Newspaper Page Text
stress of the young Reclaimers. The first prize speak
er, Mr. Lofton, was, we think, most happy in choos
ing a celebrated passage of one of Shakespeare’s
plays while, on the other hand, others of the class
were unfortunate in selecting passages from sources
■of more questionable purity as models of eloquence.
The fitness of the subject is more than half the bat- ‘
tie in declamation. Shakespeare’s plays were writ- |
ten to be spoken, and how well they have answered
their end let the world declare. While we design,—
■and that too from a sense of justice, —to award high
praise to the speakers, we will suggest to some of
them that it is neither graceful nor necessary to move
about incessantly upon the stage. Should they ev
er become public speakers, they may have to confine
themselves to a pulpit or a “ stump ” even, and their
propdhsity to walk about might be unfortunate.
Tuesday was a brilliant day. The air had been
cooled the previous night by a violent storm, and
morning broke gloriously—ripening into a model
summer day. In the forenoon the “ Junior Exhibi
tion” attracted a very large*assembly in the Chapel.
Eight original addresses were delivered ; but we were
so remote from the rostrum as to lose a considerable
portion of almost every speech. The general man
ner of the speakers was easy and self-possessed. The
speech on Fashion was clever, and bore with deserv
ed severity on many follies of the day. The author
might, it is true have made much more of a subject
so admirably adapted to satire. We will not partic
ularize the other addresses as, except perhaps in one
instance, the distinction between them was not very
marked. Against one feature of perhaps all of them
we protest in behalf of the auditors and also of the
orators, we mean their length,—ten minutes, or cer
tainly fifteen, are enough for each address ; and at
the best Northern Colleges a speech of longer dura
tion would not he tolerated. Amend this error,
young gentlemen, and you will increase the interest
of your exhibition.
At the close of the Junior Orations, the prize med
als were delivered to the successful Sophomore de
claimed. This duty devolved on Professor Stevens,
in the absence of lion. 11. B. Hilliard appointed for
the occasion. It is needless to say that the duty was
well and gracefully discharged. With a becoming
pride in his pupils’ excellence, he extolled their at
tainments and incited them to greater excellence,
by holding up before them the fame of the King of
Grecian Orators, and by tracing his career of toil and
struggle from his unpromising boyhood to his man
hood so its power to sway the world by
the magic of eloquence.
The Address before the Alumni was delivered on
Tuesday afternoon by Junius Wingfield, Esq. The
theme of his discourse w r as the adaptation of South
ern Institutions and Southern Character to the de
velopment of a high-toned Literature. We should
certainly join issue with the orator on several points
of his subject, questioning not only the soundness of
his logic, but the fitness of his illustrations ; but onr
limits would forbid this, even if courtesy warranted
it. The lamentable inaction of the people of the
South in literature, is certainly prima facie evidence
against the ground assumed by the Alumni speaker.
Would that his theory—flattering and patriotic as
it is—were only sustained by the facts in the case!
On Wednesday, the Commencement Exercises
came off with much eclat. The day was remarkably
fine, and the exercises were attended by an immense
concourse of people. The orators were ten in num
ber, and we only echo the general sentiment when we
say that they all did well. We will not be so indis
criminating as to say that “ where all acquitted
themselves so nobly comparisons would be invidi
ous,” as is the usual mode of expression on such oc
casions. There were degrees of excellence, —and va
rieties of excellence, also. The speakers and their
themes were as follows —
Wm. D. Williams, D. S., [2d honor,] Harris Cos.
—Salutatory. Alphabetical writing.
Wm. W. Lumpkin, P. K. S'., Athens. —The Lyre
of the Heart.
Augustus M. Mrlver, P. K. S., Liberty Co.—
Places consecrated by Genius.
Marccllus Douglass, D. S., [2d honor,] Randolph
Co.—Present Crisis of Irelapd.
Charles S. H. Hardee, D. S. Savannah. —“ Gren
ada’s sun is set to rise no more.”
Robert E. Allen, P. K. S., Savannah. —Nation-
al Obligations.
Joseph J. Singleton, D. S., Dahlonega.—
“ For who would sink in dull Oblivion’s stream?
Who would not live in songs of distant days?”
Thomas R. Willis, P. K. S., Wilkes Eng
lish Opposition to American Institutions.
B. A. Thornton, P. K. S., [3d honor,] Macon
Cos., Ala.—Dangers which threaten the Republic.
Madison D. Cody, D. S., [lst honor,] Warren
ton.—Valedictory.
