The New York Herald Newspaper, June 26, 1873, Page 4

4 COMMENCEMENT DAY AT VASSAR, Students’ Day and Its Ex- ercises. The “Planting of the Tree” with the Late Matthew Vassar’s Spade. Miss Whitney’s Address Before the Philalethean Society. Synopsis of the Graduates’ Speeches and Names of the Baccalaureates. Refutation of the Late Klepto- mania Scandal. AMATEUR USHERSHIP CRITICISED. The Voices and the Commencement Cos- tumes of the Vassar Young Ladies, POUGHKEEPSIE, N, Y., June 25, 1873, Yesterday and to-day have been busy days in Poughkeepsie, The hotel arrivals continued up to a late hour last night, and what was crowded already then became crammed. Your correspond- ent ventures to hope he is not one of those who Tevenge themselves on destiny by wreaking their spite in the shape of published abuse of the pro- vVincial hotel keeper. He disdains all mean self-con- solatious of this description, and, therefore, merely Temarks in a general way that the Poughkeepsie hotels might be considerably better without in the least approximating perfection. Pieasanter is it to turn the eye on Main street—the Broadway of Poughkeepsie—and watch the rolling carriages which bear daintily attired visitors along the road to Vassar. Yesterday was known as Students’ Day, and in the eyes of most of the Vassarites, ex- cepting those who are about to be graduated, is | ‘eyen more important than Commencement Day; for upon Students’ Day every pupil is permitted to invite as many of her friends as she chooses. All the usual restrictions are laid aside, the Vassar bow is unbent to the utmost, and the optside world rushes in to admire its graceful laxity. Accordingly the wide corridors were yes- terday thronged. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and relatives of all degrees of propinquity were there; the chapel and the private and public parlors were lfestooned with flowers and evergreens, and the place was glad with the benediction of a general holiday. On the lawn in front of the house a tent was erected for the shelter of those who assisted at the institu- tion known as “The planting of the tree,” of which More anon. The regular exercises of the day began at two im the afternoon. They are known as “Class Day exercises,” and consist of music, addresses and recitations by a few of the members of the graduating class, who are Dot represented in the Commencement pro- gramme. The young ladies who took part yester- day afternoon are—Miss Lucy Foster Corliss, of Gloucester, Mass.; Miss Adelaide Skeel, of New- burg; Miss Marguerite Gibbons Townsend, of West Chester, Pa., and Miss Ella Weed, of Newburg. Miss Corliss made a short opening address, Miss Skeel read the history of the class of 1873, Miss Townsend (who appears to be the poetess of Vas- sar) recited a long original poem, called “A Mes- sage from the Past,” and Miss Weed delivered a semi-humorous and highly appreciated prophecy in relation to the individual members of the graduating class. The entertainment took place in the pretty little chapel, every seat and all the standing room in which were occupied. It was a gracious and gentle sight—the neat and graceful little temple filled with well-dressed and well-man- nered spectators, and a handful of bright and cul- tivated girls constituting the attraction upon vhe dais where the organ stands, Appro- priate music was interspersed, and after the recitations and essays were over a large proportion of the company adjourned to the tent and the space around it on the lawn in front of the college. The weather was brooding and threatening, and at one tme it was feared that the “planting of the tree” would have to be dispensed with. But, happily, one of the most inter- esting oi the traditions of Vassar was not thus inter- fered with. The history of “planting of the tree” is briefly as follows:—One of the earliest of the graduating classes of Vassar desired some emblem by which each successive graduating class should be linked to that which preceded it and that which was to follow. A happy inspiration suggested the planting of a tree and the using for that purpose of the spade with which Matthew Vassar, the founder, first broke ground there. From that date tw the present a member of eacn graduating class has formally presented the spade to a member of the class that was in its turn to become senior, at the same time delivering a chargesto which the junior made appropriate response. Fitting music lends additional charms of emotion to this sig- nificant and touching tradition, and among the ac- companying ceremonies are the burial of tne records of the graduating class beneath a stone tablet be- side the planted tree and the singing of an original ode composed by one of the pupils. None of these ceremonies were omitted yesterday, and perhaps the glum and moody weather lent an over-touch of sadness to the scene. Picture to yourself a band of young and ingennous girls who have lived for four years in bonds of intimacy together about to Separate forever, and sanctifying that separation by the solemn planting of a tree, while the June air is heavy with the smothered plaint of threaten- ing rains, and a sad, yearning, unsatisfied hush is On the landscape. We all know how quickly these beautiful sentiments evaporate beneath the harsh breath of practical life. Some fine natures retain them for a lifetime, but with the majority they are evanescence iiself. And so let us be thankful they are sincere while tney do last, and very sweet and gentle in their sincerity, too. Yesterday the semor charge was made by Miss Sarah Sophia Dana, of St. Joimsbury, Vt., and the junior reply by Miss Mary Walley Marvin, of Erie, Pa. The ode was by Miss Marguerite Gibbons Townsend, and, set to plaintive music, had @ very pretty effect, Does it hot sound as if it did ? Once again ere we go Gather we round our tree; Summer winds softly blow, Murmnring mournfully, Blending our song with their whispers sweet, Let us again the notes repeat. s, 0 elm, on thee, Unger to say our last farewell. One by one many the years Bring thee their gifts, O tree, Tender hopes, anxious fears Centre we now on wee. Broad be tl an n il Thick be tay stot the cekay, aad yon Long be thy lite, 0 tree, While we lingor w say our last farewell. Never more, never nore (Heho the aad retrain. Beatiored on sea and shore, Yer wil our thoughis'when they farthest roam et wi ny rthest r Fiy like thie birds to Preis former home, ‘hus shall we meet Though we.linger to say & thet ferewe!!. But thisconcluded the daylight instalment of the ¢lass day exercises, which, under the presidency of Miss Helon C, Hiscock, of Syracape, and the mar- shalsb{p of Miss Cornelia Knowles of Bridgepor' Camn,, were Observed withuut break or flaw, an presented consideravle mnuatcal charm, owing to ‘the presence of Grafitlia'’s Seventh it Band, ing mrongt the ‘aa dream Meters tex ‘Paimetiern ing dress bejore the Philulethean ig in lgey ‘This was delivered by Miss M. ©, ‘nrtney, & gradnaze of 2868, and had relation to “Oulture.” Biss W: is@ thoughtful and refined young re bative of Mase phy and the languages, one of those rari @ learned American woman. Miss Whitney is @ better thinker and writer than speaker. er mind seems to re- the which Wordsworth says at it moves altogetuer if Jv moves at Bll Her whole pelng seems to have +] introduced by Miss Blanche NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET. peoprenses enthu: tically in the direction of cul- ure, and many of her thoughts and sentences last evening hed @ plate glass transparency and polish. She is the exact antipode of that definition which some one has given of the average governess—a woman who knows nothing and teaches every- thing; not that Miss Whitney is a governess, how- ever. Her address abounded with evidences of extensive reading and study, and independentand serious reflection. 