Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-06-12
Graduation Exercises at the Oastins Nor
NAL School.

Your correspondent had the profitable
pleasure Of attending the commencement ex-
ercises of the Normal School at Castine, on
Thursday Of last week. We feel certain
that il more Of the school officers and citi-
zens OF our county were present upon like
occasions. other states would not rob US Of
so many good teachers. The morning
dawned pleasantly on this grand, historic
town, with its old houses, old trees and old
legends. One can hardly see in the extreme
quiet Of its streets and the reserve of its
people, the indication Of its having once
been the, perhaps, busiest mart in the State.
unless the mansionlike houses with their
At "a. NJ, the large room Of the Normal
building was well filed with graduates. and
undergraduates and the many guests, gath
cred from all parts Of the state and even
beyond its borders. The teachers, trustees
and state officers were upon the plato. IN.
surrounded by many flowers and po,ted
plants. Some one displayed rare taste in
the selection and arrangement Of these; it
vas worth some trouble, to look upon these
gifts Of June in their glad array. Filling
one corner Of the room were the singers,
students Of the school. under the manage
ment Of Mr.. Potter. After prayer came
music by the choir. Somehow the song. the
prayer and the flowers seemed in excellent
keeping, and the chain did no, leave the
room for the day. Then came the final test,
the examination Of the class. BY State Su-
perintendent Luce. He prefaced his crucial
test by remarks setting forth the purpose Of
the examination. which was not 10 be Of the
studies taken, not test Of knowledge Of
subjects so much as of their professional
work. He held that as the physician, the
lawyer. the minister needed special instruc-
ton so the teacher needed like prepare
ton for his work. The ohjec, Of this school
was, in measure, at least. to impart that,
and he proposed to ascertain If they were
thus qualified. 4 more searching "qulz"
could hardly be thought out than tina, which
he gave. II seemed to the writer that both
questions and answers we're Of very high
order. Where the whole range Of work
was so well done, il NAV be hardly fair TO
offer criticism. but If we should offer any.
II would he that some answers, relating 10
metaphysics, were too certain, too absolute.
which at best could be bu, matters of opin-
ION. Good authority can certainly be found
10 support them but it is just as certain that
equal authority teaches differently. One
peculiar and interesting feature was the alb
sence Of correction. or criticism, on the part
Of examiner or teachers, this being left en-
tirely TO the class. II called out some ex
cclen, opinions Of chow to teach The grad
ua,ing parts which followed were timely ar
tieles, CAREFUL, written and listened to with
close attention. Ellsworth had need TO feel
proud Of her representative in the class,
Who gave the prophecy, a, least the writer
did. for the paper was one Of real merit.
We say nothing Of the close and the part
ings. those who have said gpoI-by under
like circumstances can bes, understand it
all. Nineteen received diplomas AMI went
forth to their mission. The school is doing
noble work. but Massachusetts, knows it bet
ter than Hancock county, The west better
than Maine. The following is tile pro
gramme Of the class exercises
sauistory, Jay 7. Perkins. Pcnobscot.
History. Martha /. Lucas. 81. Adams.
Music. solo and Quartettc.
Prophecy. Helen r. Taft. Ellsworth
valelictory. Fred \. Pitcher, Waldoboro.
Music. Glass ode by
Carrie " toan. Norihport
The following are the names OF the grad.
yates Walter J Bailey. West Corlnrh :;
lbri ii Chapman. Damari,coua Carrie VI.
Coan, Fast Northpnrt; Eta VI. Curritr
Coriuna; Clara II. hickey, Monroe Clara
\. Douglass. West Brooks,ille; Hattie +.
Clifford, Detroit; LynwooI F. Giles, Wa
than; Addie J. Herscv. Bath; Annie W
Hooper. Kockland; Martha T. Lucas. 81.
Adams Seymour H. Mathews. Camden /;
Roscoe ID Mckecn. SuanSille; JAY p Per
kins. Peaobscot Fred A. Pitcher. South
Waldoboro; Annie l.. Smith, Brownville +;
Thoma, II. Stevens. lincolnviIle : Helen F.
Taft, Ellsworth; Frank J. Taylor. South
HOPE GAP