The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-11-24

tertalnment and euvltlng weather were
quite irresistible. The question before
the Society for the evening was /; Does
the Equality of State Rights require the
protection Of Slavery in the Territories ~
the Aft was argued by Shipman and Watts
the Neg. by Segur and Blake. From
the wording of the question we expected
to hear discussed the new demand of the
Administration party for a special enact
ment by Congress for the protection Of
Slavery in the Territories. As discussed
1t was the question Of federation simply.
30 far as the limited time permitted, the
young men exhibited a preparedness for a
thorough investigation, but as is usual in
such cases the strong points were presen-
ted, but not pressed for the reason that
too much time was necessarily spent in
reaching them.
We cannot here enter into an ANALYSIS
Of the discussion,-the subject is tolerably
familiar to all reading people. The 20.
sitions on each side werc taken skilfully
and each disputant displayed facility in
taking advantage Of the weak point. of his
adversary. The discussion as a whole
was very creditable to those engaged in it
and gratifying to the listeners. The
Orations, by Bailey and Severance, were
fine productions of no little oratorical
finish. The Poem by Phelps, was a more
perfect thing than is usually produced on
such occasions. His hits at the humbups
of the day were c%leverly done and ~receiv.
ed with great good humor. The music.
by Farr's (Brandon) Band, was, to our
taste, the best ever made in that place.
We were always easily pleased with the
music of our old friend and sometime
schoolmatc, and hope we may be frequent.
" in the future.
SEMINARY STUDIES, SoInErs, &c.-Thc
Seminary Examination was attended the
past week. In Latin, we are told, the
recitation would have done credit to an
institution in which the training of clas-
steal scholars were a speciality /; in Log.
ic, and discriminating study, it became
apparent its discipline was intelligently
received. In History, the recitations
we're given with a good degree of free.
dom and exactness. These are branche.
by which the minds of pupils are both ex.
ercised and enriched. The attendance
of our critical observer was limited to the
examination in these, and the exhibition
for prizes in Composition, of the younger
members Of the school in which the COM
petition was engaging, equally to e1hibi.
itors and spectators. This pleasant cor.
test was a happy idea Of the members Of
the school, and pleasantly conducted. The
closing exercises were held in the Hall of
the Addison House, which was already
prepared for the Soiree of the evening.
1t was ar afternoon Source, in which the
style of musical culture was exhibited
with equal credit by the pupils and their
instructor. What was attempted was
perfected, and this surely is desirable
in the pursuit,at SO large expense of time,
talent and money, Of a single ornamental
accomplishment. Composition as a rhetor.
ical exercise was well illustrated BY a
share Of the pupils, combining the expires.
sion of an ingenious course of thought
with a clear and impressive style of read.
ing. The gift of II trained and subdued
intellect. is never better exhibited than
in this exercise, in which the young lady
personally becomes its representative. We
had other examples of those whose efforts
are beginning tp urge their way delicate
ly, but boldly to the same sweet suprem-
acy over themselves,-tha highest at
tainment both Of education and good
manners.
Ofthe Musical Soiree, We can only say
that it was in all respects successful. The
selections of Music chosen, presents a
treat, which only the great masters can
supply, of course, not SO much expressive
Of thought. as its substitute, in a sphere
of its own, in which the soul takes cogni-
lance Of new resources of enjoyment and
power. If this be true, it is privilege