Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-08-27
University at LeWisDurg,
COMMENCEMENT, &C.

the recent exercises at the University, ex-
cept the proceedings on Wednesday, and
on the previous evening.
On Tuesday evening, the Baptist meet
ing house was crowded to its utmost capa-
city by citizens and strangers, including a
large proportion of ladies, who listened
for several hours with deep interest to the
exercises of the Senior Academic, Fresh
man and Sophomore Collegiate classes, in
Composition and Defamation. The per-
formances were highly creditable to the
parties concerned, and spoke well for the
proficiency and skill of the pupils and their
preceptor. The compositions of the young
ladies were a decided commentator. A
poem furnished for the occasion by youth
of fifteen will be found on our first page,
and is one of numerous illustrations which
could readily be furnished of the unusual
proportion of talent to be found in the
ranks of tie students at this Institution.
Some Of the Music furnished by the Choir
was of high order of excellence but
other portions were not of a popular char
acter, and required degree of effort for
their execution that could not but excite
occasional apprehensions for the perform
ers, in the minds of the audience
The First Annual Commencement,
was an occasion of much more than ordi-
nary interest and Importance both on ae-
count of the intrinsic merit Of the perfor-
mances, and because it was the first in
gathering of the fruits of a noble enterprise.
The day was cool and pleasant, and people
thronged to the Hill long before the ap-
pointed hour When the Procession ar
rived and was seated, the Hall as well as
the antc-chamber was densely crowded in
every nook and corner, and hundreds went
away, unable to get foothold within
hearing distance.
The audience exhibited the utmost pa
ticncc and dccorum during session of
more than four hours-enliyened at inter-
walls by choice music from the Choir and
the Danyillc Band. The On y NAL oppro-
pos incidents we noticed were occasional
interludcs from the throats of young in
fants, which had found their way thither
by mistake, we suppose and, we regret to
add, audible ebullitions Of spleen from
children of larger growth on the platform,
whose sense Of gentlemanly propriety was
not strong enough, it seemed, to control
the impulses of jealous bigotry.
The room was most beautifully and
tastefuliy ornamented, and after prayer by
Rev DR. Malcom, the Senior Collegiate
class led of with their graduating orations,
and exhibited a maturity of thought and
style, and felicity of allusion and illustra-
ion, that would have brought down plau-
Its from the audience, if it had not been
| violation Of good taste, and the proprie-
les of the occasion and indeed was only
arrested BY an intimation to that effect
rom the acting President. The following
re the names, &c, Of the First Graduating
Class of the University at Lewisburg:
'alutatory Grafton J,vEs MERRILL LINN LeIrisirrg.
Blessings Of Accident WASHINGTON BAHsHtEsT, Paitad
Basis OF Free Government.
EEEDEa McAynLEss FISH, BGrr 10
Reformers GEORGE osN,y IDg, Plated
Achievements of Mind JoIS IoREis LYONS, Chester Co.
The Light of Authorship, Unquenchable,
HENRY Po2EEEsr, PesL'ug
Valelictory Grafton, JonS Harvard CASTLE, II7ra
Most of this little band, together with
many of the undergraduates, commenced
their course at this institution in its earliest
infancy, when buildings, library and appa-
ratus, were all wanting, and persevered
through all discouragcments and Difficult
tics, until now, Gin period Of time when
other colleges could exhibit 10 higher
grade than a Freshman class they go
forth, ripe scholars-according to the tes-
timony of Chancellor LINCOLN and Mr..
honor to themselves, to
their Alma Mater, and to the faithful in
structors, to whose perseverance and skill
full pilotage they owe SO much. We trust
We may hear of future honors won by this
pioneer class, in the pulpit, at the bar, in
the chair of instruction, or in whatever
vocation they enter.
Alters few brief but impressive remarks
to the graduating class by Prof. Taylor, he
conferred Gin LatiD the Degrees of A. 3.
in course on the graduating class, and
also the Honorary Degree of D. D. on Rev.
Horatio G. Jones, Of Roxboro', Pa.
Prof. BLISS next proceeded to deliver
his Inaugural Address. His subject was
the benefits and Importance of the study
Of the dead languages as part Of liberal
education. On account of the lateness of
the hour, he gave his hearers fragments
only of the address; but these abundantly |
,vinced its classic finish and beauty of
style, and the profound scholarship and
x.lo,4, Sc orxl,or W. homo ~ I