Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-03-28

Much Coveted Prixe-His Address In
Full-A Number or CLOSE Contestants
The Winner warmly Congratu-
lated. .-..
Yesterday afternoon Battell chapel was
filled comfortably by those who had come to
hear the annual junior prize speaking. There
was present the large student contingent, the
ssaid professor aud his family and last, but
not least by any means. the fair friends,
bright In spring garments. These last had
come either from disintsrested curiosity, or
an interest that was particular, and
the speakers were watched by them
with varying emotions. The nervous ap-
prshension of the speaker next in order as he
heard his name called and carefully climbing
the stairs ssluted the president and then
turned to greet the audience, was all
shared by some Interested fair friend or sis-
ter. It was indeed trying moment and
needed all the support that sympathy could
bear. The exhibition this year, though
not of character SURPRISING those
of the last preceding years, was
nevertheless Of high order. The subjects
chosen were all modern and carefully worked
up, and in delivery showed the effects of
Professor Bailey's training. There was more
or less nervousness, to be sure, which could
not be overcome by any amount of training
ON the part Of the speaker; but this all disap-
peared after he had beceme warmed up to
his subject. Little or no prompting was
the most trying time of all, Mr.. Francis T.
Brown of Troy, N. Y, was awarded
the palm of victory by the judges.
| from the members of the faculty
present. This decision was undoubtedly
just one because of the masterful manner
| In which Mr.. Brown handled his subject
"Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Straford."
In his Grafton particularly Mr.. Brown dis
played cultivation and true merit. His de-
scription was most touching of Paul Della
roche's painting, where STAFFORD on his way
to execution stops beneath the cell OF Arch
Bishop Laud, and from between tho prison
bars appears the head of the aged prelats in
to follow him to the sca&old. And all
through the speaker held his hearers in wrapt
attention till the closing lines, greater love
/ than this hath no man."
From the length of time IT took the judges
to decide, nearly three quarters of an hour,
1t was evident that the decision was effected
only sitter q careful weighing of evidence,
and that there were other claims worthy Of
consideration. Among those was Luther Fl.
Tucker of Albany, N. va Lit editor, whose
friends were many to predict his winning
the prize. The picture that he created
about the young poet Thomas Chatterton
was one that may best be described by the
concluding words:
ened by passing cloud and he thought it
blotted out forever. But let us
not forget that 1T happened through the
boys own weakness. To be among the
greatest one must have prudence and fore
sight as we'll as resplendent genius. And
because he lacked these qualities Chatterton
has come down to MS, and will 60 through
all ages, not a. great poet and sage and
counselor, bat as an example of magnificent
force beating itself out In vain"
As literary production perhaps second to
none was the "Marie Bashkirtseff of John
Joughin Cox of Bedford, N. Y. Charmingfy
was the sketch of this wonderfully peculiar
character depicted, with now and then q
hidden, delicate bit of criticism to act Is a
spice. In conclusion Mr. Cox said:
"Such il the soul which, self. dissected,
lies before the reader. Charming in its
frank simplicity, marvellous in it's Protean
/ versatility and heroic in its stern concen-
tration, II nevertheless has its valuable
point; Marie BashkirtseG never lost herself.
Every effort was for her own advance.
ment; every effort was for her own
glory. Added tho single principle of self
surrender, she would have died an heroic
martyr TO noble cause. Without that prin-
ciple she can be nothing more than one who,
incapable of seeing or apprecisting the high
est aim, wasted her gifts in alf-successful
struggle for meaner prize. When she might
have sacrificed herself to her art she chose to
make her art subservient to herself. An
honest failure In the one would have been
nobler than full success In the other. Fail.
ing even of the latter, what could her short
life be but fountain of bitter water, all the
more disappointing to the traveller because II
might have been sweet well-spring, refresh
Ing the weary of all time"
Ray Burdick Smith of Lioklaen, N. Y,
surprised his friends by the Grafton that he
presented, "Alfred De Musset." 1t was q
very poetioal description and his language In
the analysis Of the French poets character
and genius was very refreshing in its clear
meas and vigor.
On "Oitisenship in the Republic" Edward
N. Loomis of Brooklyn, N. Y, made spir
itediplea for the placing of . higher reRsrd
on the duties Of citizenship, arguing that
the state was q divine institution and there.
fore that the duties of citizenship were
sacred. He also emphasized the inevitable
loss that would follow to all, were men to
stand of In q scornful or indifferent atti
tude towards their political duties. He did
was fostered at Yale. "We have beer
taught" said he, "that the place of the
scholar IL in the market and court with PERI
cles, no less than in the studious grove with
Plato.
Fl. 7. Kingsbury's Grafton on John Sewer
one of the pioneers in the early days of The
state of Tennessee, was one both we'll writer
and delivered. An also was the Grafton Of
Herbert r. Smith of Hartford on the "Dis.
establishment In Connecticut"
William Nevin Thatcher of Pueblo, Col.
gave an Grafton on Robert Cavelier de Ii
Sale. Mr.. Thatcher sketohed with clearnss,
and force the influences actuating the thre,
archy-that played their part In the effort o
France to establish new kingdom in tn
western continent.
Frem among all these speakers 10 was tina
Mr.. Brown was awarded one of the creates
honors to be acquired in the entire academic
course. Immediately after the verdict wa
known he became the recipient of counties
congratulations from his friends and admir-
ers. His address Is as follows:
THOMAS WENTWORTH, EARL OF STANFORD
= There are few scenes in all history NOR,
striking or significant than that which Pau
Delaroche has thrown upon canvass In bill
"Straford on the Way to Execution" Tn,
moment seized by the artist is that when thu
great earl pauses in his funeral march be
meath the dungeon of Archbishop Lund t.
seek his blessing. Glad all In black, the fig
ure Of the betrayed minister Is kneeling
looking reverently upward to a window
through whose bars the aged prelate extends
his hands In final benedietion. The mos
embittersd of those who had brought abou
that parting could scarcely have witnessed
II unmoved. The watchword "through" hal
been sounded for the last time. The friendly
bantsring Of happier days, the sympathetic
interchange of statssman's council, the com
mon, eager pursuit OF medieval dreams o.
church and monarchy are all over; and thu
hopes and struggles have ended in the sam,
sad goal the scaffold. In that single scene ON,
reads the mission of the seventeenth century
the overthrow of absolutism, the dawn O
social freedom. Tho storm which il to clea.
the political air has broken. Naseby and tn,
behesding of Charles are soon to follow, and
after reaction and another storm, the consti
tuition of msdern England.
A life yielded up chserfully to a principle
IL fact which men are found to study
However familiar StraHord's career, or how
1 avar vNystakayp hts vnokfva he hos all i'm,