The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-03
Our EAston Correspondence,


grtts Conftrrtd, &c, SC.
With the hope of escaping the calcining Intensity
of the extraordinary heated tern" which we have
had 10 endure for series of weeks past soagh
out this ancient ard respectable settlement of the
early founders Of civilization in Eastern Pennsylya
mia, and have little reason 70 compaia of the choice
l made for my place Of temporary sojourn. very
charming thriving and hospitable place is Easton,
with population Of some twelve thousand inhabi-
ants, and location Of unsurpassed beauty for its
advantages Of natural scenery and picturesque sur
roundings. It's position ia greatly enhanced 10
business regard, and made Of great and rapidly IN
creasiDg importance by the completion Of the va
rous railroads which centre here, and, with the
canals, constitute an accumulation of business IA
cilities ami trading advantages such as no other
place in Pennsylvania is blessed with. It is the
capital, too, Of one Of the most populous, thrifty
and prosperous German counties in TIE State and
seems just to have fairly walked up and realized
its great natural capacities, with spirited deter
mination to use them to the very utmost of is
ability.
There are goodly number Of churches here Of
the various denominations, those Of the German
Reformed stripe Of course predomnating. The public
schools of Easton compose marked ard highly
teresting place. They are numerous, well accom-
modated, and highly Bourishing.
There is here also fourishing and excellent
Iy conducted female institute styled the "Ophe-
Titan Seminary" On the very summit Of a
high and almost PERCEPTIONS hill on the northern
skirt Of the borough stands the generous parent Of
all these liberal institutions Of learning ID Lafay
cite College incorporated in 1888, is due the high
and everlasting honor Of infusing into the popular
mind of Northampton county just and liberal
spirit Of appreciation OF the all important subject of
Educational reform and advancement. And to this
source we may trace the commencement OF the
change in public sentiment hereabouts viii n has
gradually led TO the organization Of school system
as general complete and efficient any district in
the State can boast Of and whose fruits proudly
visible on all hands in general diffusion Of intel
gence, refinement Of manners and orderly habits
among all classes of people. The commencement
services at the Brainard church last Sunday. The
Rev. Alfred Nevin opened in the morning with q
sermon on practical Christianity In the after
noon the Rev. President Of the College, Dr. Mclean,
delivered the "Bacallaureate sermon" on the I'm
portance OF Early Piety and the evening closed with
sermon from Rev. DR.. Clark, Of Philadelphia.
On Monday evening the Junior class held their
annual exhibition in the German Reformed church.
The orations Of the young gentlemen composing
this class were highly creditable in int of
scholarship, and reflect much credit on the
institution which has cultivated their natural
powers with such decided success. Where all &C
quilted themselves SO handsomely, we feel it would
be invdious to partcularise too emphatically, but
would remark, as general observation, that the
following subjects were treated by their respective
orators, both in matter of composition and style Of
delivery, in manner decidedly above the ordinary
level Of such things, viz
The Utility Of Poetry byJ. Albert Lggett,
BraHdywine Manor, Delaware.
Prospects Of American Literature" William
Kennedy, Chambesburg, Pa.
Military vs.. Literary Fame. Jay Pomeroy,
Popular Delusions" William C. Roller, VIII
No Royal Road to Greatness"-B. H. Pratt, Dan
vile, Pa; and
Moral Hen oism''-John c. Wilhelm, Fame. s.
burg.
During the exercises the strongest and liveliest
interest was manifested by the mmea se throng Of
brilliant and intelligent ladies and well dressed and
appreciatiye gentlemen who grace1 the occasion.
At the close of each successful effort OF the emulous
orators, showers Of wreaths and flowers were poured
down upon their aspiring heals, and still more
abundant showers OF grathed looks and happy oeam'
ing smiles from the fair faces OF surrounding friends
and relatives, giving well merited and Gro wing
tritu'c 10 their trrmphs. We observed among the
honoie Witnesses of the exhibition, and much no
toed for his dignhed simplicity Of demeanor and the
grafifed and encouraging looks with which he viewed
the ceremonies Of the day the distinguished Governor
of this Commonwealth, Hon. James Pollock. This
distinguished gentleman was present, on invitation,
to ADDRESS the Washington and Franklin literary
societies belonging % the college and accordingly.
in the same church. on Tuesday evening, proceeded
70 acquit himself Of his task, in his usual able and
impressive manner, before a very crowded audience,
chiefly composed Of ladies', elegantly dressed and
brilliant with good looks and animated spirits.
His Excellency oreled his address by calling the
attention Of the young gentlemen TO the importance
Of the p sition which they occupied. Just on the
threshold of that practical life foe which they had
been so earnestly preparing themselves; drew a
graphic and vivid picture OF IL stern realities aud
the necessi y for increased and stu progressive
efforts in order to insure success In the rapid bur
ryng and jostng career full OF trials. dangers aud
difIlculties which they were about TO enter upon.
lie eioqrentiy depicted the extraordinary advan
tages which our liberal social AMI political institu-
lions furnished the young aspirant In his pursuit
honor and distinction, and pointed cut the way Tor
the successful attainment OF both. lie strikingly
and elcquently reviewed and contasted the aequi-
Improvements Of ert since the ncdrval period. with
the dafkBess and ignorance Of that age, and eio.
qrently alluded TO the still greater acquisitions
which probably lay hid in the unknown future, full
20 be yielded up to the bold Investigations OF
future Morse, Fulton or Whitney.
The address was fpied with noble and patriotic
sentiments, and abounded in ardent and strong ex-
pressions in favor OF the constitution, and earnest
exotiations TO uphold The Union as the palladium
Of our safety. In the closing paragraphs OF his ad
mirable speech be paid manly and noble tribute
to the imporlnce and natural equality Of Labor with
the other professions, and justly placed u on is
proper footing Of natural dignity aud honorable ex
cellence. The address was listened 10 with eager
and profoundly grstifed attention, and concluded
amid an irrcpressible outburst OF warm hearted APP
plause.
The closing exercises by the senior class and gra-
duatng members were highly creditable throughout,
and reflects much honor on both the pupils and
their Alma Mater.
The orsiions were all Of full average merit In poat
Of composition and delivered with grace and fore
Of manner, and an easy distipctpess Of voice most
agreeable 70 the audience. They were, too Of com
mendabe brevty an excellence not TO be overlook
ed in the dog days"
The following IL a list Of the subjects, together
with the names Of the speakers 10 them
0ration-"Lstin Salutatory,' by ). q. Logan, Will
miDCfon, Del.
Ofation-'study Of Man, y by John Clark, Chester
county, Pa.
Oraiion-" Allegiance" hy James NJ. salmon,
FOwer,ille, Pa.