Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-07
Reported Tor the Journal.
NORWICH UNIVERSITY.


Reported Tor the Journal
NORWICH UNIVERSITY.
THURSDAY, AuG. j.
The first annual commencement of this lnstitu-
ton since It's removal Mortified takes place to-
day. Yesterday there were exercises in the after
noon 10y the Junior Class consisting of decama-
tions and rociiatious from popular authors IN
which the following Cadets participated =. NJ.
Whiting North AttleborO, Mass C.. x. Walling-
ford, Milford, \. II G.. X Sabine Windsor.
VI; n. w. Ellis, New York city, and r. Gros-
veuor, Providence. X. /. The performances
were all highly orcliiable 20 the young gentlemen.
and showed thorough instruction Ia this useful
part of Young mans education
Browns Boston Brigade Band furnished most
excellent music for the occasion.
We noticed several OF the Trustees OF the In
stitution present, among whom were Rev. Dr.
Bours. one OF the professors, DR.. j. \. Dewey,
Hon. Edmund Weston, Gen. s. Thomas. Hon.
A. i. IIunton and Rev Mr.. Douglas OF Windsor.
Notwithstanding the presence Of the great Eu-
ropcan circus in town, with its "liye lions so
monopolizing 20 the American idea Of true great
ness, our prospective young heroes did not fail
TO attract highly refined and interesting audience,
well garnished with ladies' who did honor to the
occasion. The Methodist church is opened for
the exercises in which the regular Commencement
takes place to-day.
Last evening there was a meeting OF the Alum
y
and torchlight drill.
COMMENCEMENT DAY.
Thursday was as beautiful day could be de-
sired for any occasion, and early in the morning
the streets Of Norhfeld showed signs Of unusual
life and hustle, many strangers having arrived in
town the night prevogs, who felt an interest in
the exercises Of the day. At 9 o'clock a process
sion was formedin in front OF the Cadets barracks
near the Northdeld House, under the direction Of
Col. Chas Is. St0ughtou, University Marshal.
headed by the Band, and escorted bv the Cadets
followed 10y goolly column composed of the
President, Faculty, Trustees, Alumni and former
Cadets of the Institutions visiting friends and
many citizens, proceeded TO the Methodist church,
where the following exercises took place: Open
ing Prayer, by Re- Rev Bisop Hopkins. Ora
tons-'lhc Soldier His True Mission and Re-
ward, Seth. 4 Benson. Blackstone. Mass Pop
ular Cultivation of Music, Wesley X. Walton Au-
burne, Maine The Land is Sacred which we Love.
Ga poem,) Mron r. Hurlburt, Grand Isle, VT
War not opposed to Godlincss. with Nacdictory,
Francis NJ Gowdy, Broad Brook Conn, inter-
spersed with excellent and appropriate music by
the Band.
The conferring of degrees by the President Of
the University, Mai. Walker, IT, Army. next
followed in course, after which the Poet for the
occasion, Hon. Charles G.. Nanzandt of Newport.
K. J., entertained, Instructed and amused the
densely crowded audience for a full hour, with
such feast as is rarely met with, even in luxuri-
ant Vermont, a State that can boast Of some good
poets and poetry. The poet himself is "hostn
in stature as well as intellect, and plays with the
muses. with all the ease, grace and familiarity
that the best japanese Juggler passes through his
T0ie of deception before astonished eyes TRA-
pIuoNs AND MEMORIES was the appropriate name
bestowed upon his theme; and its happy delivery,
in a voice so well modulated as TO give the atten-
tive listener the most vivid conception OF his life
like word painting, and there was no daubng, no
uncontrolled touches; together with wit
sparkling and brilliant as that of our own SAKE,
based upon a superstructure of the grand and the
sublime which might well cmenate from the
roundings of the poets home made it one of the
best, If not the very best performance for popu-
lar assembly, we ever listened to, As its author
has never published book, and writes for fun, as
relaxation from more Htateriai duties, and being
a newspaper man himself, be viii please not to
consider this bricfu notice in the light of puff
The poem was followed by an Grafton, by the
Hon. 5. B. Colby of Washington, orator OF the
day. His subject was " Yankee Schools and
there was much practical good sense displayed in
its handling, particularly interesting to the inte-
gent advocates of a system Of education which has
for its corner stone the sound practical ideas Of
such man as Capt. Alden Partri lge the found
er Of the system of which Norwich University is
the representative. The class of 90, and all pres
ent, had abundant reason TO feel well pleased with
the use made Of the hour occupied by Mr.
Colby.
Music, and a benedicton by Bishop Hopkins
concluded the exercises in the church, all of which
passed of in the most satisfactory manner, and
were highly creditable to the Cadets taking part
in them.
At O'Clock p. NJ. procession of the Masonic
fraternity was formed, who were present by inv-
taton to lay the corner stone OF the new Uniyersi
ty building now being erected in Northield. The
site Of this new odlfcc is about midway between
Depot Village and the old Nouh6eld Village, on
a high emuence between the main street and
the railroad. 1t is beautiful location, so far as
nature has seen ht to CO. in celebrating the sur
roundings, and WILL no doubt, when the artisans
and the mechanics have finished their work, and
" the shovel and the hoe - terraced its surround
ing slopes and smoothed its parade, be all that
could be desired for its purposes. The grounds
embrace an area OF twelve acres, which We under
stand TO be gift, highly credtable to the intel-
gent liberality OF its donors from the citizens Of
Mortified, is also the building 10 be erected
To this spot the long procession wended its way
where in presence OF vast concourse OF people
who had preceded them, the corner stone was laid
" in due and ancient form by Most Worshipiul
Grand Master l.. B. Englesly Of the Grand Lodge
OF the State of Vermont After the conclusion Of
this imposing ceremony the procession returned
to the NorkGeld House, where they sat down 10
a collation. bountiiuly provided by the De Witt
Clinton Lodge Of +. A. NJ. OF Northteld, at which
Past Master George Nichols, Secretary Of State,
presided IN a most courteous manner. Many dis Z
tnguished invited guests we're present, and be- I
sides the ieasting there sentiments read by
Toast Master Gregory and responses uttered by
the right persons in the right manner, which gave
a pleasant ending to the days festivities
We may refer more in detail to this part of the
proceedings tomorrow, if the good looking man
who had the 'toasts' in his keeping remembers US.