Hity.
Let US hope that the day is near when
our lovely park and squares shall be en-
livened by peaceful children, happily en-
gagged in the games and songs of The Kin
dergarten, as in "der Faderlsnd," instead
of the too frequent walls OF little ones, the
seedlings and tyranny Of cross and ignorant
nurses, and the belligerent Juveniles who
give blow for blow.
To this end may all such efforts be sue
cessful. We stand on the threshold of new
and progressive features In the education of
children, and 1t may not be well for anyone
to affirm that this or that is the only way.
Each step forward does not displsce the
Last taken, but develops its purpose aud in
tent, like the royal rose, unfolding leaf by
leaf, at last bursts out in perfumed beauty
the queen of flowers.
So there is divinity Of purpose in every
thing that tends to surround young lives
and enchsin their minds with thoughts of
beauty and loving purpose Of heart that
may defy the insidious corruptions Of the
age.
Every or any system that has this for its
aim and object, and that tends to bring
children early and tenderly into the kuowl-
edge of Him who created them aud the
great world around them with its wondrous
secrets by prescribed or original methods, is
essentially and practically Kindergarten. ]"
1t is the mothers deputy, the fathers senti-
mel, the sisters love, the brothers. defense,
aiding the child traveller In his journey
through the labyrinths of learning. 1t is
by the grace of God the blessing of this
age, but, without His blessing, fruitless and
barren Of success, for
Doth not His hand rule all things
And intend the least of our concerns,
| Since from the least the greatest oft origi-