Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-08-18
COMMENCEMENT AT AMHERST COL
IEGE

COMMENCEMENT AT AMHERST COL
LEGE.
The Twenty second Anniversary of this Insttu
ton was held last week. The exercises common
ced on Tuesday evening with prize defamation by
members of the Freshman and Sophomore classes
The speakers acquitted themselves with honor
On Wednesday Grafton was pronounced before
the several Literary Societies, by Ensign II. KEEL
logg ESQ, OF Pittsfeld, Ms. His subject was, "Thc
influences which meet the scholar upon leaving the
halls of learning TO engage in the duties of active
life" He pointed out some Of the prominent opn
ions and systems of the day with which the scbo
ar must necessarily come in contact and urged
manly boldness in searching out their prete
treasurlng up the good and casting away the bad
This is peculiarly an age of innovation and radical
ism. The scholar he surveys the diversified
scene before him will observe many things new and
startling. But this should not induce him to reject
them without examination. Society is progressive
In the midst of conflicting opinions new truths,
moral, political, social, will be elected. And he
would prove recreant to the noble cause he has es-
poused did he refuse TO receive them. His Grafton
was good, well adapted to the age, but as literary
production il hardly met the expectations of the au-
dience. An Address was delivered before the AL
unni, by Charles U. Shepherd, one Of the first
graduates from the Institution, now Professor in the
South Carolina Medical College. In the introduce
ton, he gave humorous account OF the rise, early
struggles and subsequent progress of his ".4ima
Mater, and drew happy contrast between lis then
embarrassed and present hourishng state. He pro-
posed some important improvements in the course
of instruction pursued in colleges-recom-
mended greater attention TO the Natural Sciences
and especially Chemistry in connection with Sci
entfc Agriculture. His Address exhibited great
clearncss and originality. rich vein of pleasant
ry ran through the whole which added much to its
effect.
In The evening an Address was delivered before
the "Society of Inquiry" by Rev. George B. Chez
yer of New York City This was most admirable
production, marked by great depth Of thought and
profound research. On Thursday were the regular
performances of the graduating class. These were
on the whole unusually interesting, and displayed
much vigor of thought and mental discipline. In
the selection of subjects the speakers departed from
that dull monotony which too often is seen and fell
in these exercises They exhibited in their produc-
tons an independence and originality of thought
which is truly gratifying in this age of servie imi.
tation.
The Colloquy came on Just in season 10 drive
away that ennui which usually seiLes the audience
sitting in a crowded house for Eve hours without
cessation. The subject was "The past, the present
and future, and an actor appeared as representa-
tive for each of these ages. An "Antideuvan"
first mounted the stage, who after having slept i've
thousand years was restored by celebrated quaek
nostrum Soon after appeared MS representative of
the present age, Mllerte inveighing "wth all the
rage of impotence against the corruption of this
world and holding up to view the awful realization
of the "second advent which would take place in
few days He followed by the representative for
l943, who appeared in the character of an agent
for the "Condor Steam Co." TO obtain passengers
for the railroad across the Atlantic, or if they pre-
ferred, an aerial passage through the air! Its OBJ
jec was TO satire some of the crude absurdites and
humbugs of the day, and this object was very in
genously and successfully accomplished.
"The Masters Citations were delivered by Tu-
tors IL. M. Spofford, and G., b. Jewett both of
which were truly eloquent and powerful. The Val
edictory Addresses by d. Torrey of Honesdale Pa,
were most excelent-brief, eloquent and we'll adap-
ted to t'H'oecasion. The exercises were enlivened
by the soul-stirrng music Of the Cabotville Band
who performed their part TO the satisfaction of the
audience Among the distinguished visitors pres
ent were DIR. Beecher of Cincinnati Ohio, and
Pres. Beecher of Illinois College, and DIR. Bates,
late President of Middebury College.
Twenty-one young gentlemen received the de-
gree of A. b. and about the same number that OF
A. M. The prospects for the next Freshman class
are flatterng A considerable number have already
entered and many more are expected.
PHILOMATHOS.