New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-27
COMMENCEMENT OF THE COLLEGE OF
NEW-JERSEY.

The commencement exercises of this one Of our old
est and most honored colleges, never fails to attract
crowd of people, many Of whom have keen aud
personal interest in the fame and fortunes Of the grsdu
ates and others Of whom attracted to Princeton
simply by their abstract interest in the cause of learn
ing by their desire to witness the final elocutionsry
efforts of the picked of the senior class of of
our Oldest and best colleges; and many not unnfu
enced by the wish to visit village whose environs
were the scene of one of the severest and most men,
oable battles in the whole long struggle Of Reyo-
tionary campaign.
And the crowd yesterday was as great as ever, the
hall devoted to the exercises was as full as ever, the
students were rs eloquent ever, the audience were
"a enthusiastic az ever and tie showers of rewarding
bouquets which psted the fsvorte speakers were as
frequent, us dscomposipg, but as complimentary US
ever before.
To refresh the memories OF our readers, ii may not
be amiss to Estate that the College of New jersey
ranks among the most ancient OF all institutions OF
Collegiate learning in all America. Ii was born, Or
founded, in I7H, at Elizabe.htowD, New-Jersey,
where il soiourned only until had attained the rle
ace of nearly one yearat this time, its first President,
the Rev. jonathan Dickinson died, and the College
was removed TO Newark, the Rev. Aaron Burr tather
OF The later Vice Preslden. Of The United Saesl being
apponted The President in l14S. From Newark II
was soon removed TO Princeton, where the solid build
ines OF The College were erected and there the insti-
tiion was finally anchored, aud became liked and per-
manent.
The frat graduating class numbered precisely six, of
whom some became aiterward honored and honorable.
Nassau Hall, the principal College building, was
erected in 1851; was burned duTing the Nevolutohi
was used for barracks by the British ard American
troops. alternately, during the war; and wa, upon
one occasion, cannonoded by Washington himself, for
the purpose OF dslodgng tho British troops al hat
time quartered therein.
II IL recorded as curious fact that the first cannon
hull 81 v WaRbinptou through
George III. that was hanging up in the h0Try. When
Gen. Washington ascertalDed the ddnngo done, lie
presented the lustitu,ion with SJ0 with which money
tic Trustees procured the first portrait OF Washington
by Charlie Wilson Peae, which pctuie still occupies,
ia tie College Library the identical frame from which
the Royal George was so sunmariy shot away.
The Graduating Glass tits year numbered 50
students the whole number Of young in the insti
tuition at the beginning of the year having been 81.
The great scoundrel Rebellion, however, found many
OF lie sympathizeIs in ills College, and number OF
sorthen-bonl students withdrew, and wenthome.
IL has lately been ascerined that every one these
boys who had thus been educated ia The North, end
yrincp7hy at the eGpeaSe II tke NORTH, have, since
they have discovered they can get nothing more,
joined JEFF. DAVIS traitor army aud are now fighting
sgains the Government that projected and educated
them These rebels number In all ITO, being disrib-
nted among tie clafses as follows: Seniors, -;
Juniors, 49, Sopholores, 81; Freshmen, 10; so that
more than 100 students still renain and the tra ore
in teir strenSth much in tie minority at
Princeton College they speedily will DC il front OF
tie Union battlo-ue. ..
At the Commencement EXercises yesterday there
were presonta large ntsber OF Ii tiugsl ed Strangers,
most Of whom lad places on hc stage, and many OF
whom were Alumni OF The College. From t.oso pres
ent We are ALE 10 make out tie srHJol seu let.
Speaker Pennington, Chan, ellor Green the Rev. I.
l.. ca, Ter, Prof. Chas Hodge, the Rev.David Magic,
ID. d., Stephen Alexander LII. D., Prof }. IL.
Mellvine, John 7. Jaekron, esp, Edwaid s. Field,
esq, Perry, b. c., Judge Harris, Arnold Gnyot,
LII d., President Junkn Of Washington College,
Va, who was, on account of bis Union sentiments,
recently compelled leave that State togethar with
many other prominent, genlemgp from the NoitasTD
klaies. LII. 6. "a. AZ .. ...a..