The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-07-01

upon our mental constitution" The sight OF the
ocean fills US with sublimity; the Towering gar
den. with beauty and blisslulness; the thought
of the electric spark, the locomotive engine, pre-
scnts our insignihcance Natural objects are
Iperceiyed because they reflect light to the eye,
and all things have color because they reflect
the RAYS of the sun,one blue, because it reflects
blue rays another white, because it reflects all
rays and black, because it reflects no rays. So
too with nations-they are white or black, us II
WERE as they reflect all or no rays OF intellect
ual light In the individual the heart reflects
back to the face anger, hatred, love, happiness
and sorrow. II this power Is so prominent ih the
material world why not in the mental! Success
in study is dependent upon a multitude Of
objects to exercise the mind, and natural ability
cannot take their place. The orator must have
his facts, The painter knowledge of natural color
ing. and the sculptor Of anatomy, which knowl
edge comes by reflection, and the results of their
labors are the impressions OF the mind after con-
tact with nature--the mind being only reflect
or. In contact with men there is reflection;
the warm hearted genial natured man calls forth
a similar disposition from another. On the other
hand lack OF culture, morality and public spirit
in leading men, reflects the same on their sur
roundings Bringing this home to ourselves we
must remember that We, too, are susceptible OF
Impressions and are influenced by them and must
bear IN mind also that there is a possibility Of
keeping one object too much before the mind.
II surrounding circumstances are low aud wick
ed, they will affect our character; If cnnobling
and good likewise affect it, As ray OF light
falling obliQuely upon polished surface Is often
reflected to points far remote from the source OF
light, so will pure life be reflected and beauti-
fed until at length it is waited to the Original
Posscssor to shine as bright jewel upon bis
crown, throughout the endless cycles of eternity.
The diplomas were then conferred upon the
class-Mr. b. McElwan, Misses 5, Z. Bangs,
X S. Eldredge, Jennc +. Smith.
Mr. Schreeb followed. delivering his address to
the class, which was like all such addresses,
made up of good, though very old advice, and a.
dissertation on the illimtabillty Of the human
mind, and was as usual, one-half too long.
The "Valedictory" was delivered By Miss Jen.
ME Farman Smith. Miss s. wore white Paris
muslin, white silk corsage; trimmings, natural
flowers. disappearance on the stage was grace
full and attractive. The essay was finely written,
and she read in clear, audible tone, which, in
itself is always sufficient to retain the utmost at
teution Of an audience.
ut has been said that We never come to the end
OF anything, whether pleasure or sorrow, with
out some feeling of regret, and surely we may
be pardoned II we pause tonight to look back
over the days that are gone.
"Farewells must be spoken, however sorrowful
the task may be, and for one to bid farewell to-
his school days. perhaps the happiest OF his life,
is doubly sorrOwful.
"This class of four is the first that has complet
ed the prescribed course and presented itself for
the honor Of graduation. We have worked to-
gether faithfully and pleasantly, and have sue.
ceeded in gaining the handful Of knowledge
are all obliged to come in contact with. To be
sure, ours is no wisdom of the wise; we have no
deep philosophy, but we have gained some
thing that will last US as long as life lasts. The
world is too great to do all things, and do them
well, for the age is past when man may ia all
things be all Then he who seeks one thing in |
lie end but one may hope to achieve it,
ITO those whom we leave behind us, we say
farewell, with hearty wishes for their success.
Let them remember that we have made but q be-
ginning, and that those who follow can easily
surpass US il they will only Try" Miss Smith
then thanked the audience for the interest they
had manifested in education, and for the sym.
pathy and encouragement they had shown the
graduating class.
In bidding farewell to her classmates she re-
minded those who were to seek higher honors
elsewhere, that he who would bring home the
wealth Of the Indies must carry the wealth OF the
Indies with him.
She closed with the beautiful and appropriate
selection,
son LIES wide scene you all have parts, that
fate ere long shall bid you play and in the world
as in the school rdsay how fate may change and
shift. The prize be sometimes with the fool, the
race not always with the swift; but come wealth
or want, come good or i'll let young or old bear
II with an honest heart. Then farewellw
The exercises were indeed very credltable to
the school and the teachers who have brought
the class to the present end. In closing, we
must not forget to say that the music was excel.
lent and contributed not little to the pleasure
of hn avaninu