Barringer High School - Athenaeum Yearbook (Newark, NJ)

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 4 HIGH SCHOOL A X X CAL. HfiGH School J nniwl EDITORS: Cyrc E. V. Pool., Minmb L. Lyon, Chari.es P. Hewitt, Auieda M. Oi.ds. NEWARK. N. J., JANUARY !. 1870. EDITORIAL. Tl« Ibe mtulc of ijUdne , the voice of the Horn, That bid o« rejoice when a Now Year U bom.” The New Year, bright atul joyous, stands waiting a welcome, and wc greet it gladly in this our offering, where are linked mem- ories of the Old Year with hope for the Now. The coming of the New Year crowds thoughts thick and fast upon us, of those who imperilled their lives and fortunes for our freedom, and whose brave deeds the na- tion is about to commemorate. The year that ushers in the Centennial of our nntion, also brings our High School to a higher plane of action. It has now passed its twenty-first year, and may truly be said to be of ngc. If wc may judge ofits future work by its past, wc predict for it a brilliant ca- reer, and a time when wc shall look upon our Alma Mater with feelings of pride. Time everywhere leaves its changes, and our school has not been free from them. Mr. E. F. Smith having resigned in the summer, Mr. C. L. Woodruff, of the Penn. State Normal School, was appointed by the Board of Edu- cation to fill his place. Early last spring the ranks of our female teachers were invaded, and Miss Minnie B. Churchill, of the E. C. Class, was triumphantly borne away as the bride of the Rev. I). Do wolf, of Bristol, Conn. Miss Laura P. Hill, of the D. Class, was promoted to fill the vacancy. Miss Ella G. Brown, a graduate of the High and Nor- mal Schools, was appointed to the charge of the N. D. Class. Miss Itcmick, of the B. and Mias Bosworth, of C Class, arc absent on ac- count of illness, and Miss Marie A. Marcher, a graduate of Vassar College, has charge of the B. Class, and Mrs. Ellen II. Sanborn, a graduate of Northampton Literary Institute, of the E. C. Class. Oar school is in a flourishing condition as regards the pupils, although in tho male de- partment the scholars are so crowded, and the D. Classes arc so large as to justify the appointment of an additional teacher, and the enlargement of the building. Wc trust our Hoard will see to the matter as soon as possible. List year the Board of Education deter- mined, on account of the crowded condition of the School, to raise the per cent, required for admission into the school, from 1G| to 70 per cent., and thus keep the lower rank of scholars in the Grammar Schools another year. But the scholars aware of the fact put forth all of their energies, and the result is that the I). Classes this year arc larger than ever. During the past year but few changes have been made in our High School build- ing, but the most important alteration has been in the young ladies’ department. The former dressing room has been transformed into a handsome reception room, having been carpeted ami furnished in a manner that docs no little credit to our Board of Educa- tion. We hope the same good taste may be exercise I when our long-needed new High School makes its apiKurancc. The young ladies' court has been made considerably smaller by the dressing room which has been placed there. The young gentlemen of the A. Class have been removed from the room occupied by the A. Class of former years, to one of the recita- tion rooms in the rear of the building. The removal was met with some opposition at first, but as the room overlooks the young ladies’ play ground, tho gentlemen have quietly submitted to their fate. Now as the flight of the Old Year brings the dawn of the New, let us with thoughts and aims higher and better, enter with joy upon the Happy Now Year. As wc reluct- antly clo8o the door u| on the Old Year, let us not think of it as dead,— For the year never die, for the It-Mone they give In tbc heart of humanity cltuter and live. OUR SOCIETIES. THE