Rutland Weekly Herald

The High School Exhibition.

The exhibition by the scholars of the high school, being the closing exercise of the school-year, took place at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. A pretty good, but by no means sufficiently large audience assembled at 2 o'clock, and others assembled after that hour and disturbed the participants in the progressing exercises not a little by their late coming.

The exercises were participated in by the graduates, as they are termed, of the high school, and by others not so far advanced, the first having original pieces, the others selections.

The programme was carried out as published in The Herald yesterday morning.

After music by a chorus composed of school children, under the direction of Prof. Mietzke, Mr. Dana announced the parts in their order.

First was delivered the salutatory by Frederic R. Bailey. This production, an apt and appropriate one, written in simple but expressive style, would have done credit to its author had his delivery been adequate to the occasion.

Miss Jane C. Holden followed in an admirable essay, entitled "Eyes and No Eyes," contrasting the person who is continually seeking information—going about with mouth open, his tongue ready, and his ears eager to catch every scrap of information—and his counterpart, who mopes through life, taking things as they come, and making no efforts to better inform himself in any particular. The distinct and expressive enunciation of the reader was particularly noticeable.

No. 3 on the list was a declamation entitled "O! why should the spirit of mortal be sad," rendered by William K. Sheldon.

Miss Lizzie A. Wyman's essay on "My Grandmother's Piece Bag," a quaint, touching and peculiarly original composition, was read in a voice well modulated though lacking something in volume.

After music, James H. Owen delivered a declamation—"Washington"—and showed that with a little more culture he will make a fine speaker.

The essay "Study the Kitchen," by Ednah G. Edson, proved that the young lady had done that very thing. We feel sure that the care of that somewhat essential portion of the house will never fall into disrepute while this young lady is about. The paper was well read.

James Meldon's declamation, "Vindication from Calumny," a selection from Robert Emmet's famous speech before execution, was an effort too great for a schoolboy, yet was quite well done.

Miss Mary Dana's essay, with the comprehensive title of "Language and the Languages," showed a range of reading, a depth of thought, and a critical appreciation of the character of language very rarely found in a young Miss.

The "Loss of National Character," a declamation, by John F. Merrill, was quite well rendered.

E. Franc. Vaughan read a dainty descriptive bit of writing entitled a "June Day," the piece breathing much of the spirit of its appropriate title.

The "Educating Power of Fiction," a theme with two aspects, was quite ably discussed in an essay by F. Louisa Allen. The writer's very sensible conclusions were couched in choice and chaste language, as though showing that on one at least, this educating power had not been lost.

Edmund R. Morse, in the declamation "The Patriot's Watchword," acquitted himself very creditably. This young gentleman has material in him that would make a fine elocutionist.

One of the most entertaining parts of the whole exhibition was given by Ellen J. Meldon, whose essay on "Polish and Varnish" was an exceedingly happy effort. Miss Meldon need not stop here, as she evidently has literary capacities far above the average.

After music, was delivered the valedictory, by Edward D. Page. He chose for his subject, "Educated Man, a Power," and handled it in a highly satisfactory manner. He closed with a brief, happy address to instructors and companions.

Representatives of the examining committees were then called upon for reports.

Rev. J. Gibson Johnson responded in behalf of the committee that visited the High School. He said it would be a pleasure for any one, especially parents, who should have an interest in the management of the schools, to visit them frequently, and attend examinations. He said they would find methods and appliances unknown to their school days. They would see their children there, not only having their minds stored with facts, but a judgment that would enable them to put those facts to practical use developed; and, above all, and more important than the rest would be observed the healthy moral culture they received, and the moral earnestness awakened in them in connection with their work as pupils, by the precepts and example of their teachers.

Henry Clark responded for another committee, saying that they had found the Primary and Intermediate schools in excellent condition, and that they were never better than at present. He said the efforts of the board of education were directed towards providing for the largest measure of improvement, and that it was their aim to keep the schools of Rutland where it is acknowledged all over the State they have stood, at the very head of the system.

Rev. Mr. Harris addressed the audience in a few remarks, referring regretfully to the fact that the audience was small; that Prof. Higley's lecture, the evening before, was but poorly attended; that few parents visited the school during the year or attended the examinations; and appealed to the parents and friends of education to do better in the future, asserting that it was a duty they owed to the scholars, to the teachers, and to themselves.

Mr. Dana, principal of the High School, then read the following

REPORT.

The term through which we have just passed has been an unusual one, on account of the sickness of so many scholars, with the measles, which, though in no case fatal, has left many of the pupils so weak that they have not been able to return to their places in the school. The number not absent during the term is very much smaller than it has been since my connection with the school, there being but seven, viz: Carrie N. Allen, Ednah G. Edson, Ellen J. Meldon, Jessie L. Merritt, Electa A. Snow, Carlena J. Walker and William K. Sheldon. Of these, the last six have not been absent during the entire year and the first one but one half day. Lattie L. Barney has been absent a half day during the term, the only absent mark against her name since she entered the High School, two years ago. Jane C. Holden, Katie T. Meldon, Charles W. Cook and James H. Owen, have been absent one day each, and Hattie E. Whitney and Carrie L. Willis one day and a half each. Pat Meldon and Norman W. Smith have been absent during the year only about two weeks when sick with the measles. Ednah G. Edson has been absent but one half day for the three years she has been a member of the High School; but the most remarkable case is that of Ellen J. Meldon, who has not been absent a single half day since she was admitted to the Grammar School, seven years ago.

After the reading of the report the diplomas were given to the graduates. The following are the names of the honored ones:

Ladies—Jane C. Holden, Lizzie A. Wyman, Ednah G. Edson, Mary Dana, E. Franc Vaughan, F. Louisa Allen—6

Gentlemen—Edward D. Page, Frederic R. Bailey—2.

Miss Ellen J. Meldon, who participated in the exercises, is a graduate of last year. The others who appeared have not yet completed their course.