San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-06-10
Science Hall Home Institute CON-
mencement Exercises.

The commencement exercises Of thi
school began on Tuesday June lst The
annual sermon was delivered on Sunda,
May Goth, by DIR. John +. Hillyer. 1t wal
very effective aud abounded in beautiful
sentiments pertaining to that Home of bliss
and happiness. The examination com
menced on Tuesday, which was devoted
mostly to primary classes. The main fea
ture in this days exercises was the spelling
match between the pupils of the primar,
classes. Wednesday opened with Mrs
Andrews arithmetic class which manifested
training and hard application on tho stud
ents' part.
DIR. Hillyer's oral algebra class was ex
amined next, which TO say the least did
we'll.
The grammar class which was under the
training of Mrs. Andsews, exhibited clcai
knowledge of that useful study l think
could safely say that Mrs Andrews hasn't a
superior in the State i'll that department Of
mental culture.
Il WV
who finished the system of oral arithmetic
under DR.. H., about three months ago, and
who have been training classes i'll that
method since that time brought their classes
up for examination and almost verified tho
assertion THAT it is lightning method"
The university arithmetic, political geo.
graphy and algebra classes were the remain
ing class examined on this day.
Thursdays programme began with the
physical geography class, which evinced
thorough training in that branch of science,
DIR. Hillyer's oral arithmetic, Latin Caesar,
were the rest of the classes examined in the
forenoon, both classes did credit to them
selves and to their teacher. The first class
in the afternoon was the philosophy class,
although not having reviewed that study
for several months there was not ques-
ton missed among them.
The spelling battle was ext.called, which
could not be finished on account of time,
The last thing on the programme for this
day was debate: Resolved, That the
United States, as nation, owes more to
England than to France" Messrs. Ollie
Cole and A. Stanley Affirmative, and Messrs.
w. B. King and Samuel Jones negative.
After closely weighing the argument on
both sides the judges said that they guessed
at it and guessed the negative side beat.
Their speeches on both sides were excep-
tional for schoolboys. On Friday the ge-
ometry, algebra, bourbon and rhetoric
classes were examined, which gave satisfac-
ton to all who heard them. Friday after
moons exercises closed with debate: RE
solved, That the diversity of individual
character is owing more to physical than to
moral causes" Mr.. Gus Andrews atfirma-
tive, and Mr.. Frank Stanley negative. After
q heated discussion the Judges gave the de-
cision to the negative. The concerts given
on Thursday and Friday nights were of the
highest order. The Rotations and decla
nations were of the best selections.
The exercises on Thursday night opened
with salulatory address by Miss Emma
Routh, a member of the alethiah society.
1t was rendered we'll and gained the ap-
pause of all whose good fortune it was to
hear it. After this followed declamations,
recitations and music, which was listened
to by an attentive audience. Their elocu-
ton was good for the time in which they
have been trained.
The exercises of Friday night opened
with song followed by well-timed salu-
tatory Grafton from Mr.. Frank Stanley. His
subject was, "Let there be Light" Them
came deelamations and Rotations from the
members of the senior classes, interspersed
with music, which manifested q high order
of training in that enchanting art.
The farewell address to the Royal Literary
Society was delivered by Mr.. A. Burleson.
1t abounded in pathetic sentiments and ap-
propriate advice.
Mr.. Guy Andrews delivered well COM
posed Grafton on the subject of 'Intemper-
ance" Mr.. ]. A. Parmele also exhibited
fine oratorical powers in his Grafton on
Foreign Emigration.
The exercises of the evening closed with
farewell address from Mr.. ]. W. Cloud on
the subject 1T is Finished" 1t was re-
plete with beautiful thoughts which that
sublime subject implies.
There was prize offered for the best
declsimer among the young men and also
one for the best elocutionist among the
young ladies'. Several were excluded who
drew for the prizes last Christmas. Messrs-
Cloud and Rurleson we're the fortunate ones
among the young men, but having to draw
for the prize Mr. Cloud was the lucky one.
Misses Alma Miller. Monte Dudley, Mary
Thompson, Ella Everett, Laura Williams,
and others whom I cannot mention were
the successful ones among the young ladies'.
DIR. Hillyer made an appropriate talk
after the exercises we're over, expressing
his heartfelt thanks to pupils and teachers
for their kindness towards him in the past
session.
The school will commence again the first
Monday in September. I.