Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-08-25

for his ability and bodnss.
After this address q poem was delivered
by the Rev. A. G.. Wheeler Of Grand Isle
The verse flowed smoothly and the flashes
Of wit were keen, and the performance was
well received 4le
A procession was nov formed and march
ed down to the Exchange, kept by l.. p.
Blodgett & Brother, where splendid dinner
was pTepared for the associated Alumni
Some two or three hundred sat down and
Toasted alter winch came toasts, speeches
and songs. The Alumni came from all parts
Of our Union once more TO see their beloved
Alma Mater and talk over the scenes Of
college life. The first class that graduated
fifty years ago al this University consisted
Of only four, aud three of those were present
Que from the Empire State, one from the
Far West, and the third lives in this town.
The fourth died IN your city many years
ago, aud wrote some portions of book call
ed Salma gundi, which produced some "sen-
sation" IN its day. This meeting Of the
Alumni was indeed Joyous one, and the
Semi Centennial Celebration went off in
grand style. The Rev. Mr.. Chandler Of
Greenfield, Mass. formerly Pastor of the
Congregational Church in Waitsfeld, Wy a
venerable aid gentleman, and graduate Of
the University at an early period Of its his
tory, made some very pathetic remarks in
relation to the first President Of the college,
the Rev. Mr. Sanders. lie travelled many
miles to visit him few years ago and found
him well posted up in all matters relating to
this Institution, of which he was the first
President. The venerable old ex-President
expressed but one regret, and that was that
so many Of the Alumni had found premature
graves in consequence of Incorporate habits.
Tears flowed from the old mans eyes when
he spoke upon the subject, and the Rev. Dr.
Chandler took occasion to give the young
men present warning, and urge them to
touch not the accused thing. The lecture
was brief, but full of feeling and eloqucnce,
and must have produced a salutnry impress
sion upon the young men. Nothing strong
er than lemonade was used at the dinner,
and everything passed off to the satisfaction
of all present on this Joyous occasion.
In the evening, the exhibition of the jun
ior class took place, and the performance was
very creditable 10 the young men, showing
that their instructors give them good train
ing, and that they have not been idle. We'd
nesday morning is bright and beautiful. A
shower last night laid the dust, and better
.
ed from the whole year. procession from
the College was formed and marched to the
! Unitarian Church, enllvened by the music
of the Boston Brigade Band. The church
was filled at an early hour and n galaxy of
Vermont beauty adorned the galleries.
Some thirty young men spoke in public on
the stage, and received their degrees
These performances were highly creditable
10 themselves and to their teachers. The
subjects of their speeches were well chosen,
and had some bearing upon actual life. On
the whole the graduates performed their
parts well. and their physques looked as If
they would hoe their rows with skill ard
energy when they go into the worlds field.
Several honorary degrees were conferred,
such as ID. D., LII. ID, but the names Of
those honored by the University | capnot
remember. Nomatter. Those capitals will
not add one inch to their stature, nor give
! their minds a single new thought The eve
nlng was closed, not by a f." Commencement
Ball" but by happy and brilliant reunion
at Mr.. John II. Peck's, whose better half
threw open her doors and pleasure grounds,
and gave the graduates and many others a
splendid entertainment May her shadow
never be less.
Hon. Soaker ,p1s Done From one Of the
neighboring towns three or four days since,
there came a regular soaker, in full bloom.
Ills GRAND was very pressing one, but be-
ing evidently uniutlated in the mysteries of
the city, his anxious perambulations after the
"critter" were unrewnrded. Becoming
nearly exhausted in the search, he at length
Numbered into the dry goods palace of
Messrs. lockwood g. Co., and edging his
way with mysterious air towards one of
clerks, he cautiously but beseechingly asked
for pint of gin The person thus impor-
tuned, being on hand for Joke, informed
the applicant tnat they were not in the habit
Of selling the article to everybody but his
customer plead Justify, and upon his promise
to keep mum, was finally invited down eel
lar, where barrel of water is kept for the
use of the store. The mans eyes spa rked
and dilated within their scarlet Innings, at the
thought of having found the object of his
search, and with renewed protestitons of
secrecy he drew bottle from his pocket,
and II was speedily filled with the best OF
beverages--purc cold water. Exultantly re-
placing the bottle the quid pro quo was duly
rendered, the clerk remarking that, as they
sold only for mechanical and medicinal
/ purposes he should charge but seven cents.
The change was made, and as the unsuspi-
cious customer departed, he was again re.
minded of the necessity OF keeping mum IN
these Maine law times, to which, comlcally
drawing the edge of his hand across his Jug
ular, he replied" Pm Connecticut boy,
and if ever blab, you may c ut my
t-h r-o-a-t ~ The grimaces and sdcres which
greeted his first swig, round the next corner,
must have been decidedly interesting
/ Spring. Rep.
Printing Pdper.-Paper made from rood,
as a substitute for rags, appears to be com
ing into use, with the prospect Of efiectlng a
large saving for newspaper publishers
The Philadelphia Ledger and the Providence
Journal are now both printed on such paper.
1t is firm and smooth, but is deficient in fine
ness Of texture and general appearance, COM
pared with the ordinary kind. The defects
however, may yet be remedied. Any kind
Of wood may be used, though poplar seems
to be preferred. The pulp, when prepared,
is put upon the common paper-meking ma
chine and Is made into paper by the ordinary
process. 1t is supposed that ii may be fur
nshed at one half the cost of rag paper
Journal Of Commerce.
A German woman passed through Dayton,
Ohio, few days since, having snugly pack
ed up in wine basket her sir childrrn. all
of one birth The Gazette says they were
not much bigger than apple-dumplIngs, but
seemed TO be wide awake and Kicking.
They were six months old, all boys, aud all
as near Of size as possible. except the ruut
ofihe party, which is described as being the
smallest mortal Of its age ever seen.
PATENT CLAIMs.-Among the Pateut
claims issued for the week ending July 25
were the following;
Charles II. Dana, West Lebanon, n. H..
for Cultiyator.
Ezekiel Gore, Bennington VI, for Butter
worker.
Enathan Sampson, Windsor, VT, fol
Platform Scales.
J. w. Smith, Poultney, VT, Sheet Meta
L.