Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-24
MISS LULU ADA BRETT's ESSAY ON CHARAC

MISS LULU ADA BRETT s ESSAY ON CHARAC-
 TER INFLUENCED BY ENVIRONMENT.
 Hawthorne in portraying the influence of that sublime object of nature the Great Stone Face" upon one who dwe1t throughout his life under it's shadow, has suggested great reality, the influence of environment in general upon the charac- ter. Sympathy with our circumstances is essential to the full power of their influence; yet we are susceptible in any case. .-.- clude from his ideal republic unskilled workmen of every kind lest the minds of the people should be injured by viewing what was inharmonious and unsym- metrical. Thus the philosopher recog- nized the influences of those surroundings in which we may include all objects of art. And as to such of these objects as directly express any sentiment-who de- nies the influence of noble pictures?
 More universal is the power of Nature. How we respond to her various languages, J her gladness, her gloom, her peace, her awful grandeur! Truly, these influences may be but temporary; but when we con- sider the na tural conditions amidst which cue has spent large part of his life, how often can we see that they have entered permanently into the formation of his dispositions and tastes. But more potent is that environment which our fellow beings constitute Con. slider this apart from all conscious inf1u- ences. To live in 8 given age and con- munity and utterly escape it's atmosphere is impossible. Social evils have run long courses and reforms have been slow, be: cause & corrupt public sentiment has taint ed even the best of the time. What others think influences us more than we suspect Hence, no one is absolutely original. How the art and literature of different periods betrays the susceptibility of their authors to existing sentiment. --' .'. As to more direct associations, who car measure that subtle influence that springs from personal contaetq Unconsciously we catch the spirit of our companions; un- consciously impart our own. There is g great underlying truth in that proverb, ''Live with wolves and you will learn tc howl" and also in what we may add, live with nightingales and you will learn tc sing.
 But we are not left to the unmodifed in. fuences of the external world There is @ yet closer environment, that of the mind and soul. Our thoughts and imagi nations, the scenes that we view with oul minds eye, whatever we contemplate, in delibly stamps it's impress on the character. The nature o1 this inner world is suggested, and | it's boundaries restricted to degree by the outside world; But never need it be un: ! der it's absolute power. The natural ben of the mind here asserts itself; the poe may be excluded from all the fairness o1 nature; but world of beauty is within him, and he is poet still. The will an6 conscience enable us to choose to no smal | extent what our spiritual environment shall be. Truly, these forces themselve, l are affected by external influences; ye some power is always left to aid us in dis criminating between the good and the evi 1 without, and in deciding which shall b,
 retained as the thoughts to people thi' | inner world. Still more it is our solemn privilege to decide whether tn, souls abode shall be open tt heavenly light and angels o | holy inspiration, or to internal dark
 ness, and fiends of satanic passion. An6 | let r's not forget this-to surround the sou ! with purity is to provide our best safs | guard in an evil world. What we SC. ! without depends largely upon what exists | within. This is better world to the sain l than it is to the sinner. For the pure 1T
 heart see God in all.
 Having thus glanced at our subject, W. | may emphasize a few points in conclusion l Let us make our homes, and also our city l our eyes to all the beauties of nature. Le 1 us appreciate the society of noble me1
 and women. What is yet more, let u ] strive to make our own charac l ters such as must prove :. blessing to all about us. And to that end
 retaining whatever is lovely from withou
 and accepting those influences from tn,
 better world, let us provide for the soul an holy environment. And may we neve
 be satisfied until this inner world shall be come the abode of that divine ideal, who by his constant presence, shall transform
 us Unto the same image from glory tt glory"
 PERENNIAL REUNION H. H. s. 'SS.
 The members of the class of '88, H. H
 S., held their first triennial reunion a
 High school hall last evening. A banque was served after which dancing was in
 dulged in. Frederick M. Lloyd oficiatet as toastmaster. Tho exercises of the eve
 ming consisted of the following:
 1 Glass Song-Dear Eighty-Eight. .... 1 Eighty Eight in the Past. Della s. Pec Greeting from Vassar. Elizabeth g: Bradle.
 Eighty Eight in Yale. Francis Mooai
 Fanny H. Boltwood Elizabeth M: Blakeslee.
 Eighty Eight as Teachers. ers................ ! Jessie R. Van Deusel | Solo. .......................-B Eastman Harwoo
 He5sn k bhss, Eleanor S Cutler, Emily
 ' N' 'A' 7 '1'f'';iiii Emily c. Tiilotso l '91's BRILLIANT RECEPTION TONIGHT.
 Tonight gay and brilliant scene vii
 be presented at High school at '91's recep
 tion, which promises to equal if not exec
 any of it's predecessors. The affair ii
 looked forward to with high anticipation b.
 those who are to participate. The pro
 gram of the dances, and the committee
 are as follows:
 1. Waltz-Autumnal songs. Wohank
 2. Lanciers -Gondoliers. ................ Sulliva
 3. Waltz-Immortellen n...................G .Gune
 4. Polka-The Clock Arnsteij ! 5. Waltz-Poor Jonathan .. MiIloeke
 6. York-One Heart One Mind. ......... .Straus
 2. Waltz-Mia Bella. na....................R .Roede
 8. Galop-Electric Wohank
 3. Polka-Elvise. ....A:...................Mo Nose