UONTAOU. The Montagu Society is in a very flourish- ing condition. The meml crship, composed of the young ladies of the A and B. Clashes, is larger than it has lxsen at any previous time of its existence. Several important additions have been made to the library of the Society during the past year, among which, a complete set of Little Classics, Miss Alcott’s works, and the Bric-A-Brac series, are the most conspicuous. The leading magazines and papers of the day—Harper's Magazine, Scribner’s Montbly, Atlantic Monthly, Appleton’s Journal, In- dependent, and Semi-Weekly Tribune,—are found upon the reading table of the Society. By means of these and the admirably chosen library, the members of the Society are enabled to make themselves acquainted with everything of importance that trans- pires in the department of art, and in the political, scientific and literary worlds. At the last public meeting of the Society, the room, which was tastefully decorated, was filled to its utmost capacity, and the meeting was in every respect a decided suc- cess. larger than it has ever been since its first or- ganization. The objects of this Society are the improve- ment of its members in debating and in other departments of literary work, and to give them a knowledge of parliamentary rules and of self-government. Lost year the plan was adopted of allow- ing the young gentlemen to elect their own presiding officer, instead of having the Prin- cipal preside at their meetings, as was formerly the custom. This plan, which re- lieves the Principal of much society work, has proved a complete [success, as the men»- here, feeling tho increased responsibility which rests upon them, are becoming more and more interested in the Society’s welfare. This Society is fully accomplishing tho ob- jects for which it was organized, and wc wish it a long and happy continuance. THE NATI7RAI. HISTORY SOCIETY. The Natural History Society connected with the High School, in addition to the regular monthly meetings, has held several evening sessions during the year, at which, subjects of general scientific interest have been discussed. The Society holds in trust the fine cabinet of minerals belonging to the New Jersey Natural History Society, which, with the collection in Natural History belonging to the Society connected with tho School, forms a collection of the greatest help to the School, particularly to those pursuing the Scientific Course. Friends of the Society having articles of value—mineral or otherwise—could place them nowhere where they would do so much good as in our collection, their permanency would be that of the High School itself. The Society is under great obligation to J. Ball inch and Son, J. Hagar, Esq., and to Geo. J. Hochnle, of this city, for valuable additions to tbe cabinet ITEMS OF INTEREST. Any that have visited our Chapel during the past year could not have failed to notice the two fine steel engravings, after Landseer, which adorn the walls. The editors of last year's Annual, out of the generosity of their hearts and pity for the blank, expressionless walls, presented these engravings to the school, for which we earnestly thank them. The decline of the year is marked by the . death of many prominent men. Vice-Presi- dent Wilson died in November, thus adding another name to the long list of Vice-Presi- dents who have already diet!; by bis death only two Ex-Vice-President8 remain living— Colfax and Hamlin. THE nESPERIAN. This Society, which is composed of male members of the A. and B. Classes, was prob- ably never in so prosperous a condition as now. Tho membership roll is fully as largo as, ami at the beginning of the year wiw The class of ’76 is larger than any previ- ous graduating class. Its members, through- out the entire course, have been character- ized by the same independence and freedom of action, which distinguished our fore-fath- ers. They aie worthy the name of '76.

