The Republican journal., 1897-06-17
Belfast High School, Class of 'o7.
Graduation Exercises at the Belfast Opera House
June 14th.

were utlu MOuudy evening, June lftu, III
Belfast Opera House, and it is estimated
that more than a thousand persons were
present. Many were obliged to go away,
not being able to find even standing room.
The decorations were delicate and beauti-
ful. white curtain dotted with ferns hung
at the rear of the stage with loops of white
and yellow lace over the centre entrance.
The proscenium arch was draped with white
bunting and loops of yellow, on which were
white and yellow tulips. Below, in gold let
ters on white ground, was the class motto :
"Lowly in Spirit Lofty in Aim, the letters
set off by tulips. Banks of evergreen and
palms stood at each side of the stage and
the platform was edged with border of
white Hiacs and green leaves. The piano.
which stood on the right of the stage, was
bought through the exertons of the class of
- for the use of the High School. The
dresses of the young ladies We're of the
typical graduating material of white muslin,
and We're handsome in style. The gentle
men were dressed in the conventional black
The exercises opened with the overture
"Zanetta, Auber, by the Belfast Band, fol-
lowed by invocation by Rev. G. G. Winslow
The salutatory was by Miss Margaret
Nickerson Hazeltine, who in behalf of the
class of '97. gracefully extended hearty
greetings to the teachers, pupils of the other
present.
George Winslow Holmes read an essay on
The Evolution of Government" He re-
viewed the various kinds of governments,
patriarchal, monarchical Republican, etc.
and traced some of the changes which led
from one to the other
Miss ENERGY CHM recited Lowell's "Pre-
lude to Vision of Sir Launfal'' in manner
which showed good elocutionary talent.
The class history by Miss Josephine Eve
lyn Patterson contained many points of in
terest The class entered the school in the fall
of SO, with thirtysix members The class
organized in the Junior year, with Arvilie
Redman as pr esident, who left school to at
tend the Institute of Technology in Boston.
He was succeeded by Percy Ellis. The
same prin clpal, MIR. Ilsley, has been with
them the four years, but there have been
frequent changes of assistants. The latter
We're Miss Wescott, Miss Field, Miss McLel-
Ian and Miss Townsend. AT the end of the
Sophomore year but twenty-five of the orig
inal thirty six members of the class remain
ed During the Junior year four classmates
left and during the past year one, which
leaves but twenty, yet larger class has
never been graduated from the Belfast
tionaists, four Methodists three Raptists,
three Universallsts two Unitarlaus, and
three who have no church preference. The
average height is ) feet . inches the tallest
> feet l0 shortest feet. The average aye
Is Is; Oldest, 2; youngest 10, The average
size of shoe worn is > IL; largest, L.;
smallest 10. Thetaverage weight is 12S
pounds heaviest, 100 lightest, 107 The
sum of the weights IS 25I5 Last fall, under
the supervision of the Senior class two en-
tertainments We're given the proceeds of
which went to buy the tine piano which has
been presented to the city to he used in the
High school room.
Miss Annie Leila Chaples rendered finely
upon the piano, Home, Sweet Home" with
NdUdulOnS, bN kSler,
Frank Palmer Wilson delivered an essay
"Our Own Country IN which he reviewed
the resources OF the United States, gave
some facts in relation to its larger cities,
and mentioned our soldiers, artisans, states
men, etc, who stand at the head in their
spective callngs. That peaceful America
can be powerful in war has been shown on
more than one occasion. In educational ad-
vantages our country takes the lead, and in
every community is to be found the little
schoolhouse from which have graduated
many of the ahest men of their times.
Miss Clara Luella Smith recited selection
from Longfellows Evangeline in pleasing
manner.
The class prophecy was divided, David
Peirce Ellis taking some of the pupils and
Miss Viola Elsie Ryder the others As usual
the various members were disposed of either
according to their talents or inclination, or
in some cases on some school joke.
MISS Ethel Gertrude Barr read an essay
on "The Practical uses of the Camera" She
showed that the camera is to the scientist
what the notebook is to the author, and
thatin its modern improved form it is capable
of preserving for future study matters which
would otherwise be lost Stars of the 18th
magnitude can now be photographed, while
none smaller than the 9th can be seen with
the naked eye. The X-rays and the repro
duction of colors were used as illustrations
of the wonderful advancement of photogra-
ply and the camera.
Ralph O'Copnell's vocal solo, Bartlett's
Memories" showed a good voice well de-
veloped under skillful training.
Miss Leila Abbie Hayes essay on Life in
Colonial Times,' was an interesting review
of the manners, customs, habitations, food,
ETC., of our ancestors, and the essayst also
showed some of the differences between the
conditions which prevailed in the early days
in Maine and Virginia.
Next on the program was Ralph Gerish
Lombard, banjo solo, but he was excused.
Fred Davis Tucker gave brief history of
Artemus Ward, with extracts from his
writings and sayings, and closed with
Wards "Benediction.
Miss Elizabeth Kpowlton Robbins found
many points of interest in the life of Lucy
Larcom, from her first attempt at verse
making, when years old, down through
f,,1