The first address was in part a Latin salutatory—
well written and well pronounced. With his Eng
lish theme Mr. Williams was fortunate enough to
make a good impression on the audience. The sec
ond speaker did himself credit in the realms of grace
and fancy, and proved himself not altogether unskil
led in the use of that wonderful lyre which formed
the theme of his discourse. We were well pleased
with Mr. Mclver’s address, and approve entirely its
honorable sentiments. Mr. Douglass showed the
§ ® ©IT BIS {& El & Q IPS S&IB V ®& 8 H Vg ♦
true fervor of enthusiasm in his speech on Ireland,
though we are not sure that his zeal was quite accor
ding to knowledge. The Fall of Grenada—in itself a
picturesque theme —became doubly attractive as the
young orator lighted up its ruins with the fires of
imagination. We mourned with him over the de
parted glories of the Moorish capital. Mr. Allen’s
views of National Obligations were creditable to the
heart as well as to the head of the speaker. They
were sensible, generous, discriminating and practical.
The next address was a manly and feeling depreca
tion of Oblivion—and exhibited a just appreciation
of the fame which belongs to those who achieve
great deeds. Mr. Willis’s speech we were not fortu
nate enough to hear. That of Mr. Thornton was
conceived in a fine spirit of blended humor and satire,
and contained some admirable points—provoking the
audience to cheerful merriment. Os the Valedicto
ry we will only say that it was marked by deep, ear
nest, ingenuous feeling, and, without the aid of mer
itrieious ornament, spoke to the heart in tones of
sadness and tenderness suited well to its character.
The address of the venerated President to the
Graduating Class was full of parental counsel —earn-
est sympathy—noble incitements, and pure lessons
of wisdom and truth.
We should have given our readers only an imper
fect record of the events of Commencement week if
we didnot include the address of Col. H. R. Jackson
before the Literary Societieson the succeeding Wfed
nesday morning. From his poetical temperament,
much was expected of him on this occasion. We are
happy to say that he nobly met the expectations of
his friends. His address was undoubtedly a master
ly production, and has added much to his already
high reputation. His theme was Courage. We
shall undoubtedly have the pleasing duty to perform
of noticing it in our Book Table, and we shall there
fore simply say of it now, that it was noble in its
theme, pure in its philosophy—lofty in its concep
tions —beautiful in its imagery—apposite in its illus
trations —convincing in its argument, and admirable
in its impression!
Thus was closed one of the most gratifying litera
ry festivals ever held in our State, and all who par
ticipated therein, with cultivated taste .and correct
perceptions of intellectual beauty, must have been
pleasantly refreshed. May the successive anniver
saries of our excellent University be each more and
more fruitful of high rewards to those who cherish it.
From its classic walls may there continually go out
noble young men, each armed, cap a pie, for life’s
struggle—and fitted by the beautiful lessons of the
Academy, blended with the stern principles of truth,
to be truly “ a hero in the strife.”
©ur gSosstp (Kolurnu*
The past week, gentle reader, has been one of an
imation and bustle in our usually quiet town. The
great annual jubilee of our College has been celebra
ted with even more than its wonted spirit and eclat.
VVe have had the pleasure of taking many of our rea
ders by the hand, and hearing from their own lips
the welcome praises of the Gazette. Several of them
have said to us, “ Your paper is a great favorite in
the parlor, and it is regularly filed by the ladies.”
We really cannot desire higher testimonials than
these, to the value of the G azette. To have it prized
in the “ dear home circle,” and preservedby the hand
of woman, is glory enough for us. Dear friends !we
shall strive the more earnestly to make the paper
worthy of the favor your indulgence thus bestows up
on it. A single word here on a subject we seldom al
lude to. In a letter recently received from a friend
and agent, we find the following passage : “ Two or
three of your subscribers, who, before they had paid
their subscriptions were somewhat inclined to find
fault with the Gazette, have, since they have paid
me, become exceedingly pleased with it and praise it
in high terms !” Now, we have recorded this simply
to remind our readers that they cannot enjoy the pe
rusal of the Gazette with the highest zest, until they
have paid for it. We hope the incredulous will, at
least, give our doctrine the benefit of a trial. “ Kind
friends —sweet friends,” we pause for your reply ! . .
. . One of our Senior Orators at the late Commence
ment exercises, indulging in some playful satire upon
the fashion of wearing a thick tuft of hair, both on
the chin and upper lip, said that there was some dan
ger of the mouth becoming in such a case, “ hair-met
ically sealed!” .... We have devoted so much
space in this number, to the Commencement festivi
ties, that we will not leave our annals imperfect by
omitting to notice the brilliant social gatherings
which marked the successive nights. On Monday
evening, we mingled with a gay throng at Dr. R’s,
where the hours flew rapidly, winged with sparkling
conversation, merry laughter and the graceful dance.
