The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-02
Our Duchess County Correspondence.
AMEHIAvILLE, Dutchess Co., N. Y,
Iu1y % JQE6

Our Outcness county correspondence
AMEEIAvILLE, Dutchess Co., N.Y.
July %, 1855.
Methodist Seminary Commemorate Grafton, Po-
ery, Literary Societies and Grand Procession
Great Throng in the Churches.
The object Of my present communication is to no
tice the commencement week Of the seminary locat-
ed here. This is an institution mainly under the
control and patronage of the Uethodists yet not
sectarian in it's policy. Its numbers usually from
hundred and twenty (12o) 10 . hundred and fifty
Q50) pupils, and ID a. thorough in its training and
scholastic discipline az most similar institutions In
the department Of mathematics it is especially ex.
cellent.
On Monday were the business meetings and Live
rary exercises of the alumni. In the evening they
we're addressed by the Rev. J. G. Foster, who deli
vered an grafton, and the Rev. Robert Travis, Jr,
who pronounced poem. Mr.. Fosters grafton was
. manly and forcible slucidation Of the principles
Of education. After passing q severe criticism
npon the 80 called fashionable education Of the pre-
sent day, he e,ucdated the principles Of Sidney
and Hooker, and pointed ont the character, tho dig
nifty and responsibilities of the educated classes,
with an appropriate application to the association
he addressed.
The poem by Mr.. Travis was gem of q produc-
tion. Fer half an hour the audience was held in
breathess attention while he portrayed the change
which is going on in this world-in its material
constitution, in men and in nations. In conclusion
he pointed to that world where there was no
chsnge, but an immortality Of existence.
On Tuesday the literary s,cleries were addressed
by Prof. j. w. Fowler OF the Law School of POUCH.
keepsie. bis subject was, rhe Providen:e OF
God in the Circumstances Attending the Discovery
and Settlement Of America" In his introduction
he illustrated the idea he intended to develope by
the smile Of river beginning fss in spring, and
flowing on with other springs aud rivulets mngling
with It, increasing and increasing, till At last il be-
came large and mighty river. In his discourse he
applied this TO America, and went on to show how,
in every point Of view, We we're, in the Providence
Of God, TO become the greatest people tina. ever
yet has lived The face of the earth After speak
ing an hour and half, and fearing to weary the
audience, be abruptly concluded.
On Wednesday were the commencement exer.
cises.. There were some twenty addresses on the
occasion. There were two sessions morning and
aiteTnoon-a much better plan than to have them
oil crowded into one. Too much examining ut once,
whether Of TODD for the body or mind, believe to
be injurious.
The attendance was 20 large that no one of the
four churches in the place could accommodate half
under It's shade some three thousand or moro, was
pitched in field about half mile distant. pro
cessisn was formed on the lawn in front of the
seminary, beaded by band Of music, (not bod
worm b, Out one winch WCulQ not 1859 much IN
comparison with that almost necessary acc ,mp AMI.
ment 10 literary associations in New York; which
difcoursed appropriate pieces Original aud selected
The front OF the line had nearly reached the tent
before the rear had left the seminary The students
were dressed in uptform-the ladies In white and
% they passed the hotel where was stopping, the
beautiful sight made me slmort utter aloud the
sigh, Oh, that were a boy again."
Arrived ct the tent, the exercises were opened
with prayer by Bishop James. And after another
round Of music, the young gents delivered them
selves Of their speeches. / cannot here crlticiss
them all; therefore / win say nothing Of any in
particular, but in general terms express my grstif
without more than one or two ex options, very
crtditabe to the young aspirants after literary
honor. They did credit TO themselves and the Ia.
stitution which sent them forth Indeed, it was q
gala day for Amepia. This institution has been in
operation some twenty.one years, and educased
about two thousand students. Some OF the Art
men Of cur land have gone forth from Armenia.