Morning journal and courier., 1881-04-22
Hi11house High school.
The Graduation Exercises Class of 1884,
 Notably Successful Occasion.

brilliant scene, packed in every part with parents and friends of the graduating class and the public in general. The supply of admission tickets, l, 200 in number, limited to the utmost capacity of the hall, was quick ly exhausted and wholly inadequate to SUD- ply the demand. The hall in it's beautiful dressing of bunting and flags and the adorn- ment given by plants and flowers looked finely, and with the great array of young and attractive faces in the audience, there was nothing lacking to equip the scene and inspire the actors in the graduation exercises to their highest endeavors. Upon the plat form, presiding, sat Principal Curtis and at his right Superintendent Parish, and behind them semi-circle of prominent gentlemen, members of the Board of Education and oth- ers The programme of the occasion was as follows
 ORDER EXERCISES.
 l. Music-Tune Your Harps. s................-H Handel
 From the oratorio of Judas Maccabaeus.
 9 Essay-Language-NIiss Hattie P. Cowell.
 B. Oration-Mary Stuart Upon the Scafold.
 Thomas M CahiIl.
 MusleA SpiIs s66 circumstance
 Joseph H. Townsend.
 G. Essay Footprints and Poetry Miss Bessie sKent
 With obligafo solos by members of Senior Class
 8. Literature, Sentimental and Practical
 Miss Eleanor A. Peck.
 g. -Individuaiity-M Mary E. Andrew. It, soos in nnson by members of Senior ciasa 12. Essay-The Braces of Life-Miss MolMe Mailer: l6. Essay-w work-Miss Alice M. Merriman.
 With Valedictory Address.
 16. Music-Hail Bright Abode. Wagner
 March from Tannhauser.
 T. Conferring diplomas by supsrintendent Parish; 1a Music-Graduating Song, ''All is We'll" original 1s. Music-c1osing Hymn, siEre the Parting Word is
 spoken" -..-.. 1Ay ou
 Miss Hattie P. Cowelrs essay, Language, was gracefully given and reflected much credit upon the young lady, both as to the literary style and quality of the production. It was received with many marks of favor. MT. Cahill's oration, Mary Stuart upon the Scaffold," at times reached strain of natu- ral eloquence and embodied lofty sentiment, and was throughout well sustained effort. The speakers delivery, though not perfection, was as a whole excellent.
 ''Principle and Circumstance.' by Joseph H. Townsend was successful effort. Footprints of Poetry," by Bessie s. Kent | was delivered with winning grace and pleas l ing tones, and the subject matter discovered free and flowing fancy and a setting of | pretty and chaste sentiment pertinent to the l subject.
 ssLiterature, Sentimental and Practical, D l by Eleanor A. Peck, discovered happy vein | of thought, and the dime literature of the l day and it's effect upon ''the boy of the pe- 1 riod" received in passing scathing notice. 1 The maudlin love story of the period was treated in a very happy vein of satire. The speakers suggestion in closing was-get the l best literature which, thanks to these days, l is chear literature as well.
 Individuality" by Miss Andrew, was first 1 treated in it's application in nature, particu- larly in the floral kingdom. By an easy ] transition individuality in moral and mental | thought out of fashion deterred many from l giving vent to an honest opinion in public meeting. The Puritans restrained individu- ality in religious opinion. Why desire a stu pid uniformity in thought or character :? l Let each represent their best self and dare to | be true to personal convictions. The theme | was well written and well given. ''Silent Forces, by Anna A. Gildersleeve, | contained many poetic and pleasing senti- ! ments. ''Our hearts are flowers which con- | tinue open before the gentle dews, but close before the storm" Silent forces were illus | l and natural phenomena. The stars in their courses and the whole galaxy of the heavens were an example of this, of inconceivable l grandeur. The speaker was rewarded with 1 the approbation of the audience, as were all l who represented the class upon this crown | ing occasion of the four years course. | ''The Graces of Life" :" by Mollie Nader, was a spiritedly presented production. The I speaker agreed with the sentiment that "a | man without music was without soul '' The 1 theme was elaborated with taste and judg- ment. The refining influence of a refined i woman and of beautiful home where love 1 dwells were subjects referred to in manner 1 very pleasing and confrmatory of the truth | of the sentiments of the theme
 1 In Recreation" by Katie H. Gower, the | distinction between recreation and amuse- | ment was made by reference to the l origin of the words. Almost all would admit l the necessity of recreation in 8 system of ed | life especially for gold at the expense of | health-an article more valuable than gold l was one thought. But recreation ends when 1 pursued as a duty. How irksome fishing may become when pursued as an occupation. | The speaker embodied much excellent | thought in small compass.
 The last essay, Work" ," and the valedic- | tory address, by Alice M. Merriman, ftly | crowned the excellent programme. Work | was the talisman which brought success l Work was the price of noble results in all | branches of human effort. To succeed work must not be evanescent or fitful, but the goal ! must be ever kept in view. noble charac- | ter is chiselled out. All may not reach the sun, but each has victories to win over cir cumstances, over self. Labor is solace Dark hours come to all, when human aid is futile. Here work comes solace. With out it the strained heart breaks. Each has his battle to fight.
 la1Sxz very effectively, and were heard amid still ness profound. The remarks to principal, teachers, schoolmates and classmates were very fitting and impressive. The speaker re- ceived a particularly beautiful basket of flow CTS. All the speakers received floral tri- bute.
 The coveted sheepskins lay piled upon table directly in front of the presiding off cer. These were now distributed to the graduates, who arising, were addressed by Superintendent Parish. He approached the occasion of bestowing the diplomas to this, the eleventh class, with deep feelings of in- terest-interest in education-interest in the embarking of @ new class upon the busy world. The past was alluded to. Long was the pathway ahead when the members of the class began their course, but time had flown on wings. In the first class there were twice seven graduates; this evening seven times seven were sent out. You are the largest
 
 (Applause) If the class as a class was not the wisest that had been sent out, it was not for lack of advantages, for each year the advantages of the school were increased The teachers had commended the class as worthy of praise and worthy of high con- mendation. But school life is only prepara- tion for the future. The great battle of life was ahead. Each was equipped well as the school could do it. Now the school of life opened. It remained to be seen what the future of each would bring Had each learned courage, self reliance? Then it was well. The prizes lie in the distance for the brave hearted. In the coming school none could escape the eye of the teacher-the pub lie eye. The world will watch and judge. Nobody can escape criticism in this world Let experience teach you. Begin right and proceed right. These are but suggestions. It is now my duty to confer those testimo- nials which declare to those who see them that you have been faithful and successful in your work in the school. May success await you.
 The members of the class now filed on to the stage, forming in semi-circle, and each receiving a diploma the name was called by MT. Parish. MT. Fresenius, president on