Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-08-06
Anniveruary Of the Young Ladies' Literary
society or Oberiiu Collewe.

Anntverunry Of the touna AuoleF AttefaNt
society OF Oberiin College.
OBERLIN, Aug. A, 1859.
DEAR LRADER:--A couple Of hours at the
great Church on yesterday afternoon would
have dnoed your readers that Oberlin is
famous for other things than reseuing fugitives,
and for producing not only the men who are
equal to all roscuing emergencies, but for
training the minds Of girls in a manner to sat
isfy the fond expectations of Professors, ad-
mirers, and friends
The occasion referred to was the twenty
fourth Anniversary Of the Young Ladies' Liter
airy Society of Oberlin College, the first Of a
series Of anniversaries with which we are to be
favored, weekly and oftener, until the 23d inst,
when the Annual Commencement will occur.
The number Of citizens in attendance was
large; and the interest manifested throughout
by those who by frequently enjoying such OPP
portunities have become apprecative, is itself
a sufficient guaranty that the young Ladies.
upon whom for the present rests the RESPONSE
biity Of this Society, now older probably than
any present member, have met that responsible
ity nobly and well.
Tue Society now numbers some thirty in all,
but what their names are it would be difficult
for your correspondent to tell, especially it he
is a married man; but married OF single, he has
learned the names of some Of them, AMI he
now feels anxious to make the acquaintance Of
the whole party But we must give you a
hasty sketch of the performance.
The first Essay was by Miss Hattie Q. Burt,
Of Oberlin, upon "The Language Of Feeing;'
a very creditable production, careful listening
to which demonstrated that the fair essayist
had herself threaded the pathway along which
she was leading her auditors. -.
ner's Death" by Miss Nellie NJ. Wolden, sud.
bury, Vt, in which there occurred several pas
sages of rare poetical merit. Indeed it was
hard to resist the conviction that the words
were heartfelt utterances from one whose
brother, or perchance .some more dearly cher
| ishcd treasure, had been by stranger hands
buried in the far off land of gold.
The Paper, read by the Editor, Helen Tuttle
Camden, n Y, contained a number of good
articles; but the reference to the Dandelion, the
first flower of spring and OF childhood, was
| full Of fresh memories of the spring time oI
life
The Days of Spinning Wheels Poem
| by Mrs A. A. Gillian, of Oberlin, was received
with great enthusiasm, and was in some re-
/
The poetical merit it possesses, as well as the
caustic hits it gave to many Of the customs
and habits of the girls Of to day, make it an OBJ.
ject to obtain copy foi the Morning Leader;
but doubtless the Students Monthly will have
the privilege of bringing to the bile gaze
this telling poem.
Miss Jane o. De Forest, of Oberlin, read in
masterly style an ingenious vindication OF
| Queen Vashti, and the least that can be said of
the effort is, that if the bauished Queen does not
hereafter stand higher in public estim alton than
her successor, Miss De Forest is not to blame
"Unread Pages" by Miss N. A. Gordon
| Sparta, ILL.,, may have been the best production
Of the day, but it was read in too low a tone to
be heard and far as a large portion of the
audience was concerned they were truly un-
read pages.
Miss Nellie E. Peirce, of Medina, is the as.
sociate Editor OF the Society's paper, "The Uni
versal Investigator" and there can be no doubt
of the success of the Investigator with such
editors as Misses Tuttle and Pierce One ar.
ticle however was read, which should be a eau
ton to Editors, Essayists, Lecturers and Min
listers who feel inclined to go out of the way in
order to give an awkward kick at what is sup
posed to be an unpopular idea, viz: the eleva-
ton of Woman, the enlargement of her sphere,
and the security of her rights. Whatever of
agitation of the question, it has too much of
real merit in it, to be put down by such ludi-
crous attempts, and such old fogy appeals as
the article contained 1t is to be presumed
that the article was not editorial, aud that it
slipped in uuawares.
"a Chat with the Leaving Members" by Miss
Harriet Everson, of Brighton, was as touching
to the feelings as it was delicate and appropri
ate to the occasion. Her description of child
hoods journey daily performed from the old
homestead to the district school house, carried
not only the society but the audience, in spite
of themselves, back to the sunny memories OF
the distant past. The devious windings of the
way, the cooling shade under which we used to
loiter, the haunted house by which we hastened,
and the church yard made to as attractive "be.
cause grandma and the baby lay buried there, T"
were by the magic OF her pen and voice made
real as life itself
Nine Diplomas were then presented to the
| leaving members in a very neat and apprOpri-
ate address by Miss West.
The meeting was conducted by Miss M E.
| Warren who presided with dignity and with
ease, and the occasion was enlivened through
out with choice music, both vocal and instru
mental, such as Oberlin singers and performers
know so well how to give.
The song of "The Old Oak Tree" by Theo.
! dore D Pease and his aister Lucy Pease, was
exquisitely well done; the piano accompaniment
! by Miss Pease was also creditable, while tue
string band of seven violins, one viola, one bass.
viol, one violono, one piccalo, two flutes, and a
comet, performed several choice pieces, and the
closing one will not soon be forgotten.
The prayer by DR.. Morgan and the benedic.
ton by Father Keep opened and closed the
performances, and the audience went to their
homes anxious TO have another anniversary OF
come one of the many Lyceum's Societies, or
Associations, occur as soon as possible
Yours, @