The Portland daily press., 1862-08-07


nected with it, is the fact of so many of its
service, this number amounting to nearly 80
per cent. of the entire class.
Among the distinguished visitors present we
noticed upon the stage, our patriotic young
fellow-citizen, Gen. o. o. Howard, the hero of
Fair Oaks. We also noticed the noble form of
Hon. George Evans, who informed us that
from 1s11-the year he entered college-until
the present time, he has never been absent but
from single commencement, and then, if we
recollect Alright, he was absent from home on
public service.
Before closing this instalment we may speak
Of few of the parts performed by the young
gentlemen announced as speakers in the fore
going programme The Latin salutatory was
pronounced with much force and with occa-
sional vehemence of manner, from which we
infer that the orator had lire subject in hand
though, being in dead language, it did not
take deep hold of living souls. We learn
from one of the Professors, that the brilliant
passage which brought down the 'college
boys" was the speakers allusion TO the recent
burning Of the Treasurer's office, in which was
consumed several college relics, among the
rest the original Presidents chair, SO humble
in its construction that 1t was brought from
Bath by the now venerable Rev. Dr. jerks of
Boston, Ia his chaise. Upon learning of its
destruction, the venerable Doctor forwarded
another, which does duty on the present occa-
sion. and which, as we write, enfolds in its
arms the person Of Names honored Chief
Magistrate.
The speaker retired from the stage amid the
usual shower Of boquets, prepared, doubtless,
| specially for the occasion. and made up strong
quets go the rounds in regular circles, being
thrown from the galleries, gathered up by the
honored speakers, carried off amid the plaudis
OF the assembly, only to be returned to the
galleries in season for the next one upon
whom they are destined TO confer honor Be
fore the close of the exercises they viii show
the wear and tear Of the struggle through
which they have passed, and retain no more OF
their morning freshness. than do the uniforms
Of our returning soldiers Of the glare Of the
gaudy rinsel which sparkled upon them when
they LEFT the place Of their first peaceful rem
devious.
The second speaker had the independence
to ignore the silk surplice, and to stand out in
the full proportions Of his manhood, as though
he was not ashamed of his neither limbs. 1t
was unfortunate for him. however, that his
part was badly committed.
The war and this "nfcrnal rebellion affords
themes and Illustrations for many of the
speakers, and show that even through student
life, the great tidal wave of public feeling Gibbs
and flows.
SUPPLEMENT.
After the foregoing was securely in the
hands of the postal messenger of Uucle Sam,
we repaired again to the Church and found
despite the excessive heat of the day, the at
tendance undated. The trains from Bath and
Augusta arrived about this time, with long
lines Of cars filed to repletion.
We have not the space to speak in detail
and at length Of the several parts taken by the
graduating class. Several parts were omitted
from the programme. The Grafton by Drake
of Bath, was in plain simple style and betrayed
good share of common sense. DonneIl. Of
Portland, on the Lessons of Suffering, did
himself much credit, and his part was consid-
cred one of the best on the the list, though by
some it might be thought rather too solemn
for so young a man.
Hill, of Biddeford, pronounced manly ora
ton, one of the best, and an allusion to ''Hon-
est Old Abe" was loudly applauded by the
audience. Mark, of Portland, gave a good
essay upon "Hidden Power, Pierce of Mon
mouth, gave a heightened disquisition upon
"True Valor," and an allusion to Gen. How
ard, then upon the platform, was received with
rapturous applause.
Lieut.. Mattocks, of Portland, ignoring the
surplice, stood out in manly form, with true
soldierly bearing, revealing no pedantc airs
by DOMINIC gilt buttons and shoulder straps,
to which he is justly entitled, but dressed in
plain citizens garb, discussed in sensible Ian
guage upon "The Crusade's." Pope, of Whit
NEVILLE, on the Power of Music, gave a very
pleasant disquisition.
Magrath, of Gardiner, had the boldness to
plead the cause of that bloody French tyrant.
Robespierre, and though he succeeded in
bringing out whatever of good there was of
his hero, and was showered with boquets, we
doubt if he satisfied his audience that Robes
pierre was a man to he loved for his goodness
or to be remembered for his virtues.
Morse of Bridgton, gave pleasant philo-
sophical essay upon the late, lamented patriot,
Winthrop, the gifted son of letters, whose life
was early laid upon his countrys altar at Big
Bethel.
Packard, of Biddeford, gave an excellent
poem, sweeping the popular cords of the hui
man heart, and making them vibrate respon-
sive to strains of unaffected patriotism 1t
was received with marked applause.
The Grafton by King, of Mass, was an ear
nest delivered composition, eyincing much
thought and elaboration, but the faded spirits
of the audience, now cramped for four mortal
hours, were not deeply stirred. His theme
was christian Loyalty and the closing sem
fences did not fail to waken the audience, suf-
fering from a perfect surfeit of good things.
and to call forth the most generous burst of
applause. A Latin yaledictory followed, which
drew forth the usual quota of applause, in
many cases from those as ignorant of its sig
MITIGATION as ourself, and some of whom were
obliged to watch their next neighbor to know
''where the laugh should come in.'
President Woods, doubtless under the inspi-
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