The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-24
VASSAR COLLEGE.
PouoHKEEpsrR. June q. 1874.


This was class day at Vassar. The influx Of
visitors from all parts Of the country was great
as to deprive many late corners OF bed TO sleep
on at the hotels. The rush this morning by the
street car railroad, which goes directly to vassar
College, was tremendous
This town, with It's Rip Van Wrinkle traditions,
has suddenly awakened to the extreme importance
OF the vassar College Commencement.
Everybody knows what vassar College is, and it
Is only necessary TO state that the one grand,
underlying principle which ''old man vassar' had
In his mind was that of instituting college for
females on the exact plan Of the ordinary colleges
for males.
THE SERVICES OF THE DAT
began with an address from the President, F. F.
Fisher Then followed an exceedingly interestin g
"History OF the Class OF 74," by Miss Bennett
There was poem by Miss E L. Hoyt, ana "a
Prophecy OF The Glass;" by Miss A. q. HOwes.
After sns began the exercises e. the tree
Gilmore's Band. Then there was the presentation
OF the spade with which ..old man vassarn dug out
sentatiOn business consumed Q good deal of windy
rhetoric but Gilmore's music supervened and
Next came the aSenior Charge,n by Miss L. H.
Brownell, and the 'Junor Reply" BY Miss Kate
Roberts, and both had many points Of interest and
spirit.
the formula OF "depositing the records' fol-
lowed, and finally the "class song" was sung, Mr..
Eastman joining In with his marvellous tenor
voice.
THE GLASS SONG.
The following was sung, with much grace ana
sweetnesS-
Sweet summer bells are ringing
"a! "A tender, mourntu knei;
pa And We must say farewell
VINE .::S 4 ..$ss ss. s. elm tree
~ Z s atssssa'' 81 g sas' W. u.
s sSs i sns r1 IS1,a and sr dssne''
And, gTaDdcr aims inspiring,
Within her shsitering walls
The past holds memories precious;
III ne future, too !. I: . i.I5; 80, ~.
And the bond OF love we bear;
This classmates, ne,cr will sever.
But bind Us close forever
Till 1.-THE end the work shan crown"
THE KxERCIsES At THE TREE.
Here 1t was tnat Vassar came forth in pelfec.
ton. There nave been many brilliant groupings
OF beauty at the Academy OF Music where an ex-
cess OF silk, satin and jewelry made the of
intoxicating splendor, but few 70 beautiful this.
When Gilmore's Band struck up the Old familiar
circle OF ladies, all in their light and exquisite sum-
mer costumes, and the great majority without any
o Tse on Sondes
brunettes, dressed according to the latest edicr
from Paris stirred to the soul the spectator.
No doubt OF the fact vassar has the female
beauty OF the Union. Here all the gentlemen
OF wealth, taste, good behavior and moral conduct
may come and see an exhibition OF American
loneliness they never saw before. Miss Howes
was esp scially effective. She was dressed in
black with q rosebud in her hair, and her hair
was OF the deepest raven. Her voice, like that Of
the distinguished maiden Annie Laurie, whose
The peculiar character OF her recitation was read
lily apprehended. 1t was q sort of burlesuue OF
almost everything, and the telling points were
quickly appreciated and applauded by the au-
dlence.
IL Is doubtful u there ever was Q gathering OF
around the old elm tree In the Park. The mascu-
line visitors were few. Az q rule they behaved as
II they were condemned to be hanged and were
expecting every moment reprieve.