Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-18
HlGH-SCH00L lI0N0RS
Tic Commencement at the Academy
Last Night q Brilliant Affair.
En-. YOUNG on sELF-MADE MEN.
This Gifted Orator Gives the Gradu-
atrs Some Wholesome Advice ON
Which to Rcdcct-Excrciscs by the
PupiIs-McdnIs Awarded.


which he opened the exercises OF the
twenty-lrst annual commencement of the
Richmond High Schoo, at the Academy
last night. as to the picturesque aspect
both OF the auditorium and of the stage,
was apt and OF good credit.
Every seat and every available inch OF
standing room was occupied and in point
Of PERSONAL, as I'm point Of numbers, the
audience was. admittedly. one OF the most
distinguished that has ever gathered at
the commencement exercises Of the High
School. In front Of the proscenium arch
the scene was an unusually brilliant one.
An undulating sea of color. afforded by
the varied hues Of dainty summer
dresses-which seemed as II they had been
disposed with special view 10 effective
ness and brilliance-wer lishtfuly con-
trasted. and were brought into happy re-
lief bv the more sombre hues OF the
male attire The orchestra stalls and part
OF the orchestra circle were reserved for
the pupils of the school. the girls. dressed
in dainty white dresses-while many OF
them wore blue s.ishes and ribbOns-add-
INK in NO small degree to the attractive
ness Of the scene. The two staSe-boAes
were considerably enlarged for the occa-
sion. that on the right beng occupied
by the members OF the School Board
and the members OF the Council Com
mittee on Schools. with their wives and
daughters. and the left box by Governor
O'Ferrall and Mayor Taylor. with their
families
The front Of the stage was completely
covered with large baskets Of flowers, ana
with a colossal pyramid formed Of mon
ster bouquets at the back OF the stage
added in no small degree TO the beauty
of the scene. Each graduate at the
closing OF the exercises was presented
with one Of these handsome floral tributes.
The stage was occupied by the Seniors
and intermediate \. and 2
WELL EXECUTED PROGRAMME.
The programme arranged for the .occa-
sion was attractive. well diversified, AM
uniformly well rendered; it, many h'e-
rary features. dis laying married ahilitN'
benS admirably supplemented by the eS'
cellence Of It's musical and dramatic eie-
menis. The pupils filed into their places
to the stirring strains OF Sousas WASH
ington-POst March. played win admlfa-
bic effect by the Richmond i.iSnt IN
fantry Blues Band.
After d brief opening, addresses by Mt
Thomas in which he extended hearty
welcome 10 the audience. the first item
on the programme WAS furnished by
Miss Mary Neaie. who read an able
and comprehensive essay on Character
Building" The subject was handled with
cOnsummate skill. was well expressed
anu deliver IN a clear, concise style.
The essay dealt with the formation Of
character. its essential elements, which
Miss Neale stated were patience. tenn
perance. purity, humility. and moral cour-
age. and finally love for ones enemies;
ana closed with some excellent precepts.
4 vocal septette was the next number,
and The Southern Serenade" was de-
liehtfully given by Misses Marcie Chap
nel. Alma Atkinson. Virginia Tai
bott. Delle Ogilvie. and Messrs. Thomas
end Herbert McCaull and Edwin
Bosher
Miss Mamie Morrissettc read humor-
Gus essay on the Experiences of An
inexperienced Cook" which derived a
special significance from the fact that she
is medallist Of the cookery school. a
feature which has but lately been added
TO the list OF studies. The essay was
remarkably bright and witty. and scintl-
lated throughout with brilliant cpl
gram.
SONG OF THE CAMP.
"The sour OF the Camp" recitation
by Robert Godsey, with the old Scotch
ballad, Annie Laurie" sung pianissimo
as refrain by Edwin Bosher, James
McRain. Howard Wooinn. Thomas Nc
Caul and Herbert McCaul. was a eifec-
tive as II was pretty.
Miss Marcie Chappell and Virginia Tai
boft. both of whom possess very sweet,
clear. and pleasing voices received an
enthusiastic encore Tor their delightful
rendering OF the duet. beautiful Moon
light" only Private" patriotic
poem. was recitei in unison with conside-
re- ble effect by Misses Grace Hin. Nellie
Spence. Josie cohen Rose Bauer. Alberta
Parkinson. Marie Johnston, Peachy Shell.
Rohina Whitlock, Resale Pettis, Mary,
Neale. and Kate Hundley
a large mixed chorus contributed Men
of Harlech." which they gave with con-
siderable effect. and with volume OF
tore that was hirhly credtabe. The last
item on the programme was a negro dia-
lect recital by Master John Eggleston.
who displays a remarkable degree OF
talent in this direction. He rected
Uncle Rcmus's Church Experience"
with cap.taI Evolutionary effect dId
graphic gestures and received quite an
ovation.
ADDRESS BY DR.. YOUNG.
The Rev.W. j. Young, ID. d. delivered
the annual address lie spoke briefly.
but to the point. ard his Grafton was
marked throughout with brilliant touches
and forceful logic. lie said:
you have heard. and Will often hear
again. even in this late day some man say
Of himself or Of some one else, that he
IS OF was a self-made man. The notion
IL always implied that the college has
some patent process for manufacturing
men and women. and that II IS to one $
discrcdt to have been passed through
its machinery. | wish 10 urge upon you
tonight that the making Of man IL
always in bis own hands; that II is eve
In ourselves that we are underings. Tho
college can DO much for US. II helps IA
find the material for the building. /:
;rlIs US wncre the mines and mills are.
II gives us the inspiration for the I'M
dcrtaking Of the task. II helps us 10
discover what II Is best for US TO DO with
ourselves in life.
WHY THEY ARE FAILURES.
1--WE All know how frequently college
men are failures. especially those who
ke the highest hon0rs. They are fan
ures. because they imagine the work was
done when they finished the course az
school and were dubbed a. NJ. or y. B.
They are as foolish az the man who migh'
decide to build a magnificent home To
rival the palace OF a king. lie buys for
himself a beautiful grove on the side OF
q hin that looks down valley, III when
silvery stream pursues its way, ana
sees afar the blue towering hills. Through
all the years OF his life. as David did
for the temple. ne gathers the richesi
material--woods well-seasoned. polished.
and skilfuny carved, pillars OF the
choicest marble cut by hands long trained
10 work out the beautiful. stained glass
windows. in which are traced the master
pieces of the ages; granite for the founda-
ton. ana stone for the walls without
seam or fault: the best OF painting and
The best OF ststuary and the best OF
furniture He scatters IL among the
trees 10 decay unused and useless. Bet
Ter when the storm beats or the sun
scorches. the cave in which the savage
makes his home. Have We not all met
so-callel men and women who were mere
fragments Of humanlty-disjecta membra
They were interesting studies. had much
i'm them 10 admire. but they had never
begun 20 build. Perhaps you have heard
The story of the rsg-pickeT. who. when
~ " and