The New York herald., 1869-03-12
WILLIAMS COLLEGE.
Alumni Dinner nj the .Astor Heuse-Specchcs
and Toasts.

Alumni Dinner nj the Astor House-Specchss
and Toasts.
Williams College quietly and serenely nestled
among the Berkshire hills OF old Massachusetts,, 10
Ike pebble dropped In mid-ocean-the comparison
IS more sagey sophomore than original but perth
nent to our purposc--and the broadly circlng waves
OF its influence are known and felt to the farthcst
shores OF civilization and 10 may be added, bar
bar!sm, for more missionaries go forth from
this college than any other institution OF
learning In TINS country The missionaries well
enough in their way, OF perhaps out OF the way but
hosts OF ts graduates are not missionaries; are OF
that class who think more OF themselves than the
heathen whom 1t Is so difficult and expensive to
convert TO Christianity; those who ike money
and houses and lands and professional repute and
political preferment and all that; are those In short
who, with common sense appreciation OF the richer
golden prizes awarded here to genius and learning.
have come ana settled here to join in the perpetual
and grand and exciting scrub race for place and
power. Amid all the excltements, however, OF busy
life the old college days are not forgotten and diver
gent az are their pursuits bond OF scholastic fel-
lowship unites the respective alumni OF our various
colleges. comparatively modern but very agree
able way OF reyving these memories and making
stronger and irmer this bond Of fellowship is an an
nua dinner or these respective alumni First IN the
OF these collegiate dinners was that OF the grad
yates or Amherst residing In New York then followed
festival set to- set down rather OF Yale gradu-
ass rS ware The Of
evening the sons OF Williams met and smiled, ana
shook hands and supped and drank and male
speeches and gave toasts In the pleasantly spacious
dining rooms OF the Astor House. We are not OF
that class who pronounce everything ofthe present
better than everything Of the past, and therefore.
while the dinner and the wines, and the. gathering
and the speeches and the toasts were no better than
those OF the previous college dinners they came up 70
the same mank OF high excellence. There was alike.
assembage OF genial gentlemen OF refined cniture,
like flashing OF brilliant wit, q ike lofty ana
ments, Q like encrcng halo OF the golden light OF
Sgs Sas wa m @
seemly mirtn, characterized this reunion which was
lacking at the other dinners and that was ai,er re-
hall to hear the speeches.
At seven O'Clock about one hundred and ffy
sided. On his right he was supported by President
Marx Hopkins and on his left by William Curran
Nelson, Rev. DR.. Orvle Dewy, Rev. DR.. Haeck, the
Oldest graduate present. several membes or the
faculty and other gentlemen prominent In the pro-
fessions and the world OF letters. Rev. Dr. Dewey
said grace. over two hours was agreeably passed
in iveIlness and vivaclty with each circuit Of the
continuous courses ana by fresh popping OF cham-
hen in the ades as stated above and
after this IN due course, came the speeches ard
toasts.
The President made the Introductory speech and
one 1t was OF style characterized with wonderful
felicity. When failed TO love the companions OF
his college days he considered that college educa-
tion for such had been failure. He referred
TO the history Of the college and alluded 10 the
fact that here was formed the first missionary So
c,ety this country. Next he spoke Of the patriotic
conduct Of her sons In the war; then OF WiilaIn
Of American poets; then Of President Hopkins-(re-
newed applause)-whom he designated as the great
est Of American PHILOSOPHERS and & then o. others
spheres. He closed with Latin quotation
The following were the regular toasts and names
l. 'The President Of the United States"
2. ..Our Alma Mater and its Honored Head" Re-
sponded to BY President Hopkins.
3. 1.-THE Faculty or the College-Their learning and
fidelity win maintain the historic reputation Of our
Alma Mater.n Responded to by Professor Carter.
1. ssrhe sons OF Williams who served In defence OF
the national nag during the recent rebellion. We
the sacred struggle and will ever nonor those who
survive" Responded to by Colonel 9. +. Dwight.
Tae Poet LTsate n of Spn aa eas S
her son.n Responded TO by wm z. Bryant
g.. "Ihe sons OF Williams who on the bench and az
the bar have illustrated our Jurisprudence. The
former have ever maintained the purity Of the
ermne. while the latter have been equally true TO
the great principles oil justice tue rights 81 the STATE
and Of the individual man." Responded 70 by Z. q.
Benedict.
Il ssThe sons Of williams who in the sacred min.
stry have labored Tor the good Of their fellow men
botn at home aud In foreign lands by example and
precept they
Allure 10 brighter worlds lead the way"
Responded to by Rev. Mr.. Seaver
g. "Our brethren alumni OF the medical pr0!es-
sion We @ taIe pride % ~ tnea na,I ngh reputation and
selfish benevoIence." Responded to by DR.. George
u. Peters.
0. .srhe sons OF williams who in commercial lie
have exemplifed the culture OF liberal education
and borne witness to the truth that the pursuits Of
with generous devotion TO letters" Responded 10
by W. Pitt Palmer In sparkling and humorous
TO- .Ths Ladies'" Responded to by Rev. Dr. s. J.
Prime
President Hopkins began his speech with Latin. a
language. he said, with which they were all fain.I-
lar. He spoke OF the first formation OF an alumni
association IN Williams College nearly lity years
From thus he entered upon ninuter history of this
college than that given BY the previous speaker,
OF which was listened to with the greatest
attention by those present He also referred to
dotes Of their college life OF peculiarly interesting
character And thus from topic TO topic ne pro-
ceeded, giving speech Of the deepest interest," and
at the conclusion was accorded several rounds Of
most tumUtu0us cheers.
Letters exp expressing regret .. neng unable TO be
Morgan, Representatives A. IL. Lafiin and General
Garfield, Hon. David A. Wells, OF the Treasury De-
partment; Governor washburn, OF Massachusetts,,
Professor Carter made magnificent speech. His
euloglsms passed upon that par noble rratruga,
President Hopkins and Professor Albert Howe,
elected deaiening plaudts, IN which even the ladies'
Colonel Dwight's response was a delightful gem
OF post prandiai oratory; He expected TO respond
iege. OF whom he Is a descendant, but proved him.
self equal to the emergency OF an mpromptu speech
touching the brave sons Of Williams and their ga
Mr.. Bryant's speech was In his happiest vein, q
prose poem In fact or idyi of his college life ex-
periences, made respondent with the golden glow OF
most bewitchlng oralory.
Thus ran on the speeches. Every one was schc.-
arly enort and up to the Delightfully."- en-
livening musicbv band which was present and IN
terpolauons Of old college songs flied up the tn
testces. And then came volunteer speeches ard
;oasts protractng the agreeable festivities tik .ase
hour.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
There was meeting last night OF the polytechnic
branch OF the American Institute az room, xn -
Cooper Institute, the President, Mr.. Tillman. p,e.