The Portland daily press., 1864-06-15
Exhibition and Commencement M. Y
Seminary and Female College.
KENr's HILL, June IL, Is


KESr's HILL, June IL, 1864.
To the Editor ofthe Press
This old and popular institution has just
closed its annual Commencement and Exhibi-
ton. As usual, it brought together a large
number Of the dina Mater and friends of the
School.
Its exercises upon both days were of high
order. On Wednesday the Prize Declama-
tions and Readings came off, 10 which about
thirty young gentlemen and ladies took
part. These exercises were highly credtable
to both teachers and pupils, showing fine abil-
ity on the part Of the pupils, and excellent
training on the part Of the teachers. The
committee to award the prizes, of which Ed
ward Fenno Esq, Of Augusta, was chairman,
reported that A. Fitzroy Chase, of Paris, was
entitled to the first prize for best declama-
ton, aud Miss Emma +. Spaulding, of Buck
field, for best reading. The second prize for
defamation was given to David c. Robinson,
Of Skowhegan, and for reading, to Miss Emily
Z. Beedy, of Pennington.
In the evening reunion OF the old students
and friends of the institution took place at
the College Chapel, in connection with
Levee there held, which was an occasion of
great social interest. Thursday forenoon
brought together a large audience TO listen to
an Grafton before the Literary Societies by
Rev. Geo. M. Steele, of Fitchburg, Mass
The address Of Mr.. Steele was very fine lit
erary production, Astounding in keen, but
Just sarcasms, deep original thought, sparkling
gems, beautiful periods aud fine rhetoric
His subject was Manhood" which he gave
practical turn, and in closing applied it to the
rebellion-fairy electrifying his audience by
his terrible invective against treason and
traitors, his glowing euloges of the heroic
dead and praises OF the gallant living In the
Union armies. His gorgeous description Of
our country as she wiu be after she energies
oratorical periods TO which we ever listened,
and brought down perfect storm of applause
from the house. ~ III
In the afternoon came the commencement
exercises, consisting Of original declarations
and readings from the graduating class and
other students. More than twenty young
gentlemen and ladies took part in these exer-
cises, In which oil acquitted themselves with
remarkable ability. l would be pleased to
give each one passing notice, as there was
not one whose production would not stand an
honest criticism; but have only time to say
that the valedictory addresses OF Chase, Of
Paris. and Miss White, Of BuckHeld, were, In
composition and delivery, both, performances
of the very highest order.
The degree Of A. Il. was conferred upon
Alice N. White, OF Buckaeld, Ella n. Stevens,
Of Waterville, Emma r. Spaulding, of Buck
field, and the degree OF b. A. upon Emily Z.
Beedy, Of Pennington, Of the Seminary
course. rrg4r Tts rr~r
The Augusta Cornet Band discoursed
sweet music through the day and gave con-
cert in the evening.
From the catalogue just published, 1t APP
pears that during the last year, four hundred
and ten scholsrs-2i7 males and 1893 females
have attended the school. The Institution
never was SO popular, or doing SO large amount
of good. 1t has an excellent corps OF Pro-
fessors and Instructors, with Rev. DIR. Jersey,
one Of the ablest and most popular teachers
in the country, at its head. 1t is now out of
debt, has beautiful, healthy location, with an
excellent set Of buildings in fine repair.
More than four hundred young men have
left the school for the war, aud more than fif-
ty bravely fallen for their country.
During the commencement exercises Thurs
day afternoon, despatch containing tho bal
lettings In the Baltimore Convention, wss
received by a gentleman present. aud by re-
quest was read to the audience by Gen. Per
ry. The nominations of Lincoln and John
son were received with the widest demon
strations Of applause by the large congregation
there assembled.
Among those present from abroad, we no.
ticed Capt. C. Sturdevant ana J. w. Munger,
Esq, from Portland, Senators Beal of Dix
mont, and Sanborn, Of Readfed, Col. A. ID.
White, Of Buckfeld, Alvah Shurtleff, Jr, ESQ,
Of South Paris, Edward Fenno, Esq, of Au-
gusta, r. b. Dunn, Esq, OF Waterville, Jonas
Green, Esq., Of Peru, Increase Blake, ESQ.,,
and DIR. j. L. Blake, of Pennington.
ALUMNUs.