The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-06-24
WEsTBRooK SEMINARY.
Glass Day Exercises and Junior Exhi-
bition.

Commencement week, that golden perioG
when ali studies cease for the season, an6
when the faithful receive their reward. il
now being duly celebrated at the West
brook Seminary. The village of Morrills
is filing up with strangers and old
friends who have gathered there to wit
ness the final exercises of the class of '96
and there is scarcely house in tow1
which is not entertaining "a guest or two
for the occasion.
Yesterday afternoon the class day ex
ercisas were observed in the usual man
ner in the church, which was tastefully
decorated for the occasion. Nearly every
seat was occupied when the opening
number on the programme, march by
G1lbert's orchestra, was finely rendered.
After the music and prayer by the presi,
dent of the Seminary, Miss Persis Geneva
Knight. of the grauuatiI 6 lass, read the
history of the class of 1896. Her paper
was charmingly written and finely de-
ivered. She dwelt upon the early strug-
giles of the class, its trials, victories and
honors. In breezy and witty manner
she referred to the various incidents
which have marked the career of the
class of '96 at the Seminary and which
have made its three years at tho school
memorable.
Miss Ella Adams Sylvester, the class
poet, delivered the class poem, which
was fine effort and of considerable liter
airy merit.
Miss Charlotte Edith Crowell de-
livered the class Grafton. Her subject,
Reform Through Education" was
handled in an able manner, and Miss
Crowell delivered it in an excellent way.
The class prophecies, by Mr.. Philip
Smith and Miss Mabel Gertrude Palmer,
were witty productions. and conyulsed
the audience with laughter as the various
hits on the members OF the class were
made.
Mr.. John Barber acted as the agent Of
the class in making the will which be.
queathed TO the other classes Of the
school the care of the graduates reputa'
lions, the campus, the buildings, and
other choice possessions of '96 which they
have cared for so long themselves. Mis-
ses Mabelle Emerson Merrill and Ids
Leora Leighton mado the presentations
to the Senior class. This was the mos
amusing feature of the exercises ant
some Of the hits on the peculia-ities oi
tn various members of the class were
very funny. One young gentleman, the
proud owner of moustaohe just I'D
ding into sight, received mammoth
mustache cup; young lady with very
curly hair was presented with a pair Of
curling irons, and the smallest mem bel
of the class was given big cane, which
was nearly as big as he is himself.
The class song, written by Mr.. Sulli.
van Il. Andrews and sung by the entire
class. was as follows:
Bright are the skies and fair, balmy and
sweet the air:
Long shall We dream of days, too swiftly
sped.
Happy the time spent here; now draws
the parting near
School days will soon be DER, meier to re
turn.
Fair are the scenes we leave; many tn,
friends we'll grieve,
When DER the sea of life far we shall
stray.
Wide may our paths diverge; round u
the storms may surge;
Through all we think on thee, school life
so dear.
Let it not be goodbye; deep in our heart
doth lie
Hope that in future years all will b.
we'll.
Till we again shall meet, here as of yore
This finished tbs exercises, which were
greatly enjoyed by the large audienc
and the friends of the GLASS. Instead o
planting a tree or vine on the campus
as has always been the custom, thu
class of '96 presented to the Seminary
fine portrait of its president, the Rev
Fl. S. Whitman.
Last evening the Junior class held iii
exhibit on in the church. The music fo
the oc casion was furnished by the UNITY
Club orchestra, and the following pro
gramme WIS carried out successfully:
Essay" Birthas' GUIDE, but Breeding
Better" Lucy +. Bryan
Essay" Today, its Possibilities, -
Fred w. Cousins
Essay" Shakespeare's Fairies,
Alice 6. Dodg'
Declamation-tJ Jack Halls Boat Race,
Oliver NJ. Harris
Essay-"The Value of Experience,
Grace @. Fielt
Essay-"New England
Eva NJ. Fairbank
Essay Athletics in Educational Insti
tutions,," Carl II. Witherel
Essay-s'The Importance of Reading"
Abbie E. Perkin.
The exhibition was largely ATTENDED
and reflected gre.t credit upon tn,
Junior class.
Today the various classes will hole
their reunions The class of 'S6 will
meet at the Seminary and the class of '9
will hold it's reunion at Peaks Island
The meeting of the alumni association
and of the trustees will oc1ur in thu
evening. The final graduation exercises
occur Thursday morning.