The Portland daily press., 1874-06-05

came OH yesterday, the class OF 1874 receiving
their diplomas. The church, in which the
graduating exercises were held, was decorated
with festoons of evergreen, and on the wall in
the rear of the desk was the class motto, mo
Steps Backward" The 'Sweet Girl Gradu
ates' looked very charming in their white
frocks.
The principal Mr.. G. M. Dodge, presided,
and the Rev. Mr. Leonard made the opening
prayer. Excellent music was furnished by the
Portland Band. The church was crowded
with the friends of the graduates, and with
other interested persons. Among those pres
ent were ex-Governors Washburn and Per-
ham. There was good attendance from
Portland The fol lowing IS the programme of
exercises:
Oration-Battle Fields of Science
George Granville Hamilton. SacO.
Essay-Finte and Infinite,
Mary G. Gullfer ............... Fairfield.
Essay-Mohammed,
Elva Roseett Elder ...... Windham
Essay-Nature,
Alena Frantien Bailey. ...."... Deering.
Essay-Give,
Sarah Alfredo Jaqus. ........ So Casco.
Oration-Effort,
Alden whitmore Kelley .Lubec.
Essay-The Webb OF Lite,
Sarah Addie Hamilton. ......... Dexter.
Essay-The Masters,
Dtlid LlUDy NeWIudu... .E WHO'LL
Margaret Woodbury. Small. .westbrook.
Essay-The Souls Expression,
Emma Maria Chadbourne .Standish
Essay-Land of the Sunset,
Lila Victoria Appleby 49,. .Brownfeld
Edwin Lewis Dyer. .......... .Pownal
Valedictory-An Allegory.
Emile Williams Peakes . . Harmony.
Comforting of Degrees.
Parting Song.
AJdr.., 4, n ar.4;,r. ss,i.na D..4n AT
Tie exercises are said to be, by old attend
ants on commencements at this institution, the
finest for years; the essays and orations dis
playing evidences of careful preparation and of
literary taste in treatment
The opening Grafton, "Battle Fields of Sci
ence," was well written production, though
the speaker wandered off to theolo yical battle
fields and fell to fighting ghosts. 1.-THE Finite
and Infinite" was an excellent essay, well de-
livered. "Mohammed was worthy of special
remark, evincing, as it did, commendable
knowledge and understanding of the great
Arab. Mature" was pleasing little essay.
"Give" was much in the same vein. The ora
ton on effort repaid listening to. ''The
Web of Life" was smoothe and evidently
carefully written. ''rhe Masters was an APP
PiSSi"ei'O piluupC W tuo WOIlu . SIcdG tCdCHclS
in literature and art. Light was an agree
able essay, the subject being we'll handled.
THE Souls Expression" was really well done,
and deserving of much praise. 1t was thought
fully written, admirably delivered, and dis
played imaginative power of no mean order.
Land of the Sunset" was another essay en-
titled to high consideration, not only for the
beauty of its style and thought, hut also for
the very effec tive manner in which it was de-
livered. The Grafton Gains Of Men, was a
praiseworthy effort and the valedictory, San
Allegory," was very fine. But it is really a
pity that the institution is so near cemetery.
The minds of the pupils become infected, and
the result is very "graveyardy." That sombre
fruit, the blackberry, is very palatable. but one
really wants something besides for dinner.
At the close of the readings Mr.. Dodge con-
ferred diplomas upon thirteen members of the
graduating class fa
The following were the degrees conferred
Laureate of Arts-Lilla Victoria Appleby
Alena Frantien Bailey. Emma Maria Chad
bourne, Elva Roselett Elder, Emile Williams
Peakes. f
Laureate of Science-Sarah Addie Hamilton
Sarah Alfredo Jaquis, Della Libby Newman,
Margaret Woodbury. Small.
English Course-Mary P. Gullifer, Edwin
Lewis Dyer, George Granville Hamilton, AL
den Whitmore Kelley.
After the benediction the procession was
formed consisting of the graduates, distin-
guished guests, and officers of the institution,
marshalshp of j. Durham marched to Hersey
Hall where the dinner was served.
At 8 p. M the church was occupied by the
graduating class to listen to the address by Mr..
w. A. Poste, on Selfishness in Politics and
Progress. He stated that sefshness as the
cause of emulation is the cause of all progress.
Liberty is the sum total of common interests
secured by compromises of selfishness. Pro-
gress is most certain and liberty NOSE secure
when the selfishness Of all is most ready to
assert itself, for then the balance is most easily
maintained. Law cannot make liberty.
Common interest defends itself. Law only
defines the compromise. Political selfishnes
is too much subordnated to party selfishness
To remedy this evil, system of education is
necessary which will develop individuality and
intelligent political interest among the masses
Reactions follow reforms which result from
enthusiasm. When once the public selfshness
was educated to the recognizing the profit of
the proposed reform, the danger of reaction is
removed.
The benediction was then pronounced and
the exercises were concluded. The Alumni
meeting took place in the chapel at p. M,
and the reunion in Hersey Hall in the evening
P. L. 1.-THE Portland Light Infantry, under
&c Mo-
will celebrate the list anniversary of the corps
by an excursion to some one of our islands in
Casco bay, accompanied by the old Portland
band, under the leadership of j. Cole. The
steamer will leave Custom House wharf at
O'Clock. Invited guests and honorary members
are requested to meet the company prompt at