Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-08-18
AMHERST COLLEGE.

with q Baccllaureate discourse in the Congrc-
galonal church by President Stearns. The
subject was, "Thc principles which should con-
troll the Christian student in the choice of his
profession.
Monday evening following, the speaking for
prizes took place. The contestants were four
members from each of the two lower classes
The prizes were awarded to S. g. Lapham and
w. g. Thompson of the Freshmen class; and
TO Alvah A. Knight and j. Oramel Peck of
Groton. Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. Joseph
Thompson, ID. d., of New York City, gave an
address before the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
His theme--"Self Culture in the various de-
partments of literature as distinguished from
the Disciplined Routine of Educaton"-
treated with marked ability lie made plain
the need in literature of becoming imbucd with
its spirit as well as familiar with its FORMS 1t
was, however, as full of quotations as a Thanks
giving pudding is of pums. In the evening
the Rev. Frederick d. Huntington, D. D., de-
livcred discourse before the Society of Inquiry.
His subject was the "Pcrmanency and Growth
of Christianity" 1t was to the young soldiers
of the cross just girdng on the harness for the
conflict, the right word in the right place.
At the Alumni meeting, Wednesday morning,
the Hon. Horace Maynard VI. C., of Tennessee,
of the class of 1898 was chosen President for
the occasion and for the year ensuing The re
naming members Of the old board of officers
were reelected. Three of the former graduates
of the College had as appeared from the ne
crology, died during the past year: Prof. Alon-
20 Gray Of Brooklyn, n. Y, but a native of
Townshend, Rev. Alpheus Field of Marlboro
Mass, and Henry Chapman of California. The
Rev. Jacob NJ. Manning of Boston, was elected
orator for the next commencement, and Judge
Henry NJ. Spoford of Louisiana, alternate In
teresting speeches were made on the OCCASION
The Grafton before the Alumni was pronounced
by Prof Francis A. March of LAFAYETTE College.
Easton, Pa. His subject was "Ihe English
Languages" his propostion-"1he English is
new Language" The theme was so well
managed that of class ordinarily deemed pro-
found and dry and though the speaker held his
manuscript and read, yet il secured the atten-
ton of a vast audience and held them as if
ell-bound-sOmetmes their ewes suflused with
emotion, sometimes kindling with thought, and
sometimes merry at a stroke of wit or humor
while often subdued expression of applause
would be audible.
In the afternoon the Hon. Horace Maynard
addressed the Literary Societies of the College
on the dcslrableness of adding to a liberal cul-
ture Political Education. Tall, erect, slim,
swarthy, with straight black hair and courtly
men, together with an extreme southern polit-
ieal position, he might be readily taken for a
member of one Of the "frst families" in old
Virginia, with the blood of Pocahontas in his
veins. But he happens to have been born and
reared in Worcester County, Massachusetts,
Mr. vi. S Grafton was good in thought in style,
and in delivery. 1t was also very well received.
An excellent concert was given in the evening
by Gilmore's Brass Band, which was in atten-
dance during the week
On Thursday. 'the last and great day of the
FEAST the exercises Of the graduating class
were performed. The procession formed at
nine O'Clock in front of the College Chapel and
marched TO the village church. On the platform
were seen, together with President Stearns, the
venerable ex-Presidents Humphrey and Hitch
cock, Presidents FELTON, of Harvard College
aud Ch"p'" of Bcloit College; also, the Cover
nor OF the State, his staff, etc. Twenty-Five
members OF the senior class had received APP
pointments of which few failed to appear
The Salutatory Grafton in Greek was delivered
by Horace Binney of Philadelphia. and the
Naledictory by Francis f. Tower of Petersham
Mass. Without particularizing further, it NAV
be remarked that some of the addresses were
ereditabe to their authors, while Others would
have been far more interesting had they been
less commonplace in character, and had there
been greater animation in the delivery of them
The whole number who received the degree of
A. b. was AZ. The degree of A. NJ. was regu-
iarly conferred on six, and the honorary degree
on Jacob NJ Taylor. The degree of LID was
conferred on J. 5. Lapham of Milwaukee, Wis.
Nathaniel =. Banks of Waltham, and Prof f.
s. Smell of Amherst College The degree of
ID. ID. was conferred on Rev. A. c. Thomson
Of Roxbury, Mass, Rev. Aaron Warner, late
Professor in the Institution, ard Rev. Henry
Ward Beeeher of Brooklyn, y. y.
Alter the close of the exercises at the Church
a procession was formed, composed of the
Alumni of this and other colleges the Cover
nor. and the military, which moved to the GYM
nasium, recently erected, and in the hall of the
building partook of dinner. When the din
ner had been concluded hymn was sung, fol-
lowed by speeches from President Stearns and
others whom he felicitously called out, among
whom were Governor Banks, President FELTON,.
Horace Maynard Col. Sergeant of Boston, and
Heman Humphrey. A levee at the house of
the President in the evening concluded the an
niversaries of Amherst College.
The corporation of the Institution have Just
established professorslip of Physical Culture
and llygeine, and they have appointed DIR.
JOHN w. HOOKER, graduate Of Yale College
to the Professorship. The Treasurer of the
College has recently received sealed box from
David Sears of Boston, enclosing gift to the
College, but which is not to be opened for one
hundred years.
Thirty six young men have already entered
for the next Freshman Glass.
The day of Commencement has been changed.
1t will occur hereafter on the second Thursday
Of July. The first term will open seven weeks
after commencement, and continue till Thanks
giving, when vacation of six weeks will occur.
The second term will complete the year, lasting
from the winter vacation till commencement.
with one weeks recess in the middle H.c
A