The Portland daily press., 1869-07-22

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| To The Editor OF the Press:
Very little of interest took place yesterday,
the second day of Commencement. 1t was
rather devoted to decoration and other imme-
diate preparation. The Alumni began to pour
in rom all quarters of the world and every
one brought reports of others coming. Very
| few of the later classes are unrepresented, and
some Of the older graduates are occasionally
seen treading the old paths alone. Glass tents
are being erected for meetings and dinners
and the only sign of Commencement is the
busy working of every one, the half-familiar
faces everywhere found, and the evident gen.
eral waiting for something to turn up The
immense, awkward form Of Long John"
Wentworth of Chicago. last year favored with
an LII. D. from his alma mater, causes every
one who does not know him to laugh and ev-
cry one who does know him to recall his Pc
culiarities, remember his strange mind, where
beauty is always sacrificed to strength, and
continue to wonder at the influence he has al
ways exerted among his friends in Chicago
President Brown of Hamilton College, so well
remembered as Professor here, is also pres
ent and ready to give us a beautiful history of
the college in the short space allotted to him.
Our old Professor Hubbard has come on from
New Haven to rejoice in the festivities of col
lsge not his alma mater, but endeared to him
by connection of over twenty years. None
of the distinguished strangers have yet arriv-
ed but Gen. Sherman. who so greatly enjoyed
himself when here three years ago, and be-
cameso firm friend of the college. 1t is now
believed that President Grant will not be
present.
Yesterday afternoon eulogy ON one of the
Senior class, named James, drowned about
year ago under very peculiar circumstances,
had interest to many, as it was connected with
the graduating class, though not with the
commencement exercises. 1t was very pleas
might showed a good amount of talent in the
young man delivering it,
The evening was devoted to prize speaking.
In 1865 LIE Grand Lockwood, of New York,
donated 81 1000, the income OF which was to be
distributed as prizes to those who should ex-
eel in English composition and defamation
The prize for the best essay is contended for
by the Seniors, to which contention any mem
Der of the class is admitted if he choose to
write. Two subjects are usually given by the
Faculty, and the best two essays on either of
these subjects command the two prizes. The
contention for the prizes for the best declama-
tion is more limited. The prizes are equally
divided between the junior and ithe sopho-
more classes, two being given to each. To
contend for them, there are selected from each
of these classes six young men without regard
to scholarship, who are considered by their
classmates, by whom they are chosen, as repre-
sentative men. The selection is generally far
better than could be made in any other way
and shows the superior judgment of the stu
dents as regards the qualifications and ability
OF their own association.
The treat afforded by the exercises last night
was truly great one, and the talent exhibited
remarkable The defamation would have
done honor to any body of men, and some of
the readings of fine pieces chosen could with
great difficulty be surpassed.
J.Henry Hardy, of Hollis, N H., delivered
the speech of Pericles to the Athenians with
fine effect, and commencing SO WE'LL insured
good reception for all the speeches S. Henry
Steele of Newport Vt, recited a portion of
Gunner's Great Speech s'Crime against Kan
sas" vsry.well, though perhaps he little over
did it. Franc Brown of Clinton New York,
recited "The Vagabonds'' finely and certainly
deserved the first prize, although he only re-
ceived the second. Few could have excelled
him, and if his voice was little more sono-
rous, his delivery would be very remarkable for
a young man. He is son of President Brown
of Hamilton and grandson of old President
Brown of Dartmouth. He leads his class in
college and is destined some time to make
mark in the world. Lorenzo Richmond of
Woodstock VT, delivered portion OF Ste
phens speech before the Georgia Convention.
Henry w. Tewksbury of West Randolph, VT,
choose for his defamation, Webster's celebra
brated plea on the murder of Joseph White
winch though finely spoken seemed hardly to
10 tnat matchless piece of oratory justice. and
.hereiore anected the audience less favorably
than it deserved. Mellen d. Stone of Jaffrey
N. ID. closed tne Junior list with Fox's Politi-
cal Pause. The Sophomore speakers were
Sidney Worth of San Francisco. who waa nm.
fortunate in his choice of that old bacl.nevod
speech of Spartacus to the Roman Envovs
VIM. H. Bartlett of Peoria, ILL.,, who render
ed remarkably well "After the Battle Chas
4. Hili OF Temple, N. H., who spoke with great
enect heiogg's "virginius to the Roman Ar
my H. M. Carleton of Hayerhill, Mass.
VINO, also spoke very finely, "Regulus to the
Carthaginians." Frank e. Dimicle of Lymes
n. H., Curran's "Plea for an Irish Libeller.v
W. M. Parker Of Manchester, N. H..Dewev,s
nd Dat