The Portland daily press., 1871-08-04
ssTbe Lion of Eucerne."
PORTLAND.

Among the many noteworthy events -, NJ,
recent history of Waterville College,oi
University" as it is now cahed' Is 'i'
+;o, NJ tho iata commencement OF the memo
rial tablet erected by the alumni Ill memory
of tbair brothers who fell in the civil war.
Our faithful correspondent mas not failed to
describe Mimore's copy OF Thorwaldsen's
GLion of Lucerne" which has just been put
,p in the beautiful Memorial Hall at Water
VILE After an inspection of stereoscopic
view, furnished by Carleton, the Waterville
photographer, we are more than ever i'm
pressed with the idea that it is the most
appropriate design that could be adopted.
Moreover, it is perhaps the most valuable con.
tribution ever made to Names poor little
store of objects connected with the fine arts,
except the picture gallery at Bowdoin. This
noble piece of sculpture will for many de-
cades-for centuries, let us hope-speak most
eloquently to the beholder of the patriotic
devotion of the heroic boys of 6l.
Gin all of deaths solemnity he lies,
His tortured brow betrays his mortal PAIN
Net to every limb perfect reedom sh9ws.,
Inconquered hes he there, although in death;
And ON his alien state stiil shines there forth
llnbroken courage and a massive strength
hit emblem those steadiaSt hearted Swiss
Whose souls knew never what it was to YELL"
Underneath the inscription, which, in con-
formity with the PEI antry OF the convention
al usage that still obtains in academic insti.
tutions, is in Latin, are what purport to Abe
the names of just score of martyrs to the
cause Of national integrity. We are sorry to
see that tradition has been followed in this
case, too, and that noble men who were
known as John and William everywhere out
side of the trienpial catalogue are here alb
smdly named Johannes and Guiiielnus.
TheIe are some names missing, on what ac-
count we cannot imagine, unless it is only
intended to include those who actually grad
uated, or who were undergraduates at the
time they left TO enter the army. The last
twelve names in the above list are those OF
students belonging to the latter class. Many
of them relinquished their studies in April
1861, at the very beginning of the war. Al
that time Waterville College was fiourshine
as it never did before. The classes of 1861
and 1865 were the largest that had ever en-.
tered, and the future OF the institution seem
ed to be one of assured prosperity But the
war enthusiasm among the undergraduates
was uncomfortable. On the reception of the
news OF the fall of Sumpter they became ex.
tremely demonshative, and scores of gradu.
ates now living as well as the citizens of the
town will long remember how on the evening
OF the 14th Of April a procession, headed by
drum and fife was organized by the students
aud marched with tremendous shouting and
upIoar through the streets. So many stu
dents Immediately enlisted that it was found
necessary to bring the spring term to pre-
mature close, without even an examination
ton of the classes. When at The beginning
OF the summer term the students assembled
in the college chapel for prayers it was found
that their numbers were more than decimated.
The most OF them were learning in Virginia
nobler lessons than even the study of the an
clients could teach. One company of the
Third regiment was largely made up of stu
dents who all gave good account of them
selves. From the blow thus inflicted Water
Vile is just recovering and we are heartily
glad to know that with a board of able in
structors, a generous endowment, increased
facilities for instruction in the natural sci
ences and the progressive spirit manifested
by the trustees at the late commencement.
there is now greater prospect than ever OF
aprosperous and honorable future.