succeeded till the spell of the Sleep-Spirit was broken, and || the display of talent and acquirement which they have the child awoke. Then came a vision from an eager boy, and his dream was fame! Two paths were opened before him but the one was watered by streams of blood, and at the sight he sickened; the other was barren to his unskilled eye, yet near it bloomed the bright flowers of Poesy. He chose that; and in fancy, drank deep draughts from the fount of the Muses, and bound the laurel-crown of genius upon his brow. The dream of manhood was of wealth. Long did he revel in visions of gold and glittering gems, and the treasures and fabrics of lands where stood ancestral trees, and castles whose walls were clad with aged ivy. He dreamed of long rent-rolls, and servitors in jewelled armour, as in the olden days of chivalry. He saw himself the envied master of riches untold; and, in the fulness of his joy, he awoke, and it was but a dream! Then I looked upon one notorious for crime. He started and groaned, for in his visions the ghastly forms of the murdered passed before him; and each paused before he passed, and uncovered to his gaze the wound from which the blood still flowed; and said, "Your blood for mine! your blood for mine!" He turned to flee, but behold a deep and fathomless abyss, from which the dense smoke wreathed itself into horrid forms, and with a wild shriek he, too, awoke. Then came an old and hoary-headed man. He dreamed of the rest for the children of God, and of those who have already entered therein. The wife of his youth, and the children of his manhood beckon him on, and he stretches forth his eager arms to them; but the spell is dissolved, the vision of the old man has sped away. Then passed before my eyes the dream of the lonely captive in his cell. His mind wandered back to the days of innocent boyhood, when his father joined in his youthful sport; or his young mother sat beside him beneath the old and stately elms, and taught him the way to Heaven. And then he stood beside that mother's couch on that sorrowful morning. He heard again her earnest tones, her dying prayer. A hallowed influence came over his soul; again his mother is beside him and whispers of repentance. His heart is softened, he weeps, but the dream has passed and the captive is again alone. Then, too, my own visions stood revealed. The prize of mental toil glittered before me; the golden honours of our classic hall were within my grasp. There were youthful forms, and glowing checks, and beaming eyes glancing around, and brows that bore the impress of all that is loveable in woman; but the prize was mine, I had knelt before the revered form of him whose hand was to bestow it. I felt its silken band encircling my neck, a shout of exultation burst from my lips! Alas! the spell of silence, as of sleep, was broken, my vision had passed, it was a dream! In the absence of the Committee, the Report on the Compositions of the Third Department was read by the Hon. Morris Franklin. The committee to whom was assigned the selection, from the compositions of the Third Department, of the one which, in their judgment, was entitled to the medal, would express the great pleasure which they have felt in the endeavour to discharge their duty. met. They found themselves interested in the occupation, and arose from the examination, with a deep impression of the value of that institution which had been enabled to call forth such exercise of intellect, and power of expressing thought. The committee were surprised by the variety of topics which had been selected, as well as by the able manner in which some of them had been treated. They did not expect to find in the efforts of young ladies, none of whom, they were informed, were over fourteen years of age, essays of so high a character. But many of those submitted to them, would not be deemed unworthy of persons of far more mature minds. They would especially mention the two historical sketches-"The Life of Luther," and "The death-bed of Mozart," both manifesting graphic power, discrimination and moral elevation. Those also bearing the titles, "The Pilgrim," and "Castle-building," possess, in the judgment of the committee, high claims, and afford rich promise. Next in the scale of merit, they would place the compo. sitions entitled, "The Magic Mirror," and "Thanks be to God for mountains." The latter, displaying considerable thought and generally well expressed, and the former, ingenuity and observation of human nature. These, with a single exception, the committee consider the most deserving, and would, perhaps, have difficulty in deciding between them, were they compelled to do so. The exception to which they refer, is entitled, "The Winds soliloquy," to the author of which, they would assign the palm. There is about this composition, as one of the members of the committee remarked, "a vigour and freshness," truly delightful; it is also accompanied by a melody of style, and poetical lightness, which captivate the reader. The author evidently enjoyed her theme, and was present, by her imagination, amid the scenes which she endeavours to describe. The committee would only add an expression of pleasure and of approbation, with reference to the excellence of the hand-writing and the care with which it