The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-26
Synopsis Of the Graduates Speeches and
Names Of the BaccalaureateS.
Retaliation of the Late Klepto-
mania Scandal.
AMATEUR UsHERsHIP CRITICISED.
The Voices and the Commencement Co.'S
tunes Of the Vassar Young Ladies.
PouGHKEEPsIE, N. Y, ]


Yesterday and to-day have been busy days in
Poughkeepsie. The hotel arrivals continued up to
late hour last night, and what was crowded
already then became crammed. Your correspond
ent ventures to hope he Is not one OF those who
revenge themselves on destiny by wreakng their
spite in the shape OF published abuse Of the pro-
yincia hotel keeper. He disdans all mean sef-con-
solutions Of this description, and therefore, merely
remarks in general way that the Poughkeepsie
hotels might be considerably better without in the
least approxmating perfection Peasanter is it
TO turn the eye on Main street.-the Broadway OF
PoughE eepse--and watch the rolling carriages
which bear dantily atired visitors along the road
TO yassar. Yesterday known as Students
Day, and in the eyes OF most OF the vassarites ex
cepting those who are about to be graduated, is
even moro important than commencement
Day, for upon Students Day every pupil is
permitted to invite as many OF her friends as she
chooses. All the usual restrictions are laid aside,
the Yassar bow Is unbent to the utmost and the
outside world rushes in to admire its graceful
laxity. Accordingly the wide corridors were yes
terday thronged. Fathers, mothers, sisters
brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and relatives Of
all degrees OF propinquity were there; the chapel
and the private and public parlors were testooned
with flowers and evergreens, and the place was
glad with the benedlcton of a general holiday. On
the lawn in front OF the house tent was erected
for the shelter Of those assisted at the nstitu
ton known as 'The planting OF the tree, Of which
more anon The regular exercises of the day began
at two IN the afternoon. They are known as
''Class Day exercises" and consist Of music
addresses and recitatons by few OF the
members OF the graduating class, who are
not represented in the Commencement pro-
gramme. The young ladies' who took part yester
day afternoon are-Mlss Lucy Foster Corliss Of
Gloucester, Mass Miss Adelaide Skeel, OF New
burg; Miss Marguerite Gibbons Townsend, Of West
Chester. Pa, and Miss Ella Weed, OF Newburg.
Miss Corllss made short opening address, Miss
Skeel read the history OF the class OF 1878, Miss
Townsend (who appears to be the poetess OF Vas
sar) recited q long original poem, called "A Mes
sage from the Past,r and Miss Weed delivered
semi-humorous and highly appreciated prophecy
In relation to the individual members OF the
graduating class. The entertainment took place
in the pretty little chapel, every seat and all the
standing room in which were occupied. 1t was a
gracious and gentle sight-the neat and graceful
little temple filed with wel-dressed and well-man-
nered spectators and a handful Of bright and cul-
tivated girls constituting the attraction upon
the dais where the organ stands Appro-
pirate music was interspersed, and after
the recitations and essays were over q
large proportion OF the company adjourned to
the tent and the space around it on the lawn In
front OF the college, The weather was brooding
and threatening, and at one I me 1t was feared
that the planting OF the treen would have to be
dispensed with. But, happily one OF the most inter-
estng OF the traditions OF Vassar not thus inter-
fered with. The history OF planting of the treer
is briefly as follows:-0ne OF the earliest OF the
graduating classes OF Vassar desired some emblem
by which each successive graduating class should
be linked to that which preceded it and that which
planting of tree and the using for that purpose
OF the spade with which Matthew vassar the
founder first broke ground there. From that date
to the present member OF each graduating class
has formally presented the spade to O member OF
the class that was In its turn become senior, at
the same time delivering o charge to which the
junior made appropriate response. Fitting music
lends additional charms OF emotion to this sig.
nifcant and touching tradition, and among the ac-
companying ceremonies the burial OF the records
OF the graduating class beneath q stone tablet be-
side the planted tree and the singing Of original
ode composed by one OF the pupils None OF these
ceremonies were omitted yesterday, and perhaps
the glum and moody weather lent an over-touch OF
sadness to the scene Picture to yourself q band
Of young and ingenious girls who have lived for
four years in bonds OF intimacy together about to
separate forever, and sanctifyng that separation
by the solemn planting o. tree, while the June air
is heavy with the smothered plant OF threaten
ing rains, and a sad yearning, unsatisfed hush is
on the landscape. We all know how quickly these
beautiful sentiments eyaporate beneath the harsh
breath OF practical life Some fine natures retain
them for lifetime, but with the majority they are
evanescence itself And 80 let us be thankful they
are sincere while they do last, and very sweet and
gentle in their sincerity too. Yesterday the senior
charge was made by Miss Sarah Sophia Dana, OF
Inhn u ,xlv l.v Mics
Mary Valley Marvin, OF Erie, Pa The ode was
by Miss Marguerite Gibbons Townsend and, set to
paintive music had a very pretty eject. Does it
not sound as II IL did
Once again go
Gather we round our tree;
Summer winds softly blow
Blending our , song song with their whispers sweet
Let us again the notes repeat
Blessings, elm, on thee,
While we linger TO say our last farewell
:, Bring thee their gifts, o tree.
Tender hopes anxious fears
Ss S when wild storms beat
Long be thy lie, 0 tree
While we linger 70 say unr last farewell
Never more never moro
Echo the sad rsfrainN
Scattered on sea and shore,
e. SlI eST ,hoashs when they fer.hest roam
Though we iinser to cay q list farewell.
But this ronclnde0 the daylight instalment OF the
class day exercises, which, under the presidency
Of Miss Helen G. Hiscock or Syracuse, and the mar.
shalshtp OF Miss OornelR Knowles OF Bridgeport,
Cam. were OBSERVED without break or flaw, and
presented considerable musical charm, owing 10
the prgseuce OF Grafrnia's Seventh Regiment Band,
aInder warnings tntOpA Eight O'Clock In the even
ing hrDugnt Inc address betDre tn Philplethean
Society IN TINE chapel ghis WAS delivered by Miss
NJ O. Whtney, graduaIe ur 1B9a and had relation
10 aUn1IurD" Miss Whitney Il o thoughtful and
re11ned looking young lady O native OF Mas
sarhusetis, and u uhat might be called q constt
1uiiona student. since her graduation at vassar,
Sbe has been devpt1np herself to Science phIloso.
ply and the lAnRu2ges and promises 70 become
one OF those rar1tieH, a learned American woman
Miss whitney u better thinker and writer
than speaker. Her mind seems 20 re.
sembie the cloud or which Wordsworth