Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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NINETEEN THREE 89 fessor Tyler of Amherst College gave a very able lecture upon The Rise of the Theory of Evolution. As the Seniors had been studying about the subject, it was particularly interesting to them. The fourteenth the Sophomores took the Seniors to Tanner's for dinner, and then on a straw-ride. The Centennial Club during this month began the study of Browning. The latter part of the even- ing Fratilein Kammer explained the operas Lohengrin and Tannhauser,'l Miss Peabody illustrating at the piano. Next in order we attended an address in the Bradford church by Rev. Philip Moxom upon the subject, Is Religion Interestingg Mr. H. A. Clapp of Boston gave one of the most interesting lectures of the year upon Hamlet. On the twenty-eighth we had our Senior banquet, a day long looked forward to. Now that it is over, how near Com- mencement seems, and we realize only too fully that soon our school days will be a thing of the past and we shall no longer be at Bradford! The juniors decorated the gymnasium and table in a most attractive manner and sang to us. A delicious dinner was served, and at the table the decorations were American Beauty roses, our class flower, candles, and very cute dinner-cards containing grinds from the juniors. The class history and prophecy were read. Would that we might have this evening over again, for it was at that time that we realized as never before how happy we had been together, and how dear to us had become the friends from whom we must soon part. We are looking forward to a lecture in April upon Pompeii by Dr. von Mach, and to a recital by Mrs. H. H. A. Beach and Madame Martinez. Other interesting events will follow, but as our book goes to press the last of March, they cannot be mentioned here. In speaking of these events, which concerned, usually, large numbers of girls, perhaps some of the smaller, but by no means less enjoyable affairs, should be mentioned. For example, the 'tboxes from home must not be for- gotten, nor the spreads. These spreads are usually on Saturday evenings, and such good times as the word spread brings to our minds l A particularly pleasing feature of our school life is the way in which a birth- day is celebrated. The girl who has the birthday is given the seat of honor at dinner, and the table is decorated attractively with flowers and candles. There

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88 THE CHIMES emy Hall. The girls attended, in Haverhill, Gounod's Gallia and Rossini's Stabat Mater. The night before the Senior play, the Seniors were allowed to go to Haverhill to Tanner's for dinner, and for an evening of genuine good time, few can surpass this. We had an inexpressibly pleasant feeling, to think that we were over there on a school night having a good time, while all the other girls were at home studying. Such it is to be a Senior ! The next night, the seventh, came our Senior play, when The Rivals was presented. All day an air of expectancy hung over the school. Friends began to arrive, and up and down the corridors could be noticed Seniors, some murmuring their parts, and others giving orders. Certainly it was a happy, though busy, day. A description of the play is given elsewhere in detail. After the play there was dancing by the Seniors and their guests in the Gym. During the month Madame Martinez gave two informal recitals, exhibiting the work of her ad- vanced pupils, and the girls did great credit to their teacher. Valentine's day was celebrated in a most appropriate manner. The juniors were the hostesses, and the entertainment was a masquerade dance. During the evening valen- tines which had previously been deposited in a basket were distributed. The second of Professor Down's recitals was on the eighteenth. Madame Helen Hopekirk played, and her playing was a delight to all. Fraulein Kammer gave a very interesting talk upon Germany, illustrated by the stereopticon, and as it consisted largely of her own personal experiences, the girls were all the more interested. The twenty-second was celebrated by only a few girls, for almost everyone went away for over Sunday. Those who were left behind, however, did not lack for fun. The next lecture was by Rev. A. T. Kempton, being a stereopticon ffpicture story of Evangeline March March third the Senior class was most fortunate. We spent a happy even- ing in Miss Knott's room, where we were entertained by Mr. Williamson and Mrs. H. A. Chase. Mr. Williamson read Bu1'ns's poems to us, and Mrs. Chase sang a number of Burns's songs. We shall always look back upon this evening as one of the bright spots in our memory of school days. On the sixth, Pro-

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90 THE CI-IIIVIES are many dainties here, which not all the tables are enjoying. Not only do the girls come in for these celebrations upon their birthdays, but the teachers, too, have their share. Often after dinner the girls dance in the Gym, and these few minutes of informal dancing before study hour are very popular. On Saturdays and Mondays large parties of girls go off on drag-rides, or go driving in smaller groups. There are many beautiful drives in and about Bradford and Haverhill, one of especial interest being the drive to Whittier's birthplace. Often the girls go to Boston for lectures, concerts, and theatrical perform- ances, or on some trip of historical interest. Under the charge of Dr. von Mach or Miss Keyes the Seniors have made visits to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Gardner Museum, and the Germanic Museum in Cambridge. As we look back upon the events of our Senior year, we realize how many good times have been arranged for us, and we realize that to the careful plan- ning of Miss Knott and the rest of the Faculty we owe most of these happy occasions. Though good times are not the main features of school life, they are a necessary part of it, and for them We feel more gratitude than we are able to express.