The daily gazette., 1880-07-01

Barring his load on the rough road of
Is 1t worth while that we eer at each other,
In oiackness OF heart, that we war TO the
| knife?
g ID pity us all in our pititui strife.'
Prolonged applause greeted this in
teresting essay.
Frederic Il; Robinson, Esq, Presi-
dent of the Wilmington Institute then
presented the Institute prizes, which
comprise an Institute ticket for ore
year, to each of the three girls and tne
boys having the highest average in
the examinations of the past year.
The recipients were Maggie Adams,
Mary Camperson, Mary Gawthrop,
Wellington B. Lee, Lewis Lichtenstein
and John P. Tawresey. In presenting
the tickets Mr.. Robinson alluded to
the i'm 'ortance of reading, as thus on
ly are we enabled to become acquaint-
ed with the rich and varied experience
of those who have gone before.
The glee class sang, 81 heard voice
in the tranquil night"
"Hrroes" was the subject of Miss Kate
Feeney. In introducing her subject she
said: "Hel oism, the divine relation
which IN all times unites a great man to
other men," is distinguished by such
qualities as courage intrepidity, self-sac-
ritce, fearlessness and promptness in the
tace of danger.
The examples of heroism awaken not
only admiration aud enthusiasm, but a
desire to initiate and excel. The soldier
with death staring him in the face the
sailor whose home is on the briny
deep, and whose life is one of daring
and danger; the Christian Martyr, suf-
fering the most agonizing tortures in
order TO testify to the reality of his faith;
all these touch us with something higher
than pity and deeper than love.
Heroes of fiction never having an ex-
istence, save in the minds of their auth
oths, may not be viewed In the same
light as the real heroes of flesh and
blood. Those who can enchain our at
tention excite our pity or provoke our
laughter TO such a degree as the unfor-
tunate Knight Errant, Don Quixote and
his redoubtable Squire Sancho Panza.
In the writings OF Sir Walter Scott we
hnd a hero totally different from the
preceding, Ivanhoe, hero of medieval
chiyalry. In combat and feud, in sick
ness and pain, he is the same chivalnc
character.
| We have another class of heroes whose
names embellish the pages OF history,
and whose deeds OF valor have graced
the poets song. The light Of Christian
ity had not dawned when Alexander
and Hannibal achieved their glory.
Cesar was one of the greatest generals
and in addition he was one of the ablest
statesmen. His worst fault and the
cause of his final overthrow, was his
thirst for power. The twelfth century
produced Richard CeIr de Leon, who
was man of indomitable courage.
Scotland proclaims her heritage to
freedom and glory in the person oi
Robert Bruce, whose prowess was &C
Snowledged by the English on the bloody
field of Bahnockburn. In skill, courage
and stubborn persistence, no man ever
surpassed the renowned Oliver Crom-
well.
In referring to heroes of more modern
Times, she spoke of Napoleon, who
calm and self-dependent was the c9ntre,
the author and the object of events
which formed the sequel to all that
terrible array. This great general pos
sessed the mightiest intellect, the
strongest character, and the most i'm
periOus spirit that were ever joined i'll
he history of the world. Prussia pre-
sents her claim to notice by long list
of distinguished names headed by
Frederick the Great whose brilliant and
,uccesstul career marked shining epoch
in the his ory of that country. England
produced the mighty Nelson. Who can
look but with emotion upon the fate OF
he brave young Pole, Kiscousko. Sir
Philip Sidney, combines the attributes
Of The warrior and the true gentleman.
His tastes were scholarly, his love for
virtue was intense.
Our own land would present the
claims Of one "first in peace, first in
var, and first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen." The poor soldier faces dan
ger as bravely as the great general who
bears off all the laurels while his hum
best servant receives but his small pit
tance and none of the glory. We can
all be heroes. No matter how humble
our lot we can do our duty. But as the
way to fame is like the way to heaven,
Through much tribulation," we must
be up aud doing.
Miss Feeney's essay apparently
struck responsive chord in the hearts
| of the audience, and the applause that
greeted her was loud and long.
"Walter Scott" was the subject of
the Grafton delivered by VIM. F.
Kurtz. The subject though broad and
comprehensive for 80 young mind,
was handled with vigor and with an
exquisite sense of discernment the
choicest productions of the great poet
and novelist were selected and COM
mented upon as displaying most pecu-
liarly the best features of his brilliant
intellectual powers. Great applause
greeted this Grafton.
Miss Florence Ramo followed with
an essay, "The Darkest Hour is just
before the Dawn" She showed, by
examples classical and historical, that
life is composed of sunshine and
shadows, and that the pages OF history
conclusively show that many of the
bitterest and apparently most hodeless
: struggles of genius were made lust be-
fore the breaking of the day that burst
upon the fruition of their fondest
hopes. The essay was well written,
spiendidly delivered, and received a
round of well deserved applause.
: The Honor Prizes for the highest
: standing in the three years course, and
regarded as the leading honors to be
obtained in the school were presented
by Prof. S. ]. Wiley to Miss Ella M
L I