The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-07
COMMENCEMENT.


The anniversary exercises of the past week
were fraught with more than usual interest.
A large number of the Alumni from the vi
cinity and from a distance came to exchange
their congratulations and pay their respects
to Alma Mater, The presence of many 9th
err literary gentlemen also, increased the inter-
est of the occasion. On Tuesday 2. NJ, Rev.
Mr.. Mitchell of Rutland delivered a discourse
before the Philadelphian Society. The speak
ers articulation was so indistinct, and his voice
pitched upon so low a key, that many of the
audience were unable to understand him /;
but those who did hear pronounced the dis
course an able and an ingenious production.
On the same afternoon DIR. Sprague ofAlbany,
addressed the Philomathesian Society, on
The Relations Of the Pastand the Present.
and we speak but the common sentiment
when we say, that for beauty of style, felicity
Of illustration, originality and chasteness of
conception, and classical elegance, the Grafton
Of DIR. Sprague, has seldom been surpassed.
We hope it will be given to the public, that
many who did not hear it, may enjoy an in
tellectual banquet, and that its just and con-
servative sentiments may administer a timely
rebuke, equally to the worshiPpers and the
desPisers of antiquity.
Of the prize declarations we must give
the opinions of others, as we were unable to
attend. Competent judges have informed
us that the young gentlemen spoke with spir-
it and energy; their articulation was distinct,
their manner natural, and they seemed to i'm
bibe the spirit Of the authors whose sentiments
they uttered. The performances Of the even
ing were highly creditable to the speakers,
as well as to Prof. Smith, under whose in
struction they had been trained. The Com
mittee we learn awarded the prizes in the
Junior Glass to L. +. Locke and C.. B.
Smith; in the Sophomore Glass to ]. w.
Stewart and P. Starr; and to P. Cochrane
and J. D. Lyon of the Freshmen Glass.
The exercises of Wednesday were as fol-
lows:-
l. PRAYER. by the President.
3. CRATIC SALUTAToRIA.-Thomas b.
Wales, Randolph, Mass,
3. GRAFTON. The pursuit of knowledge
for its own sake.-Jacob E. Blakely, PdlrLet.
4. Discussion. Question. Is speedyd dis
of the American Union probable!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS X. Wright, ShoTehGm.
Negative-Orlando Wooster, Middlebuy.
5. GRAFTON. Duty of Literary Men to
their Country. G. s. Hitchcock, Ran
doiph, Mass.
6. ORATIoN. Importance ofeducating the
Observation-Disclosures Z. Taylor,
La Grange, N. Y.
Z. CONFERENCE. The present and the
Future.-Samuel M. Conant, Brandon.
CHARACTERS.
/. An ultra Democrat.-J. E. Blakely.
2. A Conservative-T. E. Taylor.
3. A Believer in Revelation-S. NJ. Conant.
SACRED MUSIC.
DoxoLoGY. "Praise God, from whom all
blessings flow"
8. DEGREES CONFERRED.
9. PRAYER, by the President.
10. BENEDIcTIoN.
The performances ofthe young gentlemen
we're good, very good; their speaking was
manly and natural, their manner easy and
and their topics were discussed in a
business-like style, equally removed
rom unintelligible mysticism on the one hand
md from dry, commonplace defamation on
he other. Some Of the pieces were of a very
character.
The degree ola. B. was conferred on the
even young gentlemen named in the sched-
lie; that of A. M. on four, viz. D. M. Lins-
ey, Alexander Mclean, Alfred Miller and
Edward C. s. Miller. The following gen.
lemen were admitted to the honorary degree
# Master Of Arts. Rev. Aaron Angler, of
his place, Geo. ". Harmon, Esq. of PawIet,
Dr.. Alfred Hitchcock, Of Ashby, Mass, and