The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-08-27

S. d Posr.
iG. MASTERS GRAFTON.
j. Z. RANKIN, A. B.
DEGREES coNFERRhp.
The Masters Grafton WAS pronounced b,
Mr.. j. Z, RANKIN. who has been for the
last year Tutor in College. His subject wa,
d" The Poet" II was gracefully written
production, full Of striking and appropriate
imagery, evincing good degree of literary
culture and research, as well as philosophical
disccrnment. Mr.. RANKIN is an excellent
writer, never sacrificing strength, however.
to mere briliancy, nor, while aiming to
speak in pointed phrase, regardless of the
matter Ihrased.
The following degrees we're conferred:
A. B, on the fifteen members Of the grad
| uatng class, whose names appear above
and the honorary degree Of A. b. on GEono 6
SMITH, Instructor in Natural Science in
Troy Conference Academy.
J. f. RANKIN: also upon Ora PEARSON, Of
the class of 1920; and the honorary de-
gree of a VI. upon Gro. d. GREEN, oil
Windsor; TuApDrus FAIRDASKs, Of ST.
Johnsbury; JESSE CooPrR, of Irasburgh !
ALEXANDER RANSOM, of Boston, Mass. ;
EDWARD H. OWEN and Rev. GEO. WIS
WELL. Of New York City; aud DANIEL l..
LYMAN, Of Royslton.
ID. d., on Rev. LUTHER SHELDON, Of
Ession, Mass. and Rev. ALEXANDER w
MARSHALL, Of Charleston, S. C.
Ii. d., on Hon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
of Chicago, Ill.,; and Hon. SAMUEL L
BRADroRD, of Roxbnry, Mass.
After dinner, (Which was served in very
acceptable manner by Mr.. DAVIS, of the
Vermont Hotel,) the audience re assembled,
10 witness the exercises of the Anniversary
OF the Associated Alumni. The Orator
elected for the occasion not being present.
the principal exercise was the Poem, pro-
nounced by Rev. JAMES d. BUrLER, Of
Danvers, Mass. The subject was " Abroad
and at Home the poetical aspects of
voyage TO Europe and various travel on the
Continent. and correaiive lelineations of our
own country. The descriptions were many
Of them truly beautiful, reminding one of
Goldsmith Traveller, and Wordsworth's
earlier word-paintings Of European adj
venture and wandering. No serious poem
haa Ill Il A
within our knowledge, which has been re,
ceiveG with more marked attention and "a
vor. We are sure this production would
read well in printed form, and be credita-
Die TO the author as man of taste, and as
versifier above the fatal mediocriiy."
On the conclusion OF the Alumni Ami.
versary, Addresses were made, according TO
previous announcement, by Hon. MYRos
LAwREScE, Hon. JAMES MEAcHAM, and
Hon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS of Illinois,
who had been present through all the pre-
ceding exercises. Mr. LAwHESCE paid an
eloquent and feeling tribute to the memory
of Rev. STEPHEN Ohm. d. D., his class
mate and room mate in College, recently de.
doased. lie 'hen made an urgent and ior-
c'ole appeal in behalf OF his Alma Mater, in
manner thst called forth repeated applause.
tie was followed BY Mr.. MrAcnAM. on sim.
liar topics. at which he glanced briefly. and
very happily, ending with an allusion which
brought up MIR. DOUGLAS, who addressed
the audience for half an hour or more in :,
very pleasing and impressive manner. He
was received with much appreciation, and
his euloglums upon Vermont, Vermont char
aeter' her institutions, and her men, res
peatedly brought down the house." We
regret our inability to give even mcapr,
sketch of his remarks.
There we're many circumstances to dstin
gulsh this occasion from most o,hers and N
Tx 1t in the memory of all present. Judge
DOUGLAS and Mr.. HUDSON, the former
highly distinguished in political life, and the
latter well known as scholar and a man Of
letters, we're both, some years ago, mechan-
les in this village. and arc remembered a.
such by our citizens. Tho former is a few
years the older-it being now twenty years
since he left this place for the West. Both
were the prominent speakers from abroad
and to Judge DOUGLASS natur ally fine An.
pesrsnce, winning manners. and graceful
and dignifi.d oratory, was added the special
ecldt Of prospective Presidential nomina.
tion' highly probable next year, and, If not
so soon' almost certain to fall upon him At
some future time. Though not graduate.
Judge DOUGLAS has high respect and af.
fiction for this prominent institution of hi.
native state. Referring to the degree con.
ferled on him here, he stated en,pha,icslly
that such an honor from Middlebury College,
Was more grateful to him than il could have
been from any other source.
The friends of the College will be graft.
fed to learn that considerable additions were
made TO the subscription for its relief at The
late Commencement, and there 10 little
room for doubt tina: the remaining 81, DOC
or $1,000 required viii oe reasonably raised
Sfbe term commepced on Thursday.
Il - Nf0faI r