Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-08-17
Chr Gtwisbur9 Cbreniflc.
Personal Criticisms. Public Applause
FRIDAY, AUGUST II, 1850.

We observe III one OF the nCW.pifeiS VI
our State, three or four columns OF criti-
cisms upon the public performance OF the
individuals who composed the Graduating
Glass of certain College. In almost
cycry case, the concentrations arc very
rungcut; the cncomiums, very chary. The
next year, a notice from some ether hand
may be full Of cncomium7, and not even
:aiut condemnation uttered.
1t has not been cur custom, III conduct-
ing the N.onitIc, to make any invidiou7
comparisons, III speaking Of public cxhibi
ticns on the part of the young gentlemen
and ladies who have represented the Lite
rary Institutions located in our midst
Always taking lively interest in the vel
fare of those who leave Us 70 assume the
responsibilities of life for themselves, yet
we look with much moro anxiety for their
future career than upon their present. rela-
tive position. "Nilling to praise, and not
afraid to blamc," VIC have had abundant
opportunities for the exercise Of both pre-
rogativcs; but We decline the oft-unwcl
conc task, for reasons which VIC submit
for candid consideration.
In the first place, opinions Of the merits
Of orations and essays, always diffcr and,
necessarily, criticisms arc the opinions Of
ono person only, and he perhaps not the
best qualified to sit in judgement. Like
the public applause allowed on some occa
gions, public notice of this kind is almost
unavoilably modified by fricndsbip,warpcl
BY prejudice, or designed for some object
or colorcd by some circumstance ineonsis-
tent with impartial, useful censorship
"Clcver fellows or popular students,
deficient in true scholarship, often receive
very inflated "puns," large number Of
heel taps from gentlemen, any quantity Of
",lumring" Of oil boots from boys ever
ready to catch at any chance to raise a
hurra, and also more or less Of Spiritual"
if not "spili;uous' "rappiugs' from gold
headed canes: while true merit, modest and
unprctending, may be overlooked and for
gotten for want Of partial friend in him
Of the pen, or money to win rlaulits.
All who hear public speaking, it should
be remembered, judge for themselves as to
the merits Of the respective performances;
aud very few if any of those who do not
hear, care for dissertations upon the indi
viduals. If the censor be inclined to
pancgyrics, he is suspected Of hypocrisy,
or CT nattery; and if he chastisc where it
might be even handel justice, he is liable
to the charge Of incompctcncy, har5hncss,
consciousness, or want Of true feeling, if
not accused Of being actuatcd by malice.
Taking the most favorable view of the
practice, in nine cases out Of ten even just
cncomiums tend to elevate those sufficient
ly proud; and deprcciativc illusions, no
matter how gentle or well intended, ,dcpress
hearts already too much saldcncl b. con-
seriousness Of some infcriority Of gifts, Of
fortune, or Of desert.
By introducing young ladies' and gen
tlemcn from the shades of purilage to an
equal participation in the momcntous
duties Of life, without distinction,wc think
we act towards them the friendly part
They will soonest fnl their lcvcl-asccr-
tain their defects, and become conscious of
their powcr5-by continuing in straight
forward course of sclfculturc, habitually;
by contact with the ACTUAL more than the
IDEAL; and thus becoming mcasurably If
not entirely the formers Of their own
characters.
The memory of almost every one, morc-
over, vii. recall the names Of those who
started from the "acadcmic groves Of
literature ard science with the most brill
iant prospects, checrcd and applaudcd to
the echo, but who haze become lost and
forgotten in the crowd Of common people
with whom they mingled, and above whom
MI their borrowed plumcs never enabled
them to soar. What have become Of the
hosts Of "smart fellows 50 many "tal-
cntcd' young men, "prodigies" Of cruli-
ton and Of intellect, who have left the ros-
trum amidst rapturous smiles, and bright
est tears and showers Of boquets! Alas !.
whcro you find one such attaining to any
cmincncc, there arc half dozen who left
their Alma Mater noiselessly, and to the
public almost unknown, who have wrought
out or perfected those substantial qualitic
ations which prove the useful, the honor
able, tue talented MAN.
While, therefore, We seek to avoid over
loading with expectations, or falling to do
justice to the merits, Of Gn,a"atcs, be 1t
our privilege, year after year, to record
the progress and the ,riumphs, in every
field Of rraisc-wortby effort, of the ALUMNI
Of our Literary Institutions. W
Ey-An Irishman named SHANNON, Tho
Il