Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-05-27

Gay evening last. as the Ruetta enter
ed they were welcomed by receiving
line of graduates. High School Faculty
and the County School Board. After
the guests assembled the beautiful bust
of "Hermes" presented to the schoo
by Miss Patty Willis, was unveiled by
Miss Julia Peyton. Mr.. Henry Baker
delivered the unwilling address which
was most admirably rendered. The
next thing of interest was the reading
of witty essay, entitled The Glass
Prophecy" written by Mr.. Harry Howe,
member of the graduating class.
There was played in the auditorium .
unique game called Shadow Pictures. y
The persons put up for sale were hid
den behind curtain and strong light
behind them showed their shadows on q
screen forming most amusing sill
hourttes. Mr.. John McGavack acted
as auctioneer. After this all adjourned
to the reception hall where most, de-
licious refreshments were served fol-
lowed by toasts called for by Rev.
John s. Alfriend acting as toastmaster.
The toasts were to the point and added
greatly to the enjoyment of the even
ing s,,Aa.s 81.
The following is the unveili1g sad
dress made by Mr.. Baker.
Ladies and Gentlemen.:--
Ii -, fko q No
Greeks, was the messenge-, the herald,
he who communicate to human be
|Iings the will Of the immortals. He
was the link between Olympus and
the land of men. A
But more important, Hermes stood
as the guiding spirit OF eloquence and
science, and the inventor of music.
inspired by him Greece gave to the
world her beautiful language, poetry,
music, painting and sculpture. Train
ing themselves along cultural lines the
Greeks achieved wonde full su SIS
in these fields Of art.
Their language, it is asserted by
many linguists, is the most nearly per-
feet instrument ever used for the ex-
preston and Interpretation OF thought.
Their poetry in many respects at
least, has not been surpassed in the
quarter Of hundred centuries since
its prediction.
Some idea of the wonderfully
thrilling power of their music may be
gained from the single fact that's on
one occasion it turned a cowardly
Scurrying retreat into heroic, vic
torious charge.
OF Greek painting, the FOLLOWING
story is told. Two artists were en-
gagged in friendly rivalry. AT last
their works were completed. On,
canvas showed punches oil grapes SO
natural that one could scarcely re
frain from pinching them off to eat.
Over the other canvas ascurtain was
hung. Remove it." said one. The
artist only. smiled. The curtain was
his painting. Other stories are toto
! of animals that were SO naturally
drawn that they trigked even the Gun
ming senses Of living birds and beasts
Of the pigeon that flew to the painses
squads. and the horses that neished
at the sight OF their kind on canvas ;
| but this one gives a fair, conce otion
of the degree of excellence attained
| Dy the PAINTERS Oh GIGGCe.
In Sculpture too the Creeks OF oil
are classed by themselves. Who else
has ever carved marble SO we'll as
| the decorators of the Antheniar
Parthenon7
For such things as these the, Geek
was educated. He studied and trdinee
well and his influence has left lis In
delible traces upon the thought and
| feeling of the world Sucn work
broadens the sym2athies Of the heal
and increases the possibilities OF the
soul
! But such a training. while it achiev-
| ed splendid things in old Greece
would for the average person today
not be entirely practicable or indeee
entirely desirable. Or county need.
thorough training not only for a:tistit
and professional work, but for every
kind of work. The prosperity OF
America depends upon the eftici5 a
t cy with which its farmers, its carpcn-
| tiers, its housekeepers, and its bushes:
people are trained This point, .oi
education for usefulness, deserves dut
1 consideration.
But in its consideration the ten
dency of the age seems to be to be.
little and discourage the things OF cul
ture. This is a pressing danger. A
New ! England editor, some month:
ago, published the following state
ment: eve have need, each Of us
| to separate in our minds the pursuit
OF happiness and the pursuit of money
and to declare that they shall not be
| unduly COMPOUNDED in our habits an,
aims.
| This writer expressed in a few word.
a-vital warning. Training for Worl
alone is not adequate for human needs
We must train ourselves for pleasure
as well. If we cannot appreciate
| beautiful prose or poetry, ii we hea
without enjoyment the strains o.
good music, or view without pleas
ure, great paintings and drawings o.
well carved marble and well mo .det
bronze, we have within US unievelo3
/ ed faculties which it is our duty t
train. To fail to develop them is L
tail to get out of life certain thing:
that are worth the getting,
Realizing this, conservative school:
are not hastily casting aside the thing:
of culture for the things OF utility
They are trying, without cramming
to include tar apportlonment 20
| each
For the advancement Of certail
phases of art here, we are indebted K
the efforts Of Miss Patty Willis. Thi:
evening Ihave the honor and Priv
ilege and exceeding pleasures of .e3
pressing to her this schools apprecid
ton of what she has accomplished
To her is due the interest in drawing
and painting manifested here Thesn;
exhibit last fall, from which we de
rived so much pleasure and benefit
was hers. The beautiful frieze, op
posite the front door, we owe to her
And now this bust of Hermes is pre-.
sented to the school.
For these things the Charles Towr
Graded and High School extends te
Miss Willis its grateful thanks. A
| great token of annrecdatiOn lies ir