New-York daily tribune., 1851-08-01
Sigma Phi Anniversary at Hamilton College
Poem of Rev. II. ii. Bacon.
To the Editor Of tn, TrfbUne:

celebrated AT Hamilton College, the 23d inst. At 3.
o'clock. PM, the Poem and Address, each OF over
an hour III length, listened to with attention by
very large and highly literary and approaching a-
dIcnce III the evening the new Hall OF the Beta, at
beautiful III design, perfect IN proportion, and
most tasteful IN finish was dedicated with impress
sive and appropriate ceremonies, IN the presence OF
eighty members of the order, gathered as graduates
and students OF SIX different Colleges among whom
We noticed as present during the festivities, Hon
Judge PRATT and CHARLES b SEDGwIcK of SYRIA
cuSe Hon. JOHN COCHRAN. Of New-IorA Rev DR..
EATON. of Madison University Rev. DwIGHr
BULKLEY, KNOX, Bacon, loLBRooK. HASTINGS, ALIEN.
SEWARD, Of Albany POTTER, Of Utica, and nuner-
Gus others, around a most magnifcen, table, where
WerythIng spread which could tempt the appe-
tite. That satisfied, still greater feast remained,
III Joyous greetings, kind words brlmiul OF eloluence,
and sparkling with w.t. while the hours glded rapid
y away, until the final separation left every one more
aTdently attached than ever TO the Sigma PHI, and
each one to hope that hereafter he might more fire.
quently meet IN that beautiful Hall, and still ofener
exchange the joyous greetings of social intercourse
and friendship, which the refined and the educated
know well how to exchange and appreciate.
The Poem OF Rev. r. II. Bacon consisted OF Col
lego "reminiscences, bringing before his audience
the incidents OF an ever varying College life, for
many year gone by BY the polltenesS of friend
We have been favored with two or three extracts,
which, though beautiful in themselves, are not fair
samples Of the production whole. The first re-
fers to Pros Smith and Catlln, Professors of Lam
guagos and Mathematics, both, and the latter recent
", deceased Those acquainted with their charac
iers VIII best appreciate the trrthfuneSs well as
poetry of the aiusionS.
And sitting here, " ith those whose Office brings
A mighor care than that OF sceptCred kings,
II m living | see. who, nursing tears and gloom,
Re iolned hls young wife IN an early tomb.
Rich in sweet attic lore and attic salt
Whose timld goodness seemed ms greatest fault.
And hm behold in vivid presence here.
With kindly heart, but countenance ausiere,
Who went fIom earth, among the stars TO be,
And solve the problem OF Eternity
The alusions here to Park Benjamin, Holmes and
SAKE, Ohe last tie poet on the occasion before the
Literary Societies. and the numerous puns his
name, called down roars Of laughter and repeated
cheers.
Last come, first served YOU know the maxim runs,
Al least I thus some debtors do nth dunS
And So We ii tOuch-nOr fear his classic baton
First OF the thTee-the Bard of Old Manhattan,
Who like Nespucius-not like him, with shame.
But honor 10 a New World lent his name
name which smacks OF Israel, Il l. true,
et no one less observes the name OF Jew -
Large-hearted wasiefu '-pepDTv. but kind.
man OF humor and man OF mind
LOVING young merit quietly 10 befrlend.
Whose petty fOlbles with great virtues blend
Keen, ardent, bold discriminate, sincere.
friend 10 Love an enemy 10 Fear
Unlike the HeDrew-with small love for mammon,
Yet Ike HIM still III his contempt for CANNON
And ncXl the poet for his usticed famed
Hls cauStc pungency by poodles blamed
Whose scalpel Keen, that with the lyre has wed.
DlsscctS a well the living a the dead.
OF glrhsh stature, but TltaHtlc Wit
Tie ploaseS more the boxes than the pit.
w ell may The iOikS OF Ice and wooden combs
Be proud and Doa>tiul of their pleasant Holmes
0thrs We mourn whose bier We follow after, tier.
Holmes tTe0fttS " ms aSt and then We die OF laugh
The third arrival from Helconian Journey
Attaches all oy power of attorney
Tie younges, too give his seniors JOy
Who dare cross swords with this Green Mountain
We IN his fearless song no mlnclng meet boy
No Gahc fashions mar his Saxon feet
But hold he orT mlnces, for he Folly minces
And "cuts her up until :. the CALLED Jade wlnces"
Saxon the sinews OF ms Poets arm
HIS speech y full OF the old Saxon charm
Saxon the yokeS which he pert Folly cracks on
Saxon his mind his very nat Is SaXe-on
But now IN love with sacks, the ladies dress
50 a. 10 show thelr taste for manllness
Win their wings up, behold them as they pas
Like turkieS up-toe III the morning grass
Or heroes adlng IN some shallow near
Oniarlo's waters or Oneida clear
How strange that one man can, indeed so soon
Turn the irlnged Panialette to panialoon
But 50 Il i The ledleS-these are facts
Throw OF their little coatS and cling TO sactS
The conclusion alluding to The object and genius
OF The Society was beautifully appropriate and poetic
In that b1gh, Hall YOU consecraie tonight,
While The iIsi stars put on their crowns VI hight
Secret, familiar shah the speech betray
what the heart covers IN the glare of day
Ana there hereatter-u the olden fire
BUNS III your VEINS, nor In your breasts expre-
shail Genus find IT. Own appropriate home
And plume ITS pinlons from the "a Befa's dome
There droll eyed humor and Quaint mlrth shall Ut
ana wisdom point the subtle shaft of Wit
For YOU shall fancy her light baton wave
Ana call ambition from his sculptured grave
once more with royal mein and stern command
10 Tread the earth and IN your presence stand
aedih Love wander IN the woods at noon,
VI plalntlve sing beneath the silent moon
"hHe Beauty. watching through her easement bars
sees rosy morn eclipse the evening stars
The address of Mr.. Sedgwick, delivered on pre-
'ious occasion IS. we glad learn, already IN
PRINT, ana the members of the Society, We are in
formed, are taking measures 10 have the Poem n,h
lshsd IN permanent form
Vernon, July % 1851