The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-07-09

Ing too serious, that the cares OF business were
bunting the humorous side of their nature.
He deprecated this course; considered humor-
GUS literature necessity to our people. He
noted the fact that the two greatest humorists
in the worlds history, Dean Swift and Sydney
Smith, were also celebrated divines, and safely
concluded that they had laughed more sin out
of the world than they could preach out in
hundred years.
Carter grappled the mighty troublesome prob
lem Of Romanism, and convinced willing au-
dience that Catholicism had always been and
is now the bitter, deadly foe of civilization and
liberty, that it was hostile to our institu lions,
and we must be ready to bare our arms for the
coming conflict.
Clarke showed the falacy of the idea that
theory and practice are naturally inconsistent
and cannot be reconciled. He pointed out
taken idea, and urged the cultivation of har-
mony between the two as conducive to the
most rapid progress of modern science.
Swasey reviewed the history of the society of
Jesus, the condition of the church at the time
it was instituted, its effect on the church, the
aims of the church to-day and the part that the
Jesuits take in church government to-day.
Swasey's grafton was noticeable for distinct
and vigorous delivery.
Larrabee's part disclosed marked ability in
composition and delivery.
Stanwood made an energetic defence of the
Anglo-Saxon element, and a strong plea for
more English instruction in our schools and
colleges.
Whitmore's part was quite unique for the
Commencement platform, full of graphic de-
scription, delivered with considerable dramatic
force.
Uptons witty and sarcastic "Plea for a
Shortened Yardstick" bore hard on rag money
advocates, and was greeted with applause and
laughter.
The exercises were about at par for interest
and ability displayed.
COMMENCEMENT DINNER.
After the exercises at the church were over
the procession, consisting of the graduating
class, the Board of Alunni and distinguished
visitors, formed and marched to Memorial Hall
where commencement dinner was served. At
ter the eatables had been dsp osed Of prayer
was offered by Rev. j. S. c. Abbott. The
President then called upon Prof. Packard to
rea some beautiful lines written by Isaac Nc.
Lellan of the class of 1926 for this occasion
The venerable Professor was greeted with APP.
plause, aud lead them with much feeling.
Hon. S. p. Benson replied in behalf of the
class of 1926, to whom the poem was mainly
addressed Rev. j. S. G. Abbott then read an
! interesting history of his classmates who have
died since raduation-twenty-thr in mum.
Der. One of the most interesting portions was
| particular narrative of the sad death of the
| brilliant Cilley. Mr.. Abbott paid high compli.
ments to his remarkable abilities as a lawyer
and public debater which he declared would
have carried him to the front ranks of political
| life but for his untimely death.
| Speaking of Nathaniel Hawthorne, per.
haps the most remarkable genius in
the class, and whose name on its rolls II
company with that Of Longfellow has mainly
| drawn the attention of the whole country, Mr.
Abbott brought to light the fact that it was
owing to the efforts of Mr.. Briggs of this elias;
and indirectly to those of DR.. Cheever, that
the early manuscripts of Hawthorne was car
ried to the press and brought to the notice Of
| the literary world.
| He referred to the remarkable fact that oil
the thirteen survivors of this class eleven were
| present, although some of them had come 9
| distance of three thousand miles.
At the close Of the history Mr.. Longfelow
was asked to ascend the platform that the au-
denee might see him, if they could not hear
him. AS the white haired poet walked up into
view of the throng, the hall rang with the
widest applause. The President said that the
audience would be satisfied with even the sigh
| of the man whose words lived in more human
hearts than any that have been said for eigh-
teen hundred years.
At the dinner it was announced that Hon
J. G. Blaine had subscribed $1,000 to the en-
ceiyed with applause.