UTERAUY CONTEST. 149 



But yet tradition guards the spot 



Where Albert's bones were laid : — 

 It is a lonely, quiet nook, 



Of chequered sun and shade. 

 And thinking, in a plaintive mood. 



Upon that learful time, 

 My truant Fancy weaves the tale 



In rude and homely rhyme. 



COLLEGE RECORD. 



AxN'UAL Contest of the Literary Societies. — Among the many 

 appliances employed in Penn'a College to develope the minds of its stu- 

 dents in all directions, the annual contest of the literary societies occu- 

 pies an important place. So far as the writer has become acquainted 

 with the facts in the case, there exists an honorable rivalry between the 

 two societies, confined, however, to three particulars, viz : the desire to 

 excel in the production and delivery of essays, orations, and debates. 

 These are important, and are connected, more or less extensively, with 

 all the departments of industry in real life. We suppose that the points 

 of contest might be advantageously multiplied. Why not have contests 

 in scholarship? Which society can produce the best mathematician — 

 the most accurate linguist — the most profound natural philosopher? 

 This hint is thrown out for the benefit of those whom it may concern. 

 Personal rivalry is not pleasant, neither is it always safe. Too often, it 

 terminates in personal hostility, and produces unholy ambition. But 

 where the parties are unknown, until the contest actually occurs, and 

 excellence for the sake of the literar)^ association, or for knowledge 

 alone, is the stimulant, the highest advantages may be anticipated. 



The contest, which we took up our pen to record, was highly cred- 

 itable to the societies. Tliere was a large and attentive audience who 

 manifested their interest in the exercises, by giving their fixed attention 

 during three hours. The music was charming. The union of vocal 

 with instrumental music is certainly the way to produce the highest en- 

 joyment in melody. Wo were glad to hear that a new association has 

 been formed, in the art of sweet sounds, which justifies the hope of 

 great things. The following were the exercises of the occasion : 



Prayer — By Piev. John Ulrich. 



Essays — " The Cnnquest of Christianity^'' M. Schaefff.r, Centre 

 CO. Pa. '■'■ Language of Passion,'''' J. M. Clement, Mocksville, N. C. 



Orations — '•'•Field of Waterloo,^'' a Poem, S. Scheimer, Warren 

 CO. N.J. '•'•Babylon Destroyed,'''' J. A. HoucK,* Gettysburg, Pa. 



* Absent on account of indisposition. 



