Providence Daily Advertiser

PROVIDENCE DAILY ADVERTISER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1829.

COMMENCEMENT.--The sixtieth commencement of Brown University was observed on Wednesday last with more spirit than we had anticipated, though there appeared to be a less number of strangers in town, and of Alumni in the procession, than usual. The arrangement of having no interval between the exercises, not being generally known, the audience was less brilliant and less numerous than was formerly the case, particularly in the afternoon. We doubt the expediency of this innovation, though the exercises may be got through with tolerably well provided there are no more performances than there were on this occasion. It, however excludes many from attending who cannot well endure the high pressure of such an assemblage for more than half a day, and operates unfavorably for the performers at the close of the exercises.

The order of exercises presents a sameness, in the unavoidable succession of orations and dissertations, that might be improved upon by disputations, poems, &c. which would greatly increase the interests of the audience, and relieve the speakers from a monotony that becomes tedious. No indication is given of the relative rank of the performers, an omission that is hardly just to those who have fairly won a distinction, the attainment of which is one of the strongest impulses that operate upon the student.

In fact it is too obvious to escape remark that there is somewhere an indisposition to give a popular turn to this anniversary, which we should suppose was hardly calculated to promote the reputation of the College abroad. Persons attending from various parts of the country, carry home with them the impression derived from witnessing the literary exercises and the appropriate ceremonies of commencement; and this occasion is the only one which brings the public in immediate contact with the college. Too much pains, therefore, cannot be taken to render it as attractive as is consistent with the general character of literary exhibitions.

An aversion also appears to be entertained toward any measures calculated to excite the interest of the Alumni in the success of the institution. We hope to see these defects remedied, and a greater diversity given to the performances, as well as some rule established in the designation of the parts, that is not confined to the Faculty and the students. We understand that in the present order of exercises, (which was published in our last) the designation "Oration," implied the first rank, "intermediate Oration," the second rank, and "An Oration," the third rank, rather a fanciful mode of denomination.

Speaking in general terms, the performances were respectable, and the subjects judiciously selected, with a suitable adaptation to modern times, rather than a pedantic affectation of what is erroneously termed classical learning; by which students are too apt to understand a trite eulogium on the Greeks and Romans, and a catalogue of personages whose biographies are to be found in Lempriere's Dictionary. The advancement of the age has gone far beyond this point, and there are interests of high moment, and mental developments of vast consequence, all around us, better calculated for the exercise of imagination, reason, and profound thought, and better adapted to gratify and instruct an intellectual assemblage than all the resources of the ancients can furnish, except in tracing their immediate influences upon the period in which we live. The exercises of which we are speaking, were generally free from this too common error, and though there was nothing that can be called brilliant there was much that was substantial, and even where there was little to please, there was less to offend correct taste and sound judgment.

The compositions indicated rather too much of a mechanical discipline in their construction, but if there was little originality of thought, there were no crudities of fancy, and no palpable violations of the common sense rules of rhetoric. On the whole the general correctness and good sense that prevailed, were creditable to the young gentlemen and to their instructors.

The oration "on the economical effects of intellectual culture," though the title is in bad taste, was a manly production, full of discriminating observation, evincing that the author had not merely read, but studied the writers on political economy, and well digested their leading principles. His remarks on productive and unproductive consumption, and the sources of national wealth, were sound and sensible. The whole, in thought and style, would have done honor to a speaker much farther advanced in study, and of a more mature intellect--Elocution good.

The oration on Religious principle, as the best means of preserving a government, was a very sensible piece, except in a slight approach to cant in urging the impossibility of the existence of government, without the influence of correct religion principle. In other respects the views of the speaker were founded on premises that cannot be shaken and were forcibly illustrated by examples in the history of nations. The subject presented for consideration, and well enforced, were deserving a more lasting impression than that which during the performance the speaker evidently made in his own favor--Manner bad.

The youthful orator who discussed "the means of perpetuating our civil institutions," we shall perhaps praise too much, because he is a Providence lad, and gave us some practical arguments on the true means of preserving these institutions by the extension of education and the encouragement of our own industry, that were particularly appropriate in this community. We were surprised to hear so correct a view of this subject from a mere lad just emerged from the recitation room--Delivery spirited.

The youth of the speakers, on "The Atheist," and "The most suitable form of government for Greece," interested the audience and made them forget some faults (particularly the very incorrect pronunciation of the latter) in the general excellence of their productions. The first evinced an elevated moral feeling, and the latter exhibited the undisciplined materials for a good orator.

The "Oration on the memory of the dead" was a good specimen of composition, but a failure in its attempts at pathos. The Salutatorian, on individual influence, entered too minutely into the biography of eminent men, as the mode of illustrating his subject, a fault also committed by the speaker on German Literature. The oration & addresses of the Valedictorian may have been very good, as all concede to him excellence in scholarship, but we could not hear a single sentence. (By the way this young gentleman, who received as he deserved, the highest distinction of his class, is from South Carolina: an evidence that sectional feelings have no improper influence with our Northern Colleges in the distribution of their honors.)

The addresses to the audience were dispensed with, another innovation on old customs, but not a bad one. The style and matter of the speakers, though abounding too much in common place, were much more acceptable than the manner, which in enunciation, grace, freedom, and particularly pronunciation, indicate that a professor of oratory would not be a useless appendage to the College.

The degree of A. B. was conferred on the following graduates:

John U. Bird, John A. Bolles, Barzillai Carpenter, W. B. Carpenter, J. W. Cooke, C. W. Crouch, S. Coney, Jun. Theophilus P. Doggett, Wm. T. Dorrance, Nathan Dresser, Jun. Elisha Dyer, Jun. Albert W. Fiske, Charles Gordon, Stephen P. Hill, Charles H. Holmes, Henry A. Miles, John D. Sweet, Quartus M. Webb, Welcome Wilmarth, Isaac D. Wilson.

The degree of A. M. was conferred in course, on 17 former graduates of the College, Reverend Horatio Potter of Washington College, John Stephens of Middlebury, and Rev'd Frederick Augustus Farley of Harvard. A. M. were admitted to the same degree here. The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred on Joseph G. Totten, Lt. Col. of U. S. Engineers. No medical, and no other honorary degrees were bestowed.

The exercises were concluded at half past 2 o'clock after which the procession returned to the Colleges, and nearly two hundred persons sat down to an excellently provided dinner in the Common Hall. Had the question been put who had most contributed to gratify taste on this day, we fear that Steward Elliot, with his substantial edibles, pastry and fruit would have carried a large majority. Among the guests were President Nott, of Union College, Hon. John Holmes of Maine, Mr. Richardson, member of Congress from Plymouth, Mass. Judge Coney, of Maine, Messrs. Burges and Pearce members of Congress from R. I., Chief Justice Eddy, the venerable Dr. Messer, late President of the College, and a large number of the Reverend Clergy.