The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-06-25
Washington County Grammar and
Montpelier Union Schools.
GRADUATING EXERCISES.

The Washington County Grammar School
celebrated its seventy-seventh anniversary
Friday evening, June %, at the Blanchard
Opera-house, by graduating the largest class
that has completed the full course of school
studies for several years. According to
custom, the citizens manifested their public
interest in the schools and its graduating
class by filling every available seat in the
house and testified to their approval of the
unusually meritorious exercises by their
close attention and liberal applause. 1t
had been impossible, owing to the late in
terruptions in school work, to prepare a
programme of school singing, but its alb
sence was supplied by pleasing orchestral
selections OF great merit, charmingly rem
dered by the Montpelier orchestra, under
the guidance of Professor White The
stage at either end was refreshingly deco
rated with ferns of the woods. The chairs
upon it were arranged after the fashion of
an angle, having its apex at the rear and
center, device that proved productive of a
pleasing effect. Upon the stage sat the
principal Xenophon c. Wheeler, Colonel
Joel II. Lucia, chairman of the board, and
Members I. G. Phinney and NJ f.. Smile,
while the Rev. G.. W. Gallagher alone rep
resented the board of trustees.
The following is list of the graduates of
go, together with the courses of study
which they severally pursued Classical
course-Emma Leslie Wells, Sadie Forbush
Wing. Latin scientific course-Perey Will
lard Holden, Walter Cutting Washburn.
Latin English course Laura Livingston
Ropes. English scientific course-Lewis
Jackson Hathaway.
Promptly at S;l5 P, NJ, Principal Wheeler
introduced the exercises, which were rem
dered in the following order: Prayer Rev.
G. w. Gallagher; overture from Coca
sional, r. Gruenwald, orchestral Grafton,
" The Modern Columbus, Perley w.
Holden essay, The Man in the Moon"
Laura l.. Ropes; " Dolce for Niente," q. A.
Dilbruck, orchestra; Grafton, " The England
OF To-Day" Lewis j. Hathaway; essay,
" Beacon Lights" Sadie Il. Wing; selection
from " Orpheus," Offenbach, orchestra;
GRAFTON, Success and its Achievements, "
Walter .. Washburn; essay, with valedic-
tory, What Does Graduation Mean?'
Emma l.. Wells address to graduating
class, member of board; presentation OF
diplomas; Midnight Polka Ofeubach, or
chestra; benediction.
The Grafton of Perley w Holden de.
scribed with force the rise, progress and
discoveries of African Stanley Miss Ropes
essay was most commendable, not only for
the charm Of her reading, but more espe-
cially for the bright line Of imagery and
sparkling humor that pervaded the sketch
Lewis j. Hathaway pointed out the famous
mle-stones in English history and define
ated the foundations upon which the Brit
Ish character and government are builded
The speaker emphasized the influence o.
culture, character and learning upon Eng
fish achievements and suggested that these
elements largely pervaded the civilization
Of America, which might with Justice share
IN the glory of their common history, The
essay of Miss Wing proved a careful review
Of the teachings of a few of the greatest
philosophers, poets, orators and statesmen
Her reading and careful enuncation added
greatly to the evident care with which hel
biographical sketches had been prepared
Walter G. Washburn discussed the elements
OF a successful career. A knowledge o
details, an acquaintance with the ap
proaches to the hearts of men, a power o
will, integrity, earnestness, enthusiasm
and courage, these he thought, coupled will
increasing activity would insure success
And all his points were made with sucl
force OF expression, AID 80 illustrated b,