The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-18

sent forth to the world so many young men to adorn
the ranks of literature and science came OF In the
beautiful and verdant lawn in front OF the college
on Wednesday last. The heavy rain which ell In
the forenoon induced the opinion that there would
not be many present on the occasion, but OWING 10
the favorable change which occurred IN the tempera
ture about halfpast ten o'clock, those VINO were
anx;ous 70 witness the exercises avaied themselves
of the opportunity, 30 that at the appointed hour
Owelye oclock) the lawn was thickly thronged by
citizens and ctizenesses the latter who always shed
lustre and harmony around them on every public
occasion of fce of this character predominating in
arge numbers
The beautiful location and excellent advantages
which ST. Johns College presents have been 50 often
described in the HERALD, that we feel 1t would be
only supererogative in US to give detailed notice
of them here. Suffice it to say that the college is
situated on gentle emnence, close by the railway,
commanding fine and extensive view of the rich
and verdant country on all sides. It is encirced
by trees Of the most luxuriant foliage, while the
pleasure grounds and parferve attacked to the col
lege are most beautifully and artistically laid out.
The quiet unruffled little river Bronx, so highly
eulogized in verse by the gifted American poet,
Park Benjamin, meanoers nOselessy on its course in
rear OF the college and affords ample opportunity to
the students to battle in the summer. The internal
arrangements and disposition Of the college have
been effected with the incest regard to taste, beauty
and regularity and, in fact, nothing appears to be
wanting to render the student happy and comfort
three hundred acres Of rich land connected with the
college which have been made to yield abundance
annually BY the great farming ability Of one Of the
The exercises took place under q largo ten. in
front of the college, ample accommodations having
bsen provided to seat the public.
Amongst the clergymen present were:-The Most
Venerable Archbishop Hughes, Right Rev. John
Ian l, Rspbn IF lrIup. Vavv Qou Stavr
V.G.; Very Rev. J. Mora. Newark; Very Rev. Mr.
Walsh Brooklyn Rev. J. McCloskey, Rev. Mr.. Nc
Nierney, Rev. Mr. Pise Rev. James Madison Graves,
Rev. W. Monaghan; Rev. Mr.. Schneider, Brooklyn;
nan, Rev. Mr.. Penalty, &c, &c
Amongst others present we noticed Doctor
Brownson, Hon. John Kelly, Mr.. Woodwork Secre-
tary of the Board of Regents, Albany, &c, &c.
Nols band was in attendance and opened the
programme with music, which the well trained col
lege choirs under the direction Of Professor Weiss
muller accompanied most efficiently.
The EXERCISES.
TIE exercises commenced with discourse on
Patriotism a subject ably digested and well
handled by Mr.. G. b. Kenny, Halifax, Ms After
butes of the patriot, and the ample field laid open
for the exercise Of his patriotism, the speaker pro-
ceeded to say that there was no duty more incunl-
bent on man than to love his country. Yes, his
country and his home
Where e'er | roam, Whatever lands TO see,
Ny heart, urtrammeled, fondly tarns to thee.
The man who was willing to die for
his country constituted the true patriot;
it was the first feeling which awakened in
our hearts (appause) it was the sentiment Of the
child when first awakening to in his native
land; it was the language of the old man who knew
that in few years he would become portion of her
soil. (Cheers.) What was it that raised mighty
Rome to the proud position of Mistress of the World?
What IL that sent forth her Caesars aud Ciceros
to subject the world? What, but the cnor patrie.
Wherever the scenes Of our patriotism might be
n
the green groves OF Erin, or the mighty splendor5 of
Greece and Rome-there did we find man worthy
of the name and honoring the nature which q mer-
ciful Providence had bestowed upon him. Gap
plause) He then proceeded to sketch the noble
career Of patriotism, particularly in our own coun
try, and adduced Washington Warren, Webster,
Jefferson and Calhoun as proofs conclusive.
Enterprise" by Mr. G A. Fitzpatrick, Brooklyn
was the next piece on the programme. He dwelt
at considerable length, and with much ability and
judgment on his subject, in relation 10 America, and
instanced several enterprising individuals who had
carried out stupendous undertakings by energy and
perseverance.
A grand chorus and barcarole from ola Muette
de Porticin was then executed by the band; after
which
Mr.. F. J. Freel, Gowanus l.. J., delivered his
views in very interesting aud well spoken essay
on warnings of History" which was responded to
by the applause Of the assembly
A valedctory address, entitled Literary Asso-
ciation' was delivered with much pathos, and very
apparent scholarly ability, by Mr. John ID. Muir
ply, New York. Ii Is but Justice to remark, whilst
speaking of this young gentleman, that the force Of
original thought well as the piquant and elegant
style in which his subject was composed aud delivered
drew forth the universal approval of several OF the
most distinguish clergymen present. one of whom
said that the subject was so well disposed of that
was almost perfect and needed not the alteration
of word. Mr.. Murphy commenced by saying that
among the many curious speculations which the won
ders of this certainly wonder working century
had given rise to, there was one which seemed sell
dom or ever 10 have its due consideratlon--terary
association. Though he would not deny the pos
session OF any such institutions 10 ancient times,
yet, when viewed under the new aud important
characters WHICH they had OF late assumed, they
must be recsghhed az peculiar 10 modern times.
That antiquity produced grander genuses than any
other age could boast Of he was far from pretending
70 deny. No Euclid, no Homer, no Aristotle nor
Arcbimedes might adorn the page OF greatness Of
any other era. Whether nature yet ia her infancy,
conferred on them higher mental capacity, or that
the cloud of ignorance through which they we're
seen by us had enlarged, OF even perhaps frightened
their lustre II was not now for US 10 determine. He
then proceeded TO show that, though the uncon-
nected isolated achievements of the past might
pass the noblet efforts Of the pres n, still he con-
tended that the characters o. genius had been
changed and ennobled in our day. After dwelling
ably on the subject, be concluded as follows:-They
(the stIdents) had now loosened each tendrl that
chung around their home: but xhat should be
their parting words in bidding their beloved
professors FAREWELL Parents, relatives. friends
they tthe professor's) had been all 10 them. Gap
pause) They had fulfilled towards them the no
best duty which II was given TO TO perform on
earth. (Cheers) Parents scarce dare undertake
the task, for while affection whispered that they
could not deny q wish entertained, conscience
stcrnly tells them that man. 10 be great must toll
and suffer. They who had sacrificed themselves 10
the task OF engraving the souls tablet those i'm
pressions, which IL must throughout ernity,
who had dared - model the yet plastic inn
mortality, and had performed their duty well.
should live forever in the gratitude OF those on
whom they had conferred such benefits. (Cheers.)
Permit them yet to add last regret. When dis
nce-thst poor necessity Of our Dature-should
separate them LET not the tempest tossed mariners
he then forgotten. Let their names mingle with
the incense Of their (the professors) prayers. 10
impiore the blessing Of God on them here below. and
then when the angels voice should proclaim |
70 all ages-to all people aud TO ali cimes, |
the reign of time and change ended. and that eter
nifty anu immutsbility had beguu they might all he