The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-27


| SCHENECTADY, July "a, 1s46
Commencement at Union College Incidents, &c.
| Having attended the exercises at this college
during the three days past, we send you an ac-
count which may be found interesting.
| Schenectady has not much to boast fin itself.
but the scenery around it is very fine The land
scaPe seen from eof the college windows is un.
surpassed. The college stands on hill, and COM
mands an extended prospect
The exercises commenced on Sabbath evening
by an address before the theological society, by
the Rev. VIM. B. Sprague, d. D., of Albany. His
subject was &C The Importance of Theological
Study" We understand that his address was
just such an one as could have been expected
from one whose writings are so eminently dstin-
gnished Tor beauty OF expression and vigor OF
thought.
On Tuesday, we listened to an address deliver
ed before the PIN Beta Kappa, by A. w. Brad
ford, OF New York. His subject was, " The So
clai Principles first Promulgated at the Declare
ton OF independence" and seemed to be dis
cusson Of the ideal government best fitted for q
free people. The address was well written, but
was not characterized by either vigor or original
ity Of thought.
ing the poem which was to have been delivered
by DIR. ]. X. Mitchell, Of Philadelphia. He was
detained at home by sickness in his family.
Inc usual address before the literary societies
was delivered in the evening, by Rev. JOIN Todd
l.. u. 1t was a practical address to the under
graduates, well and strongly written. II was lis
tened to with deep interest by the audience, and
its lively wit and practical common sense will
not soon be forgotten. We wish we had room to
give extended sketch of this address, but our
limits forbid. We can merely give a few heads
OF the topics with which he occupied the evening
The hrst was i" that students should not under.
take too much in college" The prescribed sill
dies were abundandy sufficient to employ and
discipline the mind; and tho time spent in pursu
| W.T. ofrt d.Aa "a La.
worse than vain. ''The object Of college course
is not to rebel against the laws Of college, and
elude the vigilance Of professors, nor to avoid
the trashy literature of the day" The object Of
study was to form, rather than inform the mind.
The classics, and particularly mathematics, were
j. particularly demanded by the spirit of the age
We want not only the words that burn, but most
OF all, the thoughts that breathe. Let the mind
be I'M bued with the spirit of the subject, and let
the thoughts be conveyed in "pure iron-rongued
Saxon," and the man will be eloquent-eloquent
TO INSTRUCT, to convince. to persuade. We want
hard study to accomplish this. f" To succeed,
we need two things moral character which
shall demand and hold respect; and q continued
and felt connexion Of the present with the future
world. We must see things in the Light of eterni-
y. For encouragement, God is ever nigh. TO
counsel and assist.
We are sorry to dismiss this address with 20
meagre sketch; but we must do 80. We hepe
it will be published.
held on Wednesday. They were not character
lsed by any striking qualities, but wore, in tbs
main, highly creditable to the young gentlemen
who took part in them. We do not think that the
exercises are arranged in the best manner pos
sible. There too many speeches, and they
are, necessarily, too short. Few men can write q
OF s m'i s% long, snd give sasr
centlY engaged in the subject, to give that power
to the delivery which the occasion demands. It
seemed 10 us that there was constant hurry to
GET ma ovNlof md a otto 1A
II the only object was to exhibit as large q number
as possible in prescribed time. Either there
should be a smaller number OF speakers, there
should be two sessions in the commencement
The exercises were commenced by prayer, by
the President, DIR. Mott; after which the Latin
salutatory was delivered by P. w. veeder. This
European Despots.'' The Grafton was well writ
ten and delivered in forcible, manly style of
eoquence, that showed familiar acquaintanoe
with public speaking.
best Days." J. F. jenkins; .The Political Re-
former" r. Ursine; an Italian Oration," B. B.
Hart; "Our Government" d. G. Printess. We
were well pleased with this Grafton. The speaker
appeared not to be afraid to encounter prejudice
in the treatment Of his subject; he spoke of our
government as great and glorious government,
s oud as sayns Of e ss%en Of r.
manly spirit. Next in order, came A French
Oraton," J. Rankine "Last Hours Of Psricles,"
c. NWaldron +" Criticism" A: J: Perry; Habit
man Oration," ]. w. Mott "Voice of Nature"
j. b. Tibbtts. This Grafton, we think, was the
best Of the day. II was full of good thoughts,
fine voice and graceful action made it almost all
we could wish in a Commencement speech
Love of the Beautiful" H. B. Silliman, was
finely written, and well and forcbly delivered
This was followed by " Desire OF Reputation" 8.
M ingalls,; Greek Poem," H. Il; Perry; "fime
mortality of TRUTH" H. r. Pierso~, which con.
to,, ~A - D. AZ
instance: Which sparkle on the beaded top Of
immortality;" "The UNIVERSAL" Il. A. South
wick Minstrelssy," R. J: BALDWIN, "The
..The World is Governed 100 much,-G McAuisy.
This piece was well got up, and had some pvssa-
ges Of considerable Wit Next in order came
menus our W. Bench BsS~ osdI
Wentworth-we won't say much about the senti-
ments Of this speech. The speaker talked of the
jaw-breaking words as if they were old friends,
think he must have spoken indistnctly. for we
could not understand a word "The Immortality
OF Literature" II. F: Perry; "The Political Press"
M "; whl SS. usec.ional Pr ri T.
LUIS was beautifully written, finely illustrated and
well spoken. The Emerald I.le" was delivered
with energy by speaker whose appearance in
terested the audience, A. Dickson. il. "Poem,n
W. II. Rick, was fair. "The Dead" w. G.
Brooks, was turned into q valedictory by the
speaker.
Our communication is already .oolong, or we
would have motto. several speakers more fully.
The singing by the choir was excellent, and did
great credit 10 the talented leader.
We left the house grat6ed at the exhibition of
the talents and requirements of the gen,lemen
VINO had performed their parts well. Ii would
be but just to saw, that we did ample Justice to
the excellent collation. prepared for graduates by
the Faculty-these comforts to the inner man are
always good on such occasions
RocHEsrKR, July "A. 1916.
Prospects Of Harvest, Fruit, 8.c.--Mo~sy Ma-kst--
Fail,~es-Miiifary Vintsrs and Preparation