has been executed. New-York, July 10, 1844. M. S. HUTTON, G. T. BEDELL, N. P. WILLIS. Professor Mason, of the New-York University, was invited to read the Prize Composition of the Third Department. In some prefatory remarks, he alluded in very flattering terms to the essay he was about to read, and to others which had been submitted to him, and said, in literary merit, he thought they would not suffer in comparison with the best productions of the graduating classes of the Colleges and Universities of the country. PRIZE ESSAY OF THE THIRD DEPARTMENT. BY MISS JANE S. WOOLSEY. THE WIND'S SOLILOQUY. I AM the wind, the free, the unfettered wind. Man may chain the heaving Hellespont, but me he cannot bind. But there is One whom even the winds obey. At his command, I pass over the fair face of earth, now bringing desolation and dismay, and now joy and beauty. When the world arose from chaos, then was I chosen to perform my office. They entered upon the work with some anxiety, when || I sang my lays in Eden's bowers, and every swaying borgh they found so large a number of compositions submitted and murmuring rivulet, every cave and hoary mountain beto their inspection, but they have been much gratified by came my instrument. 5 from what far-off|| waft him safely to his destined port; and he fancies he hears, on its wings, the glad voices of his friends, welcoming their Ye may not question whence I am, clime I come, sweeping heaven's broad stary dome, in storm and in sunshine, in winter's gloom, and in summer's radi- wanderer home. ance. Where the boldest keel has never ploughed, along the glassy arctic shore, my voice peals deep and hoarse. In that dreary clime, never visited by smiling spring, I raise my bold and sublime organ notes, and man has never heard those wild melodies. My low murmuring lulls the young birds to rest in their mossy homes. I wander over the ocean waves, sporting among the bright islands that sleep upon its bosom, and waking glad music among their trees and rills. I fly over the sweet blossoms, and the low bending violet gives forth her fragrance, pure and sweet, as when I visited her in the fields of Paradise-I have passed through the window of the maiden, and swept over the silver chords of the lute, drawing from it "Such a soft, floating, witchery of sound As twilight elfins make, when they at eve I steal in at the half-opened window, and fan the fevered "God's blessing breathed upon the fainting earth." But in the chilling month of November, when the blue sky is overcast and the trees begin to put on their "winter robe of purest white," I rush through the forest, bowing the sturdy oaks, and prostrating the pride of the greenwood. hurl to the skies a cloud of yellow leaves, and sing among the withered boughs, the requiem of the dying year. Then I rush to the ocean, and the creaking and groaning masts, the rattling timbers, and torn sails, tell fearful tales of my violence. And in the dark gloomy night, when the moon and the stars veil their faces, and the sturdiest mariners talk in fearful whispers, when the sky is lowering, and the tem-. pest comes on apace, wildly I shake the noble ship, making every timber heave and groan. Now I lift the vessel upon a mountain wave, now send her shivering down a watery abyss. Crash echoes crash, the quivering spars fall one by one, the waves dash over the shattered deck, and the sailors sink into the ocean's depths, "Without a grave, unknelled, uncoffined, and unknown." Then, then is my season of revelry; then I shout and how! in my triumph, until, weary of my work of devastation, I sink to rest. In the sweet spring-time, when the earth shakes off her wintry slumbers, I unlock the icy fetters of the brooks, and wherever I breathe upon the wakening earth, there springs life and beauty. My way you may trace by the opening flowers, and the budding leaves. The velvet moss I make brighter and softer, and I give a fringe of deeper green to the swaying boughs of the dark pine-trees. I steal over the brow of the aged grandsire as he watches the children at their sports, and as I lift the silvery locks from his forehead he blesses the sweet breeze of spring. Then how welcome am I to the mariner, as I fly over the sea, rippling the waters, and filling the snowy sails, and, with a gentle motion, propelling the proud ship on her way over the deep. The sailor leans over the side of his vessel, and wonders if the same sweet breeze that fans him will I bring to the listening ear, warbling of gay birds, rustling of young boughs, and strains of far-off music. A thousand flowers by-the way side and by the borders of the babbling of the blue lake break into small waves and sparkle, and brooks, bow their heads at my approach. The clear waters dance as I come. I have been to the lofty cathedral, and, entering the door. way, encountered a gay bridal procession. I wandered among the marble aisles, and shook the lofty casement until, approaching the young and lovely bride, I gently lifted back the snowy veil from her fair brow, waving her bright spoke, I caught the silvery tones of her gentle voice, and ringlets and whispering sweet hopes to her; and, as she bore them on to cheer some drooping heart. Then I passed over field and forest, till I came to "the I have seen empires, "the