Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-06-29
TIE STANDARD.
Published by request of the Principal and Young Ladies Of h
leigh Female Seminary
ADDRESS,


j. :. ADDRESS.
Differed by WILLIAM W. HOLDEN, ESQ. June
'7as 1859, before tie Young Ladies' Of Raleigh
Female Seminary
LADIES AID GENTLEMEN: The occasion which has
brought us together is one of peculiar interest we
have assembled, not to engage in the frivoites OF
fashion, or to pamper the Senses or for purposes OF
ostentaton and display but to witness the progress
and development of mind-to encourage the rising
hopes of the student add something it may be,
to that general advancement in learning IN our be-
loved State, which of late has been so marked and
so gratfyng and to close for thepresent
of an institution in our midst, which has already
been fountain of Instruction to our children, and
which promises in the future still higher good, and
still fuller sources of virtue and knowledge.
The examination just concluded the merit as
cribed to the pupils, the exhibitions of proficiency
in science and learning which have been made, and
the scene before u.s. the results in large degree
of patient, ngcontinued, irdefatigable efforts on
the part of the teachers, efforts how important,
how indispensable to the culture of the mind and
the heart, and how seldom appreciated as they
should BE- 1t is not my purpose nor is it necessary
before this enlightened audience that should pro-
their fidelity, the noble dedication they have made
of their physical and mental faculties to the COM
mon good and the rare, accomplishing endurance
with which, comparatively secluded from the world,
they labor for the welfare of their species Every
person who reflects, and reflects justly, will bestow
upon them not only his thanks, but the need of
gratitude and admiration. Their work may be slow,
and trying, and sometimes painful, and it may 60
unrewarded and unapplauded; but it will endure,
for they work. not things perishable but on that
which which will survive brass and marble and out
live the stars. Their greatest, and perhaps their
best reward is in the consciousness of duty perform
3D. in the quiet contemplation of the benefits result
ing from their labors and in the respect and graft
tude in future years of those who were once their
pupils.
To many of us an occasion like this is full of plea
SAINT thoughts and memories. We remember again
the dear faces that gathered with ours around the
masters chair the generous rivalry, which while it
strengthened our mental sinews, occasioned an hon.
est pleasure to our instructors, as it crowned the
worthiest with the wreath of triumph; the friend
ships which formed reciprocal and lasting, and
broken only by the hand of death the high re-
solves which swelled our bosoms, some of which
have been accomplished leaving others, and so many
Others stranded on the shores of time; the hopes,
the anxietes the cares of youth, so great that we
imagined after years would bring us nothing like
them but alas as the sun ascends the heat in
creases, and the burden of the day is not for YOUTH
but for those who can bear it best for themselves,
for duty, and for youth ITSELF And over all these
thoughts and memories, sounding with sweet
but saddened melody, come the tones, fresh as Of
yesterday, from the bosom of those earlier years,
touching and sofening hearts, and lifting up the
soul once more into the light of schoolday inno
cence and schoolday truth.
Young Ladies, it is not what you have already &C
complished in your studies which in itself affords
most qualification to your friends. That they have
witnessed your progress with solictude, and expe
renced qualification at your success in the varied
departments of science and learning is certainly true;
but they look, as you do to the future, and it may
be with expectations differing from yours. 1t is the
means which you have here acquired, or may be &C.
quiring for future usefulness, that they regard with
superior qualification They know, as you will
learn, that society, and duty, and the world before
you are tangible, substantial things; that magma
ton, though it adorns and beauties, and is to be
estimated and nurtured in its time and place, never
theless forms no solid portion of the edfce of rea-
son of real existence; that the mental and moral
training you have thus far had, is but the conf
mencement of intermipabe years, not of time
ly, but of all hereafter; and that the means of use
fulness thus bestowed upon you must be improved,
or they will vanish you advance in life, leaving
you to vain repinings for the happiness you might
have grasped, and the good you might have DONE
They know, as you will learn, that the vista before
you is not all of flowers, and rainbows, and sun
shine, and singing birds that the most beautiful
tints fade soonest the happiest hours are swtest
winged. They know, as you will learn, that time
writes with an unsparing pen on velvet cheeks and
ruby lips, and sprinkles the dust of age on raven
locks and sunny brows. They know, as you will
learn, that the fashionable world is for the most part
treacherous and selfish that smiles do not always
emanate from guileess hearts that professions and
promises are not always kept; that mere fashion is
CHASTITY skeleton adorned with flowers, radiant tc
the eye, but deadly to the repeated touch and that
love ITSELF divine descendant from the purer spheres
is basely counterfeited in many an ardent sigh ant
winning look.
Yet, every picture has its lights and shades. Fo
my part, would not reveal one thorn more in you
path than may await you, nor imagine one cloud to,
many in your sky Of life The world, society, fash
ion you will soon know, and you will insist on know
ing them for yourselves. You will have your owl
experience, your own alternate joys and sorrows
your own trials and triumphs. After all, this is no
bad world, nor even an unpleasant world, to thos
who estimate it as they should, and perform thei
duties in it.
The duties of woman, if not so diversified, so ez
tended, so world-pervading as those of man. are We
nrsfa -. ! -.