Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/466

462 the Prize Medal, already narrated. " The last Exercise was a Dialogue in Honor of the Friends of America, and two Odes on Liberty and Patriotism. The Dialogue was spoken by Mr. Richard Lee and Mr. Phineas Bond, and the Odes 3 sung by the two Master Banksons, accompanied by the Organ, and the whole was received with the utmost marks of Approbation from a candid audience. The Vice Provost concluded with Prayer," and with a graceful reminder for the Charity Schools. The Provost having given notice that some of the Trustees would attend at the Gates, to receive the free will offerings of pious and well dis- posed Persons, for the use of the Charity Schools, about Forty Pounds were collected a great proof of the Generosity of the Public and their readiness to encourage this useful institution on all occasions. The sun was already declining in the western sky when the participants in this day's doings in the College Hall wended their homeward ways with the most pleasing reflections upon their country and upon the College. The young men who this day " commenced " their Life had upon them the brightest harbinger of their country's welfare and happiness, yet the shadows soon gathered and in a few years the classmates found themselves scattered and about equally placed on the opposing sides in the great controversy. One of the odes com- posed by young Hopkinson had an allusion to Col. Barre's visit on a former occasion to the College : Nor let our Barr6* s worth be lost to Fame Barr6, who deigned to grace these humble Walls, And listen partial to our Infant Strains; Who joy'd to see the Seeds of Sacred Truth And Freedom, planted in a distant land; Nor yet forgets our Cause. 4 The fervor of the descriptions of the College Commence- ments in these early years as prepared by the Provost, and often 8 " Two odes written chiefly by one of the Candidates, Thomas Hopkinson, B^ A." Penna. Gazette, 5 June, 1766. Exercises in this College, when some of the gentlemen who received their Degrees on the present occasion, were very young, and making their first appearance as speakers." Penna. Gazette, 5 June, 1766.
 * " Col. Barre while in America was pleased to be present at several of the