The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-13

GENEVA N. Y, August 8, lsi7
Commencement Of Genera College Sorro,efM idings
about it,
As you accustomed to publish letters giving
count of what happens in the various parts of the state
worthy of notice have thought that brief description
Of the commencement of the College located in this
beautiful village might be acceptable to you.
The commencement held yesterday. A class of
thirteen graduated the largest class but that
has received the honors Of the institution. The
oratosn of the candid for the aegree of a. b.
highly credtabe and eviuccd that the department of
bellies lettres and oratory had received the attention
which their Importance merit The orstions fol-
lowed by masters GRAFTON and Baccalaureate address
by the Rev DIR. Hale, President Of the College, elo-
quent and learned production, indicating the
Of the College (Which has met with great Ia this
part ofthe country and appealing the friends OF the
institution to come forward and sustain it, L. the af
ternoon an address delivered before the Hermean
Society, by the Rev Smyth Pyne Of Washington city,
and address before the Alumni OF the College, by the
Rev Henry Gregory Of Syracuse Both these addresses
admirable, and listened to with great satisfaction
apparently by select and respectable audience. After
this excursion the lake in the fine Richard
Stevens was participated in by the beauty and chivary
OF this and the surrounding towns and was pronounced
delightful by those who enjoyed 1t. In the evening
there evee at Professor Prentices All the exsr-
cses and festivities Of the day passed of with great
cess and enjoyment; but thought could perceive
that there sadness in the countenances OF many
owing to the fact that this is probably the last
mencement ever TO be enjoyed in connection with the
College under its present organization.
The withdrawal of the annuity granted by the State
added to inexplicabe feeling Of hostility the nsti
tuition in this part Of the State has far decreased the
number of Students and the consequent of the
College, that serious fears entertained to its future
existence. AT meeting Of the trustees this morning,
understand IL decided to reduce the number Of pro-
essors and that accordingly Professor Irving Ia nephew
Of Washington Irving and Professor Prentice
tilted that the trustees without the Of
paying for their services they ut liberty look
for other situations. This arrangement will leave only
the President Dr. Hale and Prof Webster In the faculty
aud 1t Is difficult to how the College be continued
in successful operation with small force. There
have only been about sixty students during the past
year. and learn that many Of them intending TO
leave Mt the end OF this term and enter other colleges
The opinion to be confidently entertained here
that the College must either STOP be continued under
reorganization more favorable and complete.
trust that the latter will be the This village
and this region, so beautiful aud fertile with such
intelligent population, ought TO have University well
endowed and we'll appointed and IL to be hoped that
by greater beraity Of sentiment and less of secaran
influence the trustees of the College will be induced to
open this institution to those who able and willing TO
make II what IL should be. The last place where pro-
scription for opinions sake should be allowed semi
nary of learning and the education of the people in
useful science should be its first and only object