CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND THE JUVENILE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 15, 3 August 1888, Page 31

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND THE JUVENILE EXHIBITION.

(Melbourne Advocate, July 11.) With the approval »f our venerated Archbishop, several of the Catholic schools of the city and suburbs most willingly, and even eagerly, accepted the invitation to exhibit and give performances at ■!u J " vemle Exhibition. Both teachers and pupils were delighted with the oppor urity thus presented of entering into friendly competition with other schools, and we do not flatter our boys and girls in say ing that they have come most creditably out of the ordeal. In some respects their preparations were made under disadvantageous circumstances. They had no State aid or patronage to help them on, and no high-salaried instructors in art to coach them for tbe occasion. But fcr these wants they had compensation in teachers wnose hearts are really in their work, and in the wholesome impressions produce! on their ductile minds by the Christian lessens they daily received. And the result is what might have been expected. In plain needlework, in embroidery, in drawing and pamtiug in penmanship, and in fancy work of different kinds, no competent judge who critically examined the exhibits could hesitate to award the palm to those from the several convents. We have in our mind some tapestry work uf the finest texture and beautifully shaded, some water colour etchings which would deserve c place on the line in any exLibition, a few admirable studies in black and white, some skilfully executed map tracing and shading, and Borne exquisite specimens of lace, but as we cannot in our^ace distinguish between the exhibits from the several schools *n f Hf y a PP orlion Praise, we shall confine ourselves to general ailusjpg. As for the entertainments given by our Catholic schools, tney^ereat least up to the highest standard reached by juveniles rrom any other quarter. In music, vocal and instrumental, in recitations, in deportment and behaviour, the children from these schools acquitted themselves in a manner which confessedly much gratified our Arcnbiehop, and with that verdict in their favour our children

may be well satisfied, even if it received no endorsement. Cathotic parents have, therefore, the best possible reason for being more than satisfied with the part their children played under circumstances which tested the quality of the education given in our schools, ani which brought prominently out the good effects of disci pline based on motives which, at the same time, influence heart and understanding. To the Catholic community generally it must be gratifying that their schools have come so successfully out of the competition. If is due to the Archbishop that the efficiency of our teachers and the proficiency of our children have thus beem placed in eviden ce before the community. Tbe public spirit and sound judgment, which his Grace has unquestionably displayed in this matter, add one more weighty claim to the many already recognised in his administration of the affairs of the diocese.