Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-22
THE OBSERVANCE IN RICHMOND.
Public omces Close and the Schools Have
Interesting Exercises.

Ohitfs NtorC NV 49,
Interesting Exercises.
Richmond celebrated the Columbian ami
yersary by taking holiday and going to the h4-
position. There was very little business done
except in a few OF the retail lines. The Federai,
State, and municipal ofhces, banks and IreighI
depots were closed the public schools only
opened an hour In the morning Tor appropriate
exercises, and there was more genera sus
pension Of business than Is usual on ordlnary
holidays. The streets in the lower portion oI the
city presented a deserted appearance atter
noon.
EXERCISES N THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Tho Columbus-Day exercises In the public
schools OF tho city were OF bignly-interestlng
charac cter. Early In the day the pupils were 10
be seen vending their way toward the scnoOi
buildings, and later on they went out 70 the tx,
position, in company with their parents anu
friends. The clouds began TO disappear ~
O'clock, and the attendance upon the exercises
was quito large. At all the district SCHOOLS me
prearranged programmes we're carried out win
success, greatly TO the pleasure OF all who were
present. Many Of the scnoOl-rooIns were oe-
oofated with flags and bunting.
The exercises at the High School were the best
in the history Of the institution, which has an en-
vable reputation for getting 40 such things.
Tho assembly-rOom was beau tltully dressed with
flags, &c, and presented q very attractive APP
penrance; when the pupils were all seated II
was a lovely scene. The stand was decorator
with bouquets OF flowers, which were presented
the exercises. The following mempers OF inc
board occupied seats: Hon. j. Taylor Ellyson
tchairman) Messrs. William Lovenetein, James
H. Capers, 4. Wiley Davis, Edwin ID. StarAe,
Joseph @. Dickerson, and Alex. B. Guigon, ana
William L. Fox, superintendent.
THE PROGRAMME.
Mr.. Julian Thomas. the efficient principal,
presided. and was ably aided by his corps OF
faithful teachers .
Roy Pace oponed the exercises by reading the
nff fha
States and was followed by Reginald walker,
VINO read Governor McKinneys proclamation.
Both OF these papers were read In a statesman
Ike manner.
Readings" containing much valuable iDforma-
tion concerning the discovery OF this contnent'
John Armistead, Roy Pace, Simon Block, Mon
trose Graham, Carter Weisiger, William VII.
sOn. Philip Croxton, and Anderson Smith reclted
In concert "Our Country " in good style. Lizzie
Duncan read "The voyage IN nnc style
Birdie Farrar recited In IN elegant manner,
"ColumbiaIs Banner" and Joseph Taylor denver
ed an address. entitled " The Meaning OF the
-Four Centuries, with such eloquonco and appro-
priateness OF gesture and powerful eject that
the audience were surprised and the applause
was prolonged.
ING that was Just charming and soul-stirring.
Mr. Ellyson made some brief remarks. higniy
compiiinenting the Principal and the teachers
and the scholars for their oiiGeney, ana Daae
ment at the EXpositioD-Grounds-
Mr. X. Edgar shine, member OF the Schooi
Board, visited Nicholson school 70 witness the
Columbus Day exercises, aud at the close ne
made a short but pleasant and encouraging
speech, bidding the teachers and pupils TO anti
ciuate the time when they will occupy the ne y
building and enjoy greater advantages than they
have ever yet done.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
AT Bellevue the assembly-rooms were beauti-
- Q flna m IL
dren fled in and the exercises commenced All
aid their part admirably. The acrostic on the
name OF " Columbus roctted oy eight little ones
dressed In red white, and blue WAS beautiiully
heraIded By the song, "Eed, White, and Blue
sung as q solo, the entire schocl Joining IN the
chorus. A large number Of visitors were present.
EXERCISES AT MONTE MARIA.
The day was appropriately celebrated at
Monte Maria Academy, where interesting exer-
cises were held In the afternoon. The nall,
which had been tastefully decorated, was crowd
cd with spectators.
Tho frontispiece OF the decoration was the
word america" IN red and white; Just behind
this was Columbus, In yariegated hues' while
% Ferdinand" and Isabella in red and white
roses. were conspicuous among the Stars and
Stripes that draped the walls and pillars
ABOUT nifty scholars took part IN the exercises.
The snowy dresses AID smiling faces oil the little
ones we're especially attractive and the children
were the recipients Of frequent applause. Miss
Annie Reddy reclted the opening poem, " Amer
lea" with more than ordinary skill, after which
the drama, "Ernsalin Han, was cleyerly acted
by Misses Dayiet CorbeIl, Mary Dorsey, Annie
Reddy, Florence Thorpe, Madeline PamPeli, aud
Lena Pierson. The ''Opening Address" was an
amusing farce, and Miss Emily Pampell was
iavishiy applauded for the manner IN which she
acquitted herself. Then came dialogue, some
excellent vocal and instrumental music, and the
EXERCISES closed with calisthenic exhibition by
about forty OF the pupils dressed IN the national
colors. ,,oo,
Tho memory Of Columbus was appropriately
honored by tins Colored High school. After the
doxology, short address, intoxicating patriot
ism, was well delivered by one OF the youths,
and several OF the girls read equally well short
biorraphy OF Columbus. The proceedings were
varied by patriotic songs, wen rendered, and by
short and instructive addresses oy Hon. William
Loyenstein Major Robert ID. Graham formerly
of North Carolina, but now OF Washington; Dr.
Read and DIR. Cooper. The closing address by
the latter gentleman was sprighty, ana lett lne
school in a pleasant frame OF mind
The principal OF the school, Ssptain bean a1
deserves much credit Tor the aamhapio conuf-
ton and diaciDl line of the school.