The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-14
AMHERST COLLEGE.
Glass Day xercises--Cepi0us Flow Of Rain
and Spirits.
Auurpcr Eaoc JuIv II 1871

Glass Day xercises--Cepious Flow Of Rain
and Spirits.
AMHERST. Mass, July IL, 1871.
Alumni continue to arrive on every train, and,
although much preparation has been made TO ac-
commodate them, the little village OF Amherst
quite unable suitably to dispose OF them. It Is worth
q long journey even for stranger though he be Of
the coolest nature and knows little OF the pleasures
OF renewing Old acquantances 10 stroll through the
streets and about the buildings on College Hill, and
to note the old mems nand.shaking on the campus
where they stood years ago. and to them talk OF
those Old.time scenes. Every one Is twenty years
younger to-day. / met party Ut about twenty Just
arrived this afternoon. Every familiar spot was
marked, as well as every change, especially the
trees, old, majestic trees the same that had shel.
tered them many years ago. There Is nothing IN all
nature that draws to itself and lives as great,
friendly, nnchanging trees. The pleasure OF Glass
Day exercises was somewhat marred by the drench-
ing rain That fell after the audience were seated.
A mammoth tent had been erected On the
campus, where the crowd were invited and where
Crowds. you know, are impulsive. In waiting for
the rain TO sacken cach thought best to crowd to-
ward the door. The aisles became more ana more
packed, until It was perfect Jam. But the time
was not entirely wasted. Men began TO turn their
heads-and this was about all they could do-to
look for old friends. | saw one aged man look
despairingly about until he espled some one
from whom he had been long separated. By
OF several, and, after some prelimlnaries they
proceeded vigorously to shake hands, greatly
10 the discontinue OF sundry chgnons and
bonnets. Just behind was the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, in position where II seemed he was I'M
able 10 stir In vain he beckoned to those ahead to
pass on, In vain he endeayored TO push by;
but the crowd was stubborn No Beecher,
however, could endure this He retreated
among the Seats climbed over the backs, pressed 10
the door OF the hail and pushed He passed the hall
ana escaped into The street. Why could we not all
be Beechers IN a crowd This ill'omened rain was
to many the plelsantest feature OF the day; Tor the
crowd gradually Icli back into the hall, ana re.
newal Of acqualEtances that would have done any
one good took place. The flow Of spirits was as
cop,ous as the RAIN.
Those who could brave the weather repaired to The
1t rained the crowd was held IN check and amused
by college songs But the storm so increased that
the exercises were abandoned, with The exception
OF a parting song from the sophomore Class. ana
presentation Of cigars to The Sophs ana milk 10 the
Freshies which they deVoIred with g0oG relish and
''asked for mOre''-ali terminating 10y the smoking
OF The friendly pipe by the Seniors
large ana Intelligent audience assembled al the
Old College Hal lii the evening, TO listen to the
music dlscoursed by the MendelssOhn Quintet
Club Of Boston, assisted by Mss Adelaide Philips,
contralto.
Without enlarging upon the possible disappoint-
unlaoored musical expression 10 bat too evident,
TOO much cannot be SAID in favor OF the Quintet
Club. It's solos were simply enchanting.