The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-09-21
ROWDOIN COLLEGE

The meagre accounts we have seen. or been
able TO furnish, of the performances az Bruins
wick at and Immediately preceding the late
commencement, are, we confess, such as were
no more satisfactory 10 ourselves than We have
any reason to believe they could be 10 our
readers.-lt was our intention 70 have expressed
al 40 earlier day, our regrets that no friend of
the oldest and most respectable literary institu-
ton in our state should have been found nj its
annual festival with sufficient ability and incli-
station to furnish materials at least. from which
tolerable estimate might be formed OF the pro-
gressive improvement Of 50 considerable rep
resentatiOn Of our rising hopes in learning and
science. We gather nothing Of this from the
summary and understanding renorts we
have heard, that all the exercises were. IN cock
ney phrase, well done up. very fair. or from fair
to middiug, &c. &c.--The public have right
70 expect a judicious and impartial review Of
these annual exhibitions 10 be given III a style
and manner becoming the occasion, and such a.
the talents and attanments OF the candidates
for degrees ought to Justify and support "a fair
estimate and just distribution Of whatever
praise or blame may al the bar Of sober Crit-
cism be due to the several performers
Viewing, a. we do, Bnwdoin College the
permanent establishment Of a seat. we hope a
fayOrite one in cur state for tue Arts aud Sci
ences, and the place which we must mainly re-
gard as their home, we take no pains To disguise
our solicitude fer every thing that can directly
Tor incidentally contribute "a the honor and
fame Of that institution. We have an interest in
IL reputation as intimately connected with
whatever literary or scientific character we
may be able TO sustain abroad, a. well a. the
encouragement and support the College itself
may have right 90 demand from our citizens
Int home. While, therefore, we wish every pos
sible increase Of wealth anG patronage TO lis re-
sources and means OF advancement. a. well ~
Of talents and industry in is pupils we shall Of
Ter no apology for whatever freedom We NAV
take 10 the suggestions we may now, or al any
future period, think proper 70 offer with a view
of Improvement in whatever is connected with
is internal regulation or public exhibitions.
In this view we cannot forbear 20 advert. IN
terms Of no appreciation, to practice. pecu-
liar, we believe, 10 this institution. Of an annual
parting address from the President 10 the grad
yates Of the day. We can hardly conceive 4
more inappropriate and inJndicious exhibition
than one Of this nature which we are comuelled
10 witness, and which from lis annual repetition
We arc led % expect as an established precedent
% be hereafter considered an Indispensable ar-
compartment of collegiate exercises
We have been accustomed To REGARD ror,
mencemenJ a. day peculiarly and exclusively
devoted % an exhibition ofthe powers INA ~
iainments 81 students Ht the institution 80,
for the purpose Of giving an opportunity ~ tn,;r
instructors for displaying on their part their lit
raFy Or didactic talents ,--le.rst IF All does I,
.compor with our ideas Of prOprietv that tutors
and pupils should enter into competition AZ N
their several powers Of afFordinr instruction. n
amusement, before proniscuous auditory.
II any thing in the shape Of advice or adnoni