More attention has been given this year to industrial training than ever before. In the recitation rooms, were specimens of the handiwork of the students in the various industrial departments. A class of little girls told of the various forms of needlework, which was something more than theory with them, as their samples of work on exhibition testified. There was not a useless article in the entire collection; they have been taught how to make serviceable garments. Very neat specimens of darning and mending were displayed, also. The cooking classes exhibited samples of their skill. The disappearance of all the handiwork of this class in the course of inspection witnessed to its success. The classes in carpentry displayed specimens of their skill. This is the first year that this industry has been taught here. On Tuesday evening, occurred the annual musical and rhetorical entertainment. A large audience is always expected on this occasion, but this year it was larger than ever. Before eight o'clock, the chapel with the adjoining halls and recitation rooms were filled, and notwithstanding the efforts of the ushers to find room for every one, about half the number were obliged to go away. One little boy who came especially to see the dumbbell drill was found under the front steps, after the close of the entertainment, fast asleep. He had taken refuge there to await a chance to get a seat in the chapel later in the evening. On Wednesday morning, an audience of much more manageable magnitude than that of the previous evening assembled at 10 o'clock, to listen to the regular commencement exercises. These consisted of essays, orations, recitations and declamations. Two young men, one of whom was graduated last year from the elementary normal course, were graduated from the higher normal course. The original productions presented this year were said to have been unusually good. A visitor, in an address made after the presentation of the diplomas, in speaking of the excellence of the orations said of one of them, "It would be creditable on the platform of any school in the United States." The year just ended has been one of hard work and great prosperity. The attendance has been not only larger than ever before, but constant, and the result of such steady and persistent work is, as might be expected, gratifying progress in all departments. * * * * * EXTRACT FROM A VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. An account of the closing exercises of Avery Institute in South Carolina, was given in the MISSIONARY last month. A copy of the valedictory address of one of the pupils has been sent to us, from which we excerpt one or two passages to give the flavor of the occasion. We think it would be creditable to any school of like grade in the country.