pride of other days," crumble I have a song for every mood. I pour it forth at noon, Prof. West read the following Report in behalf of the Committee on Mathematics: The committee appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Rutgers Female Institute, to witness the examination in Mathematics, and to award the gold medal to the best pupil in that department, report: That from the examination of the two higher classes in Algebra, Geometry, Plane and Solid, and Plane Trigonometry, they are satisfied, that the attainments of the young ladies in these subjects, is nearly as extensive, and quite as thorough, as those which are made in our best colleges. In Algebra, the committee were particularly pleased with the skill and readiness with which equations of the higher degrees, by varied artifices, were reduced, so as to afford solutions by evolution, or by the methods of ordina ry quadratics. In Geometry, the young ladies examined, appeared to treatise of Legendre. Plane Trigonometry, they had studied be perfectly acquainted with the whole of the excellent analytically, and their Mathematical powers were evinced by the intelligence with which they deduced general formu. las, and explained their use and modifications according to circumstances, as well as by the solution of a variety of cases of Trigonometry, applied to the measurement of heights and distances. The committee were struck with one peculiarity in the demonstrations. That natural quickness, which characthem so much the appearance of intuition, was carried into terizes the operations of the female mind, and which gives the close and difficult reasoning which they were called upon to employ with remarkable effect. The performances at this examination, when considered in connexion with the shortness of the period, during which the young ladies who sustained it have been engaged upon mathematical studies, have demonstrated a truth, which had been often called in question, that the female mind is, by nature, perfectly adapted to these severe and logical studies; a truth which derives still stronger confirmation from the fact, that the accomplished individual under whose instruction these young female mathematicians have latterly been placed, is herself of the same sex. In awarding the medal, the committee are governed by the result of a private examination in the presence of the Principal, during which, the candidates were obliged to solve a large number of difficult problems, after the manner of conducting examinations at the University of Cambridge, in England. The committee, however, took occa. sion to put a number of questions calculated to test the original powers of the successful competitor, which were answered in the most intelligent and satisfactory manner, and they doubt not, that the young lady justly entitled to the reward, is Miss Emily R. Cartwright. The committee were greatly gratified with the examina. tion of the other young ladies, more particuiarly, of Misses Mary Morgan, Emma C. Carter, Julia L. Larocque, Julia West and Phebe E. Hull, who are deserving of very special commendation. CHARLES W. HACKLEY, Rev. Dr. Baird read the following Report on French: The committee appointed to attend the examination of the French Department, of the Rutgers Female Institute, report: That they have this day spent several hours in a careful and thorough examination of the several classes that are engaged in the study of the French language, and literature, and that they have been exceedingly gratified with the progress which they have made-a progress which reflects the highest credit upon the industry, perseverance and talents of the pupils, and the faithfulness and capacity of their excellent teacher, Mademoiselle Josephine Giroud. When they consider how small a portion of the time of the pupils, has been bestowed upon the study of the French, -scarcely an hour a day-the committee are surprised at the advance which they have made in this branch of their studies. The young ladies in the first class, eight in number, have attained a most creditable degree of knowledge of the principles of French Grammar, and a surprising facility in the art of composing and speaking in that language. They need nothing but an industrious application to this study for some months longer, to make them so far proficient in the language, as to be able to read it with great facility, and to write and speak it well. The committee have found it to be no easy or enviable duty to decide, who, of the young ladies, of the first class, is entitled this year, to the medal which the Institute con. fers upon the best French scholar. They have, however, come to the conclusion, that this honour belongs to the author of the essay, entitled, "Jesus Marchant sur la Mer." At the same time, they must say, that all the other members of the class, deserve great commendation for the proficiency which they have attained. The committee cannot conclude without saying, that it seems to them in the highest degree desirable, that young ladies who attempt to learn French, should continue the study long enough to enable them to master the language thoroughly. It is absurd to suppose, that the employment of one hour per day, will secure an adequate knowledge of any foreign language unless the study be continued