Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-08-12
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BURLINGTON:
FRIDAY MORNING, AUG. u 1859.
COMMENCEMENT ODDS AND ENDS.

COMMENCEMENT ODDS AND ENDS
A few remarks on sundry topics pertaining
to Commencement, which we could fine
neither time nor room for before, must oc
cupy a chapter by themselves.
Making due allowance for the difference il
circumstances OF some Of the oder Colleges
situated in the midst Of or near to a large pop
uIation, from which there is easily gathered
a larger number Of literary and professional
men to give grace and interest to such an
anniversary. we think the Commencement
occasions Of the University Of Vermont will
compare favorably with those of the other
New England Colleges, generally. The
literary exercises are as good. Especially after
allowing what Is fair for those cases where
/ but few and those ;le choice ones from q
large class exhibit, while here every Sr4-
duate is expected to speak. and the arrange
ments for making the occasion pass of pleas
autly for those who attend are as good-ouite
as good as can be found any where, 50 far as
our observation and information extend. Yet
there can be improvements made, ,as we think
and we mention some Of them.
It's a great object to provide room, as
far as possible for those who attend the
public exercises. NJ house in town can hold
all who come-much less all who ir0uld come
if they could be sure of comfortable seats.
Themost thorough arrangements ought to be
made for seating the assembly. The prescrib-
ed regulations should be resolutely enforced
This year the body pews Of the church,
directed as usual to be reserved for the ger
tIemen who form the procession, We're found
to be to a great extent occupied by ladies.
when the procession clme in. That ought
not to have been 50. The galleries and the
sides Of the house are reserved for the dies.
and those seats are airy and eligible.
and contain for them full proportion OF
room and by sitting closer together many
more ladies might have found seats than
did find them there On such crowded
occasions ladies must be willing to sit close
together as well as gentlemen. Moreover we
saw some quite small children, too small to
make their presence suitable at all on such
an occasion. occupying seats which older
persons might more properly have occupied.
We think too, there is a great deal Of waste
room on the stage. Not that the st te is too
large, but it is not half occupied IS it might
be, and as it is customarily occupied at some
other colleges What with present members
Of the Corporation and Faculty, and other
persons who have been so, persons oflike Of
fetal relations from other colleges who may
be present gentlemen who have taken any
public part in the literary exercises before
the Societies, civil digni;aries Of the State or
from other States, present, and other notable,
who might he specially invited to be there
because Of their presumed interest in the cause
Of education or their official relations to the
public, two or three times as many persons
might properly be seated on the stage as are
usually found there d yet all necessary room
left for the ingress and egress of the speakers.
And every person seated there would leave
room FIR ono more in the seats below.
The Commencement dinner furnishes an
;,,,,,r.,,+ ooo,s;,r f,r rs-nnion for an
bonr or tyo.of old and vounr graduates and
rbe invited qnesrs Generally speaking the
rrovision for that occasion here IN, been
VOW. crodi+,b1e and ,,,rea,bfs and was 50
tbis vsar-wirb merriam. one execution.
Whom +bo rr,c,ssion comes mt, the hotel. on
, bo+ and dns+v d,y # wonId he most desi-
-.fl, ;ra C.,r walters with hand brushes
m n .L.;. ..--:o,. ., .,,,l, ss would
-...l...t.u .oooo,+ +bo,, An ,,ori.
oooI ,ro4o. 70 drirl, should he al
I'LL r- ,5 =
N l.....oi, b., or-od osit
''-i .'''''0 -. IT,
49,. -. 49,. -,a. ,-,,
t.-1-.1I- ',.',,' -, -, Iian;3 which
s'7'iie0 70 ii''7 i7''''. - ~ ~ -
'ut i9uioH J''-7' '''' l-.,....,. -" -.
---..,.- g..
I.-,-.
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The speaking which as tor many years past,
Z II - a.. ~, l;,,,o- ;e discussed l. some
Ioi-o"0 "''04 '''0
times very pleasant indeed; Dut, 10 De 50,
=, ,.~, -o,,er,+ t,.it
IneIe Heeu9 ~ NC PiOPo1 a.
There is no propriety in leaving that to the
-. E -, ,,o,,,,.,,+ ,,,,, - +bara
luck anu ueclslon oi elo -iOil0'i'' iio' -
any fairness in calling upon some one. on the
~ ,oroo,+ 70 rooLao snascb ha II
spur oI tle n-olioi'' " Ln"Ao 9t00o'' W -
ever so short Long speeches are, OF course,
-,....,. = L., -, s,,,b m sion