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Persifor Spilsbury (brother of Raymond) offers his commentary on the state of the Thencanic Society meeting. After serious remarks on the turbulent behavior, he gives praise to the students who participated in the debate. One student remains unidentified. Transcription included.

Spilsbury, Persifor G. (Persifor Gybbon), 1882-1959
Critic's Report, 18 and 21 December 1898 · Item · 1898-1899
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

An unusual typed report, detailing the final meetings of 1898. Post notes the debate's topic, which may reflect post-Spanish-American-War discussions of the role of the media. He also mentions a challenge from the Normal [School] Debating Society, fines levied against "unruly members," and the return of a lost "opera hat." No transcription, as this is a typescript.

Post, J. Foster, ca. 1882-

This humorous report details the students' interest in a new game called "basket ball," and John Britton's oration on pies. The critic also reject's the Society President's attempt to levy a fine against him. Transcription included.

Note that the connection with Hervey Studdiford is somewhat tenuous, as he likely graduated no later than 1895. The Society did occasionally receive visits from alumni, or It may be an unnamed younger brother or relative of Hervey's. But without a first name there is no way to confirm this Studdiford's identity.

Katzenbach, Welling S. (Welling Sickle), 1884-1913

A report signed only as "Critic," perhaps due to the harsh words it has for the Thencanic Society. Though brief, it shows that the problems of teenage boys continue to affect the Society's operations. The anonymous Critic caps off his report with a flourish that leads into a doodled illustration of a man in a top hat. Transcription included.

unknown

Two critic's reports for the same meeting, one rejected and the other accepted. Presumably the first report did not accurately describe the meeting. Unfortunately, no records survive as to why the Officers rejected the first report. Transcription included.
One student, "Dunning," has not been identified as the few mentions of him only include his first name.

Britton, John K. (John Kirby), 1883-1962
Thencanic "An Equilateral Triangle" booklet, 16 February 1901 · Item · 1901
Part of TFPL New Jersey State Normal and Model Schools at Trenton and Successor Institutions Collection

This booklet outlines the events of one of the Thencanic Society's "entertainments." The main item was Howard Hanson's farce-comedy "An Equilateral Triangle," the text of which does not survive. It does, however, include the names (or at least the first two initials) of the participating members, as well as their class years. No transcription, as the booklet is typed.

Thencanic Society (Model School (Trenton, N.J.))