St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-12-09
The Senior Exhibition.

The senior class of st. Johnsbury
Academy gave their exhibition at Acad
envy hall on Friday evening Of last
week, to full house-more being pres
ent on this occasion than usually turn
out to the senior exhibitions. The ex
ercises were begun by an overture,
Grip Van Winkle," by the st. Johns
bury Orchestra followed by prayer
by Rev. Mr.. Jones. The first speaker
was Karl H. Goodwin, who, i'll a very
creditable manner, spoke of alexander
man had put the nation under Obliga-
ton to his memory, and exerted be-
neficent influence which was not con-
fined to his own day, but was still felt.
Nellie L. Brown gave a French recita-
ton in a way which showed familiarity
with that very delightful language.
George NJ. Gray spoke of "RObert
Bruce" the Scottish hero and king,
briefly reviewing his life and pointing
out his excellent qualities. By way of
seasoning, the orchestra here threw in
a lively waltz, "Immer Ober Himmer,"
which was very pretty. William l..
Quimby of Lyndon treated of "Fanati
cism :" speaking of the religious fanat-
icism of India, nihilism and "Guiteau
ism :" and thought an enlightened and
Christian judgment would prove for
midable barrier to fanaticism of any
sort. The colloquy between Gertrude
| Hubert of LyndOnville and Bessie
Eastman of Michigan, added variety to
the programme, and was intended as
an argument concerning the compare
tive usefulness of the real and the imi-
tatiOn, and the impOsitiOns practiced
upon hunters after the antique" The
tones of the speakers were so low that
they could hardly be heard half way
across the hall. Erastus G. HOvey
handled the German Character" and
thought the German nation was among
the solid nations of the world. Addie
d. Hale told the story of "Patient Mer-
cy JONES'" and although her voice was
not strong enough to fill the hall, she
succeeded in interesting the audience
in the career of her heroine. Wallace
C. Abbott of Woodstock recited a we'll
conceived poem on "The power of an
idea :" the burden of his song being
/ that tho Of
crOakers to the contrary, the man who
had but one idea stood good chance
in the world, if he worked out that
one idea well. After more lively and
restful music, during which the ner-
vOus feet of several young men served
as accompaniment, Mary E. Hayden
recited "The Relief of Lucknow :" the
selection was good one, but it was
rendered in such low tones as to mar
its effect Miss Hayden showed some
ability, however, at recitation. The
question, "Is the territory of the Uni
ted States too great for National Sta
biIity ?" was argued by F. o. Love
| litnu OF NORWICH III UIlt dlllTlndIlNe, anu
E. H. Ross in the negative. LOveland
thought experience had proved that
we have too large a territory to handle
safely, that the nation is gradually
growing unsteady, and that the old
ship of state is getting unseawOrthy.
Ross took brighter view of the ques-
ton, and saw no barrier to the stabili-
ty of our country. He had the advan-
tage of the Cast word,n in the argu-
ment, and said well what he had to say
The exercises closed with music. The
orchestra have materially improved,
and every selection they gave on this
occasion was enjoyed.
At the conclusion of the exhibition
an interview was held, which to those
who remained was very enjoyable-the
orchestra adding inspiration to this oc-
casiOn also.