The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-08-03
CORRESPONDENCE.
BRUNSWICK, Aug. !, 1866.


day Of Brunswick. Commencement has
been looked forward to for weeks and even
months, us day of reunion for the var
ious classes that have been graduated al
this honorcd institution here, rs n rd'tetfe1
day in the calendar Of the young men
whose four years course terminates to-day
as day Of pleasant. social meeting for the
people, who, in anticipation Of the day
have generally prepared to entertain the
strangers and visitors, whose presence con
tributes so much to the enjoyment Of the
occasion. The village is alive with people
and many and cordial are the greetings OF
classmates and friends on tho College
grounds.
The day has opened most beautifully
The mir Of this summer morning is clear
and cool, the recent powerful aud refresh.
ing showers have laid tho dust and purified
the atmosphere, the surroundings Of College
arc Us green and fresh Us OIL June day,
and everything seems to conspire to make
this un interesting anniversary. Tho daily
trains brings us crowds Of visitors. There
is great contrast between this and COM
mcncements Of forty years ago. Then It
was great undertaking tc como any dis
tance to commencement. No iron rail was
laid throIgh these eastern towns, 10 engine
uttered his harsh sounds here. The neigh.
boring towns sent in their Inhabitants in
their uncouih carriages, or on horseback,
and long lines Of them might be seen along
the streets, or in the borlers Of the pines.
Booths and tents were erected along the
streets leading from the College, and in
them the principal articles for sale were
liquors, pies and cakes. Horse. racing, wrcst.
ling aud fighting were the order of the day
among many Of, the visitors, though good
~ number interested in the welfare Of the
you'll, here, and the progress Of learning,
attended the exercises of the young Col
legc.
The exercises CT the week commenced
Sunday T. NJ, July 9th, with Bacca.
laureate by Prof William Snythc, founded
on the words in Revelation XXI, II,
"Blesscd are they that do his command.
men,s, tia, they may have right TO the tree
of life, aud may enter in through the gates
into the city," It was an excellent dis.
course, characterized by logical reasoning
profound thought, earncstness and the wig
orous, though somewhat nervous, style o
Prof Smythc, aud was listened TO with
marked attention. That Heaven is plncs
rs well us state, the Professor sought &c
prove by the words Of revelation. That /
is no place Of idle rcposc was clearly SC
forth. What will be the duties of all en-
tcring therein was discoursed upon, and, il
conclusion, the young men of the gradu
a,ing class, (who, seated together, arose,
were enjoined to do the commandments o
God, founded on the principles Of eterna
rrctitudc, aud adapted to our mortal condit
ION, that they might be useful to themselves
their country, aud their God, and at las
acn,er in through the gates into the city"
| On Monday evening occurred the Priz'
Defamation Of the Junior Class. Twelve
competitors contended for the prize. Fo
the most par, they exhibited the character
istics and qualifications of the orator, enter
ing into the spirit of their selections, though
there was much stiffness in their appear
ancc on the stage, rs there frequently is i,
mere defamation. Ricltcr's "Specch o
the Dead Christ" spoken by s. NJ. New
man Of West Falmouth, aud Choatc's "Eu
logy on Webster" by s. A, Plummcr o
Dexter, were finely delivered. These youn,
men won the prize. Tuesday p. NJ. III,
two Literary Societies held their annua
meeting, and chose officers, aflcr which tn,
procession formed in front of King Chapc
under the nashalship Of Edward N. Pack
ard, A. NJ, and was escorted to the Rev
DR.. Adams church by Giln,orc's celebrate,
hand, where they listened to the exercise
Of the day. Rev. DR.. Clcaveland, only sur
viving brother Of the late Prof Cleayeland
offered prayer. The Grafton was pro
nounccd by lion. George =. billiard, L. L
D., Of Boston. It was an able production
full of though, and practical principles. rici
in allusion classical and pocticnl, and 70
plc,e with valuable suggestion to the youn'
men jus. entering upon the duties Of edu
Gated men. Ills subject was the Polite:
Duties Of Educated Men under such ins'i
,u,ious us ours, and in such tunes % these