The Portland daily press., 1873-07-19

COMMENCEMENT AT G0RHAM SEMINARY
The anniversary exercises closed Thursday
evening with the address of Governor Perham.
From first to last the occasion has been one of
unusual interest. The sermon ON Monday
evening by Rev. Mr.. Ferris, was very able
discourse and an earnest appeal for right and
truth.
The examinations show complete and thor
ough organization in every department. The
The most noticeable classes perhaps were the
Arithmetic class of Mr.. johnson, the Rheto-
rio and Reading classes of Miss Dodge, while the
senior class in each branch showed thu careful
discipline and patient labor of the Principal
and his worthy Preceptress, Miss Howard.
The Painting and Drawing department showed
the results of the enthusiasm and energy of its
head, Miss FL. S. Quincy of this city. The
many and beautiful pictures which adorned the
walls of the school-room, attracted marked
and complimentary attentions from the large
number of visitors. The Teacher of Music,
Miss j. S. Forsath, is too well known as an
Instructor to need any comments; suffice to say
that Miss Forsaith has placed the standard of
this department upon positive and permanent
basis unsurpassed by any in the State.
Madame Courlaender's classes in Modern
Languages, as usual, gained the unqualified
appreciation of all.
The reunion of Wednesday evening given
by the Principal to the graduating class and
their parents, the trustees and families, was
very joyful occasion At the table several
speeches were made, calling out replies from
Gov. Perham, Col Robbie, Mr.. Weston, Mr.
Warren, Judge Waterman and Others, who all
in lively and witty manner expressed yet
their deep and earnest solicitude and hope for
the future of the Institution. Afterwards Mr.
Ferris, who has given weekly lecture to the
senior class, was the recipient of beautiful
family Bible, it happily being his birthday.
Thursday at p. m, Mr. Ferris opened the
graduating exercises with prayer The quar-
! tette from this city, consisting of Messrs.
Beckett and Hudson, Mrs. Wetherbee and Miss
Ada Cary, responded very appropriately with
| ''God is Spirit
The Salutatory in Latin was by Mr.. S. B.
Themes, whose well known scholarly and man
ly qualities have won him this place he so ably
filled. Certified Snowfakes' and 'Stars and
Stripes" by Misses Pencil and Garland, were
finely written and well delivered parts Miss
Cary's song Looking Back" was loudly ap-
plauded. Mr.. Anthoine argued and proved
that perseverance is the "Force that Wins"
Miss Foster "Rough Hewn" was fine COM
position especially in the closing parts. "Truth
our Mecca" was delivered with characteristic
curtness and force by Miss E. F. Chadbourne.
Miss Mary r. BuzzelTs Picture. making, was
very creditable effort, and called forth evil
dent admiration for its young and talented
author The serio-comic Portraiture of Oliver
Cromwell, by w. H. Dodge, in verse, was
unique and we'll received Les Souvenirs, a
French composition, displayed the high cul-
ture and thorough training of one of Madame
C's fine class. Miss E. M. Chadbourne, Miss
A E. Cleme nts, "Our Wills, our Destinies''
was listened 10 with deep and marked interest
A. H. Pencil added to his finely written part
fine voice and pure style which secured for
him hearty and loud applause. The pure and
beautiful style and the tender pathos of Miss
Emma Roberts ''St. Helena called up the
profoundest emotions of the large audience
Miss Potters "Virgilias,' showed deep
| thought. high culture and a ready pen.
The valedictory "Whthes," by Miss Cum
| mngs, was beautiful production, and grace
fully and earnestly spoken. The class song, by
Miss Dodge, is sweet poem, and sung by the
class touched every heart. The Principals clos
ing words in awarding the Diplomas were, 81
warn you that in Gods broad universe there are
no sleeping apartments that are not already over
crowded-hs workshops want hands; each of
you have a duty, work, specific mission
see to it, that you each find your work and so
acqut yourselves that in the final great COM
mencement day you may receive another diplo-
ma, signed by the hand of God, and bearing
the guaranty of everlasting life"
The class as whole is said to be one of the
finest that ever graduated at Gorham Semina-
ry. Mrs. Wetherbee's Aria, Mr.. Hudson's Bal
lad, and Mr. Beckett's "Wanderer'' were loud
| ly applauded,
In the evening, although the weather was un
favorable, a very large audience gathered at
the church. The President of the Board, Col.
ROBBIE, was called to the chair by Mr.. Bodge,
and in few happy remarks proved the Cover
nor to be an Alumnus of this institution. He
said, Seventy years ago the State granted to
Gorham Seminary township of land, which
afterwards became the town of Woodstock, the
birthplace of the orator Of this evening"" Mr.
Perham was greeted with long, continued ap-
plause, and in his own straightforward and
| pleasing style held the crowded house intently
| listening for an hour and half to his words of
| admontion and encouragement, which will new
er be forgotten by those who heard them,
The class had a reception at the Seminary
after the address, which was fully attended and
highly enjoyed. Miss Howard and Miss BODICE
nj re frop hQ a f