The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-07-27
Gorhn.n seminary.

The late hour at which the evening exercises
at Gorham Seminary were concluded ON Thurs
day prevented a notice of them in our
issue of yesterday, but they were very pleasant
and interesting and seemed happy augury of
the future success of the Seminary After
some excellent music by the young ladies, Prof
1. B. Choate in behalf of the class of 70 made
happy address of welcome to the Alumni and
other invited guests present.
Mr.. Choate has been absent in Iowa of late,
and Mrs. Choate has been the very acceptable
teacher in drawing, painting, and Penman-
ship, for some time past
Rev. N. w. Taylor Root, of this city, was
then introduced and gave one of the most ap-
propriate and exhaustive orations upon the
"Culture of the sense of Sight" While with
out intention to derogate from the attention
given to the culture of the sense of sound in elo
cutiOn, oratory, or music, which is carried to so
high a degree at present, he said that he would
present and urge few of the means within
easy reach Of all for the development of this
most important of the five senses.
First of all we should make close and per-
sonal study of all the forms of beauty in the
whole realm of Nature, and in the departments
of colors. See in the clouds, the foliage, and
in fact in every thing almost in nature, the
beautiful combination of colors SO harmonious
and attractive. Under this head he referred to
he frequent and noticeable display of incongru-
GUS colors worn by ladies putting at variance
all laws of natures harmony and example.
Women especially should study these matters,
and wear colors that will harmonic with them
selves and their own complications.
AS regards to colors, so as to lives, we may
study nature to good effect: the moral rectitude
of the straight line should be studied and our
actions should be squared by the right angle.
The study of geometry has a moral as well as
intellectual use. The beauty of straight lines
and the exact angles of crystals of all kinds
may be NEST profitaby studied, while the ex-
ceeding grace and constant varying succession
of the carved line of beauty" as seen in the
clouds, the forms of foliage, the everlasting
mountains, the flowing of rivers, and the waves
of the ocean, will afford continual and most
agreeable study.
The study of Botany opens up new field of
thought in the endless variety of the forms of
leaves and petals of flowers, and the natural
grace of trees. Suppose every one should only
at first attempt to copy trefoil clover, they
would soon see the beauty of the curved lines,
and an interest in drawing would be awakened
which would afford a pleasure to the mind at
all times and serve to make sthe lonely happy
A quotation from Shelley was here given apro-
pos to the subject. Last the study of the
human form, and particularly ''the human face
divine" was touched upon. This may be con-
sidered the highest of artistic attachments, as
the lines of the human face are so nice that
they require the greatest natural talent and
practice to copy them correctly. A marble
model of a human hand attracted at the Paris
Exposition general notice and admiration for
the exquisite grace of its lines.
The Grafton was very finished effort and the
sentiments expressed found response in the
mind of every one present as tho applause at
the close testified
The poem by Miss Eliza C. Durgin of Yon-
kers, N. ", was read by Miss Smith of Cor
ham, and it was very spiritual and beautiful
production, full Of experimental suggestions
and original ideas gracefully expressed.
After more music by the ladies very elegant
spread was rendered to the company and it
was understood to have been given by the gra-
duating class.
Altogether the occasion was one of the most
pleasant that Gorham Seminary has ever
known and it was felt that the Institution has
entered upon new and enlarged lease of ex-
istence.
The Fall term will open on the 9th of
A,p,st