The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-24
Cambridge.

~"'''O' ~~~s'o"so's " AAW o"U OHe0CSHy
cases on the OCCASION ions, Music, &C.
MR.. EDIToR-Perhaps you can fancy, without
my drawing the picture, poor devil with head
ache, trying to solve problem; if SO, you have
just idea of my situation while trying to determine
the right meaning of your term Interesting" as
applied to what is called the "Junior Exhibition
of Harvard University. Undoubtedly, thought l,
there must be many sons of this Alma Mater, who
though now immersed in the eddy and whirl Of
business life, would still like to hear how they are
represented under these classic shades; and many
more perhaps may have q laudable curiosity,
Though not sweetened by the joys of memory
However, it remained for the crowds of gaily
dressed ladies to remove the last vestige of doubt
as to the proprety of applying the term 'interest
ing" to an exhibition, which could call forth so
powerful q rival exhibition of bright eyes and
pretty faces. What man so bold as to doubt
the taste of the better half of mankind But
it was interesting in more senses than one. Mas
ATOMS. The exercises were held in the College
chapel, President Sparks-who does not appear to
very great advantage in az Oxford cap-presidng,
while before him sat many who have gained a name
in the list Of those whom our country delights to
honor Long fellow, Parsons, FELTON,, and others,
who now preside over the destnies of old Har-
ward. The music was furnished by society calling
themselves the "Perian;' doubtless, that we might
remember the warning line
Drink deep or taste not of the Pierian spring.
But we will not do them so great injustice as to
compare their execution Nf the different Overtures,
&C., with which they favored US, with that of prac-
tcSd and profe ssional performers and, rather than
say aught distasteful, will say nothing. Before
60 further, must say that although this is called
the junior exhibition, it is, by some peculiar ar
rsngement devoted much to the seniors as to the
al VIII taka
first speaker on the programme was Mr.. Ii. w.
Brown, Of Worcester, who ushered In the rest
OF the speakers in manner creditable to himself,
with a well delivered Latin grafton. His SUBJ
ject, "De vU0Tnns WustrisSsmorung norttum slOTa-
ttontCus," was, far as my awkward location
would permit me to judge, we'll treated but to par
ticularlze would not be fair In n commune alton
like this Let me not be thought too critical, if
here suggest that the exercises would not only be
full as Interesting, but more dgnifed, if the
dience would abstain from expressions Of applause,
and while cite Yale an example Of this, let me
point to Columbia, in your own city, almost dis
graced by bouquet-throwlng and other theatrical
denominations. The next speaker, Mr. Bryant, of
Boston, favored as with translation of the speech
Of Galgacus, from the Agricola of Tacitus Of the
matter, We need say nothing, and for delivery, as
the gentleman is OF the junior class, we may hope
for something better next time. Next came dis
QUESTION from Mr. Stickney, Of this town, on the
Versatility Of Mozart. This gentleman had chosen
glorious subject and seemed from his re marks to
have acquaintance with Mt least some of the works
OF the great master Of melody. This piece, rs the
gentleman was n senior, was original; but the
following one, rendering in Greek of the ''Cros-
sing the Rubicon," is too familiar, 10 matter, to
every schoolboy, to need remark and until the true
pronunciation Of Greek is determined, one had best
cay nothing Of the delivery. Here we were favored
ard examining the audience; but as do not wish to
tantalize you, will omit the notes Of admiration
which | made. The ladies being re-established
and the president having put his cap on Mr.. Z; J.
Cutler, Of Holhston delivered tran'lation Of De-
lavigne's "Varsovienne," with SO much feeling as
to call forth sympathetic expression Of applause
from his audience. After this came a Greek dia.
logue between Messrs. Hill and Dwight; but as it
it might have been Billingsgate. Let me, how
ever from the shelter ofmy ignorance, say that do
not think 1t in the besttate adopt piece requir
ing too much dramatic action, at literary exhibit
ton, especially where dead language is the tongue
used The piece itself was doubtless as well spoken
as acted. Mr. Ware, Of Milton, then came for
ward, and delivered a well written piece upon the
present state and destiny Of the Isles of the Pacific
which he called the Gardens of the Hcsperides-
and after making q pleasing impression, gave place
to the "Pierisns, who. In turn, permitted US to
hear Mr.. Kendall, Of Waltham, echo In Latin a
part Of the philippe which Sheridan thundered
against Warren Hastings in Westminster This
be did as well as could be expected before an su-
diepce whose M other tongue was English. A poem
by I. w. billiard, of Roxbury, next engaged the
attention Of the audience, and by its felicity Of
asprant for poetical honors, speaking literally
under the eye Of older poets. Oraiio elpcotifm,
sait the President, and expectation was gratifed
forthwith by an Grafton from Mr.. : 4. Thorndike,
OF Beverly, who showed, by his we'll paid compi-
ments to the ladies, that the old time spirit Of
chivalry had left its traces upon one son, at least
OF the Bay state. The subject was the " Benefits
which the Spirit of Chvslry has bequeathed US, and
among them, he enumerated the respect in which
won. are now held--their present high state and
growing influence, &c. perilous subject, Ia
these perilous times, OF women's rights conven-
tions and Boomer meetings; but handled so as to
sion, as well as the practicel MIR. X. II. Chase,
Of this town, next eDdeavorcd 10 enlighten us in
regard to the siege of Acre; but as your reporter
happened to be in rather n noisy locality, he can
only do the speaker the justice to say that his
gesture and action spoke well for what be could
not hear A Latin dialogue, between Messrs.
Hosmer and johnson, came next, and appeared to
be successful, nom the applause which followed
though young man, who stood by me, intimated
that it sounded and looked amazingly like down.
rsht seoloing. However, ! went endorse his
ontion just how but pass on TO a translation Of the
celebrated Grafton OF Eschinss against Ctesiphon,
as delivered BY Mr.. Pierce, Of Cam bridge. This
oration--wbieh produced, 10 answer, that vbich
sssnce been esteemed the masterpiece Of oratorcal
eoqvence--vas well translated, and, as far as the
hustle around allowed me to jadge. well delivered
were reused BY the spirit stirring % NOES from
the Pierian, again TO 20 back into the past,
while listening to Mr. H. Ayers dissertation on the
poetry Of the troubadours To MIR A. MIR. ID. T..
Ware, Of the old town Of Salem, succeeded, with
an excellent dissertation on the "Dfusion Of the
English Langusge"--this was one of the best writ
ten pieces yet offered. Next came n translation
Of Victor Hugo's Les Pauvres." exceedingly well
delivered by Mr.. G. Carroll, of Cambridge; and,
after the Pierian had once more enabled the au-
dience TO relieve their limbs, Mr.. w. G.. Choste, Of
Saem, delivered the closing grafton, on the per.
msnenee Of Poetic Fame" bsspg bis argument
on the ever true proposition Of Shsk speare, that
zone touch of nature makes the whole world
kind" and that poetry is nature delineated. OF
this gentlemsn's Efforts ] cannot say more now
than that by many il was thought the best,
though the majority were Of opinion that the
Tslm lay between Messrs. Thorndike, Ware,
and Choa,e. Thus closed the exhibition yet,
ere the curtain falls, let us suggest that more
fitting ornaments than ribbons or dangling badges
may he found for literary fostrum.
Yours, from old Harvard, T. ID.
p. s.--Rufus Choste is expected to deliver
sreech on a murder trial, in few days.