Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-10-27

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and the few tunes of the old masters Ito Dor
row a phrase) were deemed sufficient for lif'
time, people were not sensitive about their sing
ing; but with variety in music and the forma'
ton Of choirs csme discord. This transition
stage Of musical art opened to the Professor a
rich field for anecdote. The stories were told Of
the deacon who rose to make an apology, which
apology the congregation regarded as the lining
of hymn for them to sing, and, accordingly
commenced singing. "My eyes are dim l cannot
see;'' of the other deacon who went angriy out
of church, turning round as he reached the
door aud informing the congregation that he had
danced hundred times TO the fugue tune the
choir we're singing, &c, &c. And SO Prof.
Cheney kept his audience very attentive.
and they all declared it was a. a
good thing" In closing his enter
tsinment he recited the words Of the Judg-
ment Anthem in forcibe manner and with ap-
propriste variations, putting the music upon q
line where the expression could not be reached
without
When he had closed and sat down, Sens
tor Richardson asked him to sing "a The Old
Arm Chsir" He rose and complied, singing
with much feeling and with propuety. Profes-
sor Cheney teaches music, that is singing, and
resides in the town of Barnard. With some, if
not quite number. of peculiarities, be has real
genius for music, and did himself credit by his
able effort before the Society.
If he should contribute another paper. giving
some account of the singing teachers of Yer
mont, it would be paper of great value. Posi-
bly, it would be difficult to obtain the materials.
Certainly, the subject is one which commends
itself to the Historical Society both on the score
Of merit and novelty.
learn that IN 1857 Mr.. Cheney was a Repre-
sentative in the Legislature. His speeches are
described as having been spicy aud entertaining
to a very unusual degree.
The railroad contes, bids fair to be good
thing this session Mr.. Park Of Bennington
comes here, it seems, with an object IN view,
and has the ability to carry it out. lie does not
intend to have the Rutland & Burlington road
so managed as to give all, or nearly all the
through travel and freight to the Rensselaer, &
Saratoga road, to the detriment of the Western
Vermont road. He purposes, it would seem, to
follow up the managers of the Rutlsnd & Bur
ington road so far as it can be done by public
meetings and Legislative agitation. and il posi-
bic compel them to mend their ways. Mr.. Park
is reckonel a stroug man and likely to succeed.
Mr. Miner Of Manchester brought IN memo
rial yesterday setting forth in glowing terms the
insuferable and arrogant conduct of the said
managers, and detailing the hostile measures -
adopted by them. The drawlRg up Of the me
moral was the result Of public meeting held
IN Manchester on the 9Th of the present mouth
The proceedings Of this meeting are circulated
here in pamphlet form, aud they are accom-
panied with a well-executei map Of the two
roads contesting icr the through travel, the
pamphle, is quite an attractive document This
railroad matter bids fair to give Us some enter
tanment before the close Of the session.
The Connecticut river and the fish question
has already been brought forward. The Connec-
ticut, it seems, will afford good fishing If egisa-
ton can effect that desirable object. This State
will, doubtless, cooperate with Massachusetts
and New Hampshire in their recent action upon
the subject Two commissioners will probably
be appointed by the Governor to confer with
those of the States above mentioned. The prOpo-
sition is to allow the commissioners a hund-
red dollars also, to operate with in trying to IN
troduce bass, salmon, and other fish into other
waters Of Vermont Whether this part of the
scheme will be approved. is, think. doubtful.
There is good deal of agitation this morning
about the election Of Secretary Of State and other
State officers. to take place this afternoon.
learn that Gen. Foster has Withdrawn from the
contest. This leaves no competitor for the office
Of Secretary against MIR. George Nichols of
Northfeld, who will doubtless be elected.
The militia question has not yet been suif-
GENTLY sgitated to bring out the sentiment of
the House or Senate upon the subject. Mr.. Nj
cholson's bill proposing to do away with drill
and parade of priyates and nOD-cCmmissioned
officers, and increase the pay Of commissioned
officers and musicians, Is the only proposition
which has yet been presented There seems to
be strong party who favor change in the
law, but whether the bill already introduced will
meet their idea is doubtful
1t is plain that there will he contest on the
Agricultural College question. Whether the
fight will be triangular, or contain as many cor
ners as the question has sides, is not yet appar-
ent. In the lstter case its phases will require
an observatory for special observation Aside
from the much-vexed bounty questions growing
out Of State aid to soldiers, there has been no
subject requiring State legislation more fruitful
of controversies than this. In this and all SINH
lar remarks, railroad qusrrels are Of course ex-
cepted. OIL Of al ID ''''4 '.'N ''a
/ must allude in closing this letter to the man.
ner in which the Speaker has discharged the de
licate duty of appointing the standing commit
tees Perhaps all will give him the credit O
} having done his work well, and in good time
, considering the importance which members at
tach to the places they hold upon these commit
tees There may have beer some class in Col
lege more anxious about the arrangement of th
scheme for Commencement day, than are SOM
: members about the making up Of the commit
tees. In regard to this point am not positive
The committees are diligently at work to-day.
I Yours. z.
, aI -r a. D.. s..Il