who file to their
places on the platform. With what swelling of heart are they silently
greeted, and how dear and noble a band do they seem to fond,
self-sacrificing parents, and to the teachers who have labored to
bring them to this the proudest day of their young lives. The class is
one of the largest which the Beach has ever graduated--four youths and
thirteen girls. The salutatory and essay, "What Can a Woman Do?"
earnest, suggestive, and pleasingly delivered, was followed in due
order by recitations, all rendered with spirit and grace, and winning
enthusiastic applause. The declamation by one youth, of President
Lincoln's address at Gettysburg, and the orations, by two others, on
race questions, receive due meed of appreciation.

In the cantata, "The Ivy Queen," all the girl graduates take part, and
the ivy crown is placed on the brow of the valedictorian, who is a
keen-minded young girl of the pure Negro type. Her essay and
valedictory, "Character-building," is a worthy production. It was an
inspiring thing to look into the dark but perfectly radiant faces of
her father and mother, when, after the exercises, they came, all too
full for verbal expression, to grasp the hands of teachers.

After the class song is sung, diplomas bestowed, the in-coming senior
class welcomed, and the announcement made as to the one whose rank in
her studies entitles her to a free scholarship for the ensuing year, a
brief but most excellent address is given by a young colored physician
of Savannah, whose ability, culture, high moral worth, and nobly
unselfish ambitions fit him to stand as a model to our students. The
newly made alumni meet teachers and friends in the Teachers' Home for
refreshments and a good, happy time generally; and in the midst of it
all one of the workers of Beach is surprised by a token of
appreciation in the form of a beautiful gift from the graduating
class. Our orator of the day, after some consultation, proposes to the
class of '96 the forming of an alumni association at the opening of
the next year, and then soon all disperse and a successful school year
is reckoned with the past.

* * * * *

BALLARD NORMAL SCHOOL, MACON, GA.

BY MISS LINCOLNIA C. HAYNES.

The Commencement Exercises of Ballard Normal School began with the
Junior Exhibition. At the time appointed every seat was taken and
there was scarcely standing room. The greatest interest was manifested
by all prese