The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-16
Third Semi Centennial Celebration OF Yale
College.
OUR NEW HAVEN CORRESPONDENCE.

cited in the celebration. Accordingly, about one
thousand OF the Alumni of this venerable institution
have assembled here 10 do honor TO the occasion,
embracing the few remnants OF those classes which
graduated during the eighteenth century, including
also some of all the classes which have graduated
for the last fifty years.
This morning the Alumni met at the chapel, and
after hearing report of the deaths among their
numbers during the last year, ana attending to
some other preliminary business, moved in pro-
cession 10 the Centre Church, where long and
interesting discourse was delivered by the Presi-
dent of the College, Mr.. Woolsey. The dis
course was historical sketch of the rise and pro-
gress of the college, TO the present time. 1t is to
be regretted that Mr.. Woolsey had not paid more
attention to the graces and powers Of elocution
His manner Of reading is dull and monotonous
which rendered his discourse tedious to large
portion Of mis- hearers, although interesting in mat
ter, and in the hands of elocutonist like
Everett, would have enchained the attention of his
audience.
This afternoon, at about two O'clock the Alu mni
assembled in spacious tent, erected on the Col
lege grounds, where they partook of collation.,
and enjoyed an intellectual treat of high charac-
ter, in The addresses made on the occasion. Pro-
fessor Silman presided in that happy manner with
which he does everything he attempts, of public
nature. He was supported by President WOolsey,
of the College, in the duties imposed him.
Messrs. b. Silliman, Jr, and G. Robinson were
the efficient and polite marshals in providing for
the accommodation at the tables, of near one
thousand guests.
After a blessing was asked by ex- President Day,
the collation. was disposed of, and appropriate pieces
were sung by the choir of the College. As toasts
or sentiments were announced by the President,
they were severally responded to. After few
brief remarks by ex-President Day, relating
mainly to the past history of the College, Professor
Silliman, in one of his happiest efforts, gave his
own "reminiscences of some of the incidents of his
connection with the College. In abiding to the
late Doctor Dwight, the Professor stated that it was
by his advice that he engaged in the precincts of
science instead Of those Of the law, which he had
commenced.
To a toast complimentary to Harvard University,
Professor Felten, of that institution responded in
speech full of humor and interest, and received
with grea, applause. Professor Brown, of Dart
mouth College, made few happy remarks.
On the part Of the learned professions, Rev. DR..
Bacon responded on behalf Of the clergy Daniel
Lord, Esq, of New York, on behalf OF the law
the medical profession. These speeches were all
characterized by eloquence and genius, and that of
Doctor Bacon was full of historical interest
To the sentiment from Bishop Berkeley, West
Mr.. Bates, Of Missouri, responded in an iofi hand
speech, full OF genuine el0quence and feeling. al
though desultory. in its character, and making no
pretensons to learning, and saying that this was his
u
Mr.. Gould, of South irolina or rather resident
there, being, he stated, native of Connecticut,
spoke in behalf of the South, and paid an eloquent
tribute to the memory Of John c. Calhoun.
John Pierponf, of Massachusetts,, entitled :" Pro-
gress," which occupied an half hour in the reading,
by that accomplished divine and poet Ii is impos-
s,be to do justice, in sketch, to this beautiful pro-
ducti0n, which was received with thunders of ap-
plause. II appeared to me enc Of the happiest ef-
efforts Of this talented poet, and it read in his
best style as an elocutionist.
DR.. Holmes, OF Boston, made few brief re-
marks, concluding with some lines of poetry, oc-
cssioned by his visit here. He is to deliver poem
this evening, before the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Tomorrow, the exercises Of commencement at
college take place, Of which will advise you.
NEw HAVEN, Aug. Is, 1850.
large audience assembled last evening to hear
the address and poem before the Phi Beta Kappa
Society. The address, by Jshn Andrews, Esq, of
Columbus, Ohio, was an interesting and instruc-
tive performance, although so long as to be te-
dous TO the audience, who were impatient for the
poem, by the well known Dr. Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Of Boston. This was listened to for an
hour with undivided attention, and was delivered
in a style worthy of the reputation Of the author
II poem of great beauty of thought and express
sion, might have been expected from Dr.
Holmes. The subjects were Of the most varied
character, the simple, descriptive, imaginative.
pathetic, sarirical, and humorous, being combined
in the peculiar style of Holmes, all In easy and
familiar verse, and in the true spirit Of poetry.
AT an early hour this morning. the streets Of this
classic and beautiful city were thronged with
beauty and fashion, on their way TO secure seats
at the Centre Church. where the college exercises
were TO commence at nine o'clock. The galleries
of the spacious church were crowded with ladies,
being exclusively appropriated for that purpose;
and The students and alumni were nearly sufficient
TO fill the body Of the church, leaving but little
room for others.
The class graduating this year, seventy eight in
number, Is not considered as particularly distin-
guished for talent, and a portion OF their perfor-
above medocriy in point Of ability. The follow.
ing is list OF these periormances;-
FORENOON.
salutatory orstion in Latin, by Willis Strong Col
Grafton, The Restorative PrincIpiep By Daniel
Benbrght, wsstmoreland Co, Pa
Dissertation. The Study OF Nature as Liberslixing
the Mind, by Luesn sumner Wilcox West Grauby.
Dissertation. "Atbenisn Art" by samuel johnson
Dissertation, Christian Path the only sure Gr,und
Of Human Progress,"b BY Jacob Kent Warner, stry-
Grafton, "selLK knowledge" BY Chauneey Meigs
Hand, Madison.
Poem, !" The Reign Of Love" by George Lombard
Dissertation The siciiisn Expedition" by Beujs-
min Jason Horton, Cincinnati, Ohio.
or,,ion, The Causes Of Party violenee,"by Henry
Dissertation, The Earl Of Chsthsm," BY william
Thompfon Fsrnhsm Nev York city.
Dissertation. " The Influence OF great Scenes and
Objects in Nature, the Formation of Character" by
Cyyrian Strong Brainerd, Haddsm-
Grafton, Want" by Albert Pierson Condit, Orange,
Nj.
Poem, Jerusalem Rescued By the Crusaders" BY
oliver Brown, Lyme.
orston. " The Fame OF Homer" by Henry Phelps
Sanford. Painesville, Ohio.
orstion, Idcslity with reference to the American
Mind by Clinton Camp, Trumsnsburgh, " Y.
Grafton" Learn TO labor aud to wait "by Oswald
Lsngdon Woodford, West Avon.
AFTERNOON.
Dissertation, The Influence Of Revolutions on the
Progress Of Society by William Brush New Fairfield
Dissertation In French Guillsumo Tell = By George
shermsn Converse, New York city.
Poem. New England" by John Isaac Ira Adams,
Durham. N n.
Dissertation" The Northwest Passage" BY Henry
Marty m Dechert, Heading, Pa.
Philosophical Grafton " The Conflict OF Conscience
snd Law" By William Hsughton Richards, Groton,
Mass.
Poem, The vision" BY wills Strong Cotton, Lock