The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-30
CORKESPONDENCE.

AMHERST, Mass, Sept &c, 1870.
DEAR JouRxAL.-This town beautifully stu
atci on lOfly highlands, is well worthys notice,
both because Of its natural and acquired beau
ties, and its Institutions Of learning The scenery
about Amherst Is magnificent, and truly the
country has been .'framed In the prodigality Of
Nature" Few lovelier views can be found than
l. laid before the carer from the tower on the
chapel Of Amherst college. On one hand Is the
beautiful valley Of the Connecticut. Between
Amherst and the river, lies OLD Hsdley, with
It's magnificent avenues o'ershadowed by "a
brotherhood Of venerable trees" while beyond
the placid waters Of the Connecticut, the beau
tifui and thriving town OF Northampton en-
bosomel in a forest OF shade tres, wildly con-
tras,s its white houses with the green OF the
foliage.
On the otter hand is presented the noun
tain range. c,ppcd by Mount HOgOke. at whose
bIss the Connecticut winds peacefully along.
Opposite Mount lIolyoke Is another raoge, nom
which Mount Tom rcars its giant form, SEEM
inc almost, rs Horace says Of mortals, "to aim
mt heaven Itself in folly" Other villages crown
the SUBMITS or nestle at the foot OF these stall
wirt eminenccs, or dot the undulating country
tO the north and west. IL Is said that on y
clear day twenty-five villages can be counted
from the chapel tower. which Affords the lover
OF Nsture an aer,s whence he may gNIe upon
the inimtable picture Of Nature, which one al
WAYS leaves lingcringly and lovingly, and with
n deeper rvyerential awe Tor Him "whose fun
dation Is in the holy mountains"
(. The two prominent institutions Of learning
which are situated here, are Amherst College,
AMI the State Agricultural College. The fOrm-
or il situated upon one Of the highest sites Of
the town. The buildings are quite rumerOus,
and embrace several large new and elegant
cli6c,s, besides the first structures Of the Col
lege. The ,walker Building" not yet finished,
an eleg nj cdifcc for scientific ami other uses,
il especi,lly worthy Of the mention which We
must defer for the present.
Last THURSDAY afternoon occurred the laying
OF the Corner Stone Cfthe new College church,
which was witnessed by q large number Of stu.
debts AMI towussolk. The exercises commenced
with q Preliu mary Statement by President
Stsarns, then followed Prayer by Prof. Tyler,
and the ailrvss by Rev. G. {. Cushing, OF hos
ton. Amer this the stone was placed in posi-
ton by committee from the ScniOr class.
Then f6Ilowci singing, q prayer by Rev. MIR.
jenkins, the doxelogy, and the beneiiction.
We ars indebted 90 the .fmAsrst Sfadsat for the
following description Of the plan OF the church.
alt Is 20 be built in the Pointed style Of srchi-
lecture. crucifbrm In shape, having transept
aud nave. The tower 10 TO be circular at the
hase. changing shortly 70 square form, and
then to octagonal. and will be nearly 100 feet
In height. The materials used in the eonstruc-
tion 81 the c,lihce are granite and brown stone.
The windows in frOut Of She nave, and In each
extremity Of the transept will be supported by
columns Of polished Scotch granite. A chime
ofthirteen bells weighing ten thousand pounds
has already been promised. aud will be In read
iness al the completion Of the church."
The lecture ssason Is already beginning. To-
night George William Curtis lectures on
"Chsrles Dickens" Senator Rcvels willlect-
ure shortly on "rhc Tendency Of the Age" and
Mrs. Lvermore win ere long attempt to over
torn the arguments Of those opposing woman
suffrage. fours, farsr.