The amiable and accomplished hostess, presided with
an easy grace over the entertainment. The “ Com
mencement Fete,” at Professor L’s is regarded as
the most brilliant in the annals of our town. It was
“ a night lovely with stare,” and the spacious gar
dens around the mansion were artificially illuminated,
offering temptations to those weary of the crowded
halls —or disposed to communion with “ one fair spir
it” only. Inside, all was splendor and gaiety. At
an early hour of the f&te dancing commenced, in
spired by the music of a full and excellent band—and
for hours the voice of melody and the poetry of mo
tion reigned supreme. The young, the gay, the beau
tiful were there, and in the pauses of the dance—
“ Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage belt!”
The luxuries of the feast were provided with a lavish
bounty, and a faultless taste, and all who participa
ted in that festal scene, paid a willing tribute to its
beauty—and especially to the grace and elegance of
its presiding spirit Our last words in relation
to Commencement shall bo those which wo least like
to utter —but which, nevertheless, ought to be said.
There are defects in the arrangements for the various
public exercises, which are felt by hundreds. Wo |
think, in the first place, that the Alumni ought to be j
provided with spocial seats on Wednesday. As it is, i
they are driven from post to pillar, (literally,) and
half their interest in the doings of Alma Mater
is crushed by physical inconveniences. In the second j
place, all gentlemen connected with the public press
should be provided with a seat where they can both
see and hear the orators. We shall not be understood
as speaking for ourself, when we add that wo saw
half a dozen editors making vain efforts to see and
hear on Wednesday. At our Northern College An
niversaries, the “ Reporters” are better cared for. —
And now, “ last though not least,” we protest against
the unmannerly and savage practico of stamping
about the galleries and rattling up and down the
stairs during the speeches. We do not know that
any of those who were guilty of such pract ices, think
themselves to he gentlemen: we certainly do not ;
and if this nuisance cannot be abated by voluntary
reform, we suggest that a sufficient number of mar
shals should be appointed to insist upon a due obser
vance of a decorum which even savages would natu
rally observe And now, dear readers, one and all,
farewell.
(Due 3300fc
Publishers and authors who may wish to have their
Booka noticed in the “ Literary Gazette” will please send
copies for the editor to Burgess, Stringer &. Cos., N. York,
who will send a parcel to him every week by express.
The Cyclopiedia of Moral and Religious An
ecdotes. By the Rev. K. Arvine, A. M. New
York: Leavitt, Trow & Cos.
This is a beautifully printed Serial —to be com
pleted in eight numbers —of which five are now on
our table. The plan is an excellent one, and so far,
well carried out. The chief topics are arranged al
phabetically, and are subdivided into sections, each
of which embraces a separate head, illustrated by one
or more apposite anecdotes We subjoin a specimen
of the plan. Under the general topic of Affection,
and the subdivision of Filial Affection, the following
beautiful incident is related:
Washington’s Regard for his Mother. —General
George Washington, when quite a young man, was
about to go to sea as a midshipman ; every thing was
arranged, the vessel lay opposite his father’s house,
the little boat had come on shore to take him off, and
his whole heart was bent on going. After his trunk
had been carried down to the boat, he went to bid
his mother farewell, and saw the tears bursting from
her eyes. However, he said nothing to her ; but he
saw that his mother would be distressed if he went,
and perhaps never be happy again. He just turned
round to the servant and said, “ Go tell them to fetch
my trunk back. I will not go away to break my mo
ther’s heart.” Ilis mother was struck with his de
cision, and she said to him, “ George, God has prom
ised to bless the children that honor their parents,
and I believe he will bless you.”
The cost of each number, containing 112 pages,
in octavo, handsomely printed on fine paper, is only
25 cents. What family will be without such a trea
sure—both of instruction and gratification 1
The Germania and Agricola of Tacitus. Edi
ted, with Notes, by W. S. Tyler. New York :
D. Appleton & Cos.
We know of no edition of the Germania and Agri
cola at all comparable to this for purity of text, and
judicious annotation, and when to this we add that
the typography is beautiful, the book will be suffi
ciently commended to the classical reader.
Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic War. Ed
ited, with Notes, by Rev. J. A. Spencer. New
York: D. Appleton & Cos.
The able of this elegant edition of the cele
brated Roman General and Historian, is well known
by his valuable editions of Arnold’s Greek and Latin
Books, already so popular with the best teachers.—
The text is that of Ondendorp, carefully collated
with those of other able Commentators. The purifi ’
cation of the text of Caesar is certainly a benefit to
the classical world, for it had become exceedingly
corrupt and questionable. We like Mr Spencer’s
Notes very much, and think they will really aid the
student without actually doing the work for him.
