Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-03
Music.
Report of Examining Committee.
Conferring of Diplomas.
JJrocc

The orations were finely written, but
the essay by Miss Ella Bromley cannot
be too highly praised for its sublimated
IDEAS, deep thought and careful prepara-
ton. The remarkably clear pronuncia-
tion of the reader was also especially no
ticeable, showing culture and practice in
the art of elocution. Miss Bromley is
the daughter of Judge Bromley, of this
town, and the Judge, as well as the lady,
is to be congratulated on the more than
successful manner in which Miss Brom-
ley has performed all the requirements
of graduation.
The diplomas were next given by the
Principal; after which the report of the
Examining Committee was given by
Rev. A. N. Adams, ,of Fairhaven, who
said, that from such brief and partial in
spections as the committee had been able
to make, they take pleasure in saying
that the school is in most excellent con-
dition in every respect. The committee
would net hesitate to offer criticism,
were 1t required. They are aware that
examinations are sometimes made to or
der, but that in this instance, no doubt
prepared somewhat, they were not pre-
pared to any extent worth mentioning.
The students seem to appreciate the
value of learning by attention the subject
under consideration. One thing to be
commended was the independence of
the textbook on the part of the teacher,
| and a consequent independence and
freedom of thought and comprehensive,
fearless criticism on the part Of the pu-
pill We think Mr. and Mrs. Williams
and the teachers deserve credit for their
work here, which, though it may appear
small, measured quantitively, is yet inn
mense and of inexpressible worth in re-
spect to quality. We gladly commend
the methods here in use. The commit
tee desire to commend especially the
attention given toelocution and reading.
In respect to the management of the
seminary we are perfectly satisfied. We
think the "Old Sem" as its alumni de-
light to call it, is again coming into
higher prominence. Much praise is due
to the efficient president of the board of
trustees. 1t is to be regretted that only
a brief extract of this report can here be
given. After the report the following
address, in substance, was given by Hon.
G. w. Willard.
THE RELATION OF PREPARATION TO
ACHIEVEMENT.
4 Chinese legislator, nearly GOO years
before Christ, wrote:
s'In all things success depends upon
previous preparation, and without such
preparation there is sure to be failure.
The wise man said
Train up a child in the way he
should 60, and when he is old he will
not depart from it."
The poet has expressed the same idea
in the verse:
"'Tis education forms the common
mind,
Just as the twig Is bent the tree 5 in
clincd.''
These are only different ways of pro
mitigating in expression a truth as old as
human observation, and human intelli-
gence 1t is the idea of Development.
From it have come all our systems of
education, and preparation for the work
of life. One of the distinctions between
man and the lower animals, is the ca
pacity of the former to reach, by the
use of his faculties, an advance, both as
respects his ancestors and as respects
himself. Birds still build their nests as
they did thousands of years ago. We
fashion our habitations unlike, if not
better, than our ancestors builded.
We know that use of our faculties
develop them-and what need of dis
course on this subject? Mere intellec-
tual assent is often given to propositions
that make no impression upon cur con-
duct. Theoretically, we believe; practi-
cally, we are infidels. We know the
law of development, but refuse or neg
lect to obey it. We drift, too indolent
to hold the helm or trim the sails, and
then wonder at being driven from our
proposed course. We should understand
? that the end is reached only by going
over every step of the way. We are
f good luck, if he is successfulin business,
5 and call ourselves unlucky, if we are not
l successful, forgetting that success is OBJ
tanned by following certain fixed rules.
Don't talk about a hard world, an un-
$ grateful country, an inappreciable pub
/ lie, unlooked-for opposition. If our
competitors boat shoots past ours, don't
curse the luck, but the work which has
developed his superior skill. We act
+ and talk like fools when we assert there
is any domain in which we are not our
e selves, and ourselves alone, responsible
! for the result of all our efforts.
f If should do nothing in this discourse
but illustrate that achievement depends
t on preparation, your time and my time
: could scarcely be better occupied. But
: my aim is higher; l desire to show that
e preparation is so nearly the creator OF
4 force, that for all practical purposes we
. can assume it to be absolutely so. II
S this is so, then, generally speaking, what
is possible for one man is possible for all
d men. The distance between powerful
e intellects and weak minds seems to be
e impossible to bridge over, and, IN par
ticular cases, it probably is impossible
r though not disproying the general law
d For countless influences in childhood
e are molding our plastic natures, in which
& they often harden for lifed; other inf1u
ences antedate our birth and even gener
alton.
Lest anyof us should attempt to shrinl
(. our own duty in this matter of prepara
ton, it is necessary that we should un
: derstand the law of progress and devel
opment. Law is the despotism OF tn
7 1piveree-is ineXOrable Its Denaltle