The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-29
CHAPPAQUA MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE.

A Woodland CONNER nee ment in West
chestcr-The Outdoor COLLATION. Dis
turbed by Thunder Shower-The
Exerclses OF tho Students-Addrcss Of
Horace Greeley Delivered In the Quaker
Church-The Philosophers Country
Neighbors.
Yesterday there gathered among the hills Of
Chappaqua-a place now made famous by the resi-
dence OF the great agricultural philosopher OF the
age-a gala assemblage OF pleasant people, at tho
annual commencement OF the Chappaqua Noun
tain Institute. This establishment is stu
ated on the side OF the Chappaqua Mountain,
which tradition says was so named by
the Indians long before woodchopping came
into vogue in the New Netherlands. Above it, on
the summit, is a grove OF hckories. and within its
cooling shadows the prettest scene ever behed
was displayed under the thick hanging leaves. The
tlresome toll OF climbing the steep pathway was
repaid by cheering glimpse OF long, snowy white
tables spread among the mossy pillars and
crowned with all the optissimt OF coun.
try decaces Under foot was messy
carpeting, and on the gray rocks around
decorated by nature with fretted lichens, were
seated beves OF young ladies and gentlemen, most
OF whom undoubtedly could plead guilty to roman
tic predictions, the staider individuals pre-
ferring the more civilized Injuries OF chairs when
THE WOODLAND EXERCISES.
The exercises were begun short distance from
the spot selected for the dinner. rude platform,
supported by rocks, was raised under the trees
and around this centre the audience gathered
The nutterng OF feminine ribbons kept time
with the cool rustic OF the leaves, and their
soft voices to the family heard gatherings OF the
birds In the lofty alcoves OF the luXurant leaves
overhead. Among the most charming bellies OF
atan w M Wprr her w MisgS sad
OF White Plains. The young lady students OF the
institute looked very happy among their friends,
A comfortable seat was set apart on the PLATFORM
reserved for no less parsonage than the great
Philosopher OF chappaqua,. who had prom.
ised faithfully to be present. The other chairs
were occupied by the Trustees of the institution.
Professor 8. g. Collins. It's President, made a
short and facetious speech, which received hearty
piaudits. Master Henry II. @. Palmer then de-
lvered an original Grafton entitled "rhe Search for
Nature which was very well written. The young
read a very POLITICALLY conceived essay on
with SonG hair ss ney
ruby lips, and eyes Of dark deep blue. "The
Power OF Nature" was next discussed by Master A.
ciscs OF the students were then closed somewhat
abruptly with an essay on Natures LlbeTality"
which was read by Miss Mary Haviland.. II was
ssI pleasing p'0''''0n as regards ne 0'''0n ana
Nature having received her need OF praise in the
the MIDST OF Tue WOODS, which are her dearest
haunts all that remained to be done was to satisfy
her imperious cravings In the shape OF hunger, and
then 70 listen to the after-dinner speeches
TIE DINNER
The good things ''for the inner man" which had
been arriving In huge baskets with every family
party that drove to the rendezvous In its farm
wagon, were plentiful enough to have stayed the
hunger OF Pharaoh's host In the wilderness. Ripe,
glowing cherries and fresh creamed milk filed the
hearts OF the metrOpOitans with Understandable JOY
while innumerable small children made themselves
very sick by the reckless consumption OF Ice cream
aud sponge cake The simple festivities were sud
the west over the wooded hills that m Tx the borders
OF the Hudson In the distance, dark and sombre,
and the low rumbing OF thunder broke upon the ear.
Any one who has ever seen picnic dispersed by
storm OF rain can fancy the mingled laughabeness
and petty pathOs OF such scene. TIE great drops
came plunging down through the leaves that hung
lstlessly In the heavy calm, and az the lightning
flashed sulenly along the horizon general scam
per took place down the rough pathway TO the
shelter Of the academy. The tables were left desc.