1t was in the delivery that her lack Of strength was felt. Were she as much ofan orator as scholar it would not be easy to limit the influence which her cultivated intellect would en- able her to exert. The address was rather more than an hour in jength, and was delivered without the use of notes or Teahcacitns. ‘The speaker was ilder, President of the Philalethean Society. The hall was crowded with the friends of the pupils, the gallery being mainly occupied by the pupils themselves, The chapel was lavishly decorated with evergreens and flowers. Gas jets were constructed Into the word “Philalethean”’ over the organ, and arbor vit was fashioned over the front of the stage inio the figures 1873" and “A Posse ad Esse.” The en- tertainment was over at about hall-past nine, COMMENCEMENT DAY. J When, in “Ali's Well That Ends Well,’’ the Countess of Rousillon remarks of Helena, *'I have those hopes of her good which her education promises,” sie but prefigures the anticipation which must have stirred in the bosom of every mother present at the Vassar Commencement to- day. It has been weli said that if we rob woman of the ground on whuch she has @ right to stand, it signifies little with what grimaces of gallantry we offer her a chair, It was very evident from the tone of the Commencement to-day that it is the aim of Vassar to restore to womun that ground, and to invite the world to witness with what firm- hess and grace she maintains her position there, When Richter exclaimed, “Biessed is he for whom his own mother has rendered all women venerated,” he invoked @ benediction which your correspondeut is sure you will agree with him in thinking the late Matthew Vassar pac] himself in 6 fair way to enjoy. nd all the goodly company absemipied at tue college this morning appeared to think so too—that provided they thought of the matter at all. But fear that mamas and papas were too much occu- pied with the individual titumphs of their daugh- ters to bestow much thought upon the dead and gone founder, Apokeepsink—let me call Pough- keepsie by its meilifuous Indian name just ouce— displayed herseif in all her strength. All the cars and carriages in the little city came thronging to the gates of the college, and what with fine toilets, and universal buzz and motion, and the hurrying of attendants, and a labyrinth of trunks, and a general anxiety and fusii, the hour was satisiac- torily confusing. As to the programme I furnished you yesterday, it was conscientiously carried out, The “opening ‘prayer was offered by the Rev. Edward Lathrop, of Stamford, Conn, Tne saluta- tory was delivered in Latin by Miss Elma Doremus Swift. It is unlucky that salutatories, like valedic- tories, must always deal with the same subject, and, therefore, admit of criticism only with respect to the mode of delivery and the gracelulness with which a certain proportion of routine work is trans- Miss Swift was not below the level of the age in these particulars, and, moreover, proved herseli to be at home in the Latin tongue. in con- sidering “Thomas Arnold as an Educator,” Miss Anna Kedfleid Phelps took the ground that educa- tion, politics and religion keep pace in the march of progress, and that with Church and State the nglish school had been degenerating, until Dr, rnold made his appearance. areer dated irom 1827, and he it was who led the way to that improvement which had already been. effected on the Continent by Pestolozzi. and Com- enius, To remodel Rugby and make it the father of the entire school system of England was his aim, and the success he uchieved was always due to the direct personal influence he exercised, 1t is by such men as Arnold, who prove the soundness of their views by the goodness of their lives and the success of their work, that the S education of the future will be pertected. Miss Mary kva Perry selected as her tueme “Life in the Deep Sea,” and said much that was interesting in relation to it, The 140,000,000 square miles which constitute the bed of the ocean are not by any means azoic. They are densely in- habited by fauna, whose richness and delicacy oiten surpass those of any with which the solid earth has yet made us acquainted. That a coid flow from the Polar region passes over the bottom of the sea seems to be proved by the fact that in all parts of the world, whenever deep soundings have been taken, the temperature sinks with the increasing depth, The question of the mode ot nutrition of animals at great ocean depths was considered at some little length, A world of ant- mals may live in those dark abysses, but It isa necessary condition that they belong to a class supported by matter in solution, absorbed through the surface of the body. In this department new fields of boundless extent and great interest were opening to the naturalist. Miss Elizabeth Hale Brewer's “Theory of Perturbations” was crisply and vigorously expressed, and was one of the best of the nine addresses made. Commencing with the announcement that the planets disturb each other, the sun disturbs them all, and each Satellite has an influence on its primary, the speaker then introduced one or two bold and com- prehensive speculations. She suggested that these perturbations, acuing constantly on the different planets might gradually accumulate into vast amounts, which would entirely change the aspect of the solar system. Might not orbits coincide so as to bring two planets into collision, and thas in time cause a total derangement in the universe? ‘This, however, was offered merely as a suggestion to the imagination, and not as a statement. Science proved that the Deity could never make 80 unfortunate a faux All variations which would bring ruin to us are oscillatory. In regard to the mean distances of planets, changes are ex- pressed in sines and cosines of circular arcs. A sine or cosine can never exceed the radius, so that when it has reached that limit it must return to zero. Perhaps the accumulative perturbations are incladed in a cycle which extends from infinity to infinity and has but one period of revolution. From Miss Blanche Wilder, of Brooklyn, em- anated an ingenious urgument to prove the “Liter. ature of the Day Critical Rather than Creative.” Miss Wilder’s method of delivery was piquant and animated, and probabiy this did quite as much as her arguments toward making converts to her way of thinking. She enforced her logic with illustra- tions drawn from several of the leading poets and novelists of the day, more particularly browning and George Eliot, and referred to the fact that every important pomenenen supported a statf of excellent writers versed in criticism. ‘The prem- ises were fairly stated and the conclusions tem- ee good-humoredly and naively drawn, To 188 Wilder succeeded Miss Clara Jenette Wilson, who took the opposite view of the subject, and the audience