We congratulate the managers of the literary exercises yesterday in the successful way in which they accomplished the difficult task set them. The execution of the details of the programme left nothing to be desired, and all present heartily appreciated the care with which everything had been planned. That the judgment of the committee in the distribution of the parts was the wisest, no one can doubt who was present and listened to the speakers. Mr. Hamilton's oration was masterly in conception, brilliant in execution, and extremely dignified and impressive in delivery. His bearing and intonation gave abundant testimony to the fact that elocution is taught in an admirable manner at Harvard. We can assure Mr. Hamilton that every one of his listeners was at once impressed and moved by his oration.
Mr. Palmer's poem was full of delicate and poetic touches, and showed in its smooth rythmical flow, the hand of one gifted with true talent. The progress of the college which had been rehearsed in the oration was here again presented with that additional beauty which only veritable poetic sentiment and expression could lend it.
The general solemnity of the occasion was opportunely broken by the sprightly tone in which Mr. Rich started out in his address. In it he ably covered the various vital points in the University's past and present development on which it was natural that he should address his fellow undergraduates. We must deplore, however, the fact that Mr. Rich found it wise to dwell so long and so heavily upon his criticism of the present system of instruction. It might well be questioned whether or no this was in good taste.
Mr. Garrison's intense and soulful words written to the melody of Harvard's immortal hymn, cannot be too highly praised. Into those two stanzas he breathed the true inspiration of the occasion, and the loud peal of applause by which they were followed, testified to the deep impression which his beautifully conceived thoughts had made on his hearers.
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PROPERTY FOR HARVARD COLLEGE.