Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-11
commencement at Burlington.
BURLINGTON, Wednesday II p. m.

Editor Rutland Herald When the
deities, who preside over the affairs OF
mortals, were in council at the beginning
of this present year there was great DIS
satisfaction among them, for they sald
"men certainly go to and fro in the earth
according to the prediction, and great
deal more than is profitable, but know
ledge does not seem to increase in any
thing like fair proportion, and some
proposed one remedy for this unfortunate
state of things and some another, but one
said "Let us cause the summer to be SO
hot that no one will wish to stir, then
will every one stay at home and mediate
upon what they have seen in their former
travels and they will grow wise thereby
The plan was adopted and, SO far as the
weather is concerned, has certainly been
fully carried out but its success does
not seem to have been proportioned to its
ingenuity. AT all events, about the usual
number of old and young, of grave and
gay are assembled this very hot summer
at Burlington to participate in the duties
and gayeties of commencement. This may
be in some way accounted for by slight
relaxation on the part of the thermometer,
which began with the rain on Saturday,
and has since been encouraged by kindly
showers which has laid the dust, cooled
the air, and given US, thus far in the
week, delightful weather.
Tho avaro1uas xpb,oh
opened with the Baccalaureate on Sum-
day by President Angel, were held in the
Second Congregational church, Mr.. SAT-
ford's. 1t is new and beautiful building
of grey stone, the interior very handsome
ly decorated, in good taste and with fine
effect; but it is much too small for the
present emergency. President Angels
address was finely delivered to large and
appreciative audience. His subject was
Truth" and it was presented in a manner
calculated to make an enduring impress.
sion upon the class to which it was par
ticularly addressed. Here, as at all che
subsequent exercises, the church was
crowded, and many went away for want
of room. Undoubtedly one of the attrac-
tions was the music, the singing being
assisted by Mrs. Oliver of Rutland, who
never was in better voice, sung better, or
won more golden opinions.
Monday evening, Mrs. Gov. Underwood
gave large and brilliant party, and
Tuesday evening was rendered memoir
able by the concert of the Germania Band,
Certainly if the epihtet "heavenly" can be
applied to any earthly achievement it is
to such music. The programme was an
excellent one, and every one had but one
regret-that it closed 80 SOON
To-day has been appropriated to the
proceedings of the Alumni. The address
in the morning was by the Rev. Mr..
Byington, formerly of Windsor, and now,
l think, at New Haven, in this State. Mr..
Byington is a man of fine abilities and
fair delivery, and held the attention of
the audience to his close. Then followed
the poem, by your townsman and some
times contributor, @. r. Ballard. Mr..
Ballard enlarged on his topic, "The Signs |
severely critical manner for an hour and |
Il quarter. If he had been as keen to read /
some of the signs of the times Immediate |
ly before him as he was to comment upon /
such as he has perceived, think he would |
have closed much sooner. Does not every
one know that the poet or orator does not |
live who can hold tired audience inter
ested after they wish to go home d? and yet
nine tenths of our pnblin snAalrArs fai'
right there. They do not know when to
stop. Certainly long poem is too long
when people are tired before they begin
TO listen.
Aud now must beware lest l too lay
myself open TO the charge of prolixity, !
but must not close without a mention
of the Alumni Dinner which was graced |
by the presence of few ladies, not 0l1tn1- |
nj. This is AN innovation of the last two
wears aud it is rumored that if it contin-
ues President Angel will avail himself OF
privilege, which certainly should be ac-
corded to the Father of Alumni, to greet
his returning children, at least a part of
them, with a kiss.
History, as usual, repeated itself at the
Junior Exhibition. There was the usual
amount of poetry, patriotism, classic and
scientific love, varied by one young gen.
tleman who solemnly assured us that he
was practical, and who urged upon his
hearers, as the poet did upon the wood
man to spare that treep Where all
spoke reasonably well it may seem invidi-
Gus to mention any. Tie pieces all showed
care and study and some ingeniality of
thought, and all were rewarded by
boquets of beautiful flowers, which at
least spoke of the presence of appreciat-
ing friends. If we critieise at all it would
DO the manner more than the matter.
The class seemed as a whole, to lack elo.
cutionary culture. Many of the voices
were bad, more were badly managed
the next year may bring about great
Improvement in this respect. ..
The poet of the class of II acquitted
himself well. If he has not the true
poetic fire, he has very considerable tai
ent for versifoation with a good voice
and pleasant manner.
We noticed on the platform DR.. Kitch-
ell of Middlebury, who was either very
deeply impressed by the food-tide of
junior wisdom and eloquence to which he
was listening, or else was thinking, all to
himself, how much better his own boys
would do the same thing next week at
Middlcbury.
The music this evening was by the
Germania Banda rare treat, of course |
Would all the purposes of commencement
BE- answered rs well, wonder if the in
cipient rulers of our nation should spout
to themselves in their own dens and the /
Germania Band fill up the time with their
sweet music Probably not, or such a
prima-facie improvement would long ago
have been adopted by the authorities. |