through several years. The committee venture to make a remark on the books which should be used in the study of the French. It seems to them to be very important, that the classes which study French, should, as soon as they have attained a sufficient knowledge of the language, pursue as many of their studies as possible through the medium of it. Profane and Sacred History, Natural History, and several other branches of knowledge, might be well prosecuted in that language, Excellent French Manuals, on these subjects, written with great beauty and pureness of style, can now be easily ob tained, and the etudy of them by the pupils would wonder. fully promote and mature a knowledge of the language in which they are written. The small histories of Michelet and Bonnechoze, several of the works of M. Poupel, and many others which might be named, are admirably adapt. ed to the use of pupils in this and other Institutions in our country, who are engaged in the study of the French lan guage; and nothing could be more interesting to the minds of advanced students, than the celebrated History of the Reformation, by Merle d'Aubrigné. The committee repeat, in terminating their report, that they deem the examination which they have just attended, eminently creditable to the Institute. New-York, July 5, 1844. R. BAIRD, John H. Williams, Esq., in behalf of the Committee on Penmanship, read the following Report: The committee appointed to examine the writing of the pupils of the Rutgers Institute, have carefully inspected the specimen and writing books of the various departments, and 27, the next best, in the First Department; the last and are of opinion, that No. 19 is the best, and Nos. 31, two being so near a like as to make a decision between them, a very difficult question, but for the sake of a decision, they are placed in the above order. In the Second Department the same difficulty has oc The second and third classes have also made a most commendable progress, and have abundant encouragement to persevere in their attempts to acquire a good knowledge of a language which may be justly styled the universal language of highly educated society throughout the civilized world, and which serves as a common medium of intercourse and communication between the best inform-curred, in deciding between Nos. 8 and 24, the best two ed classes of people, in so large a portion of the most cultivated nations. The committee do not feel competent to decide, which members of these classes, should be selected for special commendation. This task, they think, may be safely left to the impartial judgment of their accomplished teacher. They may be allowed, however, to express their gratification at the progress of all, and the hope, that they will all persevere in the good cause upon which they have entered. specimens of this department. If Nos. 27 in the first, and 24 in this department, cannot receive premiums, they are fully entitled to the commendation of being "beautiful writers." In the first division of the Third Department, No. 4 is the best, and Nos. 31 and 17, the next; the last two, about equal to each other. In the second division of the Third Department, No. 34 is the best. In third divivision of the Third Department, No 11 is | mind is capable of enjoying its own manifestations, much the best. In the Fourth Department, No. 27 is the best, in the first division, and No. 21 in the second. In the Fifth Department, No. 17 is the best, in the first division, and No. 1 is thought to be the best in the second, although there are several others nearly as good. In the Sixth Department, No. 2 is rather the best. New-York, June 26, 1844. B. H. RAND, GEO. T. TRIMBLE. less of revelling in the sweets of its own imaginings. The introduction of Calisthenics as a regular branch in our schools and seminaries, especially those for females, where it is most needed, is therefore hailed as a new and happy era in education. If faithfully taught, its result will be, not merely to increase the strength of body and mind, but will tend also to counteract the effects of errors in dress, the pernicious influences of which are not confined to the one generation. It will lend a grace and dignity to the form and carriage, which no unnatural compression of, or addition to, the figure, ever can. It is a well ascertained fact, that distortions of the spine, diseases of the lungs, of the circulation, and of the nervous system, are far more prevalent among females than males. This can only be attributed, justly, to the difference in the course of life, and mode of education pursued by them re Dr. John H. Griscom read the Report in behalf of the spectively. Supposing then, that from this hour, the rising Committee on Calisthenics. The Committee appointed by the Trustees of the Rutgers Female Institute to remark upon the subject of Calisthenics, and to give their views upon the propriety and necessity of its introduction in the Institute as a branch of education, respectfully report: female generation should be brought up in principles equally in accordance with the laws of nature, not to say of humanity, as are the other sex, it would not be expecting too much, that in the next generation, curved spines and uneven shoulders would be obsolete, consumption confined to