The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-08-15
FRANCE.
LEICESTER ACADEMY.

The annual exhibition of this ancient and popular in
stitution took place Tuesday the 9Th inst attended
by a large and intelligent audience. A well executed
portrait OF Col Ebenezer CT ats one of the founders ufs
this institution, exhibited which the trustees had re-
Gently procured to be copied from in the possession
OF his son, the Hon. Samuel c. Crafts of Vermont late
Senator Congress roi. that State and former pupil
of this Academy.
brief report was made by the Chairman of a Com.
mttee who had had that subject in charge wherein 1t
stated that he had been directed procure if posi-,
bic, portraits OF Col Crafts and col. Jacob DAVIS 10 be
preserved memorials of the two founders of the iDsi-
tuition, who purchased and gave the land and build,
ngs which first occupied for The purposes OF an Acad-
envy in 1884. No portrait of Col Davis however had
been preserved and consequently could not be obtained
Col Crafts OF liberal education, having been
graduated at Yale in 1889. At the time he made the
donation above, he resident in Surbridge In 1871
he removed to Vermont, and became the founder OF the
Of Crahsbury, where the influence of his life and
example is still witnessed in the intelligence, sobrety,
and social virtues which distinguish It's inhabitants lie
died in 1910 at The age Of 10 years.
Col Davis at the time of the founding of the Aca4e-
N.Y. resided in Charlton. He removed 10 Montpelier in
Vermont, aud of the first who made perma>
The estate which those gentlemen gave 10 the instu,
ton was purchased al the cost OF Sl7I6 but when il IS
remembered that this was Immediately after the revou>
ton, when properly every kind greatly depressed
and the pecunary affairs of the country ruinousy
embarrassed will be perceived that this in part
very liberal heneacon Their motives in doing this
were expressed in The terms Of their deed viz ain con-
sdeIatlon of the regard bear virtue and leaning
which we consider greatly conducive to the welfare of
this community"
This the origin OF an institution which has for
sixty -four years well sustained The objects for which
j, was founded II has shared in the berality of other
beneactors among whom are found the names of Thorn.
as Newha of Leicester, Hon. Moses Gill of Princeton
Israel Waters of Charlton lion. Isaiah Thomas and
Hon. Daniel Waldo of Worcester, and has ever sus.
tanned rank among the literary Institutions Of the
county tina, the best memorial of its founders
and btnefactoIs.
1t is understood that the trustees DESTROYS of pros
curing occasion may offer, portraits of all the pnoi>
pal benefactos of that institution, in which endeavor
is hoped they will succeed.
The Report above referred to was followed by an adj
dress from the Hon. Ira M. Barton, in which, a ter
pleasant and appropriate ausicn to his connexion with
lie school than thirty years since, he gave rapid
glance at the improvements, discoveries and advance
nent of literature and science during that period with
some of the peculiar characteristics of the present age
This address was listened 10 with great attention and
apparent qualification by all.
Then followed the declarations OF the Students
Some of these ossinal compositions, Others
leced. The style OF defamation was, in general So.
perior TO most that we ecollect at that Academy on
former occasions for years at least and gave
isfacory evidence that elocuoi is receiving there TO
some good degree, the attention its Importance deserves
in system Of academic Instruction. The original com
positions were very credtabe the taste and scholars
ship of their authors and the high character of all would
render nydous TO undertake TO discriminate IN speaks
ing Of their comparative merits.
The exercises OF the occasion enlivened by
agreeable music, both vocal aud instrumental, and We
heard but one expression, and that Of satisfaction the
pleasant aud agreeable manner in which the occasion
passed of.
The condition Of the institution must be gratifying to
its numerous friends and The friends Of learning gener.
ally Amidst the revolutions of the day it has kept on
its steady course, and continued to strengthen its hold
uoon public favor Situated one of the healhies and
most beautiful villages in New England, with capable
and efficient body Of teachers II merits the patronage
which il continues 10 receive. a