The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1869-08-14
A Sad Speech by William
Cullen Bryant. a,'s3

One of the saddest and most
touching speeches that we ever
read is that of the venerable
poet William Cullen Bryant, at
the late commencement OF Viii
liams College. Being called lE0a
to speak at the annual dinner, he
said eas +sg
at has occurred to me, since l,
in the decline of life, came TO visit
once more this seat OF learning iii
which our youth are trained to
succeed us on the stage OF the
world, that / arl in the situation
OF one who, standing OIL a. spot
desolate with winter and dim with
twilight, should be permitted by
Il sort of miracle to look upon p,
neighboring region glorious with
the bloom OF. spring and bright
with the beams Of morning. On
the side where stand are herb
less fields and le4ttess woods,t
pools sheeted with ice, q frozen
sail, and the shadows of approach
ing night. On the side to which
I look are emerald meadows, fields
of springing wheat, orchards sin
/ bloom, transparent streams, and
a genial sunshine. With me. it
/ il too late for any further hopeful
tillage, and ifthe plough were put
into the ground, IFS coulter would
be INSTRUCTED BY the ice bound
sods. On the side to'which Hook
| see the tokensaof iudicious cul-
tivation and careful tendance, re-
compensed by a free and pronis-
ing growth. Ireloice at the kind
ly care thus bestowed, and my
hope and prayer is that under
such auspices all the promise
which meets my eyes may DO am
| ply fulfilled, and that from these
| iuxuriant fields d harvest may DO
| gathered richer ard more abun'
dant than has, ever yet been
stored in the granaries OF our
land.p - BB lFisass
4 These words are full of poetry,
i but it seems like the poetry OF de-
4 spair. The apparent contrast De
tween age and youth was never
more forcibly presented. Were
this the utteranee of less sincere
man than Mr.. BRYANT, we should
think that somewhat of the truth
was Intentionally sacrificed for
| the sake of strengthening this
contrast, so much that is .beauti-
! full and attractive seems omitted
from his picture Of old age. l.n
All that gives promise OF hap
! piness to earlier life was elegantly
. pictured to the youth of whom he
| spoke in Mr.. sBryant's. words
' But the sombre colors in which
, he drew the surroundings OF age,
] and the hopelessness with which
he spoke Of further profitable
! work in advanced years, seem
yeryssad. We are sure that his
7 own life and labors show how
t truly the earnest efforts Of good
+ man, in oldage asin yonth.never
cease to e,capable OF yielding a
Y fruitful harvest, even IN. this
Ell world. ~ f#s3sfAF# ia8sfa afaS
81 y gIu the old age Of their brother
o aluEnnNs, William Cullen Bryant,
u the students of Williams College
nA have the brightest example Of
ei whatto make their own. Sad as
+ his words are, we, cannot but be
y lieve that such a life as his bears
y, with it 4 satisfaction that it is
!, given to fewto know.--tl. .Nefo te l l0rl
I Sa4.
/ A tabular statementissued from
the Office OF the Auditor OF State
a. shows the number of horses, cat
\. tie, mules, Sheep and hogs il
prl tlhio, in 1869, aud the increase o
decrease over the preyions years
10 The footings are as follows:
. Ts9o518 saE at sa 1865 ssisse
s. Number of Horses 80. 7aos75 sals37
.st Eunher of Cattle. r. ,312, ,666 f,fg1,5s
ii snmSer a'nSef 4 4 sslFs. sResp.
a. YltniberVf Hogs. ns-- -IRl2y15 II ,S9Ss9i
hel Ii will be seen that there ha
been a large decrease iiIlive stoek
t'horses exeeptedy OF which hther
has been III increace OF 1000, a.
re cording to the returns Of th
IN, County Auditors. The falling 0
in cattle is over 20, 900 head, an
-erl III sheep over I, 400 900 lIeaiis Th
nd decrease in sheep sxas noti taae,
aylpecteaK, as wookgrewlag hs
err ceased to be as profitable as 81
ON ring the last, Years OF the war.
some of the largest sheePgfOwir