The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-06-05
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
JUNE 81
Educational.

We noticed in our last issue, that the examina
ton exercises at Punahou were in progress
They terminated with the public exhibition a
the Fort street Church, on Thursday evening
The following statement Of the committee ap
pointed to report on the examination, will furnish
the most impartial and satisfactory account 0
the proceedings that can be given by US
To he Trustees Of Oahu College:
GENTLEMEN The subscribers, having had thu
honor Of being appointed a Committee of EIamins
ton to attend the Annual Examination Of the pupils
connected with Oahu College, the present year, bes
TO submit the following report
Most of the members Of the committee were presen
throughout the entire examination of the variou.
classes, which occupied the whole of Tuesday anC
Wednesday last. and all had the pleasure Of listening
to the performances Of the pupils in vocal music and
defamation, on the evening Of Thursday.
The several classes, with very few exceptions, esta.
b!ished satisfactorily their character for general
excellence. The proficiency displayed by the adj
yaDced pupils in the Ancient Classics was highly
gratifying
The classes in Botany and Astronomy, which are
both new branches of study at the Institution, have
made rapid progress
The botanical specimens collected by the former,
gave pleasing evidence that the pupils had endeavored
TO verify and illustrate the teachings Of the books,
by practical observation in the field Of nature, a
course from which they have, no doubt, reaped much
advantage, both physically and mentally. The Com
mittee are happy TO observe that these, and other
kindred branches Of instruction so well calculated
TO elevate and improve the minis OF the pupils by
the study Of Gods works, nre receiving from the
teachers that amount Of attention which they deserve.
This Is Is il should be. Let the scholars pursue,
with zeal. their researches through the boundless
held OF Creation, for. as they proceed, they will find
on every hand eyer-recurriDg marks Of wisdom,
power and love, aftording new incentives to admira-
ton, reverence and praise.
The thoroughness manifested by the class exam
ined in Ancient History was complete, while the
class IN Milton displayed a gratifying acquaintance
with n highly interesting portion of the works OF that
great master among old English Classics. The CON-
mittee recommend TO the further attention Of the
Professors the study Of English Literature.
The several classes in Mathematics maintained a
high position. The Committee we're no less surprised
by the novelty Of the exhibition made by the class
Of young ladies in Comic Sections, than by the degree
OF quickness and perfect knowledge Of the work which
they bad attained.
The drawings, with which the walls Of the class
room we're so t~astefully adorned during the day Of
examination, bore abundant testimony to the taste Of
the drawers. and n few Of them exhibited a high
degree Of skill in the art.
A considerable number Of original compositions
were delivered by the pupils of both sexes. on n
variety Of subjects. Many Of these were alike credit
able 10 the heads and hearts % the authors and
some Of them, composed by the more advanced,
showed genius as well as culture.
Among the subjects worthy Of particular notice,
the Committe desire especially to mention the pro-
fc.ancy attained by the pupils IN Vocal Music This
deserves the highest praise, as must be attested by
the numerous and delighted audience who listened to
the performances on Thursday evening. The i'm
provemen here during the past year is decidedly
great, and reflects much credit on the present Pro-
fessor, whose province il is TO teach the elegant
accomplishments Of music and the French language,
and who has successfully developed the naturally
6Be vocal powers Of the students.
The whole Examination proved, satisfactorily, the
care and industry Of the pupils, rs well as the pains
taking and thoroughness Of the Professors, bearing
the genuine fruits Of real labor, and not OF special
afIOn for the nrrasiap
The Committee desire to comment to the particu-
lar attention Of the Trustees and the faculty as a SUBJ
ject worthy Of constant care, the physical well-being
Of the pupils. As a counterpart TO The pleasing and
exercises Of Calisthenics, practised by the
young ladies, the Committee would respectfully
the adoption Of some stated exercise for
the young gentlemen, not OF a character which
might prove exhausting or over straiDing, but such
as might furnish agreeable relaxation from mental
application, while il braces the nerves and improves
the carriage Of the individual. In what form this
might bect be Observation-Disclosures in the shape of
military drill or otherwise, the Committee leave to
the Judgment Of the Guardians Of the Institution.
Ir conclusion, the Committee desire TO say that
the practical management Of the Institution is evil
dently in competent hands. Ii Is rapidly attaining
n standing which ought to render it dec- 70 the
hearts OF the entire community. Never was aid I2ore
wOrthily bestowed upon any public object than that
80 literally given to Oahu College BY the Hawai-
ian Government. While congratulating the parents
Of the rising generation, and the friends of education
generally, upon the establishment and maintenance
Of Punahou, until il has arrived at a position far
the most sanguine hopes of its earliest pro-
jectors, we confidently bespeak for it the hearty
support Of all.
G.. VI. ROBERTSON,
5. G. DAMON,
ALFRED CALDwFLL,
ARTEAks BISHOP,
Examining Committee.
The Rhetorical Exercises, on Thursday even
ing, drew out a large audience, and the Fort
Church, in which they were held, was
to excess, many being unable to find
even u place to stand up. A temporary stage
had been erected over the pulpit, on which,
besides the faculty and trustees of the College,
We observed Her Majesty the Queen, His Elk.
Chief Justice Allen and lady, His Elk. ID. L..
Gregg, His TX. Thos. j. Dryer, the Hon. A.
Caldwell, u. ). Consul, and others. The decora-
ions OF the house were very appropriate. On
the wall back of the pulpit, hung the portraits Of
Their Majesties, with the motto, " God bless our
King and Queen" worked in evergreen and sur
with wreaths and flowers. The decla-
nations, though well-delivered, did not appear
% equal, in spirit ard in their effect on the audi
nee, those of the two previous years. This
nay be owing in part to the lack of some decla-
nation or dialogue of u lively character, intro
luced into the evenings programme. Among
he pieces which ELECTED special commentator,
vas the "Triai of Popular Government" by
b. Lyons, which, from its apt illusions
% events of the day, drew out frequent ap-
,lause. "Eloquence," by Henry Thompson,
vas well composed and well delivered, and affords
mother proof that the Anglo-Hawaiian mind,
inder the same privileges and tutelase, is capa-
Die of equalling if not surprising that of the
pure foreigner. This Grafton was an honor to
he speaker and the Institution with which he is
Coles Voyage of Life" an original
'oem by w. ii. Rogers, was q composition of
pecial merit, and drew out warm applause. We
insert this poem or our last page, and those of