Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-06-23

of the piano. The music throughout the
week has been excellent and the well-chOsen
and carefully prepared selections have
added much to the interest of the several
events.
The commencement dinner was eaten at
1 o'clock, the annual meeting of the trus-
tees was held at o clock, and with the
principals reception at 8 p. NJ. the COM
mencement week of 1898 became happy
memory of the past.
Notes Of the Years work.
A few salient points are to be noted as
characteristic of the years school work
and the progress made. Under a new sys-
TEN of grading, the industry and ambition
of the students has been greatly quick
ened. There are five grades-A to E-the
highest being an honor grade, those who
attain to this being excused from the final
examinations. Those who stand in grade
are graduated, but only those who attain
to b, the second grade, are given certif-
Gates for college entrance.
The work in military drill has been
more systematic and satisfactory than ever
before, thanks to the persistent and pains
taking work of Lieut.. Gatchell, who is sat
isfed with no attainment but the highest.
The work of the Academy in this depart
ment was warmly approved by Col. Hughes
of the regular army, who came from Gov
ernor's Island to make the routine inspec-
ton.
The importance of athletics as an estab-
lished feature of the Academy course is
fully recognized by the faculty, and regular
and systematic work in this direction is
encouraged, while at the same time the
"events" in base ball, foot ball and field
D la, nj lal
as not to interfere with class work.
The senior class of the present year have
accomplished more work than any pre-
vious one. Ten members of the class had
a record of 90 on the whole work of the
| course. The faculty have developed and
| strengthened the course in many ways.
| The school has become more widely and
| generally known than ever before as is
! shown by the volume and variety of the
letters of inquiry which are received.
The total number of students has been
! about 210.
The library of 5000 volumes has been
catalogued under the card or decimal sys-
tenn, and a fund of $1,000 has been ex-
pended for new books and apparatus. In
cluded in the new apparatus is stereopti-
con, with both oil and lime lights.
A new physical laboratory is to be fitted
up, with very complete appliances, for use
the coming year, releasing the present room
| for other necessary uses.
1t is regretted by all that the end of this
year marks also the end of the work OF
Miss Frances l.. Davis, for three years past
the accomplished and efficient lady princi-
pal. Her successor has not yet been an
nounced.
Prof. j. Q. Dealey, teacher of Latin and
Greek, also closes his connection with the
school, and goes to take a fellowship il
Brown university and engage in gradual,
work there. He will be succeeded by Chas
Z. Snow of West Swanzey, y. H., a grad
uate of Vermont Academy in 81, and o.
Boston university in 81. Mr.. Shows com
ing to the Academy is looked upon as a de
cided acquisition.
The two members of the official examn
ing committee, State Superintendent Ston,
of Montpelier and Prof. James of Middle
bury college, who visited the school il
March last, and again at the commence
ment, note in their report ian atmospher,
of hearty good fellowship, cordiality ant
confidence between the students and teach
ers. The moral tone of the school il
healthy, and so also is its social life. Tn,
life of the pupils, morally, intellectual,
and socially, is invigorating, and the disci
pline is such as to make the Academy
Christian home. The instruction was fount
to be thorough and modern, the teacher
are abreast with the times, and the course
of study are broad and liberal"
Work on the Academy farm, another re
cent acquisition, which is Gov. Fuller
special pride, has gone on prosperous.
during the year. The cultivated crops an,
fields of grass are now looking finely. !
herd of thoroughbred Holstein cows, a tlocl
of Shropshire sheep, and other choice stool
are being raised.