Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-24

ers knew Miss Slason's work had been and
would be, wherever she might go, while its
circle was an emblem of the friendship, love
and esteem which her co-workers in the Brat
tleboro school would always feel for their
principal. Miss Slason, with great self-con-
troll, replied in q few simple and heartfelt
words, and the children were dismissed TO
their seats. The poem given below was
then read by Miss Palmer, after which, to
the parents present, Miss Slason briefly
said that in closing her work in Brat
tleboro, she could only say that she
had tried to do IL honestly, consoientously
and prayerfully. The school was then dis
missed, the children marching down the
broad aisle with that military precision which
has so often been the admiration Of visitors
TO the Grammar school room.
MISS sLAsoEs WORK IN BRATrLEBoRo.
In thus noting the close Of Miss Sla.
sons work in Brattleboro, which has
extended through a period Of ten years,
as principal Of the Grammar school, it
is but simple justice TO say that dur
ing the whole Of this time the standard OF
the school has steadily advanced and its eI-
cellence was never so great as at the present
time Methods Of careful study aud indie
pendent thought, of exact information and
quick and rapid work have been nssiduously
cultivated while feature which has, per-
haps, contributed more than any other to the
success Of her school work has been her
original and painstaking methods Of oral in.
struction outside Of all textbooks. To those
who have made it their pleasure TO familiar
ize themselves with the working of the Gram
mar school Miss Slason's wonderful grasp Of
every detail of her school work and the ease
and frmness with which she has kept every
member Of a school, numbering sometimes
as high as 100 pupils in single room, under
perfect control, has been matter of-constant
wonder and surprise. She leaves the school
with sincere regret on the part of every per
son who knows what the Grammar school
has been under her tuition, and with unalloy-
ed good wishes for her success in whatever
field OF labor she may choose in the future.
THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING EXERCISES.
The High school room was well filed
with visitors ON Friday afternoon, June II,
to listen to rhetorical exercises, mostly by
the graduating class. The compositions and
declarations, interpreted with singing by
the school, were interesting entertaining,
and showed that thorough work had been
done. The vivid rendering of the dramatic
poem, 1.-The Diver" by Alice Barney, and
the recitation Of "Keenau's Charge" by Car
RE Houghton, deserve special notice Kate
Houghton's recitation of the old Latin hymn,
DE Contemptu Mundi," was very effective,
and the recital, by Lizzie Green, of the French
legend, ''Le Drack," was really artistic.
1.-THE Scholars Mission" was given by Henry
Williams in an earnest, convincing manner.
Walter Clark, in his rendering of 1.-THE Paint
err Of Seville" showed fine appreciation of
a noble theme, and Fred Taylor's declama-
ton, THE Fall Of Poland" evinced careful
work and a thorough comprehension OF the
subject. The essays showed thought, sys-
tenn and talent. Arthur Pratt, under the
subject Satellites" had carefully condensed
much astronomical information, closing with
fgurative application Of the term. Among
the most pleasing papers we're "Story of a
Pine Tree" by Sadie Benson and "Curves
and Angles" by Eva Shepard. Minnie Hor-
ton displayed imagination and clear, grace
full style in treating her subject, Labor is
life It's the still water faileth." The other
exercises in both composition and declama-
ton were well done. The singing gave evil
dence that much improvement has been made
in that department of school work during the
year.
THE HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.
On Thursday the High school e1amina-
tons in physical science, higher English and
mathematics began. From . O'Clock TO 10
Miss Howe's class in history was given an eX-
animation by card, the Rev. w II. Collins
assisting Miss Howe. The class displayed a
very creditable familiarity with facts and
dates pertaining to our revolutionary history
and the beginnings of our Federal govern
ment together with an intelligent understand
ing of underlying causes and principles. Fol
lowing this came Mr.. Binghams class in
philosophy, which gave a very interesting
and satisfactory recitation on matter and its
properties and the phenomena of everyday
life Ia the afternoon the first division in
arithmetic were given an examination, and
the closing part ofthe day was devoted to a rec
itation of marked excellence and interest, by
the fourth division, in analysis, the text book
used being Thomsons Seasons. To-day ex-
animation in algebra, chemistry, geometry
and trigonometry are in progress In no
previous year has a better or more earnest
and cordial feeling existed between teachers
and pupils in this school than in that Just
closing and in none has more thorough and
satisfactory work been accomplished.
MISS WALKERS DEPARTURE.
1t is with sincere regret that the friends
Of the High school have learned during the
past week that Miss Walkers connection
with that school has permanently closed.
During period Of six years she has done
efficient work as teacher Of Latin and the
higher English branches. and pupils who
have gone out from the High school to take
more advanced course Of study have uni
formly found themselves owing her very
much for the scholarly training which they
had received at her hands. On Wednesday
Of this week Miss Walker sailed from New
York for Europe in company with Miss
Burnham, principal of the Northampton,
Mass, preparatory school for girls, and a
party OF her pupils. On her return, at the
beginning of the next school year. Miss Walk
er will accept position in Miss Burnham's
school, while she will also pursue her own
studies in certain chosen branches.
MUSIC AND READING.
After examining the Grammar school in
music on Thursday morning Rev. Mr.. Mar
tin freely expressed his satisfaction at the
readiness displayed by the school in read
ing music at sight, as well as in answering
questions touching the fundamental princi-
pies in the science. The teaching (by Miss
Cooke Mr.. Martin said, has been thorough
and efficient, and the foundation is being
laid, year by year, for better musical taste
and performance in the coming generation
and, through this important medium of mu-
sic, for generation Of better men and wo-
men.
The reading examinations were at sight
from selections not before read by the classes.
During the year past the school has followed
the YOUTHS Companion, and the result has
been most satisfactory. On any given occa-
sion it is not possible by this method to make
so snowy an exhibition as when the system
OF making study of set pieces is followed,
but great gain is made in point of training
up good readers for the family circle and in
everyday life. A similar method of reading
at sight has been followed in the High school
with equally satisfactory results.
LINES WRITTEN BH MRS. oOLBURH ON THE COCA
SION OF THE CLOSING or MISS sLAsoR's WORK IN
The GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
THE end OF the school year I" the children cried
Aud skipped and danced and shouted in their glee.
They saw green meadows, where the buttercups
Nodded at the white daisies heard the bees
Burning amid the clover, and the birds
thrilling their songs from every leAfy grove
They called TO mind the babbling brooks that run
Ger rocky beds, or murmur Lastly
Between cool, NOISY banks, where anglers lie
Watching the speckled beauties in the depths.
Well have these pupila earned tbsfr s,r,v,,, noe.