Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-17
Goddard Seminary.

The third anniversary exercises Of this ins;itu-
ton, located at Barre, took place on Wednesday
Of last week. Long prior 10 the commencement
the friends Of the graduates AMI Of the school as
-cnlhled in the Chapel which was beautifully dec
rated with garands and icstions Of A iwers, to
listen 10 the literary eif,rts Of those who had
completed the required course Of study. We
can but express in the warmcst terms our apprc-
citation Of the rhetorical exercises Of the gradua-
ting class, which numbers eleven in all-flur Ia
jes and seven gentlemen. The several oration4
# the gentlemen displayed correctness Of taste,
a refinement Of dictiDn, and fund OF general
knowledge seldom met with among persons who
have not been tempered with little more OF the
worlds vicissitudes. The Valedctory Oratiun.
by b. l.. DwINELL effort happily beyond the
usual sterc,typed eirision Of schuol-by eloqnenc,
was the literary dlamlnt Of the IN Irning pro-
gramme. Mr.. DwlNELL is an honor to his Almn
Mater, and will in spite Of all obstacles make
hs mark in the world The essays Of the young
ladies' were noticeable for their freshness and orig
nality of thought and theme, vigor Of cnun
citation, and depth and purity Of style. The
Is Glass Chronicles" by Miss BARRON, were al
mrably composed and frequently provoked audi
be mirth from tho audience. The presentation
1t diplomas WAS made hy Hon. HndAN CARrrN.
TER, of Mortified, in few well chuscn remark.
pertinent to the occasion. The morning exer
ci-es concluded with the singing by the entire
audience Of the class song.
The programme for the afternoon opened with
an instrumental solo by Mr.. W. A. BRiGos, after
which the Principal introduced the orator Of the
day, Rev. |. NJ. Arwoop, of Chelsea, Mass liz
subject, Literature, was peculiarly appropriate
and was handled in a manner that stamped hin
not only as a vigorous writer and ripe scholar
hut as one eminently capable, from his volumn
Gus reading and good judgment, Of discrimnat
ing between the good and bad literature Of ih,
day lie affirmed that there was too much liter
allure in the market-tha is too much that exert
a noxious influence upon society, and too it'll,
that has an eleyatng and refining effect. tn,
majority do not seem 10 seek after that which j.
hest, but are too easily satisfied with mediocrity
IL was one Of those rare dispositions that ough
To he placed before the public in printed form fo
general circulation, as an argument against III,
olap.trap literature Of the times. By his pleas
ing address and perspicuity Of expression, Mr.
ArwooD commanded the closest attention through
out his discourse. At its conclusion the Princi
| pal introduced Mrs. HELEN NJ Rlcn, Of Brazie
Falls, N. Y, who delivered an exceedingly inter
esting poem entitled lleroism.
10 our judgment great proficiency has hecT
made in the musical department Of the insiitu
ton during the past year. The Several solos
duets and quartetts on this OCCASION we're char
acterized 10y breadth and purity Of tone -killi,.
execution, and naturalnes, Of style, evidence IL
least Of careful training IN the part Of Prof
PnLLirs and Mr. BRicGs, and Of patient and sue
cessul labor on the part of the pupils. Particu
larly was this true in regard q Miss fRARY rem
dering Of flowtow's Overture to StradeIh, bet
ter than which we never heard from an amateu
performer.
To the success of this school nature contribute
her share. The eye educates Useless conscious
IS. perhaps, but ~ certainly N the ear For air
ines and beauty the location is unsurpassed
: The stuatiJn-upon an emiuence that command
! a varied and lovely prospects, precisely what
should be flr such purpose And the budin
it,ef is worthy Of it, object. 1t is composed e.
brick, five stories high, Including tie roof an,
basement stories } and one hundred and sixt
feet in length, making it one Of the pea-antc,
aud most convenient school buildings in our cJu
lnonwealth.
In conclusion, we congratulate the Trustees
this Institution in having secured the services
~ true and efficient an educator a. the pre~er
Principal, who, with wise discrimination, ha
81. . > in d