was refreshingly exercised in balancing the two sides of the argument, Miss Wilson began with quoting Tennyson’s verse :— How pure at heart and sound in head, With what divine affections bold Should be the man whose thought would hold An hour's communion with the dead. But ciearer and calmer should be the judgment, finer the ear and purer the heart of him who would Tread the living, ana out of the jarring, discordant noises of the age touch the keynote and pierce to the substance of that spiritual reality in which, as Emerson says, the times have their root. Creation in literature was the stamping of self on one’s work, the chemical union of the soul with the sub- ject. The speaker thought that tne Dorothea of George Eliot will live long after the Elizabethan dramatists have perished by the score. If criticism be an impartial judging, in which mind and heart and imagination may combine ; if it means to enter into the heart of a poet through his works, and from stray hints, only noted by poets’ eyes, to con- struct @ lofty ideal of humanity, of poetry and of truth, then is the age critical aud also more truly and more nobly erestive, Miss Mary Adams Hopson delivered a short ad- dress, in good French, on “Charles I. d'Angleterre et Louis XVI." She inquired into the nature of the political changes so disastrous to these unfortu- nate monarchs, and sought, with some ingenuity, to establish a parallel between portions of the his- tories of the two nations over which they respect- ively reigned, Progress, the speaker thought, had been made by each revolution. After the count- Jess number experienced by France during seventy- two years, who would compare the French Repub- Me Of to-day With that which worshipped the Goddess of Reason? ‘he ‘Political Influence of Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” by Miss Caroline Maria Gerrish, was composed with considerable liveli- ness, It wus mainly & eulogy Of Mrs, Stowe's cele- vrated novel, and was characterized by a generous enthusiasm and argumentative adroitness, The Speaker concluded her cordial espousal by saying that men looked for thirty years for the North Star betore its light reached them. Was it strange that light from the Star of Liberty should nave been four times fifty years in illuminating our land? But the Pole Star, having once shed its lignt, never has withdrawn it; ner shall that other North Star—the great light of freedom—cease to illumine the path to true freedom and nobility of soul By the time Miss Gerrish’s address was concluded only the valedictory remained. Valedicto- ries are renerally long, and always more or less painful; and the one delivered to-day by Miss Helen Cornelia Hiscock was, by the necessity of the case, obliged to exhibit these peculiarities, It was, however, smoothly and poetically written, and abounded with affecting references to the President, the trustees and the vailedictorian’s young companions, with whom her school life was how forever over. The speech appropriately ended with the following quotation ;— O eyes, grown dim with falling tears, lips, where sorrow lays her spell, The saddest task of all life's yearb Is yours—to look and say farewell! The programme was enlivened by the carefal and correct execution of several excellent musical selections, such as the finale from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Ghopin’s Scherzo in B fat minor and the rendition of Haydn's aria, “With Verdure Olaa.” The degrees were, of course, conferred by the President, and the following are the names of the young ladies to whom the honors of the bacca- laureate were given. :— Abbott, Elizabeth Owen, Providence, R. 13 Angell, Isabel, Forestville; Bartiett, Abbie Anna, Gardiner, Pathe a Jenny Holbrook, New York; Bell, Juila Est! er, Greenwich, Conn.; Bray Nannie Jenckes, Fall River, Mass.; Brewer, Filza beth Hall, Stockbridge, Mass. ; Chapin, Julia Electa, East Bioomfield; Chumar, Alice Maurice, Trento! N. J.; Corliss, Lucy Foster, Gloucester, Mass Dana, Sarai Sophia, St. Johnsbury, Vt; Duck, Ida Jave, Salem, Ohio; Durand, Frances Eloise, Ra- cine, Wi herrish, Caroline Maria, — Port- land, Me. Grimth, Emily Call, Brooklyn; Hiscock, Helen Cornelia, Syracuse; Hapson, Mar. Adams, gg! 1 la Conn.; Houghton, Elizabeth Goodridge, ston; Jewett, Grace Bayley, Pough- $ FS keepsic; Knowles, Cornelia, Bridgeport, Conn. Liggett, Frances Chrutina, Leavenworth, Kansas; eee | Specimens of the perfect orotund, Lupton, Kate Mussey, Cincinnatl, Ohio; Marcher, Marie Antoinette, Tremont; Monroe, Mary, Toledo, Ohio; Moore, Felicia Ei Catlettsburg, Ky.; Morss, Merilla Tuttle, Woodbourne; Noble, Har- riet, Vincennes, Ind.; Perry, Mary Eva, Rockford, 1; ' Phelps, Anna ‘Reda cuse; Randall, Alice’ Reeve, son; Raymond, Mary Carrington, Poughkeepsie; iy Skeel, Adelaide, Newburg; Smith, Myra Almeda, M fon. Bwile, conor Pough- linneapolis, kee Swinburne, Harriet Know! lewport, R. winburne, Virginia Shields, Tee Re Taylor, Mariposa, New York; Thomas, Sarah Lill Hastings; Townsend, Marguerite Gibbons, Wes! Chester, Pa, ; Walker, Charlotte Esther Drummond, Trenton, N. J.; Waller, Freelove Emma, Seneca Falls; Weed, Ella, Newburg; Welch, Zelinda Lydia, New Haven, Uonn.; White, Abbie Sophia, Brooklyn; Whitney, Adeline Stearns, Waltham, ; Wilder, Luss fj Brookiyn; Wilson, Clara Jenette, Rock ‘and, iil, Among distinguished visitors on the platform, or scattered among the audience, were ‘ins Carpen- ter, of England; the Rev. Dr. Bellows, the Kev. Dr. Edward Bright, David Dudley Field, Mr. Charles W. Swift, the Kev, Dr. Everts, of Chicago; Mr. M. Townsend, Benson J. Lossing, Mr. Ira Harris, and Mr. John B. Gough, the latter @ irequent visitor at Vassar. FAREWELL TO VASSAR. Before bidding a long farewell to Vassar it may not perhaps be out o! piace to allude briefly to a grossly exaggerated scundal which several news- papers have recently published, The scandal re- lates to @ case Of stealing of which Vassar has lately been made the victim, and irom which @ number of the pupils have suffered. It must be recollected that the average number of pupils is between four and ve hundred, and that it would be_ strange, indeed, if among 80 many a case should not now and then occur which defied alike the maxims of strict in- tegrity and, for a while, the most patient efforts of detection. .The cases of klopemania in Vassar have been exceedingly rare—so rare as not to de- serve to be taken into account when compared with the average moral character of the little com- munity and the amount of intellectual and moral good it hasbeen able to effect, The few cases which have occurred during the last eight years have been summarily dealt with, and the facts in regard to the latest instance have been greatly misrepresented, The simple truth 1s that about one hundred dollars have during the past Winter and Spring been purloined, in small amounts at a time, {rom the purses, bureaus, clothes, &c., of the pupils, and that the culprit has not yet been discovered. President Raymond — appro- priately remarka, in his published communication on the subject, “Surely that fact is sad enough without exaggeration; but, taking the ber of human nature in a community of more than five hundred people, it can hardly be garded as extraordinary.” Taking into considera. tion the general wisdom shown in the mana ment of Vassar, complete