Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-22
COMMENCEMENT DAY
WESLEYAN COLLEGE.
Brilliant Scene.

nav LOT wilmington. Strangers from abroad
.hrohg our streets, and ladies fair, dressed
N rich costumes, are TO be seen ON all our
lashiohable rromenades. For years past we
nave nailed with pleasure the annual return
o. Tue Wesleyan's Natal Day, and never
have we been disappointed in our expecta.
ions oil receiving "least OF reason and a
now of soul" Why the close OF the College
year IS called the Commencement we are al
a loss to know, but we presume because II Is
lhe commencement oithe close Last Thurs
uay night was sci apart for the ;esthelical
exercises and the awarding of diplomas TO
the graduating class. The hall oi the Col.
lege was filled 10 repletion with brilliant
and cultivated audience. The stage was ra-
diant with fragrant flowers, shedding their
rich perfume INTO every part OF the room.-
The walls were covered with numerou. oil
paintings, many of which bore evidence of
rare artistic skill on the part OF their design.
ers, the young ladies of the College. We
were prepared for something nice by the
handsomely printed programmes bearing the
imprint ol the JOURNAL AND STATESMAN.
The order OF exercises was very interesting,
consisting of original essays by the gtadu.
aes, choice selections of classical music,
both vocal and Instrumental, and the award.
ing OF diplomas. The musical part was
ample and OF IL high order, and implied a
master hand, though we know not whose,
in ills preparation.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. DIR. Hodg.
son, alter Which the "Salntniory Address''
was made by Miss Mary A. Curils, uf VIII.
mingion. This was something onl OF the
ordinary line; was well conceived and han.
piy expressed. While withul due mndesiv
we beg leave 10 differ with the fair Salutn-
torian in saying that the late rebellion had
tlp effect al filliutr ntants hnutir
We also deny most emphallcally That the
llght OF any such monstrusily us tho Boston
Peace Jubilee can in any way dim The lustre
Ol the rechefche entertainment nj the even.
ing. Her reference To the great success ol
the AlumnW on the previous evening MS a
proof vi what Intelligent and industrious
women can do was well timed, aud the COIN.
pliment was richly menied by the Indies OF
HE Association. She clnsed in Il graceful
manner, extending eur,lnl welcome to all.
lle severe culd with which Miss Curtis wa.
suffering rendered her voice so husky AS la
be inaudlble IN the lurihrr part Of the hull.
But inr This, her clocntion would have breu
a great success
An instrumental lueit, "Natnlieu Wall.
zes," WAS performed with admirable nre
eision aud unity by the Misses Kent ami
Ferguson.
Our Wards" by Miss Anna b. SnpIer
ol wilmington, was an able aud searching
crlliclsm IN the mnnner IN which our gov
eminent has broken faith with the nhOriri
nes nl America. While admitting that in
many instances The lndinns may lmve beer
the aggressurs, she SIN thought they ehoul,
not be held ton suieily 10 account in
their shortcomings, as many nl thei
acts were the clude aud cIue system
ol education; aud in this very Ignorance sh,
lound an unnnswerahle argument why W,
should rather foster than oppress them
She also appealed to our sense OF lustie
whether We would submit 10 the npine an,
plunder visited upon them aud make no re
sislance; and thought il II remarkable fac
that while we have been lupilivts from on
preston, We have been foremost in onnres.
ing others. No nation she lelitVed woul
prosper IN course nf nnriEhtrnusness. a
was shown ny our having rrpcnted in sack
cloth ana ashes lor our treatment OF the ne
groes. Miss Stapler has an intellect of re
markaDle strength, as was shown hy III
vigorous manner in which she manipulate
this puzzling question, and presented il 1
graceful and symmetrical proportions, TIL
reading was good, but was n0t of so hiph
standard MS we were led To expect from Il,
graceful and cultivated composition.
beautiful Birds Sing on" by Mis-
Anna b Smith, of philadelphia, was one {
the most charming performances Of ia
evening. Miss Smiths voice is remarkabl
for its flexiblily, and clear, bellhke tone
Her elegant and graceful rendering of tina
intricate piece oi music entities her 10 Iii
reputation OF an accomplished and igente
vocalist.
Pandora an essay by Miss Carrie i
Dobson, of Pollsylle, Pa, was an epitom
ot myihological Lore. In a captivating styl
she gave us graphic account of the Grpcia
legend ni the Pandora Box, and of The Col
den Age, when men had lived without di,
ease or suffering. The beautiful virgin plye
by Jupiter to Epimetheus was described, nm
the misdeeds OF this "lasCinating mischief
wiltily referred to. Every one, said the al
thor, has Pandora Box given them, (rol
which they can choose whatsoever the
wish; and this nation is u perfect stor,
house Of the word. AS the essay was rea
IN low voice, we We're unable TO hear a
Of ii.
Miss Alice A. Evans, of Wilmington. pe
lormed piano solo, "Pamphase de Go,
cert" elegantly and gracefully. Her del
cacY Of touch and rapidity OF execution wa
truly wonderful, and the variations wel
rendered so distinctly aud in such oxcellel
llme, that there was no confusing them wit
the onglnal air as is so often the case in III
performance of music of this aind
Youth Struggle, an essay by Mi
Mnllle .. Fulcnner, ol Washington, ID. G
was very menlorious production, and COZ
lalneu iipe thoughts, admirably expresset
IN lively, spirited manner she spoke Of IL
youthful error that the future presents noil
lug but brightness; she thought the nresel
was the happiesi time OF HE. Although III
general belief Is that youth is all sunshir
and JOY, ii also has lis cures md trial
though there is large share of enioymen
Those who are ambitious must prepare Il
hard struggle, for men are always MOI
Wiling TO throw obstacles in each other
way than assist ~ overcoming them. The
must be satisfied il their services are recop
nlzed nilel their death. She could not vi
jerslahd Why we always deny to individl
ais the sympathy we SO readily extend
nations. The reading was low, but good
inulah Drum, a vocal trio, was sung Ii
the Misses Lore, Smith, and Barney. IN
successful Performance of this niece in
great measure depended on the correctne,
OF time This was kept perfectly, and III
rendering OF tile soft low notes produced
beautiful effect.
"Ihe sublime in History" " an essay. Ia
Miss KATE c. H0drsOu, III Dnnville Pa
was IL searching review ur the history n( N
past, mol only OF nations, but OF inliyiduaI.
AS History repeats Itself, by careful stud
OF the past, we eau learn what 10 avoid I
the future, and il is in thls respect the hes
OF instructors. A glowing tribute wns mi,
lu the grandeur aud heroism of Columbu
and Luther the gieat discovercr and Ihe ~
less great relorneli aud the martyre far r.
liglon came IN Tor their share OF euIogy. Sh
also lhonghi tnerc was as much gIandeu
and hernism olienlmes in the saeriticp -
comforts as III the sacrifice of life The u,o,,
deriul sacrifices made in the deslrnclion ~
Moscow was brilliantly ANA trulhlullv d.
scrlbed. Miss llodgsnl, in her essav' dis
phyed thorough and prulical knuwleda
OF the history ol the various nations of III,
earth. Although in reading her voice wa
low, her articulation was aa perfectly c'ea
and distinct as Ia, III a great measure com
pensate for this defect. N''''
Miss Miriam Hitch, of Gtpenslor,, Ma