The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-05-15

: Hawaiian as examples: The English defamation by
K, exhibiting the causes Of the downfall OF empires,
with a warning 10 the great Republic Of the West,
was given in as fine a style, had the pronunciation
been perfect, (t was nearly SOL as Is often witnessed
in the most eloquent declamations of the students OF
our own Seminaries And this too by a youth who
has no better knowledge Of English han our college
students usually have of Latin or Greek. Suppose
an old Greek or Roman could return and witness n
college defamation of one o. the orations which made
his name immortal! would he recognize his own
thoughts: or would they come TO him IN an unknown
tongue: Ii is true, our Hawaiian youth has the
advantage of speaking a living language, and OF
being taught by one whose mother tongue II Is. Yet,
he has the credit Of showing 10y the correctness OF his
infections and the ~proprie'y Of his action, that ne
has not failed to comprehend the meaning ana force
Of the thoughts presented to him in a foreign tongue.
The original Grafton in Hawaiian by L. Poll, ION
the rapid progress of Christianity was delivered in
a manner TO do credit to any of our public speakers.
The same might be said Of others. All OF them were
doubtless written and committed 10 memory, but they
were not mere recitatious they had little the ap-
pearunce of such and | am told that several OF the
speakers IN native introduced impromptu passages OF
great force and beauty. 1t was interesting, during
the exercises, 10 witness the effect OF the various
addresses upon the large audience present. Some
times the hearers were excited with merriment, to
which they gave audible expression at other times
they were movod with deep emotion, as the speaker
gave impressive utterance TO thoughts OF 4 grave and
serious charac 'er and judging by this test Of true
eloauence. these was considerable wit and feeling
/ "a - tIt EHNHhNAS NuAAb hANA 80
which occupied about three hours.
On Saturday morning | accompanied the Princi-
pal in his examination of the land cultivated by tie
students.
The students of this Seminary cultivate their own
food. The school is divided into four nearly equal
divisions. each under n luna, or superintendent,
appointed by the Faculty, who is held responsible for
the faithful cultivation of the land allotted TO his
division. He receives it in good condition at the
commencement of the school year, and he must de-
deliver it over at the close Of the year in the same
good order. During the vacation. one student IS
hired by the remainder to remain and take care of
the land until the commencement of the next term.
We found the lands in a very satisfactory state, a
few patches not quite perfect. were finished during
the morning.
At 9 O'Clock, the Seminary bell called the classes together
for the las. time this term. The Senior class, is in number,
were about to receive their Diplomas and graduate with the
usual honorS Of the institution. One of the class, however, on
account of repeated violations OF the rules Of the school, was
dismissed without a Diploma, not more as a just punishment Tor
his disObedience and unfaithfuineSs, than as a warning to the
undergraduates TO avoid a like dishonor on account of similar
delinquencies. The exercises to-day were more interesting
than those of any previous day.
The valeiictory Of Mr.. Parker. who leaves the Seminary at
the close Of this term, was very eloquent and impressive, pro-
address to the graduating class was excellent, earnest in its
warnings and afectionate in its advice Mr.. Aholo also
addressed the school, approving the sentiments Of the other
teachers and adding his own aloha. Each of the IL graduates,
having signed his obligation. received his Diploma. and thus the
went forth into the little world of Hawaii mel, to exert its inhu-
ence for evil ur for gOod-it is fervently hoped, in most cases for
good.
As an addendum to the above, 1 will mention that an asso-
citation of the Alumni of Iahainaluna was formed this year.
A preliminary meeting was held last year, at which a commit
tee was appointed TO draw up a constitution and report at the
meeting this year. The constitution was adopted,
and officers chosen, and thus the Alma Mater Of Hawaii nei has
taken another step towards a union with the great siSterhood of
learned institutions in all lands. All the graduating classes for
the last ~ years were represented at this meeting, adding much
to the interest of the occasion.