confidence may be placed in the judgment and harmonious co-operation of Professor Raymond, the President, and Mrs, Har- riet W. Terry, the lady principal. And now, dismissing this subject, your corre- spondent may be permitted to remark that, so iar as his observation extends, one of the most grate- ful spectacies to the visitor of Vassar is the deport- ment of its young ladies. Perhaps a prolonged stare, often repeated, /rom the eyes of a young girl supposed to be respectable and modest, 13 one of the hardest inflictions to en- dure with perfect imperturbability and to forgive with complete charity, but it is an infliction which the visitor to Vassar, male or female, need not dread, A questioning glance, a slight Nash of curiosity, are all that the stranger meets with, and for the rest he is a8 undisturbed as though treading the corridors of a convent threaded by veiled nuns. Is it not Lord Chester- field who insists that the well bred man will be perfectly firm and easy in all companies, without bashfulness on the one hand or impertinent assurance on the other? Well, this gentle and graceful firmness enters largely into the deportment of the pupils of this now famous college. At no time was it more mani- fest than during the reception of visitors, when young girls did the honors and offered the hos- pitalities, to gentlemen as well as to ladies, with @n easy and modest self-possession that was inde- scribably charming. Alter so much deserved praise your corre- spondent hopes he will not be misunderstood if he adds a few lines of suggestion and criticism. Among things needed by Vassar ts a large hall for the accommodation of Commencement Day visit- ors, and, among the improvements, more judicious means for the speedy seating of the arrivals. The floor of the hall, if ever one is built, should be graded so as to permit every one a fair view of the platiorm, which is impossibie in the chapel. Usher- ship, too, is almost an art, and, excellent as were the intentions of the Vassar young ladies who officiated as ushers, and graceful as they looked with their silken sceptres and flowing draperies, they added to the confusion instead of allaying it. It 18 impossible for a woman with a trail to her dress to make a successful usher, and this painful truth was sorely tested to-day. Perhaps the best thing for the good genius of the Commencement to do in tuture would be to import half a dozen pro- fessional ushers from New York, The ex- pense would not be great and the comfort and order so purchased would be inestimable. Another point, to which it is to be hoped reference will be pardoned, 1s the habit the young ladies of Vassar have of overdressing on Commencement Day. The majority of those who are most in view of the public (allusion is not made to the graduat- ing class particularly) are dressed much, but they are not dressed well. Surely an exquisite plain- ness On such an occasion cannot be too much com- mended—cannot be too warmly desired. If the question be put whether beautifal girls abound at Vassar, your correspondent would answer candidly that beautiful girls are to be found there, but so they are in Circassia. What would you have? Violets are not as plentiful as clover, nor passion flowers as common as buttercups. ‘Finally, the thin nasal American voice 1s too frequent, and at the public exercises it would be pleasanter to heara large variety of pure chest tones—rich, melodious But, making every deduction (and there are not many to make), Vassar remains a most noble and beautiful institu- tion, and your correspondent is giad that he was given an opportunity to yield it his tribute. GRAMMAR SCHOOL NO, 22, The closing reception of the male department of Grammar School No. 22, corner of Stanton and Sheriff streets, was held in the spacious hail of the male department yesterday morning at half-past nine o'clock. The foliowing trustees and members of the Board of Education were present at both the male and female entertainments, viz. :—Inspector Mills, Dr. R. D. O'Sullivan, Dr, Cregan and Messrs, Jones, Wright, Lyon and Wright, Jr., together with Mr. 8. W. Merrit, principal, with eight assistant teachers, About four hundred boys filled the seats of the large hall. Twenty-six of these took part in the exercises, The programme, although a little woo long, Was neatly carried out, and each boy did his part with surprising ease and courage. After the conclusion of the exercises addresses were made by Inspector Mills and Mr. Wright, in whieh the pupils were praised to a delightful exten which called forth their outbursts of applause an merriment. THE FEMALE DEPARTMENT. The exercises in the female department of Gram- Mar School No. 22 were commenced at eleven o'clock A.M. Misa Frances J. Murray, principal, with seven assisting female teachers, including Miss Devereux, vice priucipal, presided over the arrangement of the pupils. Three hundred and fitty beautiful children and young girls were pres- ent. The order of exercises was very neat and weil chosen, commencing with the anthem “How beautiful! ‘The scene was decidedly beautiful. Flowers and geraniums were suspended from the ceiling; canary birds chirped among them; rich bouauets covered the platiorm, and well-executed pictures were everywhere to ve seen, Tne lollow- ing young ladies took part in the exercises:— 3 Miss Anna Johnston, Mist Sophia Leob- sits, Miss Louisa Bridgman. Miss “Barber, Miss Lillie ‘Smith, Miss Mary Bennet and Miss Julia Fernandez, Each young lady did her part exceedingly well, and all showed a degree of skill and proficiency rarely to be found in any of our female schools, Inspectors Mills and Lyon congratulated the teachers and pupils in a very flattering manner, after which the exercises closed with the singing of the Doxology. GRAMMAR SCHOOL NO. 465. The graduating exercises of the senior class in the female department of Grammar School No. 45, West Twenty-fourth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, were held yesterday in the spacious hall of the institution. The school is one Of the largest and most important of the grammar schools in this city, Miss Julia A. Smith is the principal. There are thirty-two additional female teachers, The average attendance during the year was over six hundred, and the average age of se- nior pupils about eighteen years. A large number of highly respectable visitors were present yesterday Witness the closing ex- ercises of the fraduating class, Every available portion of the hall was occupied, and standing room could scarcely be found anywhere therein after the exercises commenced, e pr me was brief, neat and well chosen. It consisted of bag songs, dialogues, recitations and essays, in Is FOLeareaL of which the pupils gave entire satis- faction. Diplomas were presented to the following ates by the City Superintendent, Mr. jdd]e NAMES OF GRADUATES, Wealthy H. Albro, Anna R. Brooks, Florence Boyle, Lizzie Butt, Lettie E. Carlin, Carrie A. Cole, Laura F, Catfe, May KE. Co’ Maud H. Cathells, Magic E. Finley, Neilie V. Fisher, Lizzie M. GriMtns, Marie E. Hale, Pauline Kraemer, Louise Levy, Hattie Levinson, 'y E. Minnerly, Mary Muir, Clara W. Miner, Belle Morrison, Christine Murray, Hattie F. Ostrander, Hannah Pincus, Hattie M, Reed, Ella Reed, Josie ©, Riley, Lizaie P. Stevens, Anna J. Smith, Hattie A. Sudiow, Alber- Une Wood. The