The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-06-19
BENNINGroN GRADED SCHOOLS.
TIE Exercises OF Commencement
Week - Graduation Exercises To-

III The Exercises of Commenccme n
Week - Graduation Exercises To
l. Night.
IS That Bennington has good reason t
"a be proud of her Graded schools one nee
not doubt after an impartial inspectio
+ of the work, and attention upon thi
C weeks exercises. This report bcin
c that of comparative stranger, may b
" regarded as an unbiased opinion base,
SIMPLY ON the merits of the work. Ger
: tainly from the prize speaking Wednes
S day evening clear up to this FRIDAY
: noon the writer can say with perfec
. confidence that never before has it beer
q Misfortune to witness such uniformly
9 excellent work in Graded school Prof
Y A. l.. Perry of William stown, whose
name alone is sufficient, remarked in
speaking of the prize declamations: "ThC
r speaking was excellent, fully equal to
any institution l was ever in, and the
whole school credit to the town. ~
7 Other prominent men have spoken as
confidently. In the present state of our
J national affairs, with vice and ignorance
= pouring in upon us, Bennington village
? should be proud of her schools, proud of
the advantages provided for her teach
, ers, proud of the advancement her pu-
, pills are making, and with one accord
!: should turn in and support it, resolving
that its glories shall never be less than
now.
First in the order of the week came
, the public oral examinations on Monday
and Tuesday. These, in every instance,
3 spoke well for the excellence of the
methods and instruction.
PRIZE-sPEAKING CONTEST.
On Wednesday evening the hall was
even full with representative audience,
gathered to hear the favorite speakers
n their contest for the prizes offered.
Mention of these will be brief, princi-
pally because the pen can but lily por-
tray the merits of the occasion, Miss
with a selection entitled 1.-The Widows
Light" Her impersonation of the song
borne from a distance, was very realis-
tic, as the silence in the room during its
rendition gave evidence. Charles Ben
nett followed with "The Little Regi-
ment," stirring selection from the
Ne,C England Magazine. Mr.. Benefits
voice and manner are well adapted to
this style and his efforts merited the
hearty applause which greeted him.
Miss Audria Bowen recited a descriptive
poem, from the pen of Prof. Davis, "a
Legend of the Suwannee," a powerful
reminder of slave times, the old song
''Swanee River being also introduced
Miss Alice GibsOn's recitation, "LOok-
out Mountain" was another reminder of
war times, and barring the fact that it
was rather beyond the range of her voice
was well done. 1.-THE Power of Name
was short, crisp and well rendered by
Ellis L. Goodall. 1.-THE Death. bed of
Arnold" which was next, is thrilling
pen-picture of the death of one of the
most noted characters in modern his
tory; and when coupled with the ev-
ident ability of Clarence Niles, the re-
suit could be only the intense interest
and appreciation OF the auditors. NJ.
| Quad's humorous description of the mis-
fortunes of an elderly couple on 1.-THE
| Wrong Train" was vivaciously given by
Miss Bertha Jewett, who kept the in
terest untlagging throughout The
words of Wendell Phillips, the "silver-
tongued," if ever mortal man was, will
forever awaken thrill in the heart of
the reader, even il his remarks bear al
ways the burden of his lifelong hatred
of human slavery. "Toussaint Lover
ture," that burst of eloquence eulogiz-
ling-only negro, was the selection
chosen by John r. Seymour for his
part of the evenings contest. His man
ner was deliberate and his gestures were
quite expressive. The rollicking sar-
casm of Will Carleton's poem, "Our Wis
itOrs," while apparent to all, can be best
appreciated by those who during their
| lives have taught Or attended the old
"Deestrict Skewl." 1t is an old selec-
ton, quite a favorite. 1t was spoken
with considerable spirit by Miss Daisy
Morse. The literature of slavery times
is replete with gems for Evolutionary eff
forts, and 1.-THE Slave of Boston" is by
no means the least of these, as the name
of its author, Theodore Parker, would
assure. Lyman Toombs' manner was
very eloquent and he displayed much
ability. Miss Melissa Morse gave "Her
Letter." one of Bret Harris h nest,
bluntly-expressed writings. The recita-
ton was very artistic. Thomas J. Ven
able held the attention of the audience
closely to Prentice's portrayal of the hor-
rOrs of the famine in Ireland. Miss Mel
lie Patchen entered well into the spirit
of 'Budge's Story of the Flood from
'Helen's Babies" which is remembered
by almost everybody. As a relaxation
from the heavier portions of the exer-
cises it was enjoyed very much. The
two remaining selections were Look
out Mountain" by Wills White, and ''The
Polish Boy" by Miss Hattie Wilcox.
Both were eXcellently given, in fact, so
much so that many EXPLANATIONS in re-
gard to "the prize" were heard buzzing
through the air. Mr.. White has a good
voice, a fine delivery and an oratorical
manner which ought to bring him dan
gerously near to one of the prizes. That
Miss Wilcox should attempt so difficult
and Oft-used selection rs "The Polish
Boy" displayed both confidence and
ability.
Altogether our people are indebted to
these young folks and their instructors
for a decided treat, and will doubtless
demand further qualification of their
desires in this direction.
At the beginning Prof. Davis requested
that no applause be given on the appear
ance of the speakers-a sensible idea
and at the close gave the audience de-
served compliment for their respectful
attention during the exercises.
This was double contest the gentle
me and ladies being separately eligible
to prizes. The judges were Prof A. L.
Perry of Williamstown, Mass; Messrs.
Seymour Van Santvoord of Troy, N. Y,
and l.. p. Norton of Bennington, whose
decisions will be announced after to-
nights exercises.
PRIMARY SPEAKING.
The hall was again filed on Thursday
afternoon, for the music and primary
speaking. A lengthy and interesting
programme was rendered, consisting of
Rotations by pupils of various grades,
music by the school orchestra and school
children, and number of solos, both
vocal and instrumental. 1t is impossible
to make particular mention where the
exercises were all of such excellent char
acter.
FRIDAYS PROGRAMME.
During this afternoon the rooms have
all been well attended, exercises by the
children being given in each department.
The young people have all done excellent
work and their efforts met with hearty
commentator from all their hearers.
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