Rhode Island American

COLLEGE EXHIBITION.

The Exhibition in our University by part of the Junior Class, on Wednesday last, could not have failed to excite the approbation of the very numerous auditory who filled the Chapel to overflowing, on the occasion. What has been heretofore remarked of the progressive improvement of the young gentlemen of the University, in the departments of writing and elocution, might with still greater propriety be said of the performances of Wednesday. A judicious selection of themes, an easy, chaste and unpretending style of composition, a distinct enunciation, and generally an appropriate and forcible action, were distinguishing traits of the performances, which certainly reflected much credit on the young gentlemen engaged in the exercises, and on the University. The progress of a correct taste in this department, is of great importance to the character of the University. Though perhaps not the best, still it is the most public test of the proficiency of its students, and like the manners of an individual, goes farther than anything else, in making up our estimation of the advantages to be derived from a course of instruction at the Institution. Good taste may be considered in some degree, a moral as well as a literary attribute, and the mind, that is under its influence is much more favourably disposed to receive impressions of the fitness of things, to imbibe correct and virtuous sentiments, and to shun every grossness or perversion of feeling, than when left to its own undirected impulses.

We do not believe a person could possess the refined taste of an Addison without partaking in a good degree of moral excellence, and the man, having the means of cultivating his understanding, who could deliberately commit a monstrous figure, and outrage the decency of literary taste; might, if unrestrained, be easily led to some act of moral turpitude.

We might particularize a number of the performances that were deserving of direct approbation as correct classical productions. The effects of national and local Associations, The influence of Prejudice, The progress of Time, Science and Literature superior to Art, and several other of the performances were highly creditable to their authors as marking a correct taste and maturity of understanding: The poetry was of a high order, and though not remarkable for the boldness that strikes, it was highly distinguished with the chasteness and purity that charm and delight.