valedictory was then delivered in a very superior mapner by Miss Mary EK. Covel, and the graduates sung @ “Farewell Song.” Rev. A. D. Vall aiterwards addressed the graduates in a con- gratulatory tone, and Rev. G. Mingins made a final address, in which he praised in flattering terms both teachers and pupils, Inspectors Kelly, Gra; and Mackay and several of the trustees were pr: ent on the yen and expressed themselves highly pleased with the entertainment, adu- enry SETON HALL COLLEGE. Healthy Grounds and Summer Thonghts—The Laics and the Clergy Present—The Exer- cises Among the Trees—The Degrees, Medals and Premiums—Bishop Corrigan’s Address—The Institution in a Flour- ishing Condition. Seton Hall College Commencement was held yes- teraay, in the college grounds, South Orange, N. J. This institutton was founded in 1856 at Madison, N, J., by Bishop Bailey, now the Archbishop of Balti- more. In 1860 it was removed to its present loca- tion at South Orange, a spot than which nothing more desirable could be selected, The college and the college grounds are situated a short distance from the village of South Orange, eixteen and a half miles from New York and six and a half trom Newark. To the north are the Orange Mountains, and, surrounding the college buildings, is a lovely piece of country, varied with hill and wood and dale, affording to the eye ag pleasant a scenery as the eye might seek to look upon, Yes- terday the air in the vicinity was fresh and balmy, the wholesome smell of new-mown grass being most acceptable to the visitors from New York city, to whom country air and the perfumes of Summer fields are so great a rarity. Seton Hall College buildings are of great architectural beauty, and are admirably arranged tor collegiate purposes, @ fortunate circumstance, for which Archbishop Bailey deserves due credit. Great as may be the desire for the students of the college to visit their own homes and to mingle once again with their relatives and friends alter the hard studies of a long year, with all a student's little cares, troubles and anxieties, yet to the well- worn worldling who drops in here of a day like yesterday, and rambles among the trees of the college greunds and rests among the woodland recesses of natural bulwarks against the sun’s heat, the wonder is that the stu- dent should not love to linger here in recollection and to enjoy the calm of the Summer evenings now upon us among the shady trees of his alma mater, revelling in ureams, if he would, but nur- tured, as his mind must be, with the more exalted thoughts which the beauties of the fields and the mountain scenery, unornamented and unadorned by man’s skill or handicraft, must necessarily supply to his imagination, § usual on Commencement Day, there was a large attendance yesterday. As a rule no one but the relatives or immediate friends of the scholars are invited; and though Fordham Commencement was held yesterday, yet the New York priesthood and Catholic families were well represented here. Some five hundred guests were present at the exercises, all of whom, one way or another, were connected by some tie with the college. THE COMMENCEMENT, Adjoining the college buildings is a goodly group of trees, and at the southern end of these a plat- form was erected, with an awning overhead and with seats stretching to the beginning of the trees, Some five hundred Jadies and gentlemen were here seated, all, of course, more or less interested in the well doing of one or other of the students, At about half-past eleven o'clock the youthful, modest and saintly-looking Bishop of the diocese ascended the platform, followed by a number of priests, among whom were the Rev. Father Curran, St. Andrew's, New York; Rey. Father Larkin, New York; Rev, Father O’Far- rell, St. Peter’s, New York; Rev. Dr. Brann, Wash- ington Heights, New York; Rev. Fathers Lilly and Daly, of the Dominican Order, Sixty-filtn street, New York; Rev. Father Bodfish, the Rev, Father Brady and the Rev. Father Rosencrans, of the Paulist Fathers, New York; Rev, Father Ronay, Principal of a collegiate institute, New York. Bishop Corrigan having taken his seat in the middle of the platform his brother, the Rev. James Corrigan, took his place*in front of the table pear- ing the medals and premiums, and the plan of ex- ercises for the Commencement was begun. The following was the ORDER OF EXERCISES. lusic. eee “Accomplished Facts;’’ James Augustine McFaul. Uration, “An Aim in Life ;’ John Joseph O'Connor. ‘asic. Oration, “Satire and Praise,” William Farrell O’Con- nor. Music. Oration, “Art for Our Peopte ?” Luke John Mulvany. Oration, “Acquisition of erritory;” Edward Francis eCabe. Music. Master's oration, ‘Mankind Elevated by Labor," Wil- lam Henry Dornin, A. B. Music. Conferring of degrees. Music. THE ORATIONS. It must be said in all fair play and justice that at no comméncement this season has there been so little buncombe cispieres. as among the stu- dents of this college. Ifthere was a fault at all among the young orators it was that they were altogether too sensible, and did not go of into airy flights of imagination, such as might be expected from very young men—in fact boys, only that it would be now an awful offence not to acknowledge the liberation from school charges. Alas! the time will come when they will wish to live these same days over again and will look upon them ag” the happiest of the happiest days of their lives, There was another merit in the orations, and it was this, that they were not too long, did not Keep the audience perpetualiy waiting for a close that was only the beginning of a new point; and there was another point still, better than all—namely, that the orators said what the: had to say ina manly way, without the absurdi- ties of the customary brandishing gesture, and in an earnest spirit, as il they feit what they were ut- tering. This is high praise to young men, but it leser ved, MEDALS AND PREMIUMS, The distribution of medals and premiums was next proceeded with, the senior, junior, sophomore and freshman classes consisting of gold medals, and the preparatory and the commercial courses consisting of the works of standard authors, DEGRE£S CONFERRED. The Rev. Father James Corrigan, Vice President of the college, and brother of Bishop Corrigan, had charge of the table containing the formulas of the degrees and the premiums and prizes, Father Corrigan having read out the names of those honored with the degrees or the other premiums, each of the honored ones stepped up to the platform and received from the Bishop’s hands the especial honor to which he was entitled. The following were the degrees conferred :— Bachelor of Arte-Charles Thomas Beck, Luke John Mulvany, Edward Francis McCabe, James Augustine McFaul, Maurice Peter O'Conor and John Joseph U'Con- nor. Master of Arta (honoris causa)—Rey. W. P. Salt. Master of Arta (in course)—William Henry Dornin, James Augustus Glover, Edward Vincent Keogh and John Albert Reynaud. PRIZES AND MEDALS, ‘The following were the prizes and medals dis- tributed :— Good Conduct—The Hamilton-Ahern Gold Medal, James Francis McEntee; the Hamilton-Ahern, Silver Medals, John Francis Shanley, Miguel Ramos, Francis wis Ferdinand. polristian Doctrine—The Seton Prize, Edward Francis urnin. Ethic#—The Proston Prize, John Joseph O'Connor. Senlor Class of Philosovhy—The