The daily gazette., 1878-06-21
The Wesleyan mmenccment
NINETEEN GRADUATES MARK THE RE-
suit OF PROF. WILSON'S
LAST YEAR

oboA VT hOf NflsDON .
LAST YEAR.
The handsome furniture on the stage
of the Grand Opera House, last night,
was graced by the presence of nineteen
graduates of the Wesleyan Female Col
lege, who assembled to read their essays,
receive their diplomas, and bid farewell
to their school life at Wesleyan. The
fair graduates were complimented by the
presence of a large audience, who eagerly
listened to the details of rather long
programme, and, with few exceptions, re-
manned seated until the close.
The programme opened with an anthem,
"Stradellas Prayer" by the Glee Glass, a
fervent prayer by Rev. DIR. Nixon, of
Central Presbyterian Church, and stir
ring overture from 'Martha," by Misses
Hattie Dyson and III. May Bennett.
The Salutatory, with an essay on .'Un-
hewn Pathways" was then delivered by
Miss Florence S. Holiecker, of Whining
ton. She pleasantly welcomed the audi
once to the exercises of the evening, in
| choice and cordial terms, and then pro-
| ceeded to describe the many pathways of
life, which, by patient, unceasing efforts,
may be developed into broad highways to
the goal of success.
Misses Eva and Mary Taylor then de-
lighted the audience with vocal duet,
"kvening," which was so charmngly
rendered that an encore would have been
demanded had it been permissible.
"Busy Idleness," was the title of the
essay which Miss Emma S. Duncan, of
Wilmington, read in graceful and com
posed manner. She showed how many
| tatIlfG anI fNibIau N
ness, and how industry will bring its re-
ward in personal contentment and enjoy
ment.
Miss Elizabeth T. Cole, of Baltimore,
read an essay on "Heroism," in which
she recited some of the heroic deeds of
the great and good women of the past and
present, and drew therefrom hope and in
spiration for the women of the future.
An instrumental solo, ale Jet d'Eau,"
Sydney Smith, followed. 1t was excel
lently performed by Miss Helen May
Bennett, of Washington, ID. G.
The next essay on the programme was
"The darkest hour just before dawning,"
by Emma L. Lyman, of Wilmington, but
the essayist was excused from reading her
production.
Miss Caroline L. Shelp, of Wilmington,
took for her subject, "Our Rubicon," in
which, after referring to Casar's historic
pause upon the banks of the Rubicon, re-
ferred to herself and classmates, as paus-
ing likewise upon Rubcon that separ-
ated them from the busy cares of real, ac-
tive life.
.Sta Nding with reluctant feet
Where the brook and river meet,
Womanhood and childhood fleet"
The fair essayist wildly portrayed the
feelings of the graduates, as they thus
stood upon the boundary line between the
preparatory and the real life, and hoped
their course would be marked by consist
ency and earnest effort, and avoidance of
the many dangers that infest the pathway
OF human career and faithful perfor-
nance of all the duties, however lowly,
that present themselves from time to
time. The essay was read in splendid
style, and was loudly applauded.
FASHIONS Vagaries," by Miss Mar
garet j. Harrigan, was a caustic catiga-
tion OF the subservient devotion paid to
fashion, in all its multitudinous phases,
by its blind followers. The fashionable
man, the fashionable woman, fashionable
churches, fashionable education, fashion,
able religion, fashionable infidelity, and
numerous other forms of fashions slav-
cry, were skillfully portrayed and held up
in the strong light Of practical analyzation
and common sense view. The many
strong points in this essay were favorably
received.
A song, "Sing, Smile, Slumber," by
Miss nj. Elizabeth Maris, of Wilmington,
with piano and flute accompaniment, was
n most charming produption
"Themes for Thought" was the theme
of the essay read byMiss Phoebe Almond
of Wilmington. 1t found themes for
thought in all the various forms of ma
ture in the desolated cities of antiqu uity
under the sunny skies of Italy, and in the
ignorance and superstition of Germany
during the dark ages, which was dissi- |
pated by Luther's light. 1t held that the
spirit of the past still prevails and will
live on forever.
An instrumental solo, "Grand Galop
de Concert" was next given by Miss H. |
May Emory, of Wilminton. 1t was
brilliant performance, marked by accu-
racy and spirit, and was decidedly the
leading musical production of the even
ing. 1t was vigorously applauded.
Miss Margaret l.. Hammersley, of
Georgetown, read an essay on "Trifies |
make Perfection, but Perfection is no
Trifle." In it she showed the necessity |
for careful pains taking labor in every |
undertaking, no matter how humble, as |
only by this means can success orperfec- |
ton be achieved. |
In well written essay on "Cordelia," |
Miss Emma Hopkins, of Pennington, |
effectively portrayed the character and
fortunes of the prosecuted, ill-treated, but |
forgiving daughter of"King Lear"
A spirited song, "Polka Serenade," by |
the glee class under the leadership Of |
Prof. iRhoads, was next given with charm
ing effect.
"The Charm of Mystery" au essay by
Miss Helen May Bennett, of Washing |
ton ID. c., showed how the power of the |
mysterious and unknown upon the mind
of man, had been the cause of the inyes-
legations that resulted in all the grand
discoveries and inventions of the modern
age.
"Footprints of Life" by Miss Clara A.
Yoder, of Mahonoy City, Pa, showed the
necessity of a careful and conscientious |