The Daily Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4.

On Wednesday last, agreeably to regular appointment, a Commencement was celebrated at the University of Pennsylvania, with the customary solemnities. The Trustees and Faculty met early in the Apparatus Chamber, to adjust some preliminary business. A little after ten o'clock they passed in procession, followed by the Graduates, into the Public Hall, where a very respectable Assembly had already convened. Immediately after, the Honorable the Vice-President of New-Jersey College, the Clergy of the city, and many other persons of eminence, were also present.

After the performance of an anthem, vocal and instrumental music coalescing, the Provost delivered a solemn prayer adapted to the occasion. Then the following exercises took place in their appointed order.

A Latin salutatory Oration—in which was shown the supreme advantage of a virtuous education; and, that purity and good manners in youth, are the only sure grounds of success and eminence in literature. By Mr. James Robins.

An Oration on the benefits redounding to the community from Agriculture;—the pleasure and respectability of the life of an intelligent Farmer. By Mr. Abijah Davis.

A descriptive Oration on the Philosophical knowledge of Nature, particularly with regard to those subjects and scenes in the creation, which are obvious to every rational inquirer.—The exquisite entertainment and profit which attend the study of this branch. By Mr. William Hewson.*

A Discourse, in which were portrayed the gradual advances of civilization, social manners, and government:—the influence, in particular, which the tillage of the earth and rural employments have upon these—the pleasing prospects that now open on this country. By Mr. William Morris.

A Forensic Disputation concerning the existence of that general kingdom of nature, called 'the Material World.'—Denied by Mr. James P. Wilson—Affirmed by Mr. Nathaniel Harris. The arguments of the disputants were managed on metaphysical principles.

The degree of Bachelor of Arts was then conferred on the afore-named young gentlemen, including the Salutatory Speaker, viz. Abijah Davis and Nathaniel Harris, of New-Jersey, William Hewson, Michael Keppele, and William Morris, of Philadelphia, James Robins, of Maryland, and James P. Wilson, of the Delaware State.

The following young gentlemen were admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Physic: James Beatty and John M'Clellan, of Pennsylvania, Reverdy Ghiselin, of Maryland, William Parker, A.M. of South-Carolina, Francis Bowes Sayre, and Henry Stuber, A.M. of Philadelphia.

Those graduates had not only finished their studies under very able practitioners, but attended the several courses of lectures given by the medical professors; likewise the courses in Natural Philosophy; and agreeably to the rules of the University—particularly the medical institutions—they had undergone both private and public examinations, as strict as those observed in regard to the other candidates.

The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on the following gentlemen:—Robert Patterson, Professor of Mathematics in the University, Rev. Henry Waddell, of New-Jersey, Samuel Prioleau, of South-Carolina, Joseph Millar, of the Delaware State, Philip Physick, of Philadelphia, and John Gummill.

The degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on Nicholas Baker Ridgely, B.M. of Philadelphia. This gentleman had prepared and submitted to the examination of the Governors of the University, the Faculty, and such other literary persons as might think proper to examine it, a Latin Dissertation or Essay—'Tentamen Medicum Inaugurale, de Scarlatina Cynanche.'

The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on the Rev. Robert Blackwell, Rev. Nicholas Collins and the Rev. Samuel Jones, in consideration of their abilities and eminence in life.

Valedictory oration—On the establishment of universities and public seminaries of learning:—history thereof:—general utility:—A solemn taking of leave. By Mr. Michael Keppele.

A parting charge to the graduates—excitement to perseverance in study—and the exalted pleasure of being truly good and useful as well as learned. By the provost.

Short address to the hon. the Trustees and the rest of the audience; and concluding prayer. By the vice provost.

Sublime musical selections vocal and instrumental. The university is under great obligations to Mr. ADGATE, who conducted the music on this occasion, heightening much the entertainment of the day; and to the gentlemen who aided him; but particularly the Young Ladies.

* Erratum to William Hewson, F.R.S. the eminent Anatomist, so well known among men of Science, and so justly esteemed an ornament of that profession, to which, by his too minute researches, he unfortunately died a martyr.