ncy in the various branches taught. On that
occasion prizes are awarded for excellence in different departments.
It would be hard to find a more interesting ceremony. These girls,
now recognized as young ladies, are going forth as missionaries
of civilization among our busy people. They are many of them to be
teachers, and those who have seen what opportunities they have to learn
will understand their fitness for that exalted office. Many are to be
the wives and mothers of the generation next coming upon the stage.
Young and beautiful, "youth is always beautiful," said old Samuel
Rogers,--their countenances radiant with developed intelligence, their
complexions, their figures, their movements, all showing that they have
had plenty of outdoor as well as indoor exercise, and have lived well in
all respects, one would like to read on the wall of the hall where they
are assembled,--

Siste, viator!
Si uxorem requiris, circumspice!

This proposed expedition was a great event in our comparatively quiet
circle. The Mistress, who was interested in the school, undertook to
be the matron of the party. The young Doctor, who knew the roads better
than any of us, was to be our pilot. He arranged it so that he should
have the two Annexes under his more immediate charge. We were all on the
lookout to see which of the two was to be the favored one, for it was
pretty well settled among The Teacups that a wife he must have, whether
the bald spot came or not; he was getting into business, and he could
not achieve a complete success as a bachelor.

Number Five and the Tutor seemed to come together as a matter of course.
I confess that I could not help regretting that our pretty Delilah was
not to be one of the party. She always looked so young, so fresh,--she
would have enjoyed the excursion so much, that if she had been still
with us I would have told the Mistress that she must put on her best
dress; and if she had n't one nice enough, I would give her one myself.
I thought, too, that our young Doctor would have liked to have her with
us; but he appeared to be getting along very well with the Annexes, one
of whom it seems likely that he will annex to himself and his fortunes,
if she fancies him, which is not improbable.

The organizing of this expedition was naturally a cause of great
excitement among The Teacups. The party had to be arranged in such a way
as to suit all concerned, which was a delicate matter. It was finally