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her, U standing lost in admiration. The object of Sloppy’s glance is a lame girl with long, wavy golden hair—JenDy Wren, the Doll’s Dressmaker— who is energetically tell- ing Dick Sniveller she knows his tricks and his manners, while the Marchioness stands by in gaping admiration at any one with so much spirit and independence. Mr. Jarndyco is talking genially to every one, saying iu a positive tone that the wind is south, not cast. Mr. and Mrs. Boffin are bustling around, meanwhile, making every- one, if possible, more at home than ever. The cricket chirps away right merrily on the hearth, seeming excited by the company, and if its rival—the kettle—were here, it must surely acknowledge itself defeated, for the music that pours forth from its melodious throat defies all restraint from size. In due time supper is announced, and the bounteous supplies justly feel flattered by the ample justice dono them. Toasts without number are drank and acknowledged. En- joyment is at its height, when poor little Johnny comes in, drawn completely one- sided by the immense lwiby, looking much larger than he. The breathless Johnny is relieved of his load and heartly enjoys his supper, while the precious baby is entrusted to Tilly Slow boys, who with the best inten- tions brings its bead into immediate contact with every solid near at hand. Of course there must be a dance, but that is only for the young folks. So those who can call no longer themselves young, look on re- signedly, till inspired by the example of Mr. Boffin, who triumphantly leads his “old lady on the floor, all join in and whisk about with great spirit. How they dance ! Even Tilly Slowboys and the baby take part, which gives Tilly an excellent opportunity for testing the quality of baby’s skull Then, after wishing Mr. and Mrs. Boffin many happy returns of the day, they part with mutual good-will and enjoyment, leaving the cricket alone in his glory. After a few drowsy chirps he subsides, justly feeling that never b's a cricket so distinguished itself before, and that it is a day to occur but once in a cricket's life. When men arc hastening with wild hope in pursuit of their selfish desires, their ears are deaf to thousands of soft voices which greet them with resistless power, when once disappointment, danger and despair have compelled them to retrace their steps. Fi.okknok N. Gregg. Tiik State Board of Education in connec- tion with the State Superintendent, has beeu mindful of the coming exhibition at Phila- delphia, and proposes to send photographs of every public school iu the State, with specimens of work done by pupils of each class. We hope that our school will lie well represented. HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL. REMEMBRANCES. nr ALICE B. rOISIEK. Her thought were drifting bnek ward To tho halcyon day of yore, When a merry child she used to be, Playing at mother’ door. To the little brook and the meadow, And tho old mOM-grown mill, Whoso wheel w« always running, Hut now is silent and still. To tho ramble in the forest, With “ Carlo ” at her aide; And the pleasant talk with mother In tho shadowy eventide. Alas, they all have left her, SAt sleep in tile silent tomb, And tho dear old home on tho hillside Is all a vanished dream. The memories that keep thronging Of those happy days long gone, Scent to mock her now a she sits With her grief and care atone. But one bright thought is cheering her t’i on her lonesome way— The thought of tho Heavenly greeting On somo golden future day. When in that peaceful abode, Where the loving angels aro blest, Wc shall meet to part no more In tho land of eternal rest. BLANK VERSE. IIY EMMA DUNNING. One lieantiful morning in Decemlier, n young girl might have been seen hurrying along the main street of one of our suburban villages, leading her younger sister by the hand. They had started out to buy Christ- mas presents. The sun shone-pleasantly and the crisp snow cracked sharply beneath their ! feet. They were very happy, and the elder thought “how pleasant this is, gliding in nnd out, seeing the pretty things and buying those that you wish to have, it is just real life poetry.'’ And the younger, thinking of i he story that her mama had told her, won- dered “if the beautiful Christ-child would’nt like a present on Christmas morn ing, and wished she could find one good cuough for Him. The long looked for Christmas morning came, but there were no happy greetings 'or little gifts exchanged. The little girl had been ill; all night the anxious mother and sister had watched ; and now tho “Christ-child” had taken His gift to Himself. All was gloom and sadness, lor the life of the house was gone, and the lonely sister looked wearily out of the win- dow aud thought of the day, only two weeks since, when everything seemed so bright and beautiful, when she had thought that life was poetry. Now,she had no little sis- , ter, anil every thing was dark and gloomy; all ] 8 the poetry seemed suddenly to have gone out of her life, and looking forward to the future years, nothing remained but cold bard prose. Yet the poetry was there all the same ; and in the later years she recognized it, and saw that it was just