The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-09-24

dumb bells, &c. Visions of the old Col
lege gymnasium arose before my mind,
and saw myself descending, as upon a
certain time of yore, at frightfully pre-
cipiious pace, from one Of the highest
rounds in u ladder upon heap of rub
bish beneath, in an attitude 90 painful
and unbecoming, that you will excuse me
from further description. The exercises
were conducted with much gravity and
IN way which did much credit to the
competitors. There was a resemblance
we have to the arcounts of the Olympic
games. To be sure, there was no temple
dedicated TO the gods. but music and
flowers took the place of silver and gold,
and though the prizes were of more
substantial character than olive wreaths,
yet the honor of victory seemed to exer-
else more controlling influence than the
possession of the reward. On our way
back we saw jolly, ruby.facsd Turner
vaulting on the railing of the suspension
bridge, and accompanying his rather un-
graceful movements with the most violent
retching 4 have for long time witnessed.
We concluded that he had turned at least
once too many times. The streets were
full of German lasses coming and going
from and to all parts of the cauntry, some
OF whom were very handsome, and all,
the pictures of good health and good
humor. Notwithstanding Prentice has
declared that ''stufIing improves fairs as
well as fowls" it is by no means gen.
eral rule, for l am certain 1 witnessed
yesterday some fine exceptions-to which
stufiing could lend no additional charms.
The festival continued fer three days, the
utmost harmony and good feeling existing
all the time, which, taken in connection
with the object of the Turner's Associa-
tion, speaks well for the enterprise and
good sense of the German element of our
population.
When wrote you before I spoke of
the fine appearance of the crops. which
was true, they never having looked more
promising than at that time. But a
drouth OF number Of weeks has affected
the wheat crop very sensibly The kerr
mel, not having fully, matured, in many
Instances became dry and withereJ, 50
that the yield IN less than was at one time
anticipated. 1t is generally believed that
the average crop of wheat throughout
the state will not be less than 20 bushels
TO the acre. 1t is low selling at this
place at 81 % per bushel, with constant
tendency to rise.
l intended to say something of the
political prospects of the state. But the
recent elections IN California and Maino
have destroyed my confidence in any
predictions in favor of the republi-
can party. However much it may be
regretted, it is nevertheless true, that if
there is party in the world that deserves
defeat. for remissness and individual
and sectional dogmatism and obstinancy,
ii is the republican. Issues are Joined in
It's own ranks, upon questions of no more
state or national moment than the ap.
pearance of the next comet. A few
crazy, hot. blooded ium- -guzzlers on the
one hand, who think more of Demjohn
than they do Of Deity, and as many
pale faced ascetics on the other, who be.
lieve that the use Of pure wine for sacra-
mental purposes is blasphemy, and would
prefer bean porridge or sweetened water
instead, l say, few vicious, ill.disposed
wrangleis of this description, are capable
of dlsorganizins and defeating the only
party in whose hands the existence of tho
government is not in jeopardy. And the
greater shame is, they do not scruple to
do 1t. But | am making this letter quite
too long and will stop without further
comment. MD c.