The New York herald., 1871-06-22
POPULAR EDUCATION.
How the Young Idea is Taught to
Shoot in This Vicinity.
Commencement and Other Exercises at vassar
College, Seton Hall and Other Institutions
vAssAR COLLEGE.

there throughout the United States, and In the said
'institutions" the said females" have been
educated-at least 80 we are told. Everybody
has heard OF the boy who wrote the
WORD "horse'' under the picture OF an anatomical
wonder. In the same way "educated" has been
written upon American girls as, year after year,
they were graduated from seminaries and boarding
schools. They were said to be educated, and their
friends and the world in general were bound to be-
lieve In the ticket Of the mandatory
where they were polished and perfected; but,
Notwithstanding professions, these schools have
been in most instances mere moulds, and II a girl
came out with any individuality, any freshness and
originality 1t in spite Of the training. The Old
idea OF 'womans sphere" was at the bottom OF all
these superstructures. However masked 1t might
be, the
REAL AIM OF THE SCHOOLS
was to make women more charming When the
times demanded that IN order to marry well,
girl should be taught something moro
than embroidery and music, sne studied
mathematics and the sciences. She puzzled
her pretty head with geometrlc figures and
algebraic symbols, actually learned the names Of
most Of the constela ions, and went through her
physiology and chemistry and rhetoric ike good
child. But she did all this with
ONE EYE UPON THE BOYS
The neighborlng college had consoled herself with
unlimited candy while secretly longing for the time
to come when she could ir to her hearts content,
and END the final Irritation by an advantageous
settlement" Such has been the character OF young
ladies' boarding schools that mothers who
wished their daughters to become really noble
cheney as best they could.
Just IN proportion as women have been consid.
cred worth educating for their own sakes without
any reference to filing matrimonial orders, have
the schools improved. Ideas are the basis OF every
thing, and according as the idea Is noble or ignobe
nj
aud her capabilities and her right to individuality
Is constantly growing better, and our schools are
constantly rising to the higher level. few years
ago rich man became poss essed or a noble ambi-
ton. He had thoughts OF better tn ngs for American
women than had been realized IN the past. and MS
thought chrystailzed into beautiful and benefcent
deed. He conceived that there should be universl-
nished with e.ery TYPO possible aid f to literary % and and
scientific pursuits: He proposed that such women
as desired 1t should have precisely such an educa-
tiOn as men have. He did not suppose that
COLLEGE BRED WOMEN
would lose during the process OF education. their
lose their manly instincts by the process; but
he did suppose that through their equal education
husbands who would be their equals, and
he supposed that after having won them
Matthew vassar coer In cnoss
2 desirable location and erected buildings admira-
by adapted to the purposes in view-buildlngs
full OF sunny, airy apartments, with charm
Ing country scenery from every window. The
college was endowed, the scientific depart.
iected and the doors we're thrown Spsn cG to
young women Since that tme-seven years ago
college. Any one with curiosity IN regard to the
mental stains OF the alumni should have heard the
be ore college society on Tuesday night last T6e
listener, ,wever critical. would have been forced
''vERY GOOD FOR wOMAN,"
and pronounce the address wonderfully good for
The graduates having played at Commencement
on Tuesday, according to approved college trad!-
tlons on Wednesday came the serious close OF their
6urryng to and fro.u for the happy girls were
not only to receive their diplomas, but they to
rdors were full Of trunks ready locked and strapped
FOR the journey. and the rooms full OF dislev-
eed beauties attlrng themselves In nervous haste
in clouds (whlte ones) and rainbows. The fathers
and mothers and big brothers were waiting with
sympatheuc interest for the appearance OF the dear
guests, rolled over the smooth avenues and empted
themselves one by one into the college parlors.
At ten O'Clock everybody In the chapel-trus.
nang 1s s 3 and the
Iossine Ira Marrs Wa% Keis, HsnsHn Tnoma: IS
buckingham and Cornelius Dubois. On the otner
s s nss very Maria he coes
physician, and Ritter the professor Of music
Around these stars clustered the lesser lights, among
them MISS LIE Row, the young elocutonist wnose
patent and skiliul labors were amply evidenced by
the
CHARMING NATURALNEss OF THE YOUNG LADIES
In the delivery OF their orations and essays.
%. The exercises were opened by a Latin ':saluta-
OF Rochester. Then followed .Theory before Pro.
gress,' by Marie .. Glover Of Brooklyn; "The vlr.
NE ,ss s Gg movement Tanng i
Jupiter symphony rendered BY Misses Hopper,
Es!y Adams and House; 2 French essay. BY Mary
& SroosIs me Ass Susan Is c,s ,asymcaS
6y Emma 4. earnsey: Or South Bslistoa; TTns cal
.Waitinz 10! the Tide" poem, en- BY Sarah Sarah
T: MONKS. Of Cold Spring, N. "; the valedlc-
and grand Duo" which was rendered by Misses
Hopper and Raymond. The ESSAYS and orations
were upon live topics and proved that their authors
had learned to think instead Of learning to use
other peoples thoughts.
ALL, even the poem. which was beautiful. were
BREAKING CHAINS SHALL HAVE BEEN ALL BROKEN
and tne world Is spiritually free: The beautiful
advised he trustees IN the tones 6us with
the deepest WISDOM "to let light come to the col
sge n from ., SIDE TO open the door to
ing that what might be darkness TO them might
be the light needed foranotner." IL is plain from
College Is place where mind s developed instead
OF being measured and pruned or stretched to suit
ignorant as all men are OF the whole truth.
The programme finished, the class received their
ulpiomas from PresidenT Kay mOnd. The names OF
tue graduates are as follows:--lda Wood Adams,
Mary Clinton. An ella wigus Esty. Ellen Mlnot Fol.
som, Emma Howell Garnsey Marie Otheman Glover,
Emma Lucinda Hawks, Dora Hlleman, Euphema
Hopper, Mary Cr0cker House. Kate Gordon Jewett.
Louise La due, Sarah Borden Durfee Lewis, Kate
Augusta LOveand, Fannie Zerviah Lowell, Sarah
Preston MolKs, Mary shelton Nlcoll, Susan Ray
mond Annie Elizabeth Rowe, Angle Louise San
ford, Clarissa Ann Stockwell.
After the presentation OF the diplomas the Presi.
dent read set OF resolutions, adopted at the last
meeting OF the Board or Trustees to the effect that
after graduation young ladies would be allowed to |
continue their studies In the college, free OF charge
The literary exercises having been concluded an |
elegant co lation was served In the dining room, |
where, among other distinguished pers0naQes, !
Charlotte Cusnman was hobnobblng with |
Maria Mitchell, botn evidently enjoying their sar-
dimes and pickles as II they were the most common
place OF their sex.
Alter lunch came unlimited kissing, followed by |
the grand exodus and the Vassar 81 Ills went home,
their anticipatons OF future pleasure little shaded
by regretiul thoughts OF the dear Alma Mater. |
SETON HALL COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.