McQuaid Prize, John John Joseph O'Connor, Junior Class of Philosophy—The Gold Medal, Henry Augustine Gross, Logic—The Professor's Prize (Rev. Father James Corri- gan’s), John Edward Hayes. Latin—The Anderson Prize, William Farrell O'Connor. Groeek—The Bayley Prize, Christoper ©. Fallon. ofglitical E@gnomy—The’ Griftin Prize, John’ Joseph *Connor. Senior Prize Essay—The McGlynn Prize, Luke J. Mul- vany. History of European Civillzation—The Professor's Prize, William F. O'Connor. History—The Braner Prize, Eneshia P, Meers. peivil Polity—The Crimmins Prize, Christopher ©, ‘allon. Mathematics—The Gold Medal, William J. McCinre. Natural science—The Barry Prize, Daniel J. Elliott, Elocutton—the Byrne Prige, Isang Palmer Caldwell. French—The Gold Medal, Miguel Ramos. German—The Bossier Prize, P. Frederic Braner, Bible History—The Doane Prize, Francis L. Ferdinand, Fenmanship-—The Foley prize, Pedro A. Quintero, For Improvement in brawing—The silver medal, sHoe Highest uuimber of Notes in, Freshman Class—The ‘or of at President's prize, Matthew J. La Marche, BISHOP CORRIGAN’S ADDRESS, All the honors having been conferred, Bishop Corrigan stepped to the front of the platiorm and addressed the audience, as to be customar with Bishop Batley, of whom it may aid tha’ his absence from the commencement due to absolutely necessary visitations in arch- diocese. Bishop Corrigan be; his address by Saying that he felt a delicacy in addressing the audience, inasmuch as he was not only bishop of the diocese, but President of the college. Per- haps for the latter reason it might be thought that he was too partial to the institution which he loved 80 well; but he believed that, so for as the commencement was concerned, the andience were allof one mind, He felt proud to sey that many of those you gentlemen who were now Jeaving them had been with them for many years, and as they were now finishing their cotlege- ate career, it was better to look forward than to look back, for their graduation in the college was sumMicient recommendation wherever they might go that their lives had been pure, honora- bie and estimable. As to the future, he trusted the high, high honors they had gained ought to be @ spur to them to deserve the honors of the world, now in a Christian manner in accordance with the dictates of hol Fogg) the Church, The time for theory passed with §=them; now comes the time for practice, and may God grant that the fruits of their early education in these Catholic halls shail appear manifold in the decds they themselves do and in their example to others who, perhaps, may not have been so favored as they have been. ‘There is no telling what the influence of Catholic education is upon the communities in which young men live; there is no telling what may be the re- sult of the determined resistance of young men with their Jollowa to avoid the occasions of evil ways, and it is hoped that the graduates of this =n eer only enone. of the present peer, 0 ose Of past years—may great good by roe or their in Winning away from crime those who may have had the misfortune to have been led into the ths that lead to perdition. In conclusion, the shop thanked the audience for having come to Seton Hall to attend the Commencement, and, re- taining ag he does the presidency of the college, he promised that his most earnest efforts should be put forth to maintain the bigh position the institu. tion has already won, and to increase tts Catholic rigor and influence, ‘THE BISHOP TO BE STILL PRESIDENT. As bey hie intends to continue President of Seton Hall College there tsa sufficient guarantee in this fact that the college shall be conducted upon the very best principles. The cotlege is a model of neatness and cleaniiness, the ch: being fitted up in most beautiful mentation. It may be added that t! now as full as it can be, and that for admission had better be many pane men, gelization, being fo this de conduct no previous year standard gained the past year. After the Commencement was over the guests were invited to partake of luncheon in the college refectory, PRINCETON'S GALA DAY. AS Ending of the Commencement—Exercises Yestar- day—Conferring Degrees and Fellow- ships and Awarding Prizes—A Brilliant and Interest- ing Occasion. PRINCETON, N. J., June 25, 1873. The last day of the 126th Commencement of the College of New Jersey was blessed with weather gloriously brilliant, with sunshine and the lustre of the freshened verdure of field and wood, A very large throng of visitors were gathered at half Past nine o'clock in the morning in the little Presbyterian church near the college grounds, Among the persons of note who were present were Professor Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute; Governor Parker, ex-Governor Olden and ex-Gover- nor Haines, of New Jersey; Judge Bryan, Admiral Emmons, ex-Governor Dennison, of Ohio; Judge Nixon, ex-President Maclean, Dr. Hodge, the theo- logian; Adjutant General Stryker, and the Rev. Messrs. Musgrave, D. D.; Schenck, D. D.; Duryea D. D., and Van Dyke, D. D. THE BXERCISES. At ten o’clock the exercises were opened in a touching prayer by Dr. McCosh, the President, The Latin salutatory was then delivered by George Stockton Burroughs, of Pennsylvania. Music iol- lowed. THE ENGLISH SALUTATORY and the Belles Letters Oration, having as its sub- Ject “Goethe and Milton,’ was then delivered vy Mr. Henry Jackson Van Dyke, of New York. It Was quite an eloquent and artistic effort and was frequently applauded. In comparing the two great poets of two great races, the Anglo-Saxon aud the German, he pictured Goethe as standing in the halls of fame a cold, lifeless statue, perfect Perhaps, but removed from human sympathies and human heroics, Milton, although unsymmetrical in character and not perfectly polishea, was a man who mingled in the struggles of the world, who fought for principles, and if passionate and at times erroneous was earnest and exalted in nis He vehemently denounced the paalosop hy German school 01 Goethe as self-worshipping being that element in human thought which had led to the ruin of nations in the past, and he held up the life of Milton as an example of truly noble effort toward the end of worthy ambition. The mathemati oration, on “Harmony Through Faith,’’ was delivered by Mr. Isaac Hiram Condit, of New Jersey. Samuel Mc- Lanahan, of hedaprr AMetere> the metaphysical ora- tion dwelt upon “The Indiviaual in History.” The thread of his argument was the idea that the greatness of the characters of history was not the result of circumstance, but of innate genius and power. While the individual has remarkable en- dowments, the final and necessary argument is that he possesses the freedom of action which en- ables him to use them as he will. Joseph Heatly Dallis, Jr., delivered the surgical oration, taking as his subject ‘Public Opinion,” and treating it in avery weak manner. The philosophical oration, on “The Monk of Florence” (Savonarola), by George Howard DuMeld—truly eloquent—was de- livered in a very vigorous and impressive manner, full ol nervous energy. He exalted the heroism of the martyr whose pyre was the day star of the Reformation. The speech of William Irwin Cross, of Maryland, on SENTIMENTALISM IN POLITICS, was admirable for the evidences whicn it showed ofkeen and sensible thought. He dwelt upon the charlatan