The daily gazette., 1881-06-30
QUE BOYS AND aInLs.
The High scheoH Cenmeneement
Exsrcfses At the Opera House.

People sweltered in the heated atiDOs-
phere of the Opera House, for over two
hou. 9, last evening, but enjoyed them
selves nevertheless, as the young lady
and young gentlemen graduates Of the
High School acquitted themselves In The
most successful manner. There were
sixteen graduates In ell, but on account
Of an entertainment that would include
sixteen essays, orations and recitations,
the graduates held consultation aud
decided tina. only halt Of their number
should p ubicly appear In the exercises.
A. 816 o'ciosk when the exercises com
menced the Opera House was crow Ged
with people. On the stage sat the grad
ua,es, the High School glee class, Prof.
8. j. Wiley, who presided, Supt. Of
Public Schools, u. W. Harlan, DR.. E.
g. Shortlidse and VIM. j. Morrow Of
the School BoaId, John II. Adamss the
donor OF the English Grammar gold
medal prizes, WIN. Z. Sprustce, Esq,
aud Rev. }. NJ. Williams, President U
Wesleyan Female College. Prof. Rhoads
conducted the musical exercises. Hand
me bouquets and other presents to the
graduates liaed the front of the stage.
After greeting song by the glee class
Wm. II. Riley delivered an oraiion on
"rhe American Orator" wit salutatory
add ess. He said that eloquence always
was powerful lever TO sway the minds
particularly 10 warming them up TO pa
tiotic impulses. He referred to Adams,
Patrick Henry, jefferson and Others,
early patriots whose powers Of oratory
had thu illed the people and aroused the
spirit OF patriotism that resulted In the
American revolution aud Its glorious
ending. Later In the country's history
came Webster, Clay, Calhoun, followed
by Charles Sumner, whom he consider
ed the greatest orator Of his age, Abra-
lam Lincoln and others, whose names
are still familiar with the present. gen.
Grafton. The orator said that though
these men had long since passed away
from the earth their fame would never
die.
Master Riley closed with O pleasant
salutatory address, In which he cordial
ly welcomed tbe audience to the exer-
tises OF the evening.
"IDfineIce." an essay, by Miss Mag
gle Q. Bowing, treated OF the effect OF
example, which, sbc 8 i'd, is one of tue
most potent instructors. The effects OF
l 4 good example are incalculabie. All
by their daily lives are increasing or
diminishing the sum OF daily good. The
essay further alluded the great good Lbst
oftimes springs from q single noble deed,
while noble life lives as motto for
others to shape their lives by.
The Wilmington Institute Library
prizes, consisting of SIX tickets emitting
the holders to a years free use Of the
library, were then presented by Supt.
Harlan, who Is President OF the library.
| Tbs prizes are awarded for general pro-
| ticiency, the test being the highest gen.
eral average in the usual school exam
nations. Mr.. Harlan said the competi-
| tion had been unusually spirited, this
year, and after referring TO the value oil
| public libraries, and the great benefit the
recipients could derive from these prizes,
| he presented them TO the following
scholars:
!. Ella Plckels, Emma Gawthrop, Mary
Camperson, Robert Adair, Wellington
b. Lee, Harry B. Tawresey.
| Most appropriately the next exercise
wss an Grafton on "Public Libraries" by
| George G. Denuison. lie alluded TO the
antiquity OF public libraries, and to the
vast impetus given to them by the ia
PRODUCTION Of the art of printing, which
made possible the many public libraries
that now exist.
The utility Of public libraries cannot
be ever estimated. Good reading has Q
good effect on the mind. In view OF the
great difficulties In the way of acquiring
knowledge that existed iU the past, we
ought to be thankful for the advantage:
now offered by numerous rubiIc hbrarie!
which are such great adjunct to the
eau e Of education.
Miss Letitia Brown followed with al
essay on "Hope." As its subject i'm
piled, it was deep and thoughtful crea
lion rich In choice flights Of fancy ant
poetic imagery. It was read IN ANU ST.
cal voice, controlled by perfect self
possession, and in It's entirely proved
one of the choicest portions of the even
ipg's programme. 1t was received with
rounds o. rapturous applause.
Prof. Wiley then presented the homo
prizes, which are awarded to the younl
lady and young gentleman standing
highest In their respective classes during
six c. nsecutive examinations, coverin.
period Of three years. To Miss Mag
gle l.. Adams he awarded q compleL,
set Of the works OF Sir Walter Scott, AN,
to John @. Tawresey complete set o
Dickens works. Prof. Wiley accom-
panied the prizes with few remarks re
l,tive TO the eminent character of thu
writers Of these works, and the audienct
generously applauded the successful con
testants.
Then came two more presentations b,
Prof. Wiley which were entirely uuex
pected to all but himself. To Miohae
| A. Mooney he presented complete Sc
OF Tennyson's poems as a reward TO
perfect department, he having securet
h demerit marks for five years. etc
b, gentleman," said Prof. Wiley II
m ,king this presentation sis very i'm
portant factor Of a citizen, as well as Of
aboy."
| TO James V. Moore he also present
ed complete set of Edgar Allen Poe
works, as reward for aprofciency II
9 raj chemistry, aud for valuable as
sistance voluntarily rendered the prin
pal 10 preparing chemical experiment
for the instruction. of the classes.
| After another song by the glee class
John u. Tawresey delivered an oratioi
on "Goycrnment." He held that gov
ernmeiit was most important question
for the consideration OF civil society. Sc
ciety cannot exist without cover menl
and hence IL is necessary for the happI
ness Of society to have good goverbmep u
HI aIso snnk., n. thu avila af oIas. 80,