The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-25
OUR COLLEGES.
ST. FRANCIS xAyIER,s COLLEGE.

Last Evening-A Large and Brilliant
Audience-The Winners of the Medals
and the New A. BIS and A. MS.
The twenty second annual commencement OF st.
Francis Xaviers College, Sixteenth street, be-
tween Fifth and Sixth avenues, took place last
evening. 1t is almost unnecessary to add that the
occasion was an exceedingly enjoyable one, as the
annual commandments of the famous college al
ways are, and that there was an immense assem-
blage Of ladies and gentlemen present. To be sure
the temperature inside the building was not ex-
actly what well-reguated Esqumaux would
have desired, or even what New Yorker, with
the freezing recolloctions OF the last winter yet
fresh In his mind, would have diligently prayed for
beforehand; but, despite the heat, the friends OF
the students and the college kept trooping in from
the moment the doors were thrown open until the
hall was packed to its utmost capacity The ladies,
of course, predominated in Numbers, and were by
long odds the most enthusiastic portion OF
THE AUDIENCE.
Besides, they took good care to come in all the
glory OF the latest fashions and although 1t is not
to be supposed for an instant that any one OF the
dear creatures came with the malicious intention
In her heart of outdoing any other one in point OF
"style" it must be said that the array, which met
ones eyes at every turn, OF cloves OF Donnets" ana
"ducks' of round hats with their ribbons and
flowers and what not al that the noats,e knows so
something quite bewilderlng, at least to
bachelor eyes. How on earth the inexperienced
Students who not supposed TO know much
about The destinations Of the fair sex, managed as
well they did, in the face OF such attractions to
20 through the exercises without becoming utterly
demoralxed Is q question that may as well be lett
unanswered The scene from the stage was GER
tanly bewildering enough to discomfort the most
'orators Of the day" somehow or another
never lost their presence of mind during
the evening" and performed their part Of the e tnv
talking to the needless ocean waves after the
fashion of their old friend Demosthenes, but with
no pebbles in their mouths and not to an assem-
blage OF grave professors critically severe and q
congregation largely made up of pretty girls only
too ready to applaud in the wrong place If only for
the sake Of enjoying a laugh at one another after
the blunder.
THE EXERCISES
had the rare merit OF being short as well as well
selected for a commencement occasional merit, by
the way, which the managers OF other commence
ments yet to take place should strive to deserve.
The fact is, ten or twelve dreary essays, with any
amount of chorus singing sandwiched between
them to keep the audience from going home in q
huf, are too much of good thing even for good
humored audience at a commencement of
hot summer night. There were only three
speeches. by the graduates on this occasion,
and hence the excellent humor OF the audi.
ence from beginning to end. 1t should not
be inferred, however, that the only merit the orato
rical portion OF the exercises had was that 1t was
short for the essays were really excellent, and
were, besides, well delivered. The first one, "Ihe
Law OF Respect" which, at first blush, has rather
indefinite look, was well treated by Mr.. John +. X
OConor. Social Discord" was handled In truly
mastery style by, Mr.. Francis II. Wall. and Mr..
the manner of its treatment might have been
distasteful TO a certain class of extreme thinkers,
was as sound in its arguments as 1t was moderate
in tone.
THE AWARD OF MEDALS
was as follOws:-Post graduate cOurse-Gold medal
REV. Thomas S. Preston Graduating class-Gold
medal for Evidences OF Religion. Francis H. Wall;
donor, Rev. Michael Calaghan, Glass of 1865 Silver
medal for Mental Philosophy, Francis II. Wall;
silver medal for Physics ana Mathematics, John +.
X. O'Conor Undergraduate conrse-Gold medal
for the best Latin and English composition in the
three classes of the undergraduates. Joseph ii.
Hoey; donor Mr. John Kelly.
The medals for proficiency were awarded as fol-
Newton, Bellies Lettres; John F. Higgins Classics.
The prize of honor was awarded to Richard Y.
med at his own request on the entire Eneid.
THE CoNFERRiNG OF DEGREES.
The degree A. NJ was conferred on Michael
Mcswiggan, county Tyrone, Ireland; Michael A..
Cremin, county Limerick, Ireland; John McDermott,
county Tyrone, Ireland: Lawrence J. Boylen. New
York; Thomas II. Mosher. New York; Robert J.
Mckinley New York; William p. Mulry. Charleston,
S. c.; James +. Kelly, county Limerick, Ireland (;
John II. Burns, Middetown, N. Y; Patrick J. Mar
York. ''''' : ' " ''' ~
The degree A. B. was conferred on Francis II
Patrick J. McCoskey, New York; Andrew T. Sul
van Brooklyn, l.. l.; William j. Brown, New York;
DAVID j. Hickey, New YORK: Joseph A. Flanly, New
York; Henry W. Nevin, Brooklyn, l.. l.; John ii.
sullivan, Brooklyn, L. l.. Eugene j. Donnelly. Will
Harrisburg, L. l.; Aloysi1s W: Reilly, New York; 10
seph p. Molphy, county Westmeath, Ireland.
After the concerning OF the degrees sensible adj
dress to the graduates was made by the Rev. James
J. Moriarty, OF the Glass of 1851. The Archbishop
then addressed them briefly.
THE EXAMINATION CROP.
It may be said, in conclusion, that the examna-
ton OF the College terminated on the Goth inst 1t
lasted eight days for the Collegiate course. The
asplrants to the degree A. b. were for three sue
cessive days submitted to an oral and written eX
animation in the various branches of mental and
natural philosophy. All the other students passed
in succession before four different boards OF exam
liners. Each students grade of success or failure
| together with the promotions were proclaimed OF
the 2lst inst before the President ana faculty of the
college. OF all the students twenty failed to affair
! the number Of marks necessary for promotion. o
these fifteen have been allowed the choice of leav
! ing the college or remaining another year in tho
| same class, and Ave were peremptorily dismissed
The general result gave proof OF serious study ant
! application.
| THE RUTGERS COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT.
Female Education and. It's Effect UpoT