The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-02

habfssns Of this beautiful city TO boast o. having
WITHIN rs borders one Of the Oldest Institutions
OF learning In America, from within whose walls
have gone forth many OF the most learned and bril-
liant statesmen and legislators OF past century.
Among the number OF eminent names enrolled
among its alumni are those OF DE Witt Clinton,
Abram Van Necnten, John G. Spencer Thomas J.
Oakley, James vanderpoel ana a most OF others
truly distinguished in their subsequent several ALL
ings OF divinity, law and physic.
KINGSTON ACADEMY
originally founded in the year l7,4 ''for the in.
struction of youth in the learned languages and
other branches Of knowledge" The trustees OF
Kingston Tor that year. who have the honor OF
founding this now timehonored institution, re-
served 10 themselves and their SUCCESSORS the
ana superintendent OF the institution, and fur
nished for ts suitable buildings and grounds.
The Academy as thus organized opened and con-
tinued prosperous course until the ravages OF a
desOlaiing war and the
BURNING Up THE ACADEMY BUILDINGS
by the British necessarily suspended instruction for
time The trustees, however, soon repaired the
damage, and IN 1892 the Academy was again opened
and resumed Its course OF prosperity ana celebrity.
In 1895 the institution was Incorporated by the
Regents OF the University OF New York, and Mr..
John Addison was chosen President under the title
OF "Mr. Senior" The course OF studies adopted
were the Greek and Latin languages. elementary
practical geometry. mathematics, logic, moral
anu natural philosophy, ancient history, geography,
ana me history and government OF the United
States. The rules and regulations laid down Tor the
government OF the professors, tutors, nshers and
students were
Among them are found the I0ilowng:-The terms
oil tuition per annum were f5 ana two loads or
wood. Should student OF the academy be found
PLAYING CARDS.
or TO gamble or 10 play any other game in tav.
ever. tne offender shall be expelled nom the
academy, ana the names OF the Offenders, together
the public papers. That 1t was the duty OF the Pro-
lessor 10 open the exercises every morning with the
reading Oh chapter from The Bible and prayer.
That the students do punctually attend prayer
under the
PENALTY OF THREE CENTS.
Any student neglecung 70 attend divine worship
twice every sunday 10 he fined six cents by the Pro-
lessor. The students mad particular place assigned
church then existing IN the village, ana were re-
CURED to occupy that pace IN body, residents AZ
well as non-residents. la addition TO this no stu.
dent permitted 10 be In the streets after seven
COMMENCEMENT DAYS THEN
There were two vacations OF three weeks each
year. on the Friday preceding eacn vacation
general and public examination took place. The
sem-annual recurrence OF that event was looked
forward to with great expectations or delight and
pleasure by The CITIZENS OF Kingston and surround
ing country, both Old and young, and weeks pre-
nttlng celebration. Every house was thrown open
for the reception and entertainment OF strangers
and visitors VINO hooked to the village on
these OCCASIONS and freely and happily partOok
OF the cordial hospitality Of The Dutch ancestry.
Upon the morning OF the day fixed for the CON-
mencemeut the Board or Trustees would convene at
public house. and from there were escorted In pro-
cesson by the students, and with music and amid
the
MERRY RINGING OF THE VILLAGE BELLS,
proceeded TO the Academy Hail, where the examlna-
non look place. alter which a public dinner was
given. In the aftel noon the literary exercises OF the
day were closed ny decamatl0ns III the Dutch churc.
The evening was enllvened and lnterspersed by
the performance OF scenes from tragedies, farces
and comedies, after which the younger portion OF
the merry mazes OF the dance, ana thus joyousy
spent the rest OF the night until the small hours OF
the morning. Sucn pleasing observance OF the
commencement days continued for many years.
They waned AT last, however, and now the Joyous
festvtie, OF the occasion belong only 10 the history
Of the past.
COMMENCEMENT DAY NOW
To-day the annual commencement began. The
attendance was large, embracing people from all
parts OF the country, whose children are students
by the Rev. DR.. Grenel sautatory by N Elmendorf,
determinations by Jesse Alderman, JOnn ID. Ostran-
der John Mills, Charles Fowler, JOnn ID. EckerL,
Frank r. Wood, Henry Scho0nmaker, Charles t.
Van Keuren, F. Brant Calkln John ID. Murphy.
Augustus Hays; essays by J. Van Buren,, J. w.
James, r. L. Frame. N. ElmendOrf, G. Hamilton, Z.
Norris, and valedctory by J. Van Buren.
Mr. MaTius SchOOnnaKer, President OF the 1nst1tu-
tion presented the diplomas TO the graduating class
IN q fine address. Professor Curtis addressed the
ofered by Professor Curtis for the best defamation
was awarded to F. Brant Calkin, son OF II. c.
Calkln, eX-member OF Congress from the Seventh
congressional district OF New York city.