Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-12

pupils were we'll drilled and showed that
their knowledge extended to practice, for
in questions foreign to the text book they
were able to give the treason why" OF
many phenomena. The classes in algebra
and arithmetic answered technicalites
with surprising readiness, the long and
difficult problems were quickly solved.
From mathematics to bOtany-in this
study the girls were very apt-and after
we'll defining terms they went to the
blackboard and, at dIctatiOn, drew various
kinds of leaves with wonderful skill and
rapidity. This recitation was too short
for the delighted audience, but classes in
rhetoric, geography and map drawing
awaited attention. and the young artists
were dismissed. In geography the pupils
were exceedingly well drilled, and in To-
eating places on the different maps seemed
equally at home in any country OF the
globe. The maps drawn in the presence
of the audience were very accurate, and
the neatness and deXterity showed tlat
the exhibition was a class, and not a show
exercise. In the spelling contest so many
remained standing that the class was
dismissed before either side could claim
the victory. The exercises were agreeably
varied by singing and select readings,
and when y o'clock announced the close
of the examination, the audience We'd in
laYishing praise upon pupils and teachers
for the very brilliant success of the morn
ing. The next evening, July 3, vet
larger assembly convened for the eXami-
nation of the a. collegiate and the
graduating classes. The young ladies
were encouraged by the presence of many
guests from Savannah, Macon and neigh
boring cities. \ number of gentlemen
attended, and Rt. Rev. Bishop Gross,
Fathers Balm and O'Brien hOnored the
occasion with their presence. After the
singing of a hymn both classes were well
tested as to their acquaintance with
church history. As soon as the guests
entered the school room, their attention
was attracted to the blackboard, beauti-
fully adorned with numerous botanical
illustrations Of the growth of plant life
from the termination to the fruit. The
drawings won universal admiration, and
their utility was evident when the botany
class were called upon to recite. The
pupils referred to them. and their an
swers We're thus more interesting and
pleasing to the visitors. The geology class
also showed their appreciation of eye cul-
ture, for. above the board were suspended
charts illustrating strata, veins, fossils,
etc. The figures were so perfect that per-
sons hardly credited that the work was
done in the school room.
The class in geometry were very expert,
and in long examination of thirty-twO
problems constructed figures and gave
lucid demonstrations.
In English literature, the long answers
were given in so charming a manner that
it seemed as if the audience were listen
ing to select readings instead of class
recitation. The graduates next distin-
guished themselves by their excellent eX-
animation in trigOnOmetry. Their ability
to work examples was tested by the
Bishop himself selecting and giving the
problems. class in general knowledge
proved most interesting, and the miscel-
laneOus questions and answers were very
entertaining. A large table, covered with
chemicals and apparatus, was then
moved in the centre of the school
room and the chemistry class proceeded
to illustrate by experiment the eXplana-
tiOns of their text book The young la
dies showed great deXterity in handling
test tubes and acids, in the preparation
of gases, etc. The audience was delighted,
and enjoyed the experiments of the young
chemists. The audience expressed them
selves more than pleased, and the praise
gained repaid the pupils for continued
application and diligent study. The
gentlemen were enthusiastic over the
wonderful success of the examinations,
and repeatedly affirmed their assertions
of having never before seen one so excel
lent and satisfactory.
The success of the examinations seemed
but prelude to the commencement, and
the evening of July 4th FlOyd's Opera
House was thronged with an eXpectant
and select audience. The curtain arose
at SOclock and to the music of Germans
Triumphal March, the young ladies came
upon the stage. They charmingly moved
through the graceful figures of an intri-
cate march and the movements Of the
evergreen wreaths were in harmony with
designs formed on the stage. The chorus,
''Sweet is the Dream" was well rendered,
and as soon as the song ended, Miss Mary
ToOmey advanced and read an essay en-
titled ''Triumphs.' Her subject referred
to triumphs of Rome and the triumphs of
the day of graduation; and in reference to
the gala day of a school girls life, she
took occasion to welcome the Bishop, rev.
erend clergy and friends. Then followed
the quartette "Picnic Polka" by Misses
j. Gaudry, NJ. Keogh, L. Williams and
NJ. Cooper; Piano sOlO-"Grand Caprice
Hongroise''-by Miss g. O'DonOghue.
The drama of Cinderella, presented for
the sake of the little ones, seemed equally
enjoyable to children of larger growth,
perchance recalling pleasant days when
they, too, believed in glass slippers and
kind fairy godmOthers. The piano solo,
"Spinnlied,'' of Miss NJ. Harry, was artis-
tically performed and merited the pro-
longed applause of the audience. The
ballad, ''Maid of Dundee" was beauti-
fully sung by Miss Julie Gaudry, and the
young lady received enthusiastic demon
STATIONS of admiration.
The quartette, ''La Balladine," was well
performed by Misses NJ. Mullarky, G.
ODOnOghue, NJ TOOmey and NJ. CrOake.
Also the piano solo, BLEEDING Heart" by
Miss A. Daley. Miss NJ. Malloy then read
her essay on tsHobbies and Their Riders"
in a loud and distinct voice. The subject
was well chosen and nicely treated. The
illustrated ballad ssThe MistletOe BOugh,"
was the gem of the even, TOR while Miss
NJ. Harry feelingly sang the ballad, the
scene was enacted by elegantly attired
performers. The choruses, "Ave Maria"
and ''Spring Song" were well sung by the
school, and the trio, Coming STEP" by
Misses NJ. Teomey, L. Morgan and Mary
Smith, and quartette, ''Natalien WaltZes,"
by Misses NJ. Harry, n. Ruddell, h. Elan
merry and n. GaSsman, were equally well
executed. The ballad "Pass Us l'Ot By"
was well sung by Mamie Philpot. Miss
NJ. CrOaek's piano solo, ''Nearer My God
to Thee" was very favorably received.
Also the vocal duet, "Cheeriulness," by
Misses NJ. Harty and A. Mclaughlin.
The essay of Miss NJ. Harry on 'The No
bility of Life" was listened to with wrapt
attention, and the sublimity of the COM
position together with the charming enun-
citation of the reader, held the hearers
captive to the end. To have an audience
listen so attentively to a school girls es-
say was ample proof of its merit and true
worth. This essay and that OF Miss
NJ. O'Connor won the honors of the COM
mencement. The subject of the latter
young lady, "Dux Femina Facti," was
one that enabled her to well defend the
sEsWeet girl graduate" against the criti-
cisms that attend the eventful day of
graduation. Her essay was admirably
written, sprightly and appropriate in the
hits of the day. She well defended the
cause of higher education for the ''gentler
SEX" and. in so doing, exposed the follies,
ETC., of the cords of creation" She was
repeatedly interrupted by rounds of APP
plause, and given many proofs of genuine
admiration for so ably replying to the
many attacks made upon the "sweet
girl graduates" Her valedictory was
very fine. Her address to Right Rev.
Bishop Gross and Father 0Brien was