Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-02-10
The Fayette Comfy Teachers Com
VemllOm.
FRIDAYS PREPARATION.

! mary work, LOT WnaJ proved extensive
and handsome decorations. Messrs.
John Maynard, James Sllcott and I'd.
Lever, of the senior clasS, were in at
tendance to assist these ladies. Over
the front of the stage, in arched
form, they made a beautiful mosaic
Of lace curtains and the Ameri-
can flag. On the top and center Of this,
they fastened the words ''LongfellOw,
dulce decus." The word Longfellow
was in gold letters and the latin words
in white. The translation is, "LOng-
fellow, sweet delight" On the right
and left Of the stage, were in ever
greens the words Whittier and Holmes.
On the corners of the stage were tables,
graced by images Of imaginary war
riOrs and flowers. A beautiful picture
of Evangeline, furnished by the Hon.
Jas. Pursell, and fine oil painting Of
Bryant, the work of Prof. Gillespie,
were noticeable features in the decOra-
tions. In the center and front was
pedestal mounted by group statuary
of stays. The fine and highly finished
organ, furnished by Prof Steen, filled
the complement of decorations.
DR.. Peaslee arrived by the G. & NV.
railroad at 2 :37 p. m. He was met by
Mr.. Ely and our superintendent, and
at once taken to the parlors of the
former. From 3 80 to p. M, accord
ing to general invitation, many of our
citizens called on DR., Peaslee, Our
teachers and senior class, in a body,
called on him, when each one was in
troduced by our superintendent.
The exercises of the evening were
opened promptly at 7: 80 O'Clock. The
following programme was carried out.
Chorus, by $50 pupils of Grammar B
and G grades of our schools; Prayer,
by Rev. G. A. McManis; Vocal solo, by
Miss Name Stevens; Memory Gem ex-
ercises rs minutes) by the grades
Vocal duet, by Mr.. II. Maynard and
Miss Love; Words of Welcome, by N.
J. Williams; Address by DR.. Peaslee
Vocal Solo, by Fannie Pearce; Chorus,
by the grades; Renediction, by Rev,
Geo. Carpenter,
The spectacle. at the beginning was
intensely magnetic. The largest au-
dience ever gathered in Music Hall on
literary occasion, $50 pupils on ele-
yated seats at the back of the stage, to-
gether with the circle Of official and
honorable guests in the front, was
scene of beauty and interest. The chO-
rus music was highly complimented, as
we'll as the vocal music of others. The
Hon. M. j. Williams in his terse and
scholarly way presented the Mission of
Letters, and in very happy words pre-
sented the distinguished speaker Of the
hour to the audience.
DR.. Peaslee for few moments read
from manuscript very forcible words,
in very earnest way concerning the
moral education to be derived from the
literature poetry. Then, laying aside
paper, he explained how the graded
memory work had been introduced into
the Cincinnati schools, how they had
celebrated authorial birthdays, dwell
ling, with emphasis, on the marked i'm
provement of the moral tone Of the Gin
cinnati children. The last 30 minutes
of his address was upon the life and
writings af Longfellow. His descrip-
ton of the social, literary and political
connections of the father ofLongfellow,
as we'll as the presentation of the mi
mute details of the poet, were Of the
most inspiring character. He named
many of the great lessons that Long
fellow teaches in his poems, and recited
beautifully as he proceeded, the poems
to enforce the lessons. The profound
quietness through the entire address, as
we'll as the rounds of applause, indi-
Gated the appreciation of the lecturers
effort. Near the close of the eXer-
cises Supt. Patterson spoke of the
devotion of the audience to the
children, the speaker, and the sublime
sentiments of literature Of the theme Of
the hour. His reference to the great
work of Dr.. Peaslee met hearty re-
sponse from the audience. A beautiful
episode. occurred just before the benedic-
tion. Miss Mary Hess, of the class of
'Sl, stepped upon the stage and address
ing DR.. Peaslee, in behalf of the senior
class, presented him a very handsome
volume of LOngfellow.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY ., 1881.
Convention opened at School Hall,
at o 80 a. m. The following was the
order for the forenoon: Chorus by the
Grammar D. grades of the school;
Prayer, by Supt. Story, of Greenfield,
Ohio; Vocal Quartet, by pupils of col
ored schools; EMISSION Of Poetry |