Evening star., 1885-06-06
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
THE NORMAL SCHOOu. GRADrATrS

THE NORMAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
Interesting Exercises at the COngrega.
fional Church-An Address by Prof.
Adams. Of Johns Hopkins University
"A Mysterious Ceremony that Fol-
lowed the commencement.
The class of 1885 Washington Normal school
graduated last night with all the eelat that
music, flowers, wit, learning, eioQnence and q
large assembly could give to such an event
The exercises took place at the Congregational
church, which was crowded with the friends Of
the graduates and friends Of the school gener-
ally. The platform, which had been enlarged,
was tastefully decorated with flowers. At the
back of it a large American flag was spread
The choir lott was occupied by an orchestra
directed by Prof Kaspar, which, during the
evening, rendered q number of selections in a
very artistic manner. At eight o'clock the
young ladies of the graduating class marched
out of the ante-room 4 at the. side of
tary precision to march played by
the orchestra. They took seats in
two rows Of chairs at the rear of the platform.
They were dressed uniformly in white. and the
group formed very attractive picture to the
young bachelors who Were sprinkled through
the audience In goodly numbers. Mr.. B. G..
!1oVe!oy, CHAIRMAN OF the school board commit
tee OF teachers. who presided; Miss Lucila Z.
Smith, principal af the Normal school; Superin-
CChuShC Tol. H. ID. ADAMS, OF johns hop
kins university; Prof A. Graham Bell, Rev. C..
G. Meador, Prof. Fred. II. Butterfeld, teacher of
vocal music, and Misses Edith NJ. Pitts and
Normal school, occupied seats on the platform.
school trustees Baum, Clark, Birney, eX-Trus-
Tee }; Nj. wilson, Supervising Principals Stew
art, cage, Janney and other gentlemen con-
nected with the schools, and many of the teach
ers were in the audience. District Commits
ct the side OF the church near the platform.
Rev. c; e: Meador offered an invocation. Che
young LADIES of the class sang, under the direc-
titled "The Swallow
MR.. LovEJOY REFERS TO MR. WILSON.
Mr. Lovejoy made a brief address, welcoming
the audience. He remarked that probably the
people OF the city had no idea a>how much the
board of school trustees depended upon them,
and leaned upon their moral support in a com.
munity which had not the right of seif-govern-
ment. The trustees had nothing to direct them
M ont the moral sentiment of the people, and it
for support. After referring to the sentiment
OF the age, in favor of the education of women,
ne SPOKE Oh the normal school as an institution
dedicated to the EDUCATION of women for the
great office for which il seemed God had pecu-
liarly fitted them. He expressed the hope that
the people of the city would always be the
Itlends ana patrons of the normal school. After
descending briefly the rise and rapid advance
ment OF the public schools here in late years, he
said: You owe all this more to one man than
70 any otner, and that man is to-day in a sick
bed In distant city. need not say that re-
Ter TO j. Ormond Wilson," This reference to the
Ia late s:uperlntendent was greeted with demon
stratiye applause.
Mr.. Lovejoy then introduced as the orator of
the evening
PROF. n. B. ADAMS,
OF J0hns hopkins university, who delivered
thoughtful and interesting address. His theme
was the study of history, and he gave many
valuable suggestions as to methods of making
hlstory q matter of live interest. During his
ADDRESS ne referred to women who have
acnleVed distinction in historical research and
writing, and the great bane in teaching history,
he SAID, was the excessive use of textbooks. He
condemned utterly the memorizing of what
stupid authors say about history, and not Civ
Ing the children chance to think about mis-
tory. He advised young ladies to make a study
OF the local histories their towns, to preserve
pecaliafitieS OF dialect, and make a record of
characters: Thus new life and interest could
bs infused into historical studies. After this
address the young ladies sang glee, commem-
orative of the House That Jack Built. and its
long train Of appendages.
CoNFERRING THE CERTIFICATES.
