Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-07-29
COMMENCEMENT AT YALE COLLEGE.
NEW HAVEN, July %, 1859.


forgotten shrines. The city, clothed with all
Summer beauties and graces, was never love
lier than now. and the "old barracks" them
selves. empowered in arches of innumera-
Bile Gins, try to manifest kind of courteous
holiday recognition of their returning and
grateful children. The exercises of the annu-
al literary festival commenced with the BAG
calaureate Sermon, on Sunday, by Rev. Geo.
P. Fisher, Livingston Professor of Divinity,
and formerly citizen of Worcester, on the
Formation of Christian Character. The Con-
clio ad Clerum was given by the Rev. Hiram
P. Arms of Norwich, which was in no respect
a noticeable affair. Phi Beta Kappa at its
business meeting, did itself great credit by
making very excellent selections for the en-
suing year. VIM. NJ. Evarts, Esq, of New
York, was elected orator, and Hon. Benjamin
+. Thomas of Massachusetts, substitute John
G. Whittier, Poet, and DIR. J. Holland,
substitute.
The annual meeting of the Alumni was at
tended by many distinguished men, among
whom were Ex-Governor Chase of Ohio, a
graduate of Dartmouth College, Gov. Bucking-
ham of Connecticut, Senator Trumbull of Hi
nois, DR.. Dudley Field of New Jersey, Chan
cellor Lathrop of Wisconsin, Hon. Henry J..
Dawes, NJ c., of Massachusetts, and others.
The speeches were-much of them-euloges
of the dead. The late Professor Olmstead,
VIM. Jay, Augustus L. Hillhouse, Col. Bond
Ion, of South Carolina, and others of the il
lustrious departed, were noticed with appropri-
ate expressions of regret and sorrow. The
number of graduates who had died during the
year is forty three, of whom three were more
than ninety years of age, and sixteen upwards
of seventy years of age, and all, with the ex-
ception of Edmund NJ Taft of Whitinsyille,
of the class of 1858, engaged in the active pur-
suits of mature life. The whole number of
graduates from this institution is 6810, of
whom 1928 are still living.
The anniversaries of the literary societies
took place Wednesday afternoon. In the
Brothers, Rev. Curtis f. Woodruff of the class
of 1849 presided, and speeches of interesting
made, among many others, by John A. Dana,
Esq. of Worcester, and Geo. W. Smaley, Esq
of Boston. In Linonia the Rev. DR.. Badger
of New York presided, and Worcester was
handsomely represented among the speech
makers by Homer b. Sprague, Esq, of the
class of 1852. The immemorial strife between
these two societies has been waged with una
bated yigor, the victory, finally, perching up
on the banners of the "Brothers in Unity"
who claim to have received, thus far, decided
majority of "the young gentlemen who have
just entered college," The railroad men, and
other people who don't appreciate the immeas-
urable Importance of right decision on the
part of the "young gentlemen" it is said pro-
pose to exclude from the Depot, hereafter, all
students known to be on an "electioneering"
excursion. Not understanding the matter as
they should, they call it hard names, and it
may happen, terrible anticipation that the
electioneerers will be compelled at no remote
period to wait till their candidates have es-
capped from the cars to the street before COM
mencing those little rosy attentions, which to
the susceptible candidate, are generally so
agreeable and so fatal.
meeting,on Wednesday, proposed two measures
which will excite some criticism, but are real
ly wise and salutary reforms. They voted to
build gymnasium, one hundred by fifty feet,
in the rear of the College green, cost not to
exceed $4,000, in which eight ten pin alleys
should be placed solely for the use of the stu
dents. They also voted 70 dispense with the
''evening prayers" and discussed, without
final action, the propriety of changing the
hour of morning prayers till after breakfast.
The design of these reforms is, in one case,
to give the students means of recreation upon
the College grounds, and in the other, to Sc
cure full attendance of students and faculty
and the proper frame of mind for the most sa-
cred assemblage of the members of the insti-
tuition.
The class reunions, which were held last
evening, were of unusual interest. The class
of 1909, of which there are twenty-five living
members, celebrated their semi-centennial in
quiet but interesting manner. Six of then
were present. one of whom said he had not be
fore attended a commencement at that institu
ton since he left it. fifty years ago. The class
of 1929, to which the Rev. Leyerett Griggs
formerly Of Millbury, Hon Francis Gillette o
Hartford, and other eminent men belonged
celebrated their third decennial with appropri
ate observances. The classes of 1874 and 1874
were also very numerousy represented. Tn
latter, on the occasion of its first decennial, 60
together upwards offifty from class of whicI
but eighty-seven are now living. The meeting
is said to have been deeply interesting. The,
were entertained at the Tontine. The class O
1853 met at the New Haven House, on the oc
casion of its second triennial. Nearly one-hal
of its members were present, some with thel
wives and children, and others alone-thos,
who were not defiant in their solitude, apollo
giving with this sad refrain, or something lik,
it,
"a time twice as long as the siege of old Troy,
To win a fair maid my time did employ
But still as pressed her the day for TO set,
She constantly answered, There's time enough YETI
The class of 1866 also celebrated their frs
triennial festival, at the New Haven House, il
very happy and successful manner. AL
these class reunions were made the occasion
for expressing all worthy and estimable scnti
ments, and Of knitting together anew the love
and sympathy which each Yalensian feels fol
his brother, and for the beautiful mother Of
them all.
The exercises OF the graduating class are IN
progress while ! am writing Dr Rocon,.
church is crowded to overlooking. The sneoL
ing is Of a high order President woolso,
It'll Il.