Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-25
COMMENCEMENT.
The Graduating Exercises Of the Glass of
'"s2n Of the Sacramento Seminary.

The Graduating Exercises Of the Glass of
'"s2 Of the Sacramento Seminary.
The Sacramento Seminary is one of the
prominent educational institutions of the
State. It was founded by the late Hermon
Perry and his accomplished wife nearly
twenty years ago, the school being opened in
June, 1862 Since that date its growth has
been steady and constantly progressive.
From an humble beginning it has advanced
to the front rank among the educational
agencies of the Pacific slope. The Semin-
airy is intended to give young ladies
a practical education, beginning with them
as children in the primary grades, II need be,
and taking them through the academic and
finally graduating them in the collegiate
course. The course of study is modelled after
those of the most approved systems. and ths
discipline of the school in all these years
has been of the character that obtains in
a we'll ordered and peaceful home, where re-
graces of correct department charac-
terize the members Of the family. In
this city and throughout California the
school has been known as home,
where the pupils heart and head alike re-
ceive attention, and where the mental facul-
ties are cultivated with thoroughness, the
moral nature trained, and the accomplish
ments Of person and intellect are made a part
of the educational growth. The seminary
building is situate in nearly half block of
highly.culEivated grounds in one OF the most
desirable sections of the city. The structure
is very large and commodious building.
fitted with chapel, class, recitation, music
and other rooms, and the necessary
rooms, suites, dining-room, kitchen,
laundries, etc., of frst-class beard
ing school, where the pupils can have
many of the comforts Of the home ahd every
opportunity for physical comfort and develop
ment. A separate building is used for the
primary department. Over this institution
Mrs. Hermon Perry, the Principal, presides.
She has had a long experience as an educator,
and has drawn to her aid ths best results OF
the educational developments of the day. In
addition she exercises over the young ladies
that motherly supervision which has 30
largely given confidence to the people that
their daughters, when in this school, are sur
rounded with all gentle but firm and wise
protecting and beneficial influences. Mrs.
Perry has about her thoroughly competent
faculty, consisting Of Miss Carrie W. Roberts,
teacher Of mathematics and natural sciences
Mrs Z. G. Plummar, teacher of literature,
history and the English branches Miss
Maud NJ. Hall, teschtr Of the primary de-
partment Mile. Louise Louit, teacher of
French Miss Helen E. Reed, teacher of in
strumental music; Miss Minns Fleissner,
teacher of vocal music. Hereafter Miss Kate
V. Darling, formerly ateacher in the seminary,
and an educator of acknowledged ability, will
be connected with the Faculty as Associate
Principal. In addition to the regular studies
required by the course of the seminary, there
are collateral branches for culture in art, the
Languages. ETC., open to the choice of pupils.
Such is the institution which has drawn
forth this commendatory preface to an account
OF its commencement exercises for the class
of 80, which were held in the Assembly
Chamber last evening. The exceedingly spa.
cious room was filled by brilliant and repre-
sentative audience, showing how highly the
Seminary is regarded here. Even the long
stretch of gallery was crowded by inter
ested spectators. At the east end of the hall
a large stage was erected and completely COW
cred with green baizs. On this rostrum
were the seats for the Faculty, grand piano,
and two beautiful standing baskets Of flowers,
while in front of the center stood very large
and rich pyramid of lilies and evergreens.
At the back of the stage was an arrangement
of floral terraces, and above all, worked out
with rare flowers, the class motto, "Respice
Finem." The class. prior to its entry.
WAS T6DE6sGuL6u ny ". L5Wlbs -. M.
Campbell, A l.. Johnston, 1. Seymour, w.
Wood and w. Cothrip. who received and
seated the auditors. During the evening
Masters Willie Stalker, BERTHE Martin and
Charlie Consaul acted as pages, and were
kept busy in conveying to the front of the
stage the very many rich and beautiful floral
offerings sent to members of the class by ad-
miIing friends.
