The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-21
NKw HAVEN, Aug. 10, lS46


Yale Colsge-Bsastiss of Nesc Have~ Socity-
Election of President Meeting Of the Alumni
Iheological Commencement Meeting of The Phi
Beta Kappa.
A glorious sun and cooling breeze ushered in
the second days continuation of the exercises pre-
liminary to commencement; and as the magni-
fcent elms waved in their majesty and verdure
responsive to the bracng air, while the song OF
the birds waybled through the branches, the city
well seemed to deserve the appellation OF the
American Eden. There many features about
New Haven which are attractive to the antigua
rian, the scholar, and the lover OF nature Not
wlthstandng the sweet freshness that every
where prevails, yet occasionally some Old build
ing, or stone, tree, or rock, calls Up associations
mingled with an age gone by, and Of generations
long since passed away; there is something IN
the appearance of the time worn college, the g.
gantc trees, and the frownlng rocks near by,
which always inspires veneratlOn In the breast OF
a stranger. The college buildings, which now
through nearly two centuries have been for a time
the habitaton of thousands, whose voices have
since been heard i'll the halls of Congress, in the
pulpit, and AT the bar, are striklngit imposing
from this recollection of the greatness and genius
emanated from their walls, but also from their So
lemn appearance SO appropriate to the place
where Alma Mater has nurssd her numerous
young, and given them God speed on thelr en-
trance into life The churches, side by side on the
spacious green, emblematic OF the religion, which
goes hand in hand for The propagation OF Chrlsti-
anty, are beautiful specimens OF simple architec-'
ture, and seem as though they had spontaneously
grown up Under the overshadowng elms, choos-
my spot where natures God could be worship
cd near her noblest handiworks. In the rear OF
the old Middle Church, two or three plain stones,
almost hidden under the luxuriant grass, mark
the resting place OF those who in day of trial and
persecution led the king OF a mighty nation to the
scafiod: such is life and such is DEATH crumb-
ling fragment is the only token telling, that be-
ath rest the ashes of Golphe and Valley, who
once solemn judgment on the destinies OF the
KING of England.
The cemetery at New Haven is well worth
the visit of stranger, not only from the intrinsic
beauty Of its situation, hut from the recollection
of the thousands who rest within its walls. Some
bear the marks OF the age, when puritanism
ruled in its most bigoted character; and stern me-
MORALS OF departed worth speak in gloomy plain
year after year has gone by, llghtness and grace
have crept into the adornment OF the tom6s Oh the
dead. As we read the figures commencing 10
and coming down to lS46, we can trace, step by
step, the progress of improvement and the cult
walton of taste, even il grave yard. volume
might be written from the inscriptions over cheese
houses of the dead; but the most touching one In
the whole ground is on plain marble slab, sculp-
'Mary" The virtues of the departed one, and
the grief of the living, were too holy, to be ex-
posed 10 the eyes of a curious world.
"a blessing was her epitaph
Her only dirge q scaldlng tear
Hundreds of these might be selected from the
writings, noting the decease and character OF many
a patriot and christian, great and good-but the
old college bell is ringing, TO call the Alumni to
gether and on the way there a few thoughts arise
on the private society OF the 'City OF the Elms."
One would naturally think that here, at least, all
classes would unite in harmony but not In the
city of Gotham do more fashionable distinc-
tons, cuues, and coteries, exist, than among
the goodly inhabitants of this "rus in wbe."I,
There are several minor divisions, but the grand
boundary lines of social intercourse create live
distinct classes. In the first, so called, are In
cuded the professors Of the college (not the tu-
tors), the arstocracy of the students,
men, and the transient % constant residents OF
the town, who are wealthy, and "soil not their
hands with Ealor's dust" This class IS unap-
preached, and impregnably unapproachable. :
The second class comprises those, who, though
rich in this worlds goods, yet continue In vulgar
traffic Tor the accumulation OF more. Class num-
Der three embraces all who are shopkeepers Of
any sort, engaged in the retail trade. The fourth
class are the industrious mechanics, among whom
may ue found many Of natures noblemen. But
the honest hand Of him who is soiled with the
dust from the forge, or blistered with the plane,
must not contaminate the effeminate palm which
folds up tape at lady's order. The remaining
division takes in all, who look to themselves for
company and pleasure, each as to himself seems
ft--the poor student, the apprentice boy, and
the thousand and one indescribable Of every
country Town. That such paltry distinctions do
exist is as true is the fact that If ever scandal
chose one abiding place in preference to another,
from the number OF her votaries, New Haven -
the one.
A. 10 O'Clock, A. NJ, the Alumni met in the new
library IN the rear of the college, and 1t was an
interesting sight to observe the graduates oil Old
Yale, as they came in couples to the hail. Here
an old man tottering TO the grave, and 10y his side
ahe youth oftwenty just entering INTO the arena OF
the worlds strife Some we noticed who took
their degrees in 1916, just one half century ago,
and yVhn hold sem-centennlal meeting THIS
year. Ofthat class, numbering -, 10 yet survive
all men from 10 to IS year, old-oi them, thir
teen were present at New Haven, Professor ST.!
liman Archibald Bassett, of Walton, Del. CO. N
Y, and Timolhy Bishop, New Haven. Shubace
Bartlett an old veteran Of 80, is on the ground,
also graduated at the beginning of the present CEN
fury, IN the year 1900. The yearly meeting OF the
alunni has for its object a reunion OF all tAe
graduates of the College; and an account is read
of those who have died during the past year rom
any of the classes, and any interesting facts con-
nected with the survivors. At these meetings, ad-
dresses are made by any one whom the splnt
moves, and many a tear is shed at the grasplng OF
the hand between old young who, for years,
have been long separated, and will never proba
bly, meet again, except IN eternity This present
year there more than an usual number COL
lected together. Representatives from almost
every graduating class OF the last sixty years, as
semble in the hall, and afterwards join around the
board at dinner An elegant pavilion was erected
in the College grounds, and the liberal supply OF
condiments prepared, showed there was food tor
the body as well as the mind, provided by the
trustees of Alma Mater. The eldest survi-
wing graduate Of the College was - present at
who graduated in 1777, sixty-nine years ago;
his head was silvered with the snow Of near
" a hundred winters. Amongst others present we
observed Ex-Gov. Baldwin, Gov. TouceY, Judge
Daggett, Judge Rollins, Of Illinois, who delivered
one OF the most eloquent and touching addresses
we ever had the pleasure of listening to- 1t was
indeed an affecting sight, the appearance OF the
and professions, paying homage to the remem-
brance of their youth. On the platform sat the
venerable President Dav, surrounded by men,
many nearly past the age allotted to man but
there was one form missing, which last year
presided over the meeting, John Cotton Smith,
who now sleeps with his fathers. Resolutions
were passed compmenting the Governors OF the
College on its prosperity; and one amongst them
for the purchasing of a marble bust Of President
Day, upon his retirement.
II was stated rby Mr.. Dutton, the Secre-