Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-26

literature, we are compelled to seek 1t IN the
works of the poets and authors of Europe. and
the American arts gladly leaves his native land
that by contemplating che productions of An
gelo, Raphael, Reubens and Others of the au-
| cient masters, he may be inspired with the su-
perior merits with which they were gifted
The Sciences in their present perfection are
unable to explain all the wonders that q con-
temptation of the Universe suggests. Chemis-
try now resolves all matters into fifty or sixty
elements, but additional names will be annex
to the present list, and many substances now
recognized as simple will in a short time all
prove to be compound. Geology has not full
ly described the internal structure of the Earth,
| or the changes it has undergone since its for
! nation. Astronomy reveals the principles
upon which planets revolVe in uniform orbits,
but il has not given US satisfactory information
respecting the nature of the phenomena that
continually occur upon their surfaces and in
their atmoSpheres. The distance of the fixed
stars, minute delimeaton of the Moons sur
face, composition of comets, aud the rapiditv
with which the whole solar system proceeds
around It's more distant center, are but few of
the many particulars connected with this sci
ence that must be ascertained through future
observations.
Hence, if there will be continual revelations
respecting the character of objects below.
above and upon the EarthS surface, how truth
ful and encouraging is the following description
of one of the designs of the Creator, as given
by Dick, namely -" To grant to the inte-
gent inhabitants of our Globe q gradual dis
play of his stupendous plans in the universe
as the reward of their inceSSant and unwearied
contemplation Of his wondrouS works"
RESPECTED TEAcHERs-Tt will be chiefly
through your influence, as a class, that the hu-
man family shall become enlightened 1t is
your privilege to take the mind from the quar-
ry of ignorance, chSel off its deformities and
present in contrast its perfections Genius is
the original block wherein lies talent all beau
ty and utility. But education directed by
yourselves with artistic skill adorns and gives
definite form to that which was once obscured
and unSymmetrical. You have desired that
in the prosecution of our several studies we
might become habtuated to such habits of
reflection and inquiry as will, if in future ex-
crciSed, prove beneficial. In return for your
patient eXertons We can only feel deep sense
of gratitude.
Fellow STrnENrs-In short period we
shall depart from these Halls wherein we have
received the equipment and directions necessary
IN the outset of the rugged journey that we
will take. The consideration that our whole
life is school, should at all periods induce
within lis feelings of willingness and anxiety to
receiv. instruction Snc. it is through the in
strumentality of the few that the masses become
educated, we should aim at perfection in the
development of our respective talents, that we
may thereby each contribute q mite which in
union with the efforts of others may transmit
some rays of mental illumination to all nations
OF the earth.
If we engage in the occupations of active
business, we shall probably find affectation to
be the principal means by which individuals ex,
pect support. There is no profession but that
has many followers, who, destitute of ability,
seek mantainance and respect, by feguinr
qualifications This deception however is as
dangerous as it is common. Merits cannot be
successfully counterfeited. Any imitation how
ever skllfully contrived, is soon detected and
the false pretendcr in future, pursues his avo-
cation much less successfully than he would
have done, had he presented none other than
worthy claims for confidence and patronage.
TEACHERS AND PUPILs-Wc now bid you
farewell Mag You enjoy abundance of this
worlds happiness, and when we shall have la
bored through life Of weIldoing, to cancel
the debt which We as students, owe our n<truc-
tors, and him who provided our present advan-
tageS, may we meet in that upper School, and
and there, free from all distractions, progress
III heavenly knowledge through an endless Sc
ries of years.