Commencement day is, to the graduate,
one Of the most important events of life,
while to her immediate friends it is of scarcely
less interest, if one is to Judge by the mani
festatioas of regard that are made on these
occasions. Measured by that standard, the
three lady graduates have reason to congrat-
ulate themselves on having many friends, and
on the warmth and depth of their regard. To
q march played by the Hussars' band from the
gallery, the faculty and pupils entered the
chamber, amidst hum of interest and
curiosity from the seven or eight hundred
people assembled. Rev. l. L. Dwinell Of
Tered an invocation for the blessing of God
upon all educational efforts, and upon the
exercises about to take place. Nineteen
members of the school then came upon the
platform, and led by Miss Fleissner ard ac-
compsnied by section of the orchestra,
sang the opening chorus, Might Shades are
Gone, Day is Begun" with good effect.
The first essay was by Miss Grace A.
Brownlee, and her subject was TUNES Go
by Turns" She said that waves Of prosper
ity and pleasure, or adversely and pain, chase
each other as do the breaking waters upon the
beach. Nature herself is the great prototype
Of the vicissitudes of human life. The chang
ing seagons, the coming of the dawn, tae
hight of noon, the settling of night, she took
as types of change in life. In our human in
stability we cannot expect to thwart the
ns.-sr, fgcfr he fr1ar iFaI,I
changes. We have much to fear, but also
much to hope. Consequences foreseen and
provided for, they may be disarmed, or even
converted into instruments of good. The
changes in life stimulate hope, regu-
late business, propose rest, reward la
Dor. As change is sure, it may
be prepared for. He is wise who foresees and
prepares. Faculties properly trained enable
us to see, think and use the best means suited
for protection. We cannot win with un-
trained forceg. Comprehensive views of
cause and effect are wisdom's views. The
trained senses of the mariner detects the
coming storm in time for preparation. Hepe
and fear are mental checks and restrain am
bition. None are so sure of success that they
could have no fear of the possible pitfall
Miss Carrie L. Warren then played piano
solo. selections from "Lucie de Lammer-
moor" which she gave with good taste and
in manner indicative of careful and correct
teaching.
Miss Mary G. Crossette read the next es-
say, her subject being Aims in Life" She
promised with an appreciation of the natural
surprise that school girl should have any
thoughts concerning aims in life, and briefly
defended her right to think of the future and
entertain and express her ideas ss to it. She
knew that though there are varying aspira-
tons, they all spring from the desire to secure
the greatest need of human happiness, or
from a sense of duty. Desire is the moving
power common to all. Without the desire
for happiness men would not toll and endure.
If pleasure is to be weighed against duty, the
choice should be for the latter. A sense of
duty is grand promoter Of action, but is it
quite adapted to the enlightened beings
Of the nineteenth century? Are the motives
that actuated heroes and martyrs sufficient to
incite US to follow their example? For
weaker mortals may not the desire for happi-
ness suffice? Why shouldn't conscience have
a vacation? The seeker after mere physical
pleasures heeds neither the voice of duty nor
of danger until it is too late. High aims are
indispensable TO every one if they would sue
coed, for those who have honor and SUCCESS
thrust upon them sre the small minority.
Those who achieve greatness are those who
have clearly defined purposes that demand
the exercise of all their energies and faculties.
The dauntless are only strengthened by oppo-
sition. He who is willing to endure is almost
always the one who wins.
Misses Crosstte and Warren then gave
piano duet, winning warm applause in the
"Overture to Mssanielo.'
Miss Brownie next took the rostrum and
recited the g Glass Prophesy," rhyming bit
of humor personal to the graduates and pur-
porting to forecast their respective destinies.
two numbers, Hungarian Dances and Z.
by Brshme, and Valse op. Ga, No. 2, by
Chopin. giving both effectively.
The last essay was by Miss Warren. her
topic being Conversation" which she de-
sctibed as an important medium through
which knowledge is received or conveyed. 1t
is the means for traffic in thought. In its