The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-08-03
COMMENCEMENT.

For once during succession of years the sun
rose bright on Commencement day in a genial and
cloudess atmosphere. a respectable procession
! was formed in front of the College buildings, COM
posed of the corporation. the Faculty the students
the alumni of the college, clergymen and other
respectable gentlemen of every class, who march
ed to the excellent music of the Middlebury Brass
Band and about o'clock A NJ took their seats
in the Congregational Church With the assem-
blage of highly intelligent audience who filed
tie church it was gratifying to find upon the stage
several distinguished laymen and clergymen from
abroad, and especially Gov. Eaton an alumnus of
the college whose noble zeal in the cause of edu-
cation richly entities him to the thanks of every
enlightened citizen of Vermont without distinc-
ton Of sect or party.
But before describing the exercises on this &C.
casion we stop to notice the performances of the
day and evening previous. In the afternoon of
Teusday the Rev. A, H. Clapp of Brattelborongh
delivered an Address before the Phiomathesian
Society on the importance of judicious course of
literary study and the erroneous and unjust prin-
ciples adopted by the critics of the day. Many
parts of this address were marked with the char
acteristic eloquence Of the author and as a whole
was received with high favor by the audience
In the evening the Rev. L. p Hickok D d Presi-
dent Of the Theological institution at Auburn de-
delivered an Address before the Benificent Soci-
ETY. whose merits were said to be of the highest
character by gentlemen Of learning and abilities
who were present.
The Exercises of the graduating class on Com
mencement day were of high order of talents
and requirements. Indeed we feel justified in
saying that for sound and truthful sentiment, fe-
LEFTY of illustration, and strength and propriey
of expression they have Lot been surpassed for
several years.
Every year for nearly half century past this
institution has sent forth strong and generous
brood of young men, who are exercising control
ing influence upon the dcstinies of the Republic.
After the college exercises were closed the Rev.
Jonathan Clement of Topsham Maine delivered
an address before the Society of the Associated
alumni. 1t was plain sensible discourse, con-
dcmning the gross offences committed against the
Kings English by the transcendental religionsts,
and the firery Political rapsodists of the day, in
utter disregard of the sovereignty of the good old
Saxon dialect as used by Addison, Milton, Pitt
and Fox in the better days of English literature.
1t met the universal appreciation of those who
listened to it. and contained several excellent hits
which convulsed the audience with laughter.
A poem from the Rev. Byron Sunderland of
Ilo.o,-;o N foIIo,-aJ tb;r was
well delivered but in so low tone as to preven'
our full comprehension of the plan Of the author
1t was however easy to discover the genuine IN
SEPARATIONS of the genius Ofpoetry richly aboundng
throughout the performance Those who were
better located to hear speak of the production in
terms of high commentator.
seF The following order Of exercises
was observed.
I. PRAYER, by the President,
III. LATIN SALUTATORY,
FRANCIS DAKE,
Castleton.
III. ORATION-Success,
G.. N. BOARDMAN,
Castleton.
~. ORATION-The incomplete
ness of History.
/. D. BURwELL,
Crown Point N. Y.
V. ORATION-Literary Fame,
V. H. DEAN,
Pleasant Valley, N Y.
VI. ORATION-The Question,
A.. E. EVEREST,