statesman of to-day—the man who moulded public opinion, but was himself destitute of new ideas. For him the laborer deposited his ballot because he had gone to him in order to have bis opinions moulded, and came away with them inoulded into that purpose. ‘The great prob- lem of American politics, he thought, was to teach men to think for themselves. The last of the bachelor orators was that of James Hoagland Cowen, of Ohio, on the question should Education by tle State be Entirely Secu- r : ‘The Master's Oration was delivered by Elmer Ewing Green, of New Jersey, aud was very warmly applauded. Dr. McCosh then announced that the Alumni Committee yesterday had appointed a committee to erect a bust of the late President of the College, br. McLain, and that $800 was already subscribed for this object. The opening of THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE ‘would take place on the 10th aay of September, PRIZES AND FELLOWSHIPS. Dr. McCosh then announced the conferring and Lape of the following degrees, scholarships and izes :— Pimne Junior Oration medalists are—First, James H. Ross, of New York; second, William H. Spons- ter, Pennsylvania; third, Walter Nicholas, New Jersey, and fourth, Willis H. Wiggins, New York. The Maclean prize of $100 for the best English oration on the junior oration night was given to James H. Ross, New York. The George Potts Bible prizes to the two best biblical scholars of the Sentor Class were received wy George S, Burroughs, Pennsylvania, and George |. Duffield, New Jersey. The Dickinson prize for the best essay by a junior on “Religion Culture," valued at $60, was won by A. F, West, Kentucky, The class of '59 prize, the interest of $2,000, to the member of '78 who might write the best essay on the genius of Milton and stand the best exam- ination on the life and writings of Milton and of the leading authors Rach aa Cf With him, was given to Henry J. Van Dyke, Jr., New York. The class of '61 ge $80, to the sophomore who should stand the best competitive examina- tion in mathematics at the close of his sophomore year, was awarded to F, B, Van Vorst, New York. Filty dollars, to & senior or nie for the best essay on Kant’s Critique of the Thestic Arguments, Was won by S. R. Winans, Jr., New Jersey. Fifty dollars, to @ senior, for the best essay on the mutual rejations of the general and State goy- ernpments in the United States, was won by G. 0, Vanderbilt. Fiity dollars, to a junior, for the three best essays in English literature in 1872-73, was awarded to Charles F, Whittlesey, Virginia, Fiity dollars, to a junior, for the best French es- Say on Bossuet compared with Fénélon, was won by Allan Ley na New York. ‘The Junior First Honor Scholarship prize of $200, known as the Mrs. J. R. Thompson prize, was won by J. P. K. Bryan, South Caroiina. The Marquand Classical Fellowship for one year, ble at $600, Was given to David Scott, Jr., New ork, The Chancellor Green Mental Science Fellowship, worth $600, was given to John P. Kennedy Bryan, South Carolina. The class of 1860 Experimental Science Fellow- ship, worth $600, was given to Walter B. Dev- ereaux, New York. The Boudinot Historical Fellowship, value $250, for the best essay on the “Causes and Effects of the English Revolution,” and best examination on the history of that period, was given to Clifton F. Carr, Kentucky. The Boudinct Modern Language Fellowship, value $250, for the best modern language examina- tion, was given to John J. Hubbell, New Jersey. The Stinweke Scholarship was given to E. Hunt, of New Jersey. The Biennial Examination prize for the best Sophomore student, vatue $100, was not yet awarded, and was, therefore, not announced, Fifty dollars for the best essay on the theory of Di in im relation to religious questions was won by Isaiah R. Adams, New Jersey. Ey ONORARY DBGREES. ‘ Doctors of Law.—Hon. George M. Stroud, class He Inde of the Supreme Court of Penns, ; J. 4. Thomas, A. M., M. D., Pennsylvania William Cullen Bryant, New York; Key, Jonn For- yey D. D., chaplain and professor at West Point, Doctors of Divinity,—Rev. William Irwin, Troy, N, Y.; %? Daniel 8. Gregor: rofessor in Wooster University, Ohio, eo” P Master of Arts,—Jonn J. McCook, New York, REGULAR DEGREES, Masters Arts.—Class Of '60—H. T, Johnson and J. T. mrose. Class of '67—William Mcli- vaine, Jr.; James Richard Philips. Class of '69— foun hovert Breckenbridge and George Critten- oul Seven are members of the class of 10 and seventy-one members of the class of '72-3, “VALE. After this business of giving honor to whom honor was due was baba ‘the valedictory ad- dress was delivered by John P, Kennedy Bryan, of the graduating class, and a youthiul son of South Carolina. It was full of ype eloquence and brought rears to the eyes of many in the audience. The alumni dinner took place at two o'clock in. the afternoon, and several interesting speeches were made during the banquet. $$ $$$ ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE. Twenty-eighth Annual Commencement Yester- day—Our Age, Its History, Its Science, Its Poetry and Its Philosophy—Confer- ting of Degrees in the Presence of the Archbishop—Address to the Graduates by Dr. MoGlynn—The Distribution of Medals. The twenty-elghth annual commencement of St. John’s College, Fordham, came off yesterday afternoon, The weather was all that could be wished for. Light zephyrs fanned the foliage of the trees into a pleasant, rustling chorus, timed ag an accompaniment to the merry warbling of the theusand songsters who make the college woods their home, For hours before the exercises began the grounas woro all the appearance of a park. The stadents, in holi- day attire, with their parents, relatives and friends, thronged the walks and drives, sauntering to the delicious music of the band, which waa stationed on the shady sward in front of the main building. The traditional commencement tent was erected in front of the garden, midway between the church and the col- lege. In this spot the tent is almost useless, as it isinclosed in a clump of stately elms and oaks which have stood there ever since the place was discovered, and it is not unlikely that In- dians once smoked their caiumet of peace where yesterday there gathered a refined audience, to listen to polished eloquence and in- spiring music, The orations of the day were far above the general run of college speeches. They were not the jumble of sciolism, of plagerism, both in language and idea, that one is accustomed to hear; they were learned, and displayed a fluency of speech and depth of thought creditable alike to the young men and their instructors, The essay forthe day was “Our Age.” It was divided in this way:—“Its History,” John M. Diok- son; ‘its Science,” George E. Quin; “its Poetry,” ‘Thomas E. Walsh; ‘lts Philosophy,” John P. Sweeney, All the youne men tn tneir essays dis- played a loyal Catholic spirit, and everything was shown by them to subserve to that grand dictator, religion. MR. J. M. DICKSON in his remarks deplored, as every Catholic must, the absence of an impartial, not to say Catholic, historian, who would do justice to Cavholicity, her history and her institutions. Lingard had done much,and was liberal, but there were many things he hadnotdone. Gibbon, Hume, Macaulay and Froude can see nothing but blackness in Catholicism, an@ when by reasoning they are