The Hen-Pecked. A Novel, by the author of the
Flirt. Yew York: Long & Brother.
This would be a capital story if it did not shock
the propriety of every sensible Benedict by its exag
gerated picture of Mark Chitwood’s submission to
his beautiful but tyrant wife. We felt all the while ;
we were reading it, as if we should like to pull his
ears or do something worse to him, for his spiritless
submission to the imperious lady, whose annoyance
ought to have been taken down a few notches. Tin
book will boos service, however, to those in the un
fortunate Mark’s situation, by opening their eyes to
their degradation, and inciting them to a proper as
sertion of their marital dignity and preeminence.
The Student of Salamanca. New York: Long
& Brother.
This is a powerfully written tale of the Carlist
War in Spain. It is praise enough fbr the novellette
to say that it was accounted worthy to appear origi
nally in Blackwood.
Frank Gf.rnon, or a Cadet’s First year in India.
By Captain Beli.f.w. New York : Long & Bro
ther.
A lively and interesting book—narrating the ad
ventures of a lad of sixteen, who went to India with
much the same romantic notions of the immense
wealth to be realized there, as have turned the heads
of hundreds of “ younger sons” of English families.
What he saw and what lie did, and what he encoun
tered, affords materiel for an amusing record.
Practical Physiology; For the use of Schools
and Families. By Edward Jarvis, M. 1). 1
vol. 12mo. pp. 368. Philadelphia : Thomas, Cow
perthwait Cos.
The Science of Physiology is of such importance
in a course of Education, that we are astonished to
find it entirely neglected in many schools that, nev
ertheless, make pretensions to thorough instruction
of their pupils. We consider no system of Education
complete—but on the other hand, wofully defective,
where a knowledge of the human body is not em
braced. Surely every one should be taught, and that
too, as soon as he can learn, the structure, relations,
wants and uses, of his physical nature. Such knowl
edge is not only desirable, but absolutely necessary,
to the proper discharge of his duties, and we protest
against the neglect of this branch of Science. The
manual of Dr. Jarvis appears to us well suited to the
purpose for which it has been prepared—to give to
the pupil correct elementary instruction in Physiol
ogy. The style of the book is simple and perspi eu
ous. The author is practically conversant with his
theme, and therefore a proper teacher. We hope
that parents will put this volume into the hands of
their sons and their daughters ; and that intelligent
teachers will no longer neglect to make their pupils
acquainted with the science of their own being—a
science at once wonderful, beautiful and immeasura
bly important.
‘• The Vacant Professorship.
The chair of Belle-Lettres and History in the State
University vacated, at the close of the late session, by
the retirement of Professor Stevens, was filled on
Thursday, at a full meeting of the Board of Trus
tees. The Rev. W. T. Brantley of Augusta was
elected to fill this ; mportant chair, and we cordially
congratulate the friends of the College on his accep
tance of the appointment.
Our personal acquaintance, for many years, with
the Professor elect, enables us to speak confidently
of his high qualifications for the post to which he is
called; and we predict a happy result to the interests
of the College from this judicious choice of its ap
pointed stewards.
£f)e Storeman ittont<? Ikess.
Columbian Magazine. New \ork: J, S. Jaylor.
When there are so many rival magazines—of a
class, it is difficult, as it seems to be invidious, to
assign the palm of excellence to anyone in particu
lar. Without intending to do this, we may yet ex
i press our decided approval of the “ Columbian.”
It makes less pretensions to superiority than some
of its flashy compeers ; but this is rather in its favor,
since they who boast loudest, do least. The eontrib
utors of the “ Columbian” are numerous and distiu •
guished. Among them are Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Os
good, Mrs. Neal, Mrs. Judson, (Fanny Forrester,)
besides many others. Its embellishments are some
times very beautiful, and always good. We thin!
its literary contents will bear comparison with tho.-
of any kindred Magazine. In our columns this week.
will be found a specimen of its verse, by Mrs. Neal
The Union Magazine, for August. New \ork;
Jas. De Graw.
A favorite from its earliest appearance, we ha \ e
lost none of our first interest in this beautiful Month
ly, and can commend it as warmly as ever to oui ten
ders, and especially to our female triends. Mt>.
Kirkland being now abroad, the Magazine contain
agreeable papers from her pen, uuder the title of
“Sight Seeing in Europe.” The contributors do
their part well. The artists are deserving of praise,
and the publisher is determined not to be outdone by
any cotemporary in the typographical department o,
the magazine. Prosperity, say we, to the Union ‘
103