Prof. Bell was then introduced, and delivered
to the members of the class their certificates of
graduation. AS each young lady stepped for
ward to receive from Prof. Bells hand roll of
white paper, neatly fastened with a ribbon,
there was storm of applause The quarter of
the house in which the storm center was To-
cated, indicating very plainly where the young
adys particular friends We're seated. After
this ceremony, Prof. Bell spoke briefly. con-
graduating the young ladies upon the success
full termination of their long and ardent studies
and bidding them God speed in their work.
THE GRADUATES
were Misses Katharine Cecilia Babbington,
Sephora Louise Bettes, Alice May Clayton,
Lille Cohen, Mary Ann Theresa Connolly.
Marie Madeleine Devote, Emily Enthoffer.
Mary Florence Gordon, Emma Hanford, Rose
Eva Houston, Carrie Virginia Law, Mary
Frances Agnes Lynch, Margaret Van Rensre-
M laer Morgan, Elizabeth Morris, Alice Catharine
O'Donneil, Loue Pollock, Annie Lee Pumphrey.
Katie Robertson, Mary Jane Scrivener, Louise
Lansing Smith, Elizabeth Victoria Snowden,
Julia Hall Stickney, and Leila Ella White.
HOW THEY LEFT THE STAGE
This closed the formal exercises, but an inter-
esting scene followed. The young ladies were
on the stage, and to most minds the question OF
getting them Oft again in an impressive manner,
without an awkward pause, would be a yery
serious problem. This difficulty, however. was
solved In avery graceful manner. While the
orchestra was playing the last number on the
rayed In white appeared at the foot OF the steps.
Each carried Il basket OF flowers with a card
attached, indicating for whom it was intended
THESE young ladies marched upon the stage
Each captured a graduate, presented her with
the basket of flowers, and then, taking her arm
escorted her down from the platform. The young
ladies who thus extricated the graduates from
what at hrst sight appeared to be serious di-
lemma, were the members of the class of 1854.
They were Misses Magdalena c. Book. LYDIA
Dalton, Jennie Hodges, Clara WilIenbucher,
Bette Copenhaver. Ella NJ. Chase, Hanna A.
Brecht, Charlotte G. Dessez. Eliza c. Fawcett.
Sarah E. Simons, Beulah K. Parsons, Estel!a c.
Drane, Olive ID. Eastwood, Wiihelmina c.
May Jenkins. Mary {. Kelly, ida L. Myers.
Margaretta Mould Helen q. Nichols, Lena
SILVER, Susan b. Sipe, Fannie E. Towner and
Leila Il. Nowlin. According to custom which
was established several years ago the members
OF the class of the preceding year acted as a re-
ceptlon committee. The ushers for the even
sn6Goo nG %erf yponI r sen'emen n,u, from the High
lard, G. Boynton, w. Anderson, w. Woodward,
p. @. Smith, V. q. Hodges, w. s. Teel. ir. e.
Diebitsch and j. Watson.
MYSTERIOUS BANQUET
Not the least interesting incident attending
the commencement exercises was what oc-
Cured afterwards, when the audience had dis
persed. This incident, also was in keeping
win an annual custom. 1t was the Initiation Of
teachers. The members of the class of 1884
each escorted one of the trembling, white-robed
noVltlateS around the corner to the Temple
cafe where the solemn ceremonies were per
rites, which were there held. The eyes of the
assembly of staring young men, who hung
around the door, could see, however, as the
door was swung open and shut, a long table
flowers "They do not let any of us in," said
principal to STAR reporter awe do
not know what they do there when the reporter
suggested TO Miss Smith the wisdom of having
she said, awe drink nothing stronger
than and then closed the sentence with a
laugh, leaving 1t to the Imagination Of the lis
tener to fill up the blank. What mystic cere-
not disclose. 1t is said that in dedicating them
selves to the profession of teaching they took