St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-06-25
Our Boston Letter.

June has always been called the month
of roses and has been associated with
weddings, but in later times it has come
to be regarded as the month Of anniver-
saries and commandments in schools,
colleges and seminaries. The shop
keepers recognize this fact and the inn
portance of early preparation for the
"sweet girl graduate"
Very pleasant exercises were held in the
private school of the Misses Gilman on
Commonwealth avenue, when Rev.
Arthur Little, D. D., delivered very ex-
cellent address, in which he considered
the question, as there an interregnum
among noted literary writers at the
present day?" He gave quite sketch of
early English authors, stating that they
seemed to appear in groups and clusters
like stars, and then there was space in
the literary galaxy. What was the
occasion and how do we account Tor it
is an open question. There seems to be
diversity OF opinion.
The Add annual commencement Of
Lasell seminary at Auburndale, Mass,
occurred on a very rainy day, but the
Congregational church was packed with
pupils, teachers and friends. The school
appears to be in flourishng condition
under Prot. c. Bragdon's leadership.
Although it has changed principals sew
eral times since it was chartered in 1851,
with Prof Edward Lasell for its founder
and principal, with his new and adj
vanced ideas for the young women of
these times when the higher mathe.
mates and astronomy, the same as used
at Harvard college, were introduced into
a young ladies' course OF study, it was
claimed that they were healthy mental
discipline to develop the character, and
mature the judgment, so that it would
make more practical business women
OF them. Under the present regime Prof.
Bragdon has introduced the practical
features themselves into the school life,
giving instructions in dressmaking and
cooking outside of the regular course of
study also millinery, mending. pho
biography, typewriting, biography and
photography. This he claims teaches the
girls to be self-helplul, and widens the
avenue OF employment for young girls
and doubles their value for usefulness in
the home and in the world. Prizes are
given to stimulate them with encourag.
ing results. Each one is allowed to
choose her own field Of usefulness in
these applied sciences. This school was
one of the first in New England to
adopt gymnastics as taught by and under
DR.. bio Lewis, but for the past eleven
years. twice a week, they have substi-
tuted the military drill in its place, under
Major G. H. Benyon. This is to correct
STOPPING shoulders and to improve in
walking and out-oi-door exercises. The
swimming and bowling-aley also
attract your attention in going over the
house. They have fifteen resident in
structors and sixteen employed outside
of the house. Prof. Bragdon is an ear
nest worker in the Methodist church.
although the school is not considered
sectarian. Rev. DR.. X. S. Macarthur of
New York city delivered most admir-
able address, one of the best on such an
occasion for years, full of thought and
good suggestions to the young. All the
friends were invited to generous repast
! at the seminary and Mrs. Prof Palmer
of Cambridge made the address before
the alumni in the college chapel in the
afternoon. Many of the Young ladies
> hail from the West" although New
England has her full quota.
The 18th annualreport for aged couples
! is OF very encouraging nature. The
r association was organized in January
1888, and incorporated in 1884, and the
new Home is beautifully located on Wal
e nut avenue, opposite Franklin Park,
! Boston. DR.. Elizabeth A. Carleton is the
president of the Board and the trustees
nav Pe'iu hOSt S'oNihS liioutSo W uSi
marked executive ability, sagacity and
. wise management, which have crowned
this undertaking with such success. Often
: family ties have been broken up through
t the failures of banks, trusts and inoividu
, ais and aged couples are left solitary and
= alone in feeble old age, and with poverty
! standing at the door, which appeals tc
II our sympathy, and hence the value o
;. such a home. Generous requests anc
y gifts have resulted from such earnest
appeals.
The Anna Tickuor Library association
# to assist women to get a good education
= is to open in September. This wa,
k started "a years ago. Hon. Winslov
d Warren succeeds F. w. Lincoln, the pas
j.. president Tor fourteen years of thu
e Bunker Hill Monument association
is They sent messages of felcitation t,
/ Queen Victoria. In the majority OF tn
churches in and around Boston som
reference was made to Queen Victoria