Document Summary
McIver and Scales, correctors for the Dialectic Society, report on
the quality of the declamations and compositions prepared for society meetings
and certify that the books of the Secretary and Treasurer are neat and in
order.
McIver, Alexander, 1822-1902
Scales, Junius Irving, 1832-1888
Cover page
Page 1
A. McIver
Cor2
J. I.
Scales
In conformity with the clause of the Constitution requiring the
correctors to report at the end of their term, the undersigned beg leave to
submit the following.
We are happy to say that a laudable zeal has been manifested by
some of the members in the performance of the duties which come under the
correctors' notice. A few of the compositions, which were read during the term
just expired, are highly creditable to the witers. They show marks of talent on
the part of the composers, of industry, of society pride & of a sense of
duty. But in the case of other members there is great room for improvement.
There are on the secretary's role about twenty two members, who are required to
perform duty in the morning [Saturday]. The number of compositions rec
d has not
Page 2
averaged more than
3
ten for each morning meeting—less than half the number required. And of
these ten, after deducting such as have passed through the hands of D
r
Wheat
4,
and such as have been borrowed,—after deducting all except those which
were prepared specially for the Hall, there hardly remains an average of five
compositions for each meeting. To this condition of things we earnestly call
the attention of the members & hope that they will endeavor to remedy
it.
In declaimation many of the members do credit to themselves and to
the Hall: Some are capable of excelling in this most
desirable and most attractive of all acquirement. But as in composition, more
than half pay very little attention to it or neglect it altogether.
With regard both to declaimation & composition we would beg
leave to urge upon the members a more general a more punctual and a more
diligent attention to them. Your own interest requires it: the well-fare of the
society requires it. In these matters
Page 3
let duty, and
not convenience be your guiding star. And with an eye fixed fast upon it pursue
it with a steady & manly step & you will find your reward. You will
find it not only in the advantages of improvement but in the secret applause of
your own breast.
We have examined the books of th books of the Secretary &
Treasurer, and we take great pleasure in saying that they afford evidence, that
incumbents of the term which has just expired have discharged their respective
duties in a neat and faithful manner.
Endnotes:
1.
Dialectic
Society Records, Correctors Reports, UA. The report appears on three
sides of a 15-by-9 3/4-inch sheet folded in half. The verso of the last page
contains the following endorsement: "Correctors report/Read in the
Hall/April the 1st 1853/
Alexr McIver
/
Junius I.
Scales
Cor." The report was written by
McIver
.
Dialectic
Society correctors during this period served a term of approximately a
month; correctors reports for January 29, March 4, and May 13, 1853, also
survive.
2. "Cor" appears to the right of a squiggly vertical
line beside
McIver
and
Scales'
names.
3. The manuscript shows
lhan,
McIver
having failed to cross the
t.
4. Professor of rhetoric and logic from 1849 to 1859.
5. "Correctors" appears to the right of a squiggly
vertical line beside
McIver
and
Scales'
names.