this sad change that she had needed to make her life better. And so frequently when life looks least inviting, it contains the most poetry, although it may take long years to find it out; even ns in blauk verse, we must read the long lines through to the end before wc can under- stand the poetry, and know that it is really verse. Life is poetry, but poetry is not limited to the consonance of sounds, and life is as varied as verse. Wc naturally think of poetry as insepar- rably connected with rhyme, but with very little search we find the verse without a rhyme, blank verse— long weary lines, just doled out in a measure, and every one begin- ing with a capital letter, just to make you catch your breath and think you’re going to ! cgin again.” But it is in this measure that the hero stories are told. Would’nt it be splendid if wc all were heroic and our lives were epics! Wc may enjoy a life of gaiety; with no aim but pleasure, a smooth and easy flow of events may seem to us perfect harmony, but with deeds done jnst to .make the rhyme and rhythm, life filled with selfish purposes gradually becomes narrower and narrower; for by too much sunlight the vision is con- • traded. When trials and disappointments come, former gaiety having unfitted us for sorrow, wc ure at first weighed down with trouble ; but looking about us and seeing others bear- ing greater burdens bravely, we feel ashamed and put away our own petty grief. Wc can then sympathize with the suffering, and can help the “ heavy laden,” and thus our trials may diffuse the starlight that enlarges the vision and enables it to take in influite space. Our lives arc then adapted to higher and more perfect things; we are not looking out so much for the pleasure, the mere rhyming, but more for the real good; and so life becomes elevated, miyestic and even sublime; then indeed it is poetry. Wc all like hero stories written in blank verse, the denouement is always so grand, and we follow eagerly to sec what the heroes do in the end. But what if they are “all killed off? ” Then they do really begin again, and the hero story is indeed finish- ed. If wc wish our lives to be epics, we have one grand hero story which wc may read and try to make our stoiy resemble; but in order to reach perfection, we must not skip a single line of our model, but study it diligently and carefully, and when we come to the end of life, the Great Hero will say of our work as of his own—“ It is finished.”

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III G H SC II OOL A N X U A L. GRAVITATION. PRIZE ESSAY, CLASS OF 75. BY MARY RVA GRAVES. Many thousand year» ago, while Ignorance was still holding her sceptre, and before Philosophy had started on her long and illustrious career, men were familiar with two sets of simple and invariable phenom- ena -the fall of heavy lMxlies set free above the earth’s surface; and the pressure of such bodies on it surface or on any support. But man’s knowledge was limited to effects. He failed to comprehend the grand socret which uature was everywhere endeav- oring to reveal. He had not as yet entered her inner chamtar and beheld her perfect mechanism. Gravitation, the great agent to which the Divine Architect entrusted the harmony and the stability of the universe, remained in obscurity. Nor did it receive of man duo recognition, until ' Philosophy, soaring to her proudest heights, caught up the soul of Sir Isaac Newton,’ and to him nature dis- clos :d her master-wheel. The force of gravitation is mighty; it is stupendous; it is universal. Its power is confined neither to terrestrial bodies nor to bodies celestial. Every atom of matter in the universe, from the tiniest mote dancing in the sunbeam, to tho largest centre of the largest system, yields it perfect oljcdicncc. | Gravitation chains all earthly bodies to their mother earth ; makes the rain descend upon nature's tired and dusty head; causes the river to pursue its onward course to the rolling sea; and restrains the wild and tempestuous ocean within its appointed bounds. Such arc a few illustrations of the obedi- ence of matter to this wonderful force. In like mnnncr there exist in the world of mind, a silent and unseen force, by which men arc universally influenced. Upon it, all progress in the social, intellectual, political aud moral worlds is directly based, and by it the entire world of mind is bound together. And what i» this force but gravitation ? There are in man’» nature the germs of much that is great, much that is good, aud much that i» truly sublime, for tho develop- ment of which he is not only provided with the great book of nature; but this powerful attractive force awakens within him a love for the peraual of its pages —the solving of its mysteries. Social gravitation, or the attraction which underlies and holds society together, is un- limited in it |)ower. There are numberless 1 Kinds of union, and sources of sympathy, which attract and bind man to man, and nation to nation. When God fifct called matter into exist- ence, even the countless atoms spread throughout space, feeling that “it was not good to l e alone,” sought companionship. In the intellectual world we find that through all ages, it was this, which far back in the misty realms of time, first induced man to attempt to solve the mysteries with which his life was densely enshrouded. It was through its influence that the 1 great world went spinning through the ringing grooves of change.’ Nature generously revealed her secrets one by one to her la) oring sons; the march of intellect continued, and with waving banners it still advances. Men arc created with different tastes and aptitudes; so that their combined labor may bring to light tho lost member of Truth, whom Milton, in his sublime figure, represent as having been hewn into pieces and scattered throughout the universe. As in the immensity of space there arc countless systems which arc upheld, illumin- ed and energized by their respective central bodies, so in the world of mind there are num- l rlets objects and pursuits which constitute t he centres of attraction for man, about each of which is gathered a band of admirers and workers. These toilers, bound together by a common sympathy, upheld by the attrac- tion exerted upon them by their common centre of aspiration, find their minds illu- mined and energized by the glorious light of truth. Life’s great army of truth-seekers seem to diverge widely in their sympathies and work. Somo go down into the bowels of the earth, others into the depths of the ocean. Some walk among the flowery fields and others explore the star-bedecked heav- ens. Yet truth is tho common centre to which all are attracted. They arc merely being drawn thither through different paths, which finally terminate in Him who said “ I am the truth.” We see here and there along the track of history, a gfcat and brilliant mind, standing forth in striking contrast to the mosees about it, like a lofty mountain towering above the surrounding hills and valleys. Such were Phidias, Homer, Newton and Shakespeare, and these arc the minds which attract the multitudes and lead them step by step into the shady recesses of thought “which give the soul sweet sense of large room.” Man is irresistibly attracted by the peerless l cauty of nature. He cannot resist her flowers, and birds, and dancing brooks, her winding vales, and verdant plains. He gazes with rapture upon her rolling seas and ever- lasting hills, for his soul “looks through nature, up to nature's God. Upon this same force of gravitation de- pends tho strength of tho political world. Every form of government has its peculiar centre of interest, and of motive, to which the national mind is drawn. In our happy democracy, the idea of individual liberty is a common centre which radiates peace and prosperity. Unity of language forms another centre of incalculable importance. Wherever this exists there must be a national strength and solidity. Diversity of language occasions national weakness. In the moral world this same attracting force is absolutely essential. The Prince of Peace said unto man, “ And I, if I be lifted up from earth, will draw all men unto me, and here we have a centre embodying the most superlative lovelincss,uncqualcd majesty and unfathomable wisdom, which attracts the spiritual man, tending to bring him to the perfection of moral culture. Terrestrial forces chain man to the earth, but when the “Angel Death shall have set tho pure spirit free from its prison of clay, then will it be drawn to the Almighty Centre. The progress in love, and truth, and purity, l egun below, shall never cease, and all mysteries shall glow with supernal light. Throughout the endless cycles of Eternity, Heaven’s fair inhabitants like glorious stars shall revolve about the Sun of Righteous- ness in the most sublime harmony. One song, one force, and one centre forever. A STRAY THOUGHT. IDA r. KINSEY. The light grows dimmer and throws a grey mantle over the silent woods and hills that stand like sentinels around the crumbling ruins of a palace; and as I look on the pic- ture, it reminds me of the human life. The ruined palace seems a being made grand and beautiful by the will of God; and the life that moved within its walls, I liken to the heart, beating with alternate joy and grief. The deeds that have becu done within, are like the passions of that heart, going up be- fore our Maker to be judged. Good and evil men have passed at will through its iron gates jnst as careless words pass from the lips of tho impetuous, and take their winding way through the . world with their several influences, for better or worse. But the march of death cannot l e delayed. He turns neither to the right nor left, to make allowance for the rich or beautiful. All, sooner or later, must come under his dark banner, and so the life within the palace was hushed. The gates were closed, and now tho castle is deserted; while the stones that form- ed the towers, rising proudly toward the sky, are rapidly crumbling and falling to the earth from whence they were raised. Yet tho moss nnd the vine cling lovingly to the stones, like tender memories to the dead; and as the vinca festoon and hide the rough stones, so wc, when God takes one of our number, hide their faults with their virtues. The editors would be gratified to receivo at the High School building any back num- bers of tho Annual, from its first publication in 1857 to tho year 1869.