The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-28
COLLEGE commandments.
Columbia College.

B.
merously attended by large and fashionable audi
ence the majority ladies, friends and patrons Of old
alma mater. Previously to the exercises of the
young gentlemen pupils of the college who were
candidates for the graduates degree of B. A., an
overture from Auber's opera of "La Sirene" was
performed by Dodworth's Band, who occupied the
orchestra of the theatre. A march by Mendelssohn,
from the opera of "Midsummer's Night Dream"
was likewise capitally executed by the same we'll
known corps Of musicians. Several other favorite
airs, waltzes and pieces of music were likewise exc
cuted between the intervals of the recitations in
GLIDING morceaur from the compositions of Rossni,
Labitzky, Strauss, Lumbye, Bellini and Adam
The following pieces-"M Midnight Bells" composed
by A. Dodworth, and two pieces by H. B.
Dodworth, "Old College Sycamore Schottsh," and
days of Winter" were likewise played by them in
the course Of the days proceedings
The exercises and declarations were opened by
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Haight.
The first piece was Greek salutatory poem by
John A. Kernochan, followed by Latin salutatory
poem by George w. Dean. The following is met
rical synopsis of the former:-1st, Anapestics; I'd
Choriambics; Sd, Dactytics; 4th, Trochaics 5th
Anap9stics; Dialect, Attic. This poem, given with
the true Athenan spirit, and although not under
stood, at least by the ladies Nhe gentlemen, of
course, it is to be supposed were quite classical
usque ad unquen), yet it was very well received,
and listened to with the most commendable pa
tience. The Athenian young gentleman was honored
with shower of bouquets from the fair hands Of the
New York ladies, who, like their predecessors OF
yore, always honor talent. The same honors were
not however, conferred upon the young gentleman
who recited the Latin poem, the proverb of Z" Ne
Quid Minis" being very appropriate So much
Greek and Latin reminds us of the anecdote about
tie redoubtable DR.. johnson, who, while disputing
with the no less celebrated Father OLeary, thought
to give him clencher by Greek quotation. al do
not understand Greek was the modest answer Of his
opponent "a person who undertakes to dispute"
was the reply of his dogmatical opponent, should
understand every language" Oh, very well said
Father OLeary, and gave the Doctor quotation in
Irish, which, It is needless to observe, Dr. johnson
knew pothinc about
The English salutatory virc.ton was recited BY VIM
Emerson, Jun, with much grace anu eleggancei the
defamation Of this young gentleman was very good,
oratory. A well merited compliment was paid in
the course of this address, to Dr. King President Of
Columbia College, under whose supervision the late
senior class had been wholly instructed, being the
first that had passed through their college career
since the accession of the present President to the
Office, after the death of his amented predecessor.
Allusions were made to the colleges Of Europe, and
. comparison in favor Of our own academic nstitu-
tons drawn between the two. The youthful speaker
then cast prophetic glance upon the future, char
actersing as the prime motor Of every human enter
prise the soul of the present, peculiarly suited to the
youthful who hail it as the golden era Of promise
To them was left the Office OF carrying out the prin
cpes of their forefahers so that the deeds of tile
past would be ecpsed by the glories Of the future.
(Applause)
This last address was followed by one in German,
by VIM. G. Harrington.
@"Historic Honors" was the title of the next, q
prose composition, by Albert w. Hale, in which the
youthful orator characterised history as philosophy
teaching by example, but contended that it was
still in its infancy. The subject of patriotism was
likewise descanted upon and the true patriot defined.
The remarks of the speaker upon the duties of the
historian as a narrator OF the past, and beacon
light of the future, were imbued with much good
After this, Mr. ST. Clair Smith recited poem
of his own positon-" Rome Compared with New
York'-in the style of the third satire of Juvenal
Our youthful poet commenced with quotation from
Lord Byron-"Old times are good'-and referred
back to the good old times Of Rome which he com.
pared to those of the present The youthful satrist
was severe upon the follies and extravagances of
ancient as well modern times and informed u.s. as
a consolation, that Rome complained of the crowded
streets, as we do about Broadway His hits upon
the Maine law and the new city charter were much
applauded by the audience Spiritual rappings were
also commented upon, and the Stiffness OF their de-
voices clearly pointed out. He asked, why should
not this new power be used for locomotive and soan
boat travelling? Everything showed that the same
vices and follies'that now are predominant, likewise
reigned supreme in imperial Rome. The youthful
poet terminated with good piece of religious and
moral advice, which, however, was of TOO trite
nature to need repetition. The poem was good
full of humor, and Astounding with wittigsms; but
the speaker spoiled 1t by a drawling manner Of ut
terance, which, added to the uniformity to the metre
rendered good thing rather monotonous.
Representative Cities was the title OF compo-
stion by w. Allen johnson, which was followed by
o piece composed by G. V. A. Anderson, called 1.-The
Living Dead and the Dead Living The orator was
warmly appauded by his friends on his appearance
and recited very philosophical essay upon the sub
ject The next piece was The Educated Man" by
J. Smith Dodge, who began his essay with the follow
ing aphorisms " knowledge is not always wisdom
learning always education" The description of
the Educated MAR however minute and circum-
stantal was somewhat too proy, and was applauded
at its termination, much we are apt to believe upon
the same principle that induced one Of the audience
at the termination Of dull play to applaud it, name
ly, because it was over.
A. S. Jackson's essay was entitled Thermopyle
and Plymouth Rock The speaker commenced by
describing the inscription inscribed on the monument
erected at Thermopye: Stranger tell Iacednmon