Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1877-06-28
THE CONFINEMENT SEASON

TIfE cor HENCEMEY SEASON
Last week began the happy season for
youths and maideus Of the laud--the clos
ing of the schools and colleges for the sum
mer vacations This has been very aptly de-
nominated the commencement season from
the fact that large numbers now bid adieu
to their alma matters and commence the
stern and rugged warfare Of life heavy
with the burden of doubts and difficulties
fears, hopes and trials-IIow many hearts
will throb with rapture at the prospect of
joining those dear ones at home from whom
they have been severed by the behcsts of
love and affection. Domestic lodgings, in
tense inconsistencies, bitter and unsatisfcd
have ranked for months in many youth
full bosom, and hours have seemed like
days, days like weeks, and weeks have
heightened into months before the afFec-
Tomato fancy of those tender devotcos of
home and its sweet associations But time
which "at last makes all things even" has,
at length, carried the cup of joy to the lips
of expeCtant friendship and the weary text
book and vigorous task are for the noncc.
cast aside for the glorious reunion of melt
ing affection and the shade of the vine and
the fig-tree. Here, iii this consecrated
spot, reposc We youths and maidens, in the
freedom of joyous liberty, and the light of
innocent glee, till We are called back to
the duties and responsibilities of the form
and lecture room. While it is natural and
becoming to sympathyze with the school
girls and boys in their glad welcome Of the
happy commencement time, and their relief
for a season from the confinement and tedi-
um Ofscholastic discipline yet wewould kind
y remind them that no period of their lives
is fraught with higher interests or con-
tains more fruitful germs of honor, success,
or happiness than their academic or cole
giate days. We have forbornc to speak of
the delicious flavor of delight and pride and
hope which attends the mere ceremonies of
the commencement season, because this,
though matter of great congratulation, is
but minor consideration in the moment
Gus question of educational development
The simple carrying off of honors at a school
examination, while gratifying to the recipi-
ent and an augury of future success, does
not always bcstow its promised rewards
And here let us say to the graduates Of this
season, that high scholastic attainments and
vigorous natural powers are not always the
shibbolcths of glory and honor and fame.
Other possessions are inseparably connected
with success in the hard Struggle OF life. Fl
Among them may be classed both pub
lie and private virtue, embracing hon
esty, justice, generosity, truth, with a
host of lesser shining qualities. Without
these, abilities of the highest order and ac-
quirements almost illimitable are valueless
and shine but to mislead and betray.
"TaentS angel bright II wanting worth
Are but shining instruments in false
Ambitions hand to render faults illustrous
And give infamy renown."
Talents without virtue are but leaves,
with it, they are the blossoms and the fruit
With these humble words of counsel to the
youth of both sexes we wish them one and
all gladstone holiday and crown of roses
upon their future life