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; Thursday morning the commencement .exercises of tho. Quincy Female Seminary i were , held at the Unitarian church, on jiltune street, the occasion drawing together '•one of the largest, and; most fashionable ' audiences ever assembled in this city. . In j addition to the relations andfriends of the | fair graduates there -were present a large ! number of highly interested spectators, i who expressed unqualified praise at the 1 literary feast prepared for them.■] The exercises commenced with a prelude | on the organ, followed with a solo and ; chorus by a choir selected from among the j pupils of the school. Both the instrumental and vocal execution was good, and displayed considerable musical culture among the juveniles. ' Rev. Mr. Dimmick followed with a most impressive, and appropriate prayer, in which he thanked the Allwise Providence for the gift of intellect and its capacity for culture, and prayed for the Divine blessing on the Institution and its pupils and graduates. A solo on the organ and.violin was a novel and pleasing feature, and was executed with marked ability..Mr. William Marsh, one of the Trustees of the Institution, acted as master of coremonies, introducing the several speakers.The first essay on “The Use and Symbolism of Dress” was read by Mis3 Alice Bull, and was given with a clearness of diction and delivery rarely equaled. The subject was a very pleasing one, and the fair graduate, both in “practice and in preaching,” showed herself thoroughly competent to discuss the merits of the question and illustrate'its beauties. Her portrayal of the history and progress of dress, displiyed commendable acquaintance with classic customs and costumes ; while her sarcasms on the extravagance and vagaries of the fickle goddess were worthy the attention of her lady auditors.Miss Mary Marsh then read her essay, “Our Work.” The subject though not of the woman’s rights order, still showed how much good their remains for women to do. Her pupilage did not cease when she left school, but through life she was still learning, and the wish was that the knowledge acquired would be of the good and the true.It was better for women to be good than to be great. Few men attain distinction, while many can hardly c»™ a subsistence. Woman uut intended for an ornament for “the establishment,” but for work and suffering and great duties. The essay showed evidences of careful preparation, and was alike commendable as a literary and artistic production.The choir then sang the charming chorus “Come, come, our thoughts are light and free,” the harmonious blending of so many young and fresh voices producing a pleas ing effect.The next Essay was read by Miss Nellie Marsh, on “Tho Education of Woman,” and although the theme was a somewhat hackneyed one, she displayed many original thoughts, couched in an ease and grace of style which told of fine naturnl abilities carefully cultivated.To Miss Cora Benneson was accorded tho honor of delivering the Valedictory—i say on “The Chemistry of Mind.” subject, though profound, was handled with and ability in so young an . essay! and showed that many of the problems which had puzzled philosophers from the days of Locke, had received no littlo thought from the young graduate, and many of the illustrations were evidently the result ofA noticable feature in the essays of all the graduates, was the tone of unaffected affec on displayed toward their teachers, to hose unwearying care they were indebted ir so much of their culture.A quartette, composed of Misses Edith Wolcott, Mary Bull, Lizzie Baughman, and Annie Cowell, then sung “Gentle Sister: now we Part,” in the most touching strainB, after which the Diplomas were presented to the graduates by Mr. Marsh, who spoke in feeling manner of the Institution and commended it to the fostering patronage of the people of Quincy. The success of the Institution is no longer problematical, hut assured, and its best evidence was displayed by the love shown by this, the first graduating class, to their late teachers.The address of the occasion was then delivered by Rev Mr Bartlett of Chicago, on “Our relations.to the Chinese people.” It was one of the most masterly and eloquent lectures it has ever been our fortune to listen to. He denounced in scathing terms the barbnr-treatment accorded these thrifty and harmless people on coming to our shores, and contrasted it with the uniform hospitality and courtesy extended in the Central Kingdom to emigrants from tho Occident. The vivid picture of Chinese domestic life, habits, customs and philosophy showed an astonishing familiarity with that strange people, and proved a revelation to the major portion of his audience. He contrasted the workings of the philosophy of Confucius with the hybrid civilization of the West, where Christianity is made to cloak thousand sins. The Chinese was the Yankee of the Orient, and only needed a knowledge of God to place him in tho front rank if not' above all other civilizations. lie spoke forcibly of the duties of our people in solving this question. Already thousands of these people are crowding to §d our shores ; while at no distant day mjTiads of others may follow in their footsteps. He ridiculed the popular idea of the typical Chinaman, and spoke of a number of the customs and habits which we might adopt with advantage. He gave a keen review of England’s aggressions on this people, and blamed them hot for rejecting a Christianity in which they saw but an infamous opium trade or most unholy war. We regret that our Bpace will not permit us to follow the gifted speaker through his argument, or to give even a brief synopsis of its many excellent points.After the singing of the hymn ‘'America,” in which many of the audience joined, Rev. Mr. Hunting delivered the benediction and dismissed the audience.The whole affair was most excellently managed, and all who were fortunate enough to be present, will long remember the first Commencement exercises of the Quincy Female Seminary.sistgre:
Newspaper Details
Quincy Whig
Quincy, Illinois, US
Sat, Jun 26, 1869
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Susun W.
USA 12 Mar 2024
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