made to see a white spot they forthwith set to work to blacken it with their literary mud. He conciuded by expressing a hope, which he entertained in common with all Searchers after the truth, that this generation might bring forth a man of mind immense enough to comprehend all that had past, see what the present revealed, and irom the two prognosticate the future, MR. GEORGE E, QUIN. “Tt's Science’’—the essay 01 the young gentleman whose name heads this paragraph—was, without wishing to draw distinctions, the most erudite of the day. He displayed a tamillarity with the mod- ern philosophers truly astonishing, and slashed right and leit at the men who are loud in declarae tions that revealed religion and science are incompatinle. The assurance with which Mr. Quin spoke of the chimeras of these modern philosophies gave unmistakable evidence of his nowledge of and faith in the high religious ground on which he stood. He said that the word science was misapplied in their regard or its significance had been expanded. Science now included in its domain speculators on phenomena, spiritual and physical. ‘Theories adverse to morality Spring from the tone and direction of modern scientific research,” said he, “or, to formulate it more precisely, in the misapplication of the scien- tific mode of investigation to the sciences them- selves, and in its application to subjects to which it is not adapted. Ifwe admit the principles which modern science, through its votaries, offers to us, we strike a fatal blow at those principles of order and morality iS which human society was origin- ally formed an pee which it virtually rests to day. What would become of us if we admit thal thought is phosphorous, soul complex nerves an Morai sense a secretion of sugar? It would be tc remove all check to human passion and make those senses inoperative. Mr. THoMAS E, W’ L8H, to whom was assigned the difMicult though detcate task of treating our ages poetry, showed himseli not only an admirer but a critic of modern verse. He said that a poet should be as much an instructor as an interester, and showed that one} who can interest has more chance of instructing than one who is introduced as an __ instructor. Human nature is naturally egotistical, and does not look as favorably on an instructor as one whose mission is supposed to be to amuse, He ac- cepted Longfellow and Tennyson as the purest, il not best, of our modern poets. They were accepta- ble to all. Bryant he thought was too philosophi- cal to ever become popular, and, besides this, such doctrines as he promulgated in his ‘“Thanatopsis" ‘Were dangerous. MR. JOHN P. SWEENEY. The valedictorian had the heavy part of the work assigned to him—“Philosophy’—but he invested his abstruse subject with an interest which made it popular. He tore the veil of sophistry trom the principles which have been promnuigated by Mill ena Comte and left them naked in all their absurdi- es, CONFERRING OF DEGREES. The orations over, the band played an operatic air, after which the degree of A. M. was conlerred on the following gentlemen:—James F. ng A. B., Brooklyn, L; George J, Haben, A. B., Cortland, N. Y.; Philip A. Meister, A. B., Sing Sing, N. Y.; John A. Wagner, A. B., Philadelphia, Pa, ‘The following gentlemen of the class of '73 re- ceived the degree of A. B.:—Wilham P, Denogre, New Orleans, j Foneph: Zwinge, New Brunswick, N. J.; George Eb. Qu , Utica, N. Y.; John P. Sweeney, Lawrence, Mass.; George Denegre, New Orleans, La.; John J. Foley, Cincinnati, Ohio; Charles C. ‘Marrin, Albany, N. Y.; Thomas E. Walsh, Cincinnati, Ohio; John M. Dickson, St. Louis, Mo. ADDEESS TO THE GRADUATES. The Rev. Edward McGlynn, D, D., delivered the address to the graduating class, it was @ speech full of Upon allusions and iriendly advice. He said that they were now on the threshold of the college with their taces towards the world. They had climbed the rugged sides of Pegasus and now viewed the world from its summit. “It is not for you,” said the reverend er hep “to stand here all your life; you were raised to chis eminence so that you might look down into the valley of life and mark out a course for yourselves. Be not premature in the decision as to the course you are going to pursue. Watch like the eagle from vhe eyry; do not take the course which looks to be the most pleasant, but look beyond and see the termini of the Several roads and see where they end. That strewn with flowers you will sce, servation, leads into the dark valley; while the rugged, dificult one leads up to the sun, You leave your alma mater to-day not to lead on closer ob- the same pleasant life you have spent within its walls, but to fight the good fignt. My dear young friends, this igs an occasion of apprehensions as well as rejoicing. You are about to enter tne arena of active life. You may come out victorious; yoa may return de- feated. But the result remains alone with you. We have no fears regarding the sword which has been placed mn your hand by four instructors, nor the — strength ol he armor with which they have invested ho It is all for you that our apprehensions are. if you are loyal to the cause in which you have been anes aud faithiul to the dictates of the conscience which has been moulded in the Catholic form our fears will have been idle, But if, on the other hand, you forget the sound moral lessons which have been read to you our fears will not have been such, but prophecies. Be not deluded by the golden bubbles which will daz ule your eyes at every step you make, from this day forward thrust them aside and pass unheed+ ingly, pressing forward to the goal you viewed on your graduating day, and God will bless your efforts with success, Let the ends you aim at be your God’s, your country’s and truth’s, Jam but the mouthpiece of the audience when I wish you a happy journey through life and god- speed, MEDALS. The pe medal for the best biographical essay on Roger B. Taney was awarded to John P. Sweeney, Mr. George Quin being next in order of merit, Mr. H, K, Doherty received the medal for rhetoric, Charles N. Bulger carried off the honors for belles- lettres, and James P, Tagan for classics. The medal for good conduct in the senior division was won by Joseph H. Maher. His Reverence the Archbishop witnessed the ex- ercises, cogs her. with a large number of the clergy from New York and Brooklyn. ANNUAL EXAMINATION AT ST, TERESA'S. Yesterday afternoon and the previous day the students of St. Teresa’s Academy, on Rutger street (conducted by the Brothers), were exam- ined in the various branches of English and classica studied by them during the year. The chiet feature of the proceedings was the exhibition of the va- rious drawings executed by some pupils of the senior classes, Among the best of them were the “Mater Dolorosa” and ‘The Felines’’ (from life), by Master A, J. Clancy; “The Young Lady,” by Master Patrick Fox, and “The Perstan Shah,’ by Master Charrett, ‘The following duets were given with effect by Masters Dufy and Grimth, “The Sleigh Ride” and “The Midnigit oe @ violin solo by Vas) A. J. Clancy; an essay on leon,” by J. J. Quinian, and “Wie man schiecte Nechrichten mit! lt,” by Masters Moss and O'Donerty. Besides the above there was quite & variety of 4) gues, songs and pg Ral: were duly appreciated, judging from the irequent out bureta of applauye that jauowed,