The Portland daily press., 1876-07-13

fine arts, to degree of perfection marvellous
even in our day; their works had been asprlce-
less legacy to all succeeding generations. The
glorious light which beamed from the Acropo-
lis and from the Academy was nearly extin-
guished century and half before the Chris
tian era, and never resumed its splendor. The
darkness CT the Roman view of science lay like
the shadow of an eclipse over the civilized
world for more than a thousand years; and
when it passed. it was the writings of the
dealistic Greek that brought in the new light
of the modern day. And if now we allowed
the Roman view of science, that is only the
measurement of material objects, to prevail it
would be the worst calamity Imaginable. A
scientific writer has recently declared that
man can owe no duties to himself or to his
God, but only to his fellow-men; and that
these are measured and judged solely by the
observed utility of actions. This was degrad-
ing ethics to level with Roman geometry;
and II that Roman error with reference to the
lowest science threw the long shadow of the
dark ages over the whole of Europe,-what
Dante could paint the thousand years of horror
which would follow the prevalence of the same
error in this high Science?
The safeguard against these dangers was to
be found in the colleges clinging firmly to phil
osophical and historical studies, as the basis
and substance of their curriculum. No young
man could be considered literally educated, if
his studies had not embraced a fair proportion
OF historical and metaphysical themes. In a
to gain at least some slight acquaintance with
the principles of philology, rhetoric logic,
metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, the fine arts,
civil and constitutional law; some slight ac-
quaintance with the facts of literary, industri-
al, military and political history. Special
acquaintance with chosen branch would be
aided by some slight acquaintance with all
branches. The student should at least be
taught to respect the attainment of special
lists in all other branches. As instances of
false spirit in this respect the orator referred
to two of his own correspondents, one of whom
was scientific man, confessing to an extreme
dislike of metaphysics and theology, yet writ
ing on metaphysical and theological themes,
and trying to show that vast majority of
special writers in these departments are fun
damentally wrong; the other was a man of
some metaphysical ability and religious spirit,
confessing to an extreme dislike of mathemat-
les, yet entering into long argument to prove
that the PythagOrean proposition, and the ratio
3.14l0 are numerically erroneous, and lead to
mistakes in mechanic arts and physical sci
ences. One correspondent had failed to con-
vince him of the error of modern mathematics
the other had equally failed to convince him of
the invalidity of theistic inductions; he held to
both geometry and theology. In giving that
education which should open the sympathies
of the student with all honest workers and
which should at the same time train the mind
to hold fast every result once gained procee d.
lug with equal caution and firmness in the ad
vance upon the movable unknown, it had
been the great mistake of fifty years ago, to
ignore so largely the methods and principles
of natural science; admirably adapted as they
were to cultivate the power and habit of exact
observation, accurate imagination, and careful
induction. But it would be still more iaju-
rious mistake to yield to the demands of ply
sicists intoxicated with the brilliancy of their
half century's success, and asking that the
methods of natural science should take the
place in our higher education, due to philoso-
ply, to the interrogation of consciousness and
of history. Science herself would suffer by the
change, and the moral and social condition of
mankind still more severely. The sciences of
mathematics, mechanics, physiology, palaeon-
tology, and geology were of high importance,
their successful pursuit was essential to the
national welfare. Yet not one of them had a
direct bearing upon the vital issues before the
American people; not one threw any light on
the stagnation of trade, the mode of reviving the
industries of the country, of bringing the cur
rency to par, OF securing reform in the civil
service, of diminishing crime, preventing pow
erty, banishing social vices, protecting the hal
lowed sanctity of the family, preventing the
recurrence of war.
Rut these highest ends were directly affected
by historical and philosophical studies; and the
orator trusted that in the halls of Bowdoin
science would ever lead to philosophy, and
philosophy to virtue and integrity and wisdom.
In the evening very large and fashionable
audience assembled in the church on the hill,
for the concert by Miss Annie Louise Cary,
Mrs. Smith, Messrs. Whitney and Stockbridge,
with the Boston Philharmonic Club Miss
Cary is an old favorite at Bowdoin and was, OF
course, enthusiastically received.
The following programme shows the quality
of the entertainment:
Midsummer Nights Dream .MendeIssobn
arranged by B. Listemann.)
philharmonic Club.
Qu1 sdegno Mozart
Mr.. Whitney.
Serenade-Chantez. Riez, Dormez ...., Gounod
violin Obligato by Mr.. Listemann)
Miss Cary.
Introductions and Variations. :. ........... Bell
Mr.. Belz,
"a Mother, Oh! Sing me to Rest ."........ Franz
Mrs Smith. -'''''''' e--'
Mr.. W. H. stockbridge.
%rs. s@ith Miss Cary Mr.. whney
Dedicated to Hans Won Bulow1
ARRANGED by b. Listemann.)
philharmonic Club.
Mariners Homes the Sea- Randegge1
Mr. Whitney.
Violin Solo-Hungaran Fantasia. .........E Ernst
Mr.. Listemann.
Duet-I Know a Maiden .......... ...... :. Bale
Mrs. Smith, Miss Cary.
o, Fair Dove, o, Fond Dove. ............ Gatty
Miss Cary.
Concerto for Violoncello. ..........,,.,, Seryais
Mr.. Hartdegan.
Spinning Wheel Quartette, from Martha. ..........
Mrs. Smith, Miss Cary, Mr.. Stockbridge,
Mr.. Whitney.
After the concert the various secret societies
held their animal reunions at THAR savaro1
halls.
The class of 1856 held a reunion in the even
ing after the concert, and had a supper at Mr..
Fields saloon.