The Portland daily press., 1870-08-05
commencement nj Colby Unfvefsisy.
WATERyILLF Auoust 1870.

TO tie Editor ofthe Press;
have already telegraphed the highly graft
flying good fortune of the College yesterday,
with regard to the addition of $4,000 to its
funds. The patrons of the College opened their
purses freely when the immediate wants OF the
institution were presented. And the result is
that It now has au invested fnnd OF S19l,OCO,
and an elegant building is to be erected at
once at a cost of $25 goo for the departing mt OF
Chemistry aud Natural History, of which Frof.
Charles e. Hamlin is the faithful Instructor.
The College has now fine collection of min
erals and specimens in various branches Of
Natural History, ample for purposes of instruc-
ton, and to which additions are constantly le-
ing made. Within week it has been increas-
ed by valuable donation of minerals and
shells collected in Japan by Rev. j. P. Moore,
class of 1862, of California and by about 500
| specimens of shell from Prot Agassiz in ex-
change for valuable specimens sent from here.
The most complete cabinet of fossil and livrg
shells collected in Japan by the liberaity OF
Hon. j. Warren Merrill, the generous patron
of this department, is the property OF Colby
| University. and only waits the erection of the
new building to be displayed in all its beauty
and rare interest
This morning the work of remodeling the
large brick building formerly used as chapel
| and library, is commenced. 1t is to furnish
twelve commodious recitation aud lecture
rooms, all above ground, the present genera
ton having learned that Easements are not the
| best localities for the SIN ines of learning.
The addition to the permanent fund of the
College has enabled the Board of Trustees to
make much needed addition OF twenty five
per cent. 10 the salaries of the Faculty. Sew
eral members of the Board became deeply i'm
pressed with the Importance of making this
Increased compensation, and spared no labor OIL
argument until the end was accomplished. Il
is believed that the liberal spirit manifested by
the Trustees toward the Board of instruction
will add quckenng impulse to every depart
ment
The exercises of the graduating class were
held in the Baptist Church. ever memorable
for such occasions. The young gentlemen re
ceived many compliments for the successful
manner in which they performed their parts
The number of spectors being small, and tho
air cool within the church, there was not thu
WEAKNESS and Inconvenience frequectly expe
rience at college commencements. After the
degrees were conferred, the President an
nounced the donations made to the College
funds, which the College received with pro
longed applause. The report of the COMMITTEES
on Junior Prize Declarations, gave the frs
prize to Willis B. Mathews of Auburn, and tn,
second to Walter f. Marston of Bath, will
honorable mention of the pieces of George S
Paine of Winslow land Arthur N. Wiley O
Cherryfield.
The procession was again. formed and pro
ceeded to the Alumni Hall, where an excellen
repast was served, the counterpart of tn
Alumni dinner. Many college dinners hav
9 provoked considerable fault-fnding, but 70
this there was only hearty praise, and the re
suit could be seen in the good feeling preva
lent. DR.. Champlin called for $4,000, to max
| up S45 COO of toe amount to be raised durin
the year. DR.. George A. Pierce of Providence
gave $1,000, Hon. Hannibal Hamln 5000, sew
eral others hundreds for themselves or for thei
classes until the amount was raised. Presi
dent Anderson of Rochester spoke of the i'm
portance of wealth coming to the aid of in
structon, and the hard labor required t
found pew University. He declared his in
terest in the welfare of his Alma Mater, an,
prophesied for it a still more glorious future
After the company left the dining hall, which b.
the way was pronounced the most admirable TO
the purpose and for excellent acoustic proper
ties, photographs of the group were taken, will
the beautiful Memorial Hall as ckground
A visit to the public rooms and the grounds O
the University succeeded, and general feel
ing of satisfaction prevailed. The concert b.
the Germanias in the evening was decide
success, both financially and otherwise.
President Cbamplin held his usual receplio
in the evening, which was fully attended an
many congratulations exchanged. So ende
the ever memorable semi.centenial anniversa
ry of Colby University WNsLow