Decoration of the Emeritus Gymnasium Prefect Father Placidus Degeser in Merano

Austrian Monarchy.

Meran, 21 Feb. (Corresp.) I come straight from a celebration that counts among the most heartwarming I have ever witnessed in my life. The venerable emeritus prefect of the Meran Gymnasium, Father Placidus Degeser, was decorated with the large golden medal of honor.

Picture an old man of 78 years, with snow-white hair, a mild countenance, pious and modest, who for nearly half a century — 47 full years — as professor and prefect guided studying youth toward virtue and scholarship with forbearance and love, with thorough erudition and the example of tireless activity, and who presided over the educational institution with exemplary devotion to duty; and you have the portrait of the man who formed the centerpiece of the festivities.

Around 9 o'clock, the Gymnasium students, the large municipal civic committee, the Imperial-Royal District Court, the civil authorities led by the universally esteemed district captain Franz Kopp, and numerous friends, admirers, and pupils of the honored guest from near and far gathered in the festively adorned Gymnasium chapel. A detachment of the National Guard paraded as a guard of honor, serving simultaneously to prevent any unbecoming crush.

It was a moving moment when Dean Santner of Meran, the Deans Alois Stueffer and Karl v. Attlmayr, Pastor Thaler of Kuens, known as the poet Lertha, and Mr. Ganal, senior of the cooperators of the parish of Meran — all five former pupils of the emeritus prefect — ascended the steps of the altar to elevate the solemnity of the occasion with a high mass.

Following the high mass, the district captain delivered a speech offering a spirited tribute to the merits of Mr. Degeser, pinned the medal of honor to the chest of the humble elder, and brought the solemn ceremony to a close with a few warm words of congratulation. I assure you, the sight touched every heart! The musical choir then played the Imperial Anthem in an inspiringly beautiful melody.

When this had concluded, the director of the Gymnasium, Father Albert Jäger, spoke words of thanks on behalf of the aged Father Degeser, who was considerably taxed in health as well as by the entire celebration, for the grace of His Majesty our Emperor. He took the opportunity to express words of the warmest gratitude also on behalf of the Meran educational institution and all those directly or indirectly involved with it; for in the decoration shining upon the chest of the honoree, His Majesty had also honored the achievements of the Gymnasium and the gifts of its benefactors.

Remarkable was the report that in the course of the present school year, without the number of indigent youths being larger than in other years, more than 170 benefactors in the town of Meran and its immediate surroundings provided over 15,000 board days to poor students; a brilliant testament to the noble spirit of the town of Meran toward its seat of learning.

At the conclusion, Mayor Haller, likewise a former pupil of the decorated father, mounted the rostrum to give vent in a warm address to the feelings of his heart overflowing with gratitude and joy.

At midday, a simple dinner united all dignitaries and old friends of the honored Father Degeser in unconstrained conviviality.

The entire festival was distinguished by simplicity and warmth. The presence of the district captain was, as wherever he appears, winning to all hearts, and the joyful participation in the honor bestowed upon the veteran educator was universal and unfeigned; proof of which were the many tears of joy that flowed. Where the state honors deserving teachers in such a manner, scholarship, the joy of teachers in their calling, and the esteem and affection of students for the place of their upbringing and education can only flourish; hence a joyful salute to our Emperor Franz Joseph!