The Hartford herald., 1875-07-07


adapting it to the purpose of its adop-
ton, the seeming paradox reconciled in
restricting the view to the academic
buildings and its immediate surround
ings. The adjacent grounds, constitu-
ting part of its property, embrace about
seven hundred acres in high state Of
cultivation, and with all the appoint-
ments of princely Kentucky farm in
degree, renders the institution self-sus-
taining-furnishing all the heart-com-
forts which so charmed the great states
man in his Ashland home. The ar
rangements and construction of the
buildings mark the architectural taste Of
the designer, and are adapted to the
healthfui enjoyment of the pupils-or-
chards Astounding in the choicest fruits;
gardens, evidencing horticultural and
Horticultural taste; beautiful grove in
the rear Of the buildings, affording a
charmed retreat for the pupils during
hours of recreation, while the front ap-
proach, in its emerald sheen of shrub
berry Shenstone might have envied, 30
trained by cultured art that the enamored
spectator so confused in the blending
boundaries hesitates where nature ends
and art begins, completes the tout ensem-
bic of this marvellous picture Of art>ns-
ture. Suffice this for the stage, and we
pass to the dramatis persona. Arriving at
the institute the day preceding the COM
mencement, we found the pupils all a
flutter with joy, hope and trembling ex-
pectation. To morrow would be the
gala-day, and bounding hearts and joyous
eyes chided the tagging hours. The NOR
row came. The spacious gallery fronting
the grove, where were seated perhaps
twelve hundred anxious spectators (Ken-
tucky encourages and prides herself in
b er institutions oflearning), was carpeted
and curiously-wrought specimens Of nee
dle-work and beautiful paintings, pro-
ductions of the scholars, adorned TIM
background, while they, arrayed in spot
less white, and flushing in the carnatior
of youth and hope, presented scene thai
would stir the heart of an anchorite. L
was ethereal-aye, shimmering vision
Of wondrous beauty. The exercises, EN-
bracing French dialogues, dramas, essays
awarding crowns for superior literar,
merit, distribution of prizes, conferrinl
diplomas, and farewell address, with in
terludes of instrumental and vocal mu
, sic, were admirably sustained in all thei
parts by the respective participants, an
space will permit me only to refe
specially to the essays Of the graduatin
class. The first. spirit of Poetry" b
Miss Vallie s. Hubert, daughter OF CO
lionel Ii. T. Hubert, Of your city, wa
handled with a power and constructio
y creditable to one far beyond her year
j. and evidenced all OF mental disciplin
and laborous application during her aca
demical course. Her reading was cleal
emphasis distinct, manner dignified an
> selfpossessed, presence commanding; an
;. when bending her graceful form in adleu
to the audience, her large, liquid, lustrou
=. eyes, half veiled by the overarching cul
tains OF light, commanded the acclaim (
j an unreluctant applause.
Q Second-"The acquisition ofknowledg
- requires observation as well as study,
d by Miss Mary Gallivan, Of Kentuck
q. was perhaps better rendered than that {
% either of her class, showing the mastery
9 her subject, contending. as she did, wit
st unconquerable spirit, against disease,
70 which she had been victim for the pa
several months, and almost staggerir
q with absolute debility, causing paint
~ sympathy on the part Of the audien'
i lest her power of endurance should su
re cumb; yet with the fire of her soul 81
mastered the situation, and, to their d
II light, resumed her seat the proclaim
at victress.
~ Third-''Sweet are the uses of advers
h. ty,' by Miss Emma Noonan, of St Lou
d, an acquaintance of the writer for q
Ill past three years, was treated with i
OF genious argument and glittering sophisn
Gn but the fair one failed to convict I
writer with the correctness Of her dedu
tions, and the hearts prayer went
that the beautiful girl girl might nev
test the affirmative of the propositions a
" vanced in her tasteful essay.
Fourth-"Memory, the warden Of t
brain," by Miss Mamie Embry, of FlC
n ence, Alabama, was eminently credital
it. to her as the daughter of Alabama, h
is adopted State, as we'll as Tennessee,
lie State of her nativity. Her ideas, for
nd bly, expressed, were clear and persuasi'
ne and her dction chaste and almost fau
ne less.
'ys Fifth-"The Great West" by NJ
ss' Ella Nevitt, of Kentucky, embraced
esS very comprehensive idea, was circu
ian vented by the youthful reader, and il
her representation of the coming wealth &
ent orootpaee of tho xuast arc in the real