“We stopped a while in the room where the Senior Class was being examined in Geology by Prof. Chase. One student was giving the names of sixty or seventy specimens of minerals, ores, rocks and fossils. Another was determining the nature of certain minerals by means of the blow-pipe, while another gave the classification of the mineral kingdom as he had written it on the board. Prof. Morgan was hearing a class in Cicero as we entered the library, and one of the students was reading in a sonorous tone the impeachment of Cataline by Cicero.
“In another room, Prof. Spence was hearing a class in Phædon. Prof. Bennett conducted a class through the United States History within the hour and a half allotted to him. Other classes were examined in Astronomy, Virgil, and the Greek Testament. In Normal School, under the care of Miss H. Matson, assisted by Misses E. M. Barnes and S. M. Stevens, classes were examined in Arithmetic, Grammar, Physical Geography, and Reading. A person passing from one room to another would be impressed with the thought that hard and conscientious work had been done, and that the examinations were impartially conducted in order to draw out the exact knowledge of the pupil upon the subject under consideration.
“In the evening came the Common School Normal Exhibition, beginning promptly at 8.30 o’clock. The beautiful song, “The Morning Freshly Breaking,” was sung by a well-trained chorus. The music of the entire week, consisting of thirty pieces or more, was under the charge of Miss Mary O. Swift, who combines with great ability as an instructor, a voice of rare sweetness and power.
“Those who took part in this exhibition had finished the normal course, which is adapted to the demands of the State schools, and received a certificate in which their standing in the studies of the Common School Normal Course is given. Most of these will continue to pursue their studies further. The examination of the day, together with the exercises of the exhibition, promise well for the remainder of commencement week.
“On Tuesday, examinations were continued. We spent a good deal of time in the Model School, an important attachment of the Normal Department of the University. The presiding genius of this school is Miss Irene Gilbert, a lady who seems to have been born for the position she holds in the Model School.
“She has had upwards of a hundred children from the city under her charge during the past year, and has carried them forward with an unflagging enthusiasm, which has secured the best results. The Normal Class, which received certificates on Monday night, have paid daily visits to her school to witness the drill which she gives her juveniles in the mysteries of reading, spelling, and rudimentary mathematics. Details of students from the Normal School have been made daily, who instructed the Model School pupils, under the critical eye of Miss Gilbert. When it is remembered that Fisk University contributes one hundred and fifty teachers to the schools of the South, it will be seen that the drill thus received is especially valuable to those who receive it.
“In the evening came the Union Literary Society Exhibition.
“Wednesday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, occurred the presentation of the great Bell given to the University by the Jubilee Singers and Mrs. Gen. C. B. Fisk, of New York. These were of an exceedingly interesting character. Speeches were made by Prof. White and Mr. Loudin, on the part of the singers, and by Pres. Cravath, Prof. Willcox, and others; after which a poem by Prof. Spence of the University was read. A number of pieces were sung by the Jubilee Singers, who furnished much of the music for all the exercises.
ODE TO THE JUBILEE BELL.
BY PROF. A. K. SPENCE.