Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-06-13
Tor the Chronicle
Western Reserve Eclectic Institute.


Ne&s7S. Hapgood & Adaals:-The tent
annual commencement of this institution
took place at Hiram, on Thursday the I'll
inst.
The sHesparian Lyceum." established
in 1855 and numbering ffty-fve members
met the evening previous urd.r the spa
cieus tent owned by the Disciple churches
on the Western Reserve, and, although til,
evening was very clustering aud stormy
the people came in from all directions I'm
til the tent was well nigh filled. The mu
sic during the evening, by the Eclectic Glee
and Hesper:a1 Quartette club, and tn,
Shalersyillc Brass Band, was very fine in.
deed.
The orations all gave abundant evidence
that the "Hesperians'' were boys of no com
mon order, and bound to make the world
feel that they are living. Especially did
they manifest this in the discussion Of the
question, Ought the Union to be dissolv.
ed" and in the management of the Farce
and the COlOquy. These fairly brought
down the house,
The regular Commencement exercises
were to have commenced at 8 O'clock OIL
the morning of the 9TH To this end the
students assembled at the ringing of the
bell in the chapel of the Institute prepare.
tory to walking in procession to the tent
near by.
But just as they were ready to leave the
chapel a sudden and unexpected gale Of
wind lifted the stakes to which the rope:
of the tent were fastened, from their strong
holds in the ground and in a moment thu
canvass was Tapping in the breeze, sus
tanned mainly by the centre pole, ne rope;
of which remained unmoved. The tent
was Immediately lowered, but not until too
much damaged to be repaired until after
noon.
Fortunately for all concerned, Just al
the right time Doet. J. P. Robson Of Bed
ford, under whose general care the tent ha.
always been, made his appearance on tn,
ground, and with the authority of a cap
tain at sea in a storm, ordered the tent re
moved to a grove near by which protected
it from the fierce winds that continued
through the day.
BY the very commendable and diligent
efforts of the students, the tent was soo1
arranged according to the Doctors wishes
In the meantime the forenoon exercise:
were going on in the Disciple church ana
in the Chapel Of the Institute, the students
repeating their performances that all in
each house might hear. These exercise:
consisted mainly of essays by ladies which
were highly applauded by those who heard
them.
1t is proper here to state that hundred:
Of persons were unable to gain admission
to the church or chapel, and remained al
the hotels and at private houses awaiting
the erection Of the tent.
The exercises were conducted under the
tent in the a~fternean with as much order
and satisfaction as if nothing had occurred.
The Orations were all Of a very high or
der and the manner Of their delivery gave
-unmistakable evidence that the teacher Of
olocution was admirably fitted for his place.
Especially did the Grafton on '.Egotism'
and the Conversation between the north
and south" received very marked attention
and approval
Notwithstanding the storm, the friends
and patrons Of the school went home better
satisfied than ever before with the prospect
and condition of things at Hiram. Tn.
bounded credit IS due Prof Jas. A. Gar.
feld, the Principal and to the very able
corps Of teachers around him for the high
position the Eclectic has attained. In such
hands it cannot fail to be, what it now Is,
enc Of the irst schools IN northern Ohio.
The Delphic Lyceum founded in 1854
and consisting of sixy-tEo members, met
under the tent In the evening and spent
about three hours in entertaining their
friends. The audience was very large and
the interest continued to the last. AlthS
performances were much admired, particu-
larry tie Dialogue and the Coloqgy." IL
is said to have been orc of the very best
efforts of the Delphic. The young gentle.
men composing this Sosiety are an honor
to any community, and we look forward
with large hope to the day when they shall
take their several positions III the busy
scenes. of life. The Delphic like the Hes
ledan, charged a small admittancc fee for
the benefit d their libraries.
In conclusion we would say to those who
desire q rch intellectual treat 90 to Hiram
and attend one Of these anniversary meet
ings. TRUMBULL.
Ok Saturday, ME. Webb. of Franklin
NH. uae 90 sayoroI,- l-laJ hv n howe