The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-06-29
ANNUAL LITERARY
Entertainments and Distribution OF
Premiums. at So LOuis's College. ON
Thursday, June 23d, 1870.

On the sd inst, the third annual Literary En-
tertalnment and Distribution Of Premiums was
held at St Louiss. our duties were so pressing
that we feared we would be unable to attend vet
so highly were We gratihed ON similar occasions
IN former years, that we could not resist the in.
eination Of viewing the progress which our young
friends have continued to make.
Early in the afternoon a large and select audi
ence had gathered in the hall, awaiting the com.
menccment Of the entertainment The Very Rev
Administrator Of the diocese of Cleveland occu.
pied the chair, and we observed number of rev
erend gentlemen from various parts of the state
Among the audience we observed scveIal deleEa-
tions from Cleveland aud Newburgh, on the
north while the east, south and west were indeed
very well represented.
Ii was evident that much tasteful care and at
tention had been bestowed the stage and hall.
Our attention was directed particularly to the,
drop-cnrtain, and the various scenes afterwards
presented during the exhibition. The former,
especially, was the most finished we have beheld
in a long time. The admirers of the Gierusa.
lenne could specify recognize II as the faithful
embodiment OF one OF the most picturesque de-
scripuons in Zorquato's undyinB song. Ii was
distinguished for its natural grace and expires
slve elegance, charm OF rich coloring, true dis
play of oriental magnihcence, pure taste and skill
in perspective, and a full and just comprehension
Of the chiaroscuro. When we glanced at this we
imagined Prof Proesch belonged TO the ideal
school, but his success in the positive, which he
introduced into the "catacombs" !" Or owes thar bis
pencil passes cn.gsmand also over the Kiberian-
Thatspirtt Of true genius which makes everything
labor OF love, appears TO to have guided him
throughout all.
shortly after p. m, the exercises we're begun.
The music throughout was worthy OF the highest
commentator, Out We nave not time 10 dwell a
length upon It's merits We were particularly
pleased by Bellmis Mira ONOrma' and the Ian
date Pueri" of Zingareli. The selections, as well
as their execution, show a cultivated taste and a
devoted and unceasiug attention.
The opening address" was cordial welcome
to those who had so kindly come to honor and
encourage the efforts of the students. Il was
skillfully executed, and manifested a truly noble
and generous spirit in reRard TO the prizes and
those about 10 receive them.
We were pleased to see our city well repreeen-
ted in the session Of the debating club The
young gentlemen appeared perfectly at home on
A comic recitation followed, and was given with
n good deal Of native wit and humor. An Grafton
on classical studies was then delivered This
may serve illustration Of the high culture
NhlSh We nave SO frequently sald the excellent
professors OF 81. l4oulss bestow upon those com
mitted to their charge. Those Sophistries which
hold up the productions of the past TO disrespect
and contempt, were refuted solldly and at length.
passing tribute was paid to the classics, all
that remains of the glory and splerdor of anita
uity. The intellectual power Of that period was
ably defended by contrasting and comparing the
Aristotelian and the Newtonian system of philos-
ophy. diligent enquiry was made into the util
whole.
Throughout it vas distinguished for deep and
extensive research, clearness and strength Of
conception, purity aud vigor Of expression, and
the solid strength of connected reasoning. This
production - the more prUiseworthy, as, unlike
the custom in many other institutions it did not
receive a single touch from the hand Of the pro
tessors not one OF whom had heard or read It be-
fore its delivery on the stage.
The dialogue showed wonderful selfcommand
and slillfu training ofthe young gentlemen in it,
The drama. entitled The Family of Martyrs"
then appeared. Il is needless 10 say that were
highly pleased with this. We do notwish TO point
out any particular character, comparisons are
generally invidious, and as number of admirers
have their different fayorites. But we observed a
distinctness Of articulation and correctness of
pronunciation which we would scarcely expect
from the younger portion. Each understood his
that warmth and earnestness which il Is requi-
site for the faithful delineatiOn of the stronger
passions. The gestures were graceful appropri-
ate and expressive, and the general representa-
tion was well calculated To produce a favorable
impression OF the dramatic talent of 81. Louis's.
We almost doubted DIR. Johnson when he inti-
mated that there could be successful plays pos
sessing none of that passion which is generally
on the stage. But here we may per-
ceivethat religion, without the assstadce of the
more material, may exercise n powerful influence
over the heart. Perhaps IL a little more were in
troduced into the drama of the present day, il
would tend powerfully to purify and adorn the
stage, to make II more elevated, noble and refn-
ed. For AFTER ALL the true aim Of the stage is to
make virtue amiable and to excite a horror for
vice.
The distribution Of premiums is considered the
principal feature of the day. The students were
gathered around in the presence OF those who.
were dearest to their hearts to he crowned with
these laures for which they had struggled thro'
many weary hour. These prizes we are assured
are not mere nominal honors. The students who
gained them we are informed can do so only by
unceasing and unwearied efforts; no considera-
tion can cause the bestowal of prize upon one
who has not won 1t in fair and honorable con-
test The audience justly valued those outward
marks of industry and application, and thereby
that noble spirit of untlring zeal with
out which even genius Is but vain.
We were pleased to see that Canton bore off
pretty fair share Of the prizes, though Cleveland
was foremost in this respect.
We believe that for so small a place have
never before seen 20 respectable and refined an
audience. We have learned from the managers
mat the tickets sold have more than enabled them
10 meet the heavy expenses they had previously
incurred.
We have been requested 10 return the warmest
thanks to those who honored the college by their
attendance. Many had come from afAr of, un-
with great inconvenience as one of the
professors considerably observed, but animated
By those noble sentiments which can spring only
from true and generous souls. They indeed will
watch with interest everything that relates to the
happiness and prosperity Of ST. LOuis's They
viii rejoice 20 behold in after years the tree they
have planted aud nourshcd, and with them we
beg leave to join wishes that success may at
tend its every effort, and that each succeeding
year may add 20 the honor and glory OF this noble