St. Paul daily globe., 1889-05-30
AT MANKATO.
The Exercises at the Second Nor
NAL Largely Attended.

MANKATo, May 29.-The graduating
exercises at the Second Normal school
occurred at the opera house in this city
this evening, commencing at 8 o'clock.
Governor Merriam and President Potter
were present, and the exercises were at
tended by a vast concOurse of the city's
best. After the Introductory exercises
the following programme of essays and
OratiOnS was carried out:
Miss Jessie L. Patch, of Slbley. Iowa,
had for her subject. 'BOokS as Com
panions." The subject was handled in
a practical manner, showing the writer
had read much and had decidedly good
ideas as to what to read. She said:
pictures, travel. music, books and
OF these books are the cheapest, and
most easily obtained. If we have not
companions we find substitutes in
books; if we make wise selections they
lead us to higher aspirations.
Books were made to rule the world.
Good books widen and broaden our
vision like telescope. We should seek
out the truth in books and not read
them for pleasure alone.
Under the caption s.Blue Stockings"
Miss Sophie M. Pendergast, Of Hutch
inson, gathered an array of facts that
made up creditable essay. The term
was first applied to literary women in
the time of Dr.. johnson. In our day it
is only applied to those women who
make vain display OF their literary
abilities.
Nine. de eStael was one of the promi-
nent ones; her influence was so great
that she was ordered out of the country
by Napoleon. She gave a new impulse
to French literature, and its later de-
velopment can be traced to her influ-
ence. In this country Harriet Beecher
Stowe has been held up as an example
of the danger incurred by giving too
much attention to literary pursuits; but
Mrs. Stowe is one Of the proudest names
of our history. The influence of the
Blue Stocking has been wholesome
Miss Alma G.. Hartman, of MankatO,
read a practical essay on industrial
Education for Girls" in which she ably
set forth the advantage to be gained
from the industrial training of girls.
Under the subject, Folklore Tales"
Miss Hattie A. Chandler, OF Litchfield.
showed that her reading has been ex-
tensive and that she knows how to
make it useful. The purpose of the
essay was to show that although our
land is in its infancy, there is abundant
material from which to weave these in
teresting tales.
A strong argument was presented by
G. w. Wagner, of New Richland, in his
Grafton on '.Why We Study Latin"
Benjamin McGregOr, in his Grafton on
1.-THE French Republic" gave an inter-
esting historical speech, which was well
delivered.
j. G. Miller, of MankatO. had for his
subject ''Artesian Wells," ably illus
trated by numerous drawings. In an
e ssay on the subject "Two Voyages"
Miss Ella Richardson, of Slayton, gave
an interesting comparison between
trip across the Atlantic and one across
the Pacific. Miss Mamie Pattee, of this
city, had an interesting and realistic
discussion ON the subject ''MOnks," fol-
lowing in vivid manner the history of
monaSticism from the dark ages to the
present civilization.
"WOmen in Education was treated
by Almira S. Beedle, of Howard Lake,
and clearly represented the great work
done by women in the educational field,
and the progress in educational systems
resulting from it.
The class graduated tonight is one of
the largest ever sent out from the
school. and one of unusual ability. The
opera house was crowded to its utmost
capacity and many were turned away
from the doors. The class numbered
fifty-two, and among the members are
representatives from all parts of the
state.