The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-06-08
The Lecture for the Book.

known, but what has been esteemed desir-
able for such purpose has been discussed
in anticipation, and something of this may
be suggested.
Certain portraits of conspicuous citizens
who are deceased, will be furnished by
family friends. The engraving is expected
to be simple and appropriate, and the rep
resentation such as shall associate them
not unworthily with the scenes in which
they were active. Assurances have been
given by friends in relation to the engrav-
ing of at least half dozen of SUCH and
several, as we know, are already in pro-
gress. But there are those intimately
associated with the history and character
ofthe Town, of whom no surviving friends
remain, whose personal interest would give
them preference, and their circumstances
impose the obligation, in rendering such a
testimonial of respect to departed merit.
Such is the case with respect to the Foun-
der of the village, PAINTER, towards whom
the College indeed stands prominently in
the relation of surviving representative
a claim which was urged upon President
Labaree for the aid he has literally con-
sented to contribute to the occasion. A
portrait Of Judge Painter is in the pos
session Of the College, and deserves to be
employed in the illustration of the book.
He was one of the very earliest of the
settlers. counsellor as we'll as actor in
the public affairs of the State. 10 the rev.
dictionary struggle. AT the very incep-
ton of the village, leaving his friend
Chapman, at the first place of occupancy,
on the intervale of Middlebury River he
was at hand, and soon his shrewd and COM
prehensive mind was the guiding and
forming spirit. What it became as bus
mess place and centre Of population, was
due first and mainly to him. He was
deliberate and efficient as well as enter
prising, and all his plans of business
had in view exclusively the prosperity
and growth Of the community, he was
aiding TO plant, He was a kind as well
as an able and liberal man, by whom relief
came to the poor as well as opportunity
to the industrious. This was always his
reputation, and when bereaved in his fam
lily of natural heirs, the sympathy of the
community supplied in some degree their
place, and smoothed the way for those
benefactions which he made for the gen.
eral good. OF Col. CHAPMAN, only pro.
Gle representation remains, and kindred
still survive him who may make even this
available, as memorial, in its proper
place of record, of the bold and ardent
Pioneer. SAMUEL MILLER died early, and
an earnest respect for his memory survives
doubtless to his relatives. His record was
memorable at the bar here, and in society.
DANIEL CHAPMAN has but Just left the
scenes in which he was so active early, and
had regarded SO long with undated inter-
est. His age were easily recalled TO us
by the hand Of filial regard, but his prime
of life was impaired to others in the scenes
and actions of the passing day. and lives
only in the vitality of history. Every
material movement felt Mr.. Chipman's
animating nerve, and the means of mate.
rial life had an intellectual spring IN him.
A pale, imperfect portrait exists of Col.
SToRRs in earlier life, whose benevolence
and elevated aims, it ia probable, gave di.
rection to more of design in the settlement,
than ever was prosecuted in his name. He
had, in chastened spirit, the habits of
educated life, and the iberalizing aid Of
professional study. IL devoted to the
church as a servant, and in practical af-
fairs second to many of his contemporaries,
he could not be and was not less than the
first of their leaders in dcvising liberal
things. We wish, as many remember him,
diminished yet preserved by age, in the
features of disinterestedness and kindli.
ness, frosty yet kindly, with the sunshine
of the better life upon it,that the portrait Of
the heart might perpetuate him, harmless
for evil yet powerful by example in the
conservation TO good. The Recorder Of the
past has claim too upon the considera.
ton Of those associating to honor the sub.
jeots of its history. His grasp of theii
record is made our own. Held with firm.
ness, the habit of observation of busy
life, gives to each his brief but enduring
place, to the course of facts, as familiar
in good part to himself, their sequence, as
they leave tide.like the mark of their ris.
ing in the long succession. Familiar tc
him it is distinct to us, and to the reverent
curiosity Of those, who study our history
in his work, who could offer less than that
impression Of the countenance, which
the light Of art supplies, as from the DO.
som Of contemporaries to the desire Of
the eyes
There are others from the past, and
others still surviving,-a branch or two
Of the crown of almond blossoms which
has garlanded us of late, with which
friendship OF respect might enwreathe om
story, but the topic has detained US long
enough. Do We praise the scene itself
and may we not trace out and copy and
learn to cherish it? 1t is often SAID, the
painter Aatters Nay, he studies anG
sees what is lovely in his subject, as he
who has won the heart of friend hal
won him with wiles that were hidden from
an enemy. I'll temper reflects its scow
upon the landscape,and generosity its glow
So manifold already seem the hooks Of
beauty in the midst Of us, so resplenden
its outlines display themselves at a dis
lance, that we forget the forms of endear
ment that dwell upon the exile's memory
and would rise with delight to his eye il
this handbook of the heart, to be pointed