The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1849-04-13
For he Herald and Correspondent
Commencement at Oakland College.

gree as ever. Inc riun OF 1uesoay hiS"S
might have damped the ardor Of many to at
tend, and presented obstacles to those at dls-
tance by the heavy roads which it left. But 1t
did not. At least nobody seemed to know that /
any body was missing; and the aspect OF the
spacious hall and demand for new supplies OF
benches up to the last meeting, plainly showed
the undiminished and growing interest felt
throughout the country for this sTaluable institu-
ton. 1t was en- interesting sight to see such
an assembly composing an audience, to young
men just finishing their education and some en-
tering their last collegiate year. Parents were
there to see their sons and guardians their
wards. And from their appearance and emo
tions. it seems as if all others who can, stand
grievously in the way Of noblest pleasure to
themselves, who do not literally educate their
children The triumph of the graduating hour IS
enough to make all previous difficulties be for
gotten. And the learned and professional were
there, forming, no doubt, opinions of the school
by the exercises Of the scholars; and anticipa-
ting for them the rank which ii mind and capa-
bility they were likely to attain, and repiying
in their own memories just such scenes in for
mer days, and in places far away. The voice
of many of these was heard, and let it be put
down, 9Tr Editor, for the encouragement Of
teachers and taught, and Of all the friends Of
this institution. that it was highly laudative.
Persons were, there Of this description from
many of the Oldest institutions in cur land and
from lands older than the whole of this, and
they were unanimous in thinking, from what
they saw and heard on this occasion, that mind
could be cultivated here as well as any where
else. Indeed, what wise man can for amoment
imagine. that the fresh soil and stumpy fields
of a new country mar the growth Of the mind!
Why then should they interfere with its culture?
But / was only telling about the assemblage.
Those that read will be pleased to know that
the number Of ladies' was not small. And
surely after tie mention Of this much about
them, all the rest is superluous. What need
Of saying the stars are bright ard the flowers
are beautiful! The very name tells the quail
ties to every one that mas lis senses. And if
this portion Of the audience did show an ami
mated interest in the exercises, smiling in ap-
probation, and once, if no more, dropping a
tear Of sympathy, as The young orators held
forth, was not this better, a more genuine sort
Of applause, and thousand times more CON-
pensative to the candidates for approbat on.
than the rough shutting, rude stamping and
mechanical humping and knocking Of the
floor BY some Of the stouter bucks there! And
what il something besides delight ii literary
exhibitions drew some Of the fair thither and
they even saw faces that they loyed--hay'nt
they a right to loye2 II even trysts were
made, they might be made in less suitable
piece; ard if looks and trysts should even come
! TO a more lasting interview the least we can do
is TO wish them the good Of it. How many
happy old associations were called up BY that
gathering; associations that are destined We
trust, to long and large increase, the precious
fruits OF that intellectual and neral 1ineyard
Withdrawing nov our attention from the
audience, and without stopping to reconnoitre
The scattered groups that may be seen linger-
ing about in tie grove, we turn to the stage
aid record some Of the impressions made BY
the display there. In the centre sits the yene-
rabe President On each side are the Profess
sors, tutors teachers Still farther of, to right
and left, You see the young gentlemen who are
about TO be graduated, with their fellow stu
dents, arranged according TO their Societies.
Then, onwards TO each side wall, extends q
heavy body Of Directors, Trustees, alumni and
professional characters from abroad, with two
Or three selected orators among them. These
are to address the societies, one each. and one
the alumni Now rising in meek dignity and
extending his hands forward and upward. the
dear doctor drew us al TO our feet while he
! supplcated the blessing Of the Triune God
, and adored the Creator of all that exists, the
Saviour ard Sanctifier Of all the redeemed. and
J acknowledging the divine right to all we have
> and are, prayed that al might be grac;ously
consecrated TO His own service and glory. This
too soon endcd-Was succeeded By the various
addresses and essays Of the different speakers
), which kept smartly going, mingled with sweet
music played in good time, until mid-eyenine
: First Of all came the Salutatory, of course, al
address made in Latin, and well made too
! Though little Of it could be heard from om
place Of standing, yet nostrae ANNA d0,tas res
IRIS cUris appeared to be handsomely sustained
Indeed this thing of inaudibity was an attic.
ton that beset good many of the audeats
all along. Not that feebleness of utteranee
! was to be complained Of, but there were slight
! disturbing noises in considerable plentifulness
i back toward the doors. Indeed some speakers
Il made too much noise to be distinct, whereas
!. others, with much slenderer voices, were more
E clearly heard. But passing this, and having if
n IN charge to those who come late to come soft
", and to those who stand 10 stand still, suffer
: remark in general on the speeches. There
was evidently much less frequent and free
shedding of the blood of our fathers, and less
braggart fighting Of our revolutionary battles
again. The recent affairs of Europe was !
! newer article of discussion. Many speakers
! dealt in this. And how the young colts did
- | lniy n1d L. P.l1.