Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-06-26
Z RECORD MATCH AT OAK GROVE RANCE,
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man sCHOOL COMMENCEMENT.
THE GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF

THE GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF
IS, GIVEN LAST FRIDAY EVENING CLASS
RECEPTION THE BAOCALAUREATE SERMON.
The High school graduates Of 1885 closed
their career a. a class in a veritable blaze OF
academic glory last Friday night; or, to speak
more exactly, they gave au exhibition which
was thoroughly excellent and enjoyable.
Probably greater number of people have
never been crowded into the town hall than
were present on this occasion. Many stood
in the Aisles and other vacant spaces during
the whole evening, while many others went
away, unable TO find even standing room.
The exercises opened with music by the
Philharmonic orchestra and prayer by Rev l.
McAnn. Rev. Mr.. Collins, following the us
ual custom, read the names and rank OF the
~ pupils, comprising every member Of the
senior class, who will pass from the Grammar
up into the High school at the beginning OF
the next school year.
Chas. H. Chase led the literary exercises
with q self possessed rendering OF V. L.
French's poem OF national peace and union,
The Palmetto and the Pine" and Chas. A.
Smith followed with The Atheist" by WIN.
Knox, which he detained impressively Miss
Addie Bailey's essay on dreaming and Do
ing" conceded the pleasures Of the youthful
occupation Of day dreaming, but the writer
realized how it units those who give them
selves up to it for the real work of life. The
first requisite for the young is a high, strong
purpose. For her own sex she urged that its
membe take their places among the active.
cheerful workers OF the world
Miss Izetta Stewart gave q recitation OF
Jean lngelow's High Tide on the Coast OF
Lincolnshire, which added to pleasing man
ner we'll trained voice and considerable dra-
matte power. Florence Elmer gave Bryant's
Forest Hymn" with earnestness and express
sion, and Chas. E. DoWner detained reve-
rent selection from Fenelon-"God the Gre
ator."
The tenth number on the program was a
bouquet OF original parts by nine young la
dies, who, undeE. the title, Persona Ma
turG, gave Rotations in symbolic costumes
describing and defending the place held by
each IN the economy Of nature. Miss Maud
Carpenter led the way with q suitable intro
ductlon, and those who followed, with their
several personAtions, we're Fire, Miss Kate
HOyt Sea, Miss Minnie Burchard Rain,
MisA Sarah Clark Ice, Mas Nellie Tucker /;
Snow, Miss Bertha Hines Mines, Miss Grace
Mansur; Flowers, Miss Matte Bemis; Har-
vost Miss Hattie ThAyer.
The next number was a discussion between
Will p. Devine and Harry Leavitt on the ques-
ton, (Which has the greater cause for nation
al pride, the American or the EnglishmAn z"
| Devine, taking the side Of America, pointed
TO the marvellous growth in wealth which our
| country has made, to its unrivalled natural
resources its hospitals for the sick aud un-
fortunate, TO its educational institutions, to
its literature and its leading writer's, to its
eminent statesmen and great generals, TO show
how, in all the essentials which make great
nation, America must be held superior to
England, while, over aud above all these. he
/ found the nhiaf uloru Of he -,
rivalled form of free government. Leavitt,
upholding the opposite side of the question,
started with the tEite proposition that Ameri-
ca owes her prosperity to her natural re-
sources, while England owes hers TO man and
his triumph over his surroundings. The real
test OF 4 country's greatness he found in the
contributions which its people have made TO
literature, TO science and the higher educa-
ton and in all these Great Britain has led
the world. Shakspere, Bacon, Milton and
| Newton stand unique in history. England 4
great universities, her graceful architecture,
her immense commerce and outlying posseas-
ions, were pointed out as undeniable proofs
| of the supremacy of the mother country. In
all but its form OF government, the speaker
said, Great Britain leads America, and II must
always be 80 by reason of her superior age.
Miss Bessie Newman, in her essay on
Caste, recognized the fact that in our mod.
ern life and in our own country there Is q ten
dency which corresponds closely to the caste
spirit which is the bSne of the masses in In
dia. Here a. there, its tendency Ia only
evil. Wealth and position have little TO do
with making the real man or woman The
question is not as 10 the place in the world or
the kind OF work the real test is the purity
OF life and fidelity Of purpose.
The next number was \ song by Miss Mary
Howe, Pretty Zingarella," Eith flute obliga-
to by Mr.. Messer. The song won warm an
planse from the audience, which was respond
cd to by Miss Howe with a very charming
Interpretation of The Last Rose of Sum
mer." Henry J. Cudworth gave for his dec
lamation quiet and earnest rendering of
shepherds Roll Call. Miss Matte Reed q
essay on Our Gifts" might we'll have taken
"NO6lesSe O6Iige' for its motto. The ESSAY
was very satisfactory development of the
theme, TO whom much is given, of him will
much be required" Not all have the same
gifts, and not all have great gifts. Ii ia
through energy and industry, through oour-
age and fortitude, that gifts, whether great or
small, are brought TO fruition. Individual
influence Is our greatest gift let il be used
for the noblest purposes Miss Abby Sta
ples's recitation was an apPreciAtive render
ing OF Mrs brownings Bertha in the Lane. "
! W. Il. Hubberda defamation of Mrs. Sig.
ourney's The Pilgrims" was a number OF
real excellence, dignihed and impressive
throughout.
Miss Ada Richardson's essay on our "Uu.
paid Professor, gave felioitous expression 10
the ways OF Nature with her eRrnt st pupils.
The ''Old Professors" lessons are always OBJ
lect lessons he teaches in tho open field, in
forest depths, by river and sea, beneath the
starry sky, and In busy hives OF industry.
where toiling millions find employment. His
pupils learn obedience aud submission; they
learn that only those who work with diligence
and walt with patience gain true insight OF
the teaoher's methods. From his school few
pupils graduate 1t is those who study long.
est and best who find the largest possibilities
| opening before them.
The delicate sentiment OF Aldrioh's poem,
The Face against the Pane" was given
graceful and earnest expression in Miss Emma
Dlckenson's recitation of that number.
Following this came OhAs. II. Thompson 3
yalodlotory. His theme was 1.-The Value of
Education" The essay in It's opening part
touched upon the disadvantages which those
yonng people suffer who are obliged, too oft
On through the folly OF thoughtless parents.
TO 90 out into the world without the eauip.
ment furnished by full course in our public
schools. Whatever his place or occupation in
! life, the trained thinker is the man Who sue