New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-12-27

4 Della Robertson
(" Emm Wilson,
Z" Helen c, Yeators .E Il
q Matilda G. Wasson,
Louisiana Ridgey,
Eliza Whtteraore,s '+'--
..- e Eliza Paddon
Mary L. Bevin ..f5 -Is
E Mary Brugaiens, ,-..--. Cd. Fl.
F." Layina A. Cameles,
ss.- Eupha. McCleod.
H Anna Thurston,
s- 8" E. C. Bowap.*
Those marked with asterisks y are those who
read compositions at the exhibition. We have
not been able to remember or obtain the names
Of the boys who graduated.
We suhjoin nearly all the compositions read
at the public exhibition: t.-
L1FE's MOTIVES.
what shadows we are =
Ss What shadows We pursue
1t is but Just and reasonable that should
sonaly withdraw his attention from external things to
the contemplation Of self By doing he is made fa
miar with that truly wonderful machine, the human
with the reciprocal influence of the soul the
body and the body upon the souls in which there is
wisdom displayed beyond bis comprehension and in re-
gard which, the result of his profoundest nVestga
tions is but astonishment and admiration.
Although possessing superior nature, he enters the
world In state greater feebeness and is consequently
needy than other animated beings hence we per-
ceive him favored and cherished by the bless
ings Of Providence. Still many bitter dipensstions
prove him that he perishes from earth like flower
which blooms the morning but at evening is wthered
and troddan under foot.
r0 a~ Oh! {: What shadows ,fl
What shadows we pursue.'
How many immortal energies have been wasted, how
many expectations blasted by Ambition. At first he
blinds u.s. and then compels tower by of
blindness. b. 4- -. Ir
He comes Ambition comes; his way prepare,
Let banners wave in air! =
And loud voiced trumpets his approach declare
He .--fnr glory has before him raised
Her shield with godlike deeds embazed"
Yet when the summit of ambition is attained 1t ia
that plunged in MISERY'S depths 1t has been ob
that desire for rank and power is the mark OF
great mind. Why then have many weak intellecs
been captivated while those possessed of the
genius it has charms What better example of this
could adduce than Washington Cincnnatus. who
greater far in their retirement than Alexander
Caesar at the height of their ambition. Truly has it
been said 1t requires less magnanmity to win the
quest than to refuse the epoil'
Like Milton let ambition be, to leave something to
after ages worthy, that it shall not willingly be allow
perish let the substance regardless of tn.
shadow. ....... .NIn.. 3.
does the hold forth its superiority the one is sub
stance the ,rher shadow Behold that mighty host
They follow the delusive phantom Honor; forever
cbangng her views are contracted and in the storms
transtory life she is not to BE- relied upon, for by
every bow she rocked and by every breath of wind
borne onward to destruction. What more decisive evil
depce can wish than Brutus who in his zeal wor-
shipped honor but when the day OF trial arrived, ht
| found her but shadow
4 Tn Power which be II
the microscope, it maguifes everything little tina
comes within its range. 1t exas the unworthy honor
whatever is and profers support to eVerythint
vile He who would employ power for the bene
dt of another deserves but does not covet it but hi
who it his good desires far from deserving it
1t is in fact preoarious safety its pains real, it
pleasures imaginary We have but to refer the extra
ordinary by Napoleon as the cloud aspiring
the air. trackess its only object to ascend its only
rudder, the whirlwind; vapor its impulse DOWNFALL it,
| destiny.
Next Avarice--that shadow cometh with her host o
votaries Behold in the train that miser who lives poor
to die rich. Wealth-his god earth, and the NOR,
aged he becomes the firmly clingipg to the worth
lss dust. Truly he follows the shadow of shadows.
Genius is not: some have supposed. mere shadow
but living substance. 1t may exist in rustic land
der dull atmosphere and it may exist under every sun
and every sky for the fogs of Iceland have beer
warmed by poetry and those Of Holland by wit To tn
full development of genius the light of other minds
requisite. Newton or Shakespeare deprived of kndre,
minds aud born among savages-sayages had died.
"Creative genius from thy hand
What shapes Of order. beauty. rise,
| When waves thy patent, mystic wand,
| To people, ocean. earth. anu skles.n
There is in life Object which all pursue and a
obtain. 1t knows dsappon tneuts since he who pei
makes every contest victory it is the pursu
of virtue Those that seek her early, will find her
| I'd als herau sha will
The breast of virtuous is little heaven CONNER
cling earth, where the Deity sits enthroned with unr
vailed influence and He who fills the eternal Ihron
must be the side of virtue and what He befrient
must finally prosper and prevail.
We constituted that the most vicious cannot b,
t pay secret. though unwilling homage to vlrtu
aud it is from this inward esteem for virtue whic
the nobest cherish aud which the basest cannot expe
follows that virtue is the only bond of union, whic
we can thoroughly depend.
Lastly comes that much misrepresented and ahuse
phantom Death the king Of terrors, and the terror
kings. The painter has used his coors. the orator
tropes to portray death the grand destroyer But Ct
he be called destroyer who but releases the prsono
he be called the king of terrors who exchanges tn
which is temporary for that which is eterna Perhaps
summons us too soon from the of life be it
the exchange is not for the better is not his fault
s. our Tyrants sentence their victims to deaf
but how much more dreadful would be their power
/ they sentence them life. How short is the
run Almost may we touch the portals which termlna
the path of mortal pilgrimage Should the holy sp
: | purify hearts, and open our ears, We may area
perceive the sounds which proceed from the celes
abodes. Let us then attentivey listen to the warn
~ voice. Shadows Shadows We pursue"
SO live, that when thy summons comes to join
The ipnumerable caravan, that moves
II To the pale realms of shade where each shall ia
J. His chamber in the silent halls of death
II Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night,
i, Scourged to his dungeon but, sustained and sooth
- BY unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one. who wraps the drapery of his couch
- About him and lies down TO pleasant dreams"
" EMMA b. ClAKKson
BELsHAzZAR's Feast.
"'Tis near the of beautiful starlight night
the proud city of Babylon. Its naughty Monarch is ST
the fesal board Of his ordly palace surrounded
all his sycophantc courtiers who pouring into his
that fattery which springs from base and serve min
The table groans beneath viands Of which the gods
rs not to partake.
The harpists send forth the most delightful lays fir
l.t,.- I.,,tr