comparatively insignificant numbers, and other diseases kept longer at bay, with sounder minds in sounder bodies; a greater length of years and more real enjoyment of life, would be the happy lot of many now destined to suffering and a premature grave. The committee are of opinion that the physical exercises taught in the Institute must have a marked tendency, so far as they go, in alleviating the burdens now imposed by un The importance of bodily exercise, in any and every form, to the just and proportionate developement of the frame, as well as to the maintainance of sound health and power of endurance, is now so well understood, that nothing but sheer ignorance or blindness, will attempt its denial. In theory, its usefulness is admitted by all intelligent persons. If abstained from for a certain period, the de-natural fashion. They would, however, impress upon the mands of nature are so urgent and unequivocal, that instinct becomes a powerful supporter of the truth, in language which cannot be misunderstood. Trustees the necessity of attention to the habits of the pu pils at other hours than those devoted to these exercises, and studiously correct their positions in class and at the Yet in many of the ordinary operations of life, in the ed-desk; and we would urge also upon their parents, attention ucation of their children, in their modes of dress, in the re- to them at home during their hours of repose, as well as strictions of society, and in the requisitions of imaginary when engaged in active duties or in study. delicacy of deportment to which even people of education submit, they give a practical denial to the wholesome law of nature, that the lungs were made for expansion, and the muscles for exercise. So many and so complicated are the functions of the ani mal system, and so intricately united are they with each other, that the influence, for evil or for good, of the sound or unsound condition of one upon that of the others, is manifest to every one who has made the structure of the organs the subject of his study or reflection. The muscular system, in which resides the physical strength of the individual, and the cultivation of which is the direct object of Gymnastics and Calisthenics, has, by its relations to the other functions of the body, a powerful influ. ence in promoting and sustaining their soundness and vigor. It is to the physical frame what memory is to the mental constitution. The cultivation of the one adds strength, facility and acumen to the other constituents of the mindthe education of the former gives to the other functions of the body their full physiological power, and keeps them in a condition of vigorous health. If it is proper to store the memory with facts, if geogra phy, arithmetic, reading, and writing, are necessary to make a respectable, useful and happy mind, then the cultivation and due developement of the muscular system are no less a sine qua non for the enjoyment of robust health and the attainment of longevity, in both sexes. One step further, and the physiological chain is complete; it is plain to the dullest understanding, that without good bodily health, no JNO. H. GRISCOM, The Report on Drawings and Paintings was read by J. Whitehorne, Esq. The committee appointed to examine the Drawings and Paintings of the Rutgers Female Institute, respectfully report: That the specimens in Oil Painting, submitted to them, are highly creditable to the young ladies whose productions they are, and evince a degree of excellence which must be very gratifying to the friends of the Institute. For the best Oil Painting, they award the premium to a Landscape, marked No. 5, “A view of Sorrento and Bay of Naples." This picture excels in general effect, and the distance and foreground are painted in a manner that does much credit to the lady artist. Nos. 2, 3, and 7, Landscapes, are pleasing pictures, and in some parts, quite equal to No. 5. The sky and distance of No. 3, are very good. No. 42, a Landscape, is also a pleasing performance, and deserves notice for its freedom of pencilling, particularly in the foliage. Several Landscapes, not entered for competition, are remarkably well executed. There being no Landscapes in water colours, the committee would suggest, that the premium intended for that department be given to the best Crayon drawing of the hu man figure, or any part thereof, and that in future, Crayon drawings of the human figure, and Landscape, be considered as distinct classes, and that premiums be offered for the best in each class. The premium is awarded to a head, the size of life, marked No. 31. It is well drawn, and finished with a degree of care that promises much for the lady's future efforts. No. 13, is a well drawn head, and with more attention to finish, would have been thought deserving the premium. No. 35, bust of a female in Italian costume, is remarkable for breadth of effect and firmness of outline. There are several others of nearly equal merit. Among which, we would particularize Nos. 30, 91, 97 and 99, all heads. The last two named, are exceedingly well done, possessing a great breadth of shade and light, and a fine general effect, without in any degree neglecting a careful finish of the parts. No. 36, a hand with drapery, is well drawn and carefully shadowed. The pupils should be impressed with the importance of carefully finishing drawings of the extremities. For the best Landscape in Crayon, the premium is awarded to No. 23, which is remarkable for freedom of touch, and a proper attention to Erial perspective. Nos. 20, 27, 49, 53 and 59, are deserving of much praise. FLOWERS.