High School Commencement

Providence was to all appearances well pleased with the work done by '84, for on Friday last, the day wlien that class was to say adieu to the halls t had ïov lour years patiently visited, everything coinbined to make its closiug exercises successful In eveiy respect. The weather was all that could be desired. The Methodist church was filled to overflowing, everything and everybody was joyful, even the flowers which were to serve as gifts of remembiance. Tlic stage which had been erectcd for the purpose was finely dccorated with evergreens and flowers, and in the rear was placed the tasty motto of the class : " Eist waegen, dann wagen." The University and Cheqiiamegon orchestras assisted by the vocalista, Mlssos May Whedon, Amanda Hack and Jessie Strickland furmshed choiee music during the exercises, a short oi.tline of which wil] be found bclow. Mary E. Asbley commented upon the " Ballads of the American Revoliition" and recited someof the choice ones, which were very well received by the hearers. Henry II. Cushing preached an excellent sermón on Style, and exhorted his hearers to light bravely this dire monster, going to the contest with the " American Eagle in one hand and tlie Declaration of Indepcndence in the other.1' Grace R. Campbell found in "Song"' a ministering angel which could bring joy to the rich and the poor, to the high and the low, and which was at the saine time within the rcach of everyone. Carrie L. Gelston fitly chose " Books " as her subject. She laid much stress upon theinfluence exerttd bygood boks, and she would have no true homo without its library full of gooit books. Élsle Jones pkturcd for her licarcrs a Teiy noble being, onc who would forgct ontiicly self, cruclfy the tlesli, suffer indlgnitiea and insults, have lofty ambitions, and always strive to perform wcll its duty. To such i one she belicved tliere would como eternal reward. IrvingG. McColl believed that " Education and Labor " went hand in hand, and that education whlch caused one to look with con tempt upon labor was not true education. Clara L. Hack found tua,t olthough "Imitation" very often worked harni and niachlef, it yet had its bright side. Louise Mcinderraann chose rather an odd subject, "The Man iu the Moon," but she handled it in a fine manner, and mude some good practical applications. Paul V. Perry humorously recounted the daik side aad evil influences of literature, and laid the whole blame upon the shoulders of Guttenberg, the inventor of the art of printing. M. Louise Taylor attcnipted to prove the " Breadth of Narrowncss," and truly she dld it to the satisfaction of every one. She showed that the narrowness and radicality of one great man often gave unlimited breadth to millions, and that only by persistency could success be achicved. Frank M. Sessions's oration on the "Conflict of Ideas'1 showed very careful thouglit and preparation, and met the earnest approbation of the audience. Lizzie It. Wagner gave a humorous account of " School Life at Eton," aDd her essay was read in such a manner as only slie could read it. The essay of II. Gertrude Warren on "The Two influences'' was somewhat lengthy, but iuteresting from beginning to end, and at times quite pathetic. The closing address was delivered by Philip ï!. Whitman, who showed the woiulers wrought in the universe in the course of time. It was clear to all that Mr. Whitmau was well versed in the science oí' astronomy. At the closs of the literary exeicises the 52 mcrabers of the graduating class mounted the stage and were presented with their diplomas by Supt. Peny. Although it ínust be conceded by every fair and candid observer that the class of '81 has an opinión of itself exalted and a little out of taste, yet it is an exceptionally bright and intelligent class. Of the 52 diplomas, 18 were of the lhít grade, while 5 of the young ladies graduated and received diplomas in two different courses. Of the whole number nbout 30 ex])ect to continue their studies in the University next year.