1783] ^^V- WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 89 



7. The Principal then closed the business of the Commencement, 

 with an affectionate and pathetic Charge to the Graduates, respecting 

 their future conduct in life ; and what was to be expected from them, as 

 the first or eldest sons of this rising seminary ! — 



The different speakers were honored with the justest applause of the 

 audience, for the propriety of their delivery and many masterly strokes 

 of eloquence in the different languages which they spoke, viz. : Latin, 

 French and English. — The Valedictory Oration in particular, from the 

 nature of the subject, as well as beauty of the delivery, had a very 

 striking effect upon all who were present. — 



In the evening of the same day, Dr. Young's Tragedy of the Bro- 

 thers, notwithstanding the difficulty of the composition, was acted 

 with the greatest applause before a vastly crowded and discerning audi- 

 ence, by the graduates and some others of the students. Messrs. Charles 

 Smith and John Scott, who had before distinguished themselves in 

 Tamerlane and Bajazet, as well as in some principal characters in other 

 performances, during the last years of their education, concluded their 

 scholastic labours in this way, by shining in the characters of the Two 

 Brothers ! 



The day following (viz.: on Thursday, May 15th) the Visitors and 

 Governors, the Masters, Students and Scholars, accompanied by a great 

 number of gentlemen from the neighboring counties, went in procession 

 to the hill where the new College is to be built; and after Prayer by 

 the Rev. Dr. Smith, the Foundation Stone was laid, with the proper 

 ceremony, by his Excellency, Governor Paca, who was saluted on the 

 occasion by thirteen discharges of cannon. Orations in French were 

 delivered by Messrs. Thomas Worral and Ebenezer Perkins ; and a 

 Pastoral Dialogue was spoken by three of the younger scholars, in shep- 

 herds' dresses, viz.: Messrs. Richard Smith,* Robert Buchanan and 

 Joseph Nicholson. The performance being too long, perhaps, to insert 

 at large, we give a few lines from the beginning and conclusion — 



" When Athens flourish'd with the Grecian reign. 

 And Chiefs and Heroes liv'd — a God-like Train ! 

 When by her Arms each neighbouring State was sway'd, 

 And Kings an Homage to her Warriors paid — 

 Ev'n then those Chiefs, who all the World subdu'd, 

 Lower'd their proud Faces to the Eearn'd and Good: 

 Nor with less Glory in the Rolls of Fame 

 Shines every Sage's, than each Hero's Name." 



This happy Day we glory in a Scene, 



Which Athens Self enraptur'd would have seen ; 



Science triumphant and a Land refin'd, 



Where once rude Ignorance sway'd th' untutor'd Mind ; 



-"r 



Dr. Smith's youngest son. 



