Montague Street
12 June 1879
Brooklyn Standard Union

Commencement.
The twenty-eighth anniversary exercises of the Brooklyn Heights Seminary took 
place in the spacious chapel of the Institution, on Montague Street, last 
evening, in the presence of a large and delighted audience of the most 
prominent ladies and gentlemen in the city.  A spacious and well-arranged 
platform, covered with superb carpet, and adorned with rare and 
tastefully-disposed flowers, was provided for the occasion, and nothing was 
lacking to assure the comfort and enjoyment of the spectators and the 
convenience of the scholars and others who actively participated in the 
exercises, which were exceedingly interesting.  
The programme opened with a chorus entitled "The Flower Gatherers", by Cocone, 
which was admirably sung by the school, with Mr. Augustin CORTADA as piano accompanist, 
the music of the evening being under direction of the latter.  

An opening prayer was made by Rev. Dr. FARLEY.  
The Laureola Society of the seminary rendered the remainder of Part I, 
of the programme as follows:
Miss Cecilia RICE recited the beautiful poem "Jane Conquest" finely, and 
Miss Mattie J. PERRY recited "A Royal Princess".  
A vocal solo was sweetly rendered by Miss Medora HAND.  

Miss Mary E. LUCAS read with much proficiency a bright and 
sprightly essay entitled "The World Brightens as It Rolls."  

Miss Emily S. BARNES read an essay entitled "Crowns."  Miss Alice C. 
HOTCHKISS read a strong essay entitled "The Legend of the Flag."

The chorus "Joyful Strains," by Gumbert, 
was excellently sung by twelve young ladies, as also was the chorus "Evening," 
by Abt.  Vocal were finely rendered 
by the Misses Emily S. BARNES and Alice C. HOTCHKISS.  

Miss Alice NESMITH read with perfection a pleasing and carefully written 
essay entitled "The Unseen Side."  The writer drew from nature and 
life showing that there was always an unseen side, and that sometimes 
that side was too sad and sometimes too full of sacred brightness to be 
publicly exhibited.  

Miss Lizzie M. SANDERSON read a quiet and sober but very interesting essay 
entitled "Advantages of Variety."  It showed much thought and a clear 
knowledge of the infinite variety in nature.  

Miss Jennie PERRY read with much vivacity a charmingly original essay 
entitled "Hobbies," aptly alluding to Franklin's hobby of electricity, 
Arkwright's of the spinning-jenny, and Henry Bergh's of the brute creation.

Presentation of diplomas were made by Profession Charles E. WEST, M.D., LLD, 
the veteran and scholarly principal and proprietor of the seminary.  
The recipients were 
Misses Helen S. GIDDINGS, 
Jennie PERRY, 
Agnes F. NESMITH
Lizzie M. SANDERSON.
 
The Valedictory was by Miss Helen S. GIDDINGS, of Romeo, Michigan.

The Brooklyn Heights Seminary enjoys a high reputation as an institution for 
the education of young ladies.  

Transcriber: Nadine Demczyszyn
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