The record-union., 1892-07-30
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.
Closing Exercises at the Metropolitan
Theater Last Night.
Some Splendid Essays and Sensible
Compositions Given-Good Music
Distributing the Diplomas.


Distributing the Diplomas.
There was large and brilliant gather
ing at the Metropolitan Theater last even
ing to witness the graduating exercises of
the Sacramento High School.
The theater was handsomely fitted up
for the OCCASION. The galleries were richly
festooned with flowers and ferns, as were
also the boxes; and the stage was liter
ally beneath wealth OF exotics, palms,
ferns and handsome floral pieces. One
very large and handsome piece bore the
letters SO. f. S. F.,' signifying "Quisque
Jd6er Suo fortonoB," the class motto.
The curtain was rung up at S:15 O'Clock
and disclosed the graduates seated in
rows across the stage. The young ladies,
all dressed in white, occupied the front
seats, while the young men sat in the rear
chairs, Professor Pond, Principal of the
high school, and Rev. II. B. Hutchins sat
near the left entrance. The usual custom
of crowding the School Directors and at
taches of the department was dispensed
with, those individuals occupying the
private boxes and seats in the audito-
rum.
The dilapidated theater scenery some
what marred the picture; otherwise it was
q pretty spectacle.
The list of events being long little time
was lost in beginning, and dispatch
without hurry, characterized the carry
ing out of the programme.
Rev. Hutchins invoked the blessings
of the Almighty upon the assemblage
and particularly upon the young folks
who were about to be turned upon the
world to fight the battle of life for them
selves.
Miss Ella Klotz then delivered the
salutatory address. She made quite an
able argument for the higher branches of
education for women. The time had
passed, she said, when women were dis
couraged from taking college courses and
studying the professions This practice
had been cried down because the woman
would take the place of man. But it
was only fair competition. If a woman
does succeed in doing that it is proof that
she is qualified to do so.E
Miss Ella Gallup gave an essay on the
Discovery of the Individual" She
showed the advancement of the human
race in knowledge, science and civiliza-
ton through the generations, ending
with the present glorious century, in
which the discovery of the individual
was made.
The entire class sang ''The Dearest
Spot on Earth" after which Miss Mar
guer1te Kelly gave a charming essay
entitled Beyond the Alps Lies Italy.u
The young lady told first Of Hanniba's
famous conquest of Italy, of the wonder
ful dream he had which inspired
him. Of the days and days OF
weary waiting and successive combats
with barbarians until finally the peak OF
The Alps was reached and he saw with
joy before him the rich fields of Italy.
Similar to this was the experience of the
girl and boy on the march in quest Of
knowledge. The'march was a tiresome
one, and many obstacles beset their path
But the peak Of the Alps of ignorance
had now been reached and they saw be-
lore them the rich fields of Italy-the
fields of knowledge.
Next on the programme was a scientific
talk on electricity by Edgar A. Stickney
The young man had small dynamo
with him, and gave his hearers thorough
explanation OF how electricity Is gener-
ated with the device. The dynamo's
Office, he said, was to convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy. The office
OF the electric motor was just the reverse,
being to convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy. The motor is being
improved upon every day, and has be-
come very useful, more particularly in
propelling street cars. But the service is
only IN It's infancy, said the speaker, and
IN the next twenty years wonders would
be performed through its agency.
pleasing essay on women in History"
1t was an instructive and interesting re-
view of the achievements of those who be-
came known to fame. She told ofthe doings
of Joan of Arc, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth,
Catherine the Great and many others.
The young lady's speaking was distinct
and wholly devoid Of unpleasant gestures
and mouthingS.
Miss Ruby Merkley sang ssUna Voce
POGO ta," with piano accompaniment,
with charming effect. The young lady
possesses q sweet voice of remarkable
sclearness and purity, and it has been
well trained. She has confidence in her
self and sings with dash and vim that is
refreshing. Miss Merkley is a pupil of
Mime. Fries Bishop.
Next Miss Anna Fish gave an essay on
1.-The Rainbow She gave a scientific
theory first of the cause of rainbows, Civ
ing clear idea of how the light is re-
fracted and the colors produced, and then
she Intervene moral adroitly. 1t was a
good composition and was well received.
The Grafton, entitled Hydraulic Min
1ng," by Frank Z. Giffen, was given
with good and distinct enuncation. The
substance of the speakers views on the
subject was that the mines of the coast
contain immense treasure, which can and
should be unearthed to the injury of no
other industry or property, and that by
draullc mining should be prosecuted on
scientific principles by which the rivers
and channels should be protected from
debris.
The Grafton by Louise Johnson, entitled
1.-THE Fourth Centennial" showed very
careful preparation, and was very grace
fully delivered with good voice and bear
ing. At its close the young lady was
heartily applauded.
The Talk on Philosophy" by G..
Kirk Swingle, in which he produced a
modern camera and explained its differ
ent parts, from lens to tripod, was both
entertaining and instructive, and was de-
hyered in distinct tones and well.
The chorus, "Mermaids' Evening
Song" by the class. with Mr.. Kinross as
musical director and Miss Lizzie as ac-
colnpanist, was charmingly rendered,
and the several solos by young ladies' of
the class were well received. The num-
Der was very generally and heartily APP
plauded.
The essay, mater Loquitur." by Maud
Wilmington, was very Interestingly
given, and although the young lady's
voice was not strong enough for so large
an auditorium, her enumeration was so
distinct and clear that she was heard by
all. She was also the recipient of sim
cere applause.
The instrumental solo, 'Vi Rhapsodie
Hon9roise' Liszt). by Kittie Witten-
brock, was admirably executed, and was