The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-04
Commemorative Celebration at the
Academy Of Music.
GRAFTON BEFORE TIE SroR,CiL SOCIETY,".
Speeches of the Hon. Edward Everett and
Ex-Governor King.
HONOR TO THE MEMORY OF THE DEAD,
&c., &c., ~.

fullest capacity last evening by Of the largest.
intelligent apprecatve audiences Of both that
has ever assembled within s walls. Tho occasion was
the commemoraon Of the seventy seventh anniversary
OF day OF the great poet and historian Of
ca-the biosrapher OF Washington and OF Christopher
lumbus--W ashingon Irving. Such united tribute OF
esteem, affection and veneration shown TO the
memory the deceased by his countrynen and country
women white crafty the geuer feelings OF every
adrer Of rvpgs wonderful mind, reflects the greatest
glory the citizens New York, who have thus
mously shown their high appreciation Of departed worth
The platform which set apart for the nse OF the
members OF the Historical Society and few other gen.
temen very simply, and yet sppropri.
ately ornanented. Immediately In the OF
the Presidents chair, there suspended
ueugth portrait OF Washington Irving He is repre-
sented sitting q neditative posture, with his
scripts before him and his library In the His face
bears the usua bland and expression which
chsraceriz the living original and the period seized by
tho artist for alsing him on the canvass when
he was engaged upon his Sketch Book The por ait
excellent in every respect, those who knew Mr.
Irving well recognizing in it everything that hfeess
painting bring to the mind OF this great
and good man At each side of the purple
curtain which shroaded the portrait evergre,ns
and more to front Of the platform three sy
bolicai urns
Among the gentlemen present we observed the follow
ing Mr. Igther Brad,sh President OF the Society; Dr.
Dewitt and Nc. DePeyser, Vice Presidents Or. 0sgood,
Domestic Corresponding Secretary Col Walner Recording
Secretary Geo Moore, Librarian. Besides these
there were Hon Edward Everett, Gen. Winfield Scott
ex Governor King, Governor Hall, of Vermont Gov.
Fish, Col Peter Force, OF Washington; President King
of Columbia College; DIR. W. Francis, Rev. DR.. Aisms
Dr. Cogswell, G c. verpanck, Prof. Geo W. Greene,
VIM B Ast,r, John Jacob Aston, Daniel Hard, Geo
Tickpor of Boston; VIM. Bancroft, &c.
The Hon Luther Bradish walked up the auditorium
with the orator of the evening, Mr. william Cullen
Bryant, followed by General Scott, the Hon. Edward
Everett and others, whole party being loudly ap.
plauded.
The Hon LuIER BRADlsh then opened the proceedings
of the evening. He said
MEMBERS or 1Ix NEW York HISTORICAL SOCIETY," and all
who honor this eion by their presence, this
evening lay tn chapet OF ae 1tion upon the
still fresh gave OF beloved associate We come TO
duge sweet memories OF the past TO do such honor
the milo auo beautiful radiance and genius Of whose
productions and the beautiful harmony, OF whose cha
racer and life have she'd such unfsang lustre upon
country his Eind-one In whom the intellectual, moral
and social elements Of character harmoniopsly
and beautifully blended that his memory will live equally
in the pures admiration, ami in the warmest affection
of all Such the occasion Of present meeting The
Of the evening will commence with prayer to
be offered by the Rev Dr. Creighton, long the beloved
pastor respected friend of deceased. The com
memor a,sve address will then be delivered by William
Cullen Bry ant the poet and pride Of his country (Ap
planse) This will be followed by remarks and letters
nom gentlemen from various cities Of the Unon
TO be concluded by beued aon. to BIS pronounced by
the Rev. DR.. Dewitt distinguished member OF the Soc
ETY. ediately after which, without formal motion
to that effect the Society will consier itself. ad
lourned Prayer Will now be offered BY the Rev. Dr.
Creighton.
