Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-09

ght lights never illumined q pret-
:Hcene, nor disclosed an audience
Jtaining more animated interest
" was presented at the Opera House
hight week. The temperature lentits
jorting coolness to the occasion, and
house was filed in every quarter.
Re was an overflow beyond the seat
lcapacity of the auditorium that
n every nook of the spacious house
knany people were unable to gain
gssion. II was the peoples night
1.-THE vast assemblage gathered to
Jess the 18th annual commencement
fcises of the high school. The audi
J was a representative Wilmington
( tering. II represented the people
hold the interests of our public
lols and public institutions in high
tm, and those interested in the
ing graduates who were awarded
Tomas at the hands of the Board Of
Vic Education.
was likewise a picturesque assem-
se, a kaleidoscope Of brilliant colors
gaudy hues, such as dame fashion
| within the province of woman
h's attire. The odor of fragrant
fers filled the air, and the exquisite
brs Of the bright blossoms banked the
he. The national emblems conspicu
by displayed lent a dash of patriotic
br to the festal night.
lhe happy young students who have
finished their course numbered 80
Iswelled the grand total Of young
and women possessing high school
lomas to 206. They were seated in
semicircular rows across the front
of the stage, and before them were
tyed flowers and parcels-a huge
ticade of congratulatory offerings.
,sident Baird was seated in the centre
these two lines Of joyous boys and
Is with the speaker of the evening,
lRev. j. S. Willis of Milford, the
btt orator. Principal Berlin was
Ny and smiling at his showing
pupils and Principal Mary Miller,
ed in a proscenium box, likewise
bwed the exercises with the salts
hon and pride that work well done
hys bring. DIR. Shortlidge was
ling and exuberant, as much so as
1e had come out Of the mayoralty
&e, winner. S. II. Baynard, his COM
Nor, likewise showed no signs Of the
lsifing political battle from which he
ssjust emerged ANDY lent his sunny
ssence to the occW on. Mr.. Farra,
ID has just steppey down and out of
iuhcil's executive chair, gave no hint
The vain contest he had participated
All shared the enjoyment of the
ing students. Members of the school
ud and other prominent citizens en-
ed from the stage the exercises,
ich were interesting to the close, the
jgramme being so arranged as to dis
any idea or feeling of monotony.
An orchestra impaired musical har-
ony to the exercises by the rendition
pretty selections from "Nadjy,"
oor Jonathan" with appropriate
hles, "'rhe Hour Of Parting and "fo
tE'ield Of Honor"
he Rev. John Y. Dobbins, d. D., the
plarly pastor of Grace NJ. Il. Church
oked blessing with which the exer-
Is were formally prefaced. Miss Ida
Mask, read her very thoughtful essay
B"Unnoticed Heroes" and w. J.
itland delivered himself very ably
TN the "Social Aspect Of Foreign I'm
.eration." Mary Il, Lindsay, read hel
Say on "Ye Sylphs and Sylphids' q
nper showing considerable studious
Re and intelligent research. "rht
pty of the Hour" was very capably
Gated i'll an essay by Arthur e
eaeock.
Che presentation of the several prizes
~ feature Of much enjoyment
. Ndley Q. Kent, president of the VII
lington Institute, presented three
Nsung lads and as many lasses, now
N,iors, with the prizes offered by thu
,titute for the best years average
lie awards were to Messrs. George W
Forrest, Charles johnson, Ray Field
.sses Jean Arnott, Mary Dannenberg
Eizzie Flemming, high school students
The alumni prize for general excel
Ency in scholarship was awarded
truman Campbell. DR.. w. G. Pierce
resident of the Alumni Association
aade the presentation address, and de
lvered himself impresslvely and eifec
lively. He welcomed cordially thu
.oung graduates to the ranks of thu
humni, and cited for their emulation
he brilliant careers of some graduate
Who had come from the school befor,
hem, notably Charles Reynolds, nov
deceased, and William G., Tawresey
hose scholarly attainments have woi
Nm conspicuous distinction in the mos
hyqnced school in the world. DIR
erce's address was as eloquent as i
Ms earnest, and rich in good advice a
lwas impressive--a most happy effort
Mrs. Margaret Carpenter Smith, presi
Int of the High School Alumne, pre-
Iented the prize offered by the associa
ion for the best student in grammar t
Miss Emma Cornell. Mrs. Smith
,.ief address was especially happy
Only as mark of encouragement no
Is o reward did the association presen
he token. She impressed upon tn
lonored pupil the value of grammar
If words-and expressed the hope tina
jhe would continue in her perseverini
pursuit of knowledge.
George W. Roberts made the pre-
of the second honor prize
offered by the Morning Nelcs for tn
highest scholarship for the senior yeal
One went to Miss Mary Il. Lindsay o
he February class and the other t
George Rommell of the June class. MI
Roberts, in his presentation, dwell
mainly and eloquently upon the mis-
sion of the public schools, and held tina
10 increase the standard of our citizen
ship were their chief and direct aims.
Prof. A. II. Berlin, principal Of til
boys high school, presented the frs
honor prizes given by the Board O
Public Education for the highest averag
Tor the three years course. The pupil
who were the recipients of this higl
honor at the hands of the board wer
Miss Harriet L. Whitford and Will