-The committee found some difficulty in deciding to which flower piece they should award the premium. They would have adjudged it to No. 24, a Rose, had it been as well done in colour as it is in pencil. They however, award the premium to No. 45, the German Iris, their best judgment, at the same time regretting to pass by others of an excellence almost if not equally distinguished. Mrs. THOMAS DE WITT, Mrs. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, The Report on the recent Examination was read by J. II. Williams, Esq. The Fifth Annual Examination of the Institute commenced on Wednesday the 3d July-was resumed on Friday the 5th, and continued through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday following. According to the previous course, it was conducted in two departments at the same time, in the presence of committees of the trustees, the parents of the pupils, and invited guests. The pupils of the Seventh Department were examined in a series of Infant School Lessons on Natural Historythe elements of Geography and Arithmetic, with various exercises in singing interspersed. The pupils in the Sixth Department were examined in Reading, Orthography, Colburn, as far as the seventh section-Geography-Arithmetic and Parley's History. The pupils of the Fifth Department, in two divisions, were examined in the same elementary studies, with Swift's Philosophy-Parley's History-Colburn (as far as the thir teenth section in the first division)-History of Quadru peds-Mitchell's Geography-Grammar-the Class Book of Nature, and Written Arithmetic. They would recommend as a preparatory course for drawing from nature, any object whatever, that the pupils be furnished with casts from the Antique of portions of the The Fourth Department, in two divisions, was also exhuman figure, animals, ornaments, &c. and that they be amined in the elements, with Town's Analysis-Mitchell's required to draw correctly from these, before attempting Geography-Class Book of Nature-Frost's United States colour. The beneficial effects of this course would soon-Parker's Natural Philosophy-Grammar and Arithmetic, be apparent, in the facility which the pupil would acquire over any subject which might present itself. J. WHITEHORNE, oral and written. The Third Department, in three divisions, was examined in Grammar, Robinson's England-Watts on the MindSmith's Arithmetic-Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History-Woodbridge's and Willard's Geography-Newman's Rhetoric-Comstock's Physiology-Guy's Astronomy Rev. Dr. De Witt, by request, read the Report of the Robbins' Ancient History-Bailey's Algebra, and Parker's Committee on Needle and Fancy Work. The ladies who were appointed a committee to inspect the needle work prepared by the pupils of the Rutgers Fe. male Institute, respectfully report: That they have been much gratified with the general character throughout, of the specimens of needle work fur. nished by the young ladies of the Institute; exhibiting care, neatness and accuracy in their execution. The fancy pieces are wrought with much taste and finish-while the articles of plain work, show that the instruction and exercise they receive, have a special bearing upon practical uses. Natural Philosophy. The Second Department was examined in Robbins' Modern History-Bailey's Algebra, through the miscella neous questions at the close-Griscom on the Mechanism of the Human System-Combe on the Economy of the Systems, with Arnott's Physics. In the First Department, classes were examined in Paley's Natural Theology-Kame's Elements of Criticism— Arnott's Physics, with experiments-Useful Arts-Wayland's Moral Science-Geometry, linear and solid-Alge. bra-Trigonometry, and the graduating class separately, in Whateley's Logic--History of Literature-Butler's Anale. gy-Evidences of Christianity, and Chemistry, with experi ments. The ladies of the French Department, in three classes, were examined in the elements of the language-the writ ing of phrases-composition in French-the History of America, and History of Literature. The committee feel bound to testify to the strong evidence these specimens furnish, of the great care paid to this important branch of female instruction-and in assigning the award, to commend the young ladies in the aggregate. Much embarrassment has been felt by the committee in assigning the award in many cases, on account of two or more articles of superior excellence coming in competition In the Juvenile Departments, it was particularly grateful in the same division, and so equally balanced in their to see a free and constant use made of the outline maps, and claims, as to render it almost impracticable to decide. As notice that due regard had been paid to proper intonation it is required that an award should not be divided, but be|| and distinct articulation. The want of time forbade an exappropriated to one piece-the committee have exercised amination in a number of studies in which the young ladies |