St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-13
FIVE GRADUATES
OF the ChautauquaL Literary Society
"A Letter From the Poet Bryant.

"a Letter From the Poet Bryant
Yesterday was known to the members OF
the Mahtomedi assembly as 'Chautauqua
Day." and the attendance, it was thought.
would be unusually large. This belief was
| well-founded. The early morning gave all
| indications Of rain during the day, yet the
train which left the union depot at SEC
a. III. carried four cars, every seat in which
was occupied, many of them by ladies.
1t was graduating day for the class of SO,
and, in anticipation of the occasion. the
stage was tastefully decorated with ever
green's and vases, while in front of the
stage, we'll forward, stood a large cross of
! lilies all of which were supplied from the
state university. Throughout the body of
the hall were scattered United States flags.
At a. m. the proceedings were opened
with devotional meeting, which was fol-
lowed by session of the normal class,
presided over by Rev. A. II. Gillett. Mr..
Leon Il. Vincent. a nephew of the founder
OF the Chautauqua society, delivered his
third lecture on ''Puritanism in Literature
Milton" The lecture was an interesting
study of the life, character and poetical
works of John Milton. The Farmers and
Gardeners institute then held its session,
and an address was delivered by Mr.. G. l..
Smith, one of the professors in the agricult-
ural department OF the state university, on
the subject, The Care and Cultivation of
Home Plants"
1t was not, however, until the afternoon
session that the visitors at Mahtomedi
found what pleasant experiences were in
store for them. At $3.50 p. m. the mem
bers of the Chautauqua society formed
in procession at the hotel, and,
arm in arm, they marched to
to the amphitheater in the following oder:
Glasses of 1890, 1889, 1883, 1887. 1885,
1884. 1883 and 1882, followed by the grad
uating class. Through a flower-bedecked
gate passed those who were to graduate, to
their positions on the stage.
THE GRADUATING EXERCISES
opened with prayer by the Rev. DIR. Dana
of st. Paul, after which Mr. Leon II. Vim
cent read a letter written by William Gull
len Bryant on the Chautauqua work, in
which the poet said:
L perceive this important advantage In the
proposed organization; namely, that those
who engage i'll it mutually encourage each
other. 1t will give the members a common
pursuit, which always begets O feeling Of
brotherhood; they will have a common topic
OF conversation and discussion; and the con-
sequence will be, that many who, if they
DCOCu esiOuO, hiiSuG grow weary OF Cne SIuGlGS
which are recommended to them, will be in
cited to perseverance by the interest which
they see others taking in them.
Addresses by Wallace Bruce and DR..
GLADDEN. followed the reading OF Mr.. Brv-
ants letter. The former gentleman said
that if a vision could pass through the
mind of DR.. Vincent, and see the great
work which he had accomplished in found
ing the Chautauqua society, he would say it
was impossible, and yet it had been done.
and in few years ChautauQua had become
the largest university in the world At the
close OF the address of DR.. GLADDEN., DR..
Gillett presented the graduates with their
diplomas. The class of 'S6 is composed of
Prof. Charles White, pianist of the Stewart
concert company, Mrs. Lydia N. Rich of
st. Paul, Mrs Amy Hays of Minneapolis
Mrs. Emma Talbut of st. Paul, and Mrs.
Ariadne EmmOns of Minneapolis
At $50 Mr.. Wallace Bruce delivered his
lecture on 1.-The Landmarks of Scott"
Mr.. Bruce is handsome man, and his
grace OF person showed to advantage on
the stage. He possesses a superb voice
and has all the skill of a trained orator.
The annual camp fire with which the
days enjoyment was to have closed was
omitted owing to the danger attending the
very dry condition of the grounds. But in
stead OF the camp fire there was vista
ton OF beings from some unknown land,
who amidst Greek fire and the brazen notes
Of the trumpet marched in solemn array
through the amphtheater, much to the dis
turbance OF the more nervous of the audi
ence.
When the days exercises had closed at 10
o'clock many who were present united in
declaring that no more agreeable, refined,
or elevating enjoyment could have been
afforded. Lectures will be delivered to-
morrow by Mr.. Vincent, C. W. Bruce and
DR.. GLADDEN..