Rev Dr. CREIGHTON then offered the following prayer
Almighty and everlasting Cod, who by Thy holy apps.
tie hast taught us to make prayer and supphca-
ton, and 10 give thaoks for all men, We humby
thee mercuy receive these prayers
which offer thy Divine Majesty. We beseech thee
unity Grant thar all those VINO DO confess thy holy
agree in the truth of thy holy word and live IN unity
gody We beseech thee also 30 TO direct and
dispose hearts OF all Christian rulers that they may
truly and mpar:ally administer justice to the punish.
meDt Of and vice. and to the maintenance OF
truth and virtue Give grace, oh, Heavenly Father, TO
all bishops and MINISTER'S that they both by lite
doctrine may set forth thy true and lively word aud
rightly aud truly administer thy holy sacramento
ali thy people and in particular 70 those here eseut
give thy heavenly grace, that with meek hearts
and due reverence they may hear and receive thy
holy word and truly serve thee In holiness
and righteousness all the days OF their life And
humby peeeech thee 10 thy goodness OH Lord to
fort and succor all those who IN this transient lie in
trouble in sorrow, sickness any other adversely.
ADe also give thee humble and hearty thanks Tor all
faith rest from their labos And more especial
ly Tor the good exam ole of him In memory Of whom We
gathered together We laad and bless thee, Ga
Father OF Light whom comth every good and
perfect gilt simplicity and cody sincerity
his conversation in the world; that though
greatly exalted hopored among men and praise IN
all the earth, his heart was not lifted up by pride
hardened through success. but with humility add
readiness bowed itself down and adored thee,
the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom
thou And beseech that all those who
thus in lie distinguished above their fellows
by the gifts of station, follow In his foot
Steps Geek thy honor and glory by making the
great end their life to acquaut themselves with thee,
whom truly ID know ana serve, Is life eternal Graft
in their hearts the thy name; increase them
true wisdom Doursh them in thy goodness, and ia toy
great mercy keep them o. thou the fountain Of all
WISDOM who knowest necessities before ask thee,
ignorance asking incline thine ear TO mo
made prayers and to thee and those
things which tor uuwortbiness dare not, aud
blindness ask vouchsafe give u.s. for
of thy son. Jesus Christ lord Our Father which
besvep baiowed be thv pane, thy Kingdom com
thy will be zone earth It is in heaven give
day daily bread, forgive us our trespasses for
tson but deliver evil for kingdom aud
the power and the glory for ever and Amen me
grace obr Lord Jesus Christ the love Of Cod aud
the fellowship OF the Holy Ghost be with all
Amen
The PRESIDENT then introduced the orac, o, the evening
who spoke as follows amid frequent bursts OF applause
MR.. BRfAHrs GRAFTON.
We have come together, friends on the birthday OF
iusrious citizen o. republic; but so recent his
departure from among tina, assembling is rather
of for his death than OF congrstua
ton that such q born INTO the worlds HIS al
rraole writings the beautiful products Of hts peculiar
genius, remain 70 be The enjoyment OF the present aud
future gereons we keep the recollection of his ami
and pl smeess lie his kindly rnsnuers-and ness
we give thanks but the thought will force itself upon
that the light Of MS friendly eye Is qaenched-tha; we
mus, hear his beloved voice, take his vel
come band It as If genial year hsd just closed
lett in frost and gloom s flo very sprng It's eay
summer, is pleneous autumn flown never 10 return.
It's gifts are around us; It's harvests In
CAREERS but its OF bloom aud warmth add fruitful
ness Ia past We look around US and that the
shine which led the golden and hnged the eddeniug
apple brightens the earth no more. Twelve years
fiDce the task was assigned me to deliver the
funeral euogy OF rhom.s Cole, the great father
of landscape painting in America, the artist vho
first taught the pencil to portray win the ooldness
OF nature. our Wild forests and lake shores, our
mountain regions borders OF majestic rivers
Five years later oidden to express 10 such terms
as could command the general sorrow which WAS felt
for the death OF Fenimore Cooper, equally great an
equally the leader Of his countymen ia different walk
OF creative genius Another grave hss been opened AMI
ne VINO bas gone down 70 II, earlier than they In bus
hoors and hs lame twas Ike them foremost in the peci
liar pam 70 winch his attracted him. Cole WAS