Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-03-05
Princeton College.
CELEBRATION OF wAsHINaToN's BIRTHDAY-DR.
M'oosH's RECENT nLNEss-THE EXTENT OF HIS
LABoRs &c.

MoosHs RECENT uIlNEss-THE EXTENT OF HIS
LABoRs, &C.
Correspondence of the Commercially
PRINCETON, N. j., March 2.
Princeton College is more intimately connect
ed with the memory of the Revolution and
its Hero than any similar institution in the land,
DIR. McCosh very properly thought the 22nd of
February should be observed in a fitting manner.
Besides giving it as holiday, therefore, he ar
ranged for such exercises as by their novelty and
interest have male it day of memorable pleas
ure. The vaIous classes met in the chapel with
DIR. Alexander-the veteran of our faculty-as
presiding officer. He prefaced the exercises by
giving in his own earnest, simple way, an ac-
count of the connection Of his college with
Washington telling how the Continental Con-
gress when driven from Philadelphia convened
here, in old 'Naasau Hall, and were present at
the commencement exercises and how young
Ashbel Green afterwards President of the
College, stopped in his valedictory oration and
turning to Washington, addressed him per-
sonally.
These little items kindled enthusiasm to the
highest pitch, and gave zest to the proceedings
that followed Select portions of the Farewell
Address" were then read by member of the
senior class. after which four orators, one repre-
senting each class, delivered original speeches.
The american Eagle, of course, made sundry
fappings, but on the whole preserved becom-
ing dignity.
In view of the good results of these obsery-
ances it is hoped the day will be appropriately
observed in years to come.
The public will be glad to know that DIR.
MeCosh has recovered from his recent illness,
and this week resumed his classes. His sickness
continued about fortnight, and although not
nearly so dangerous as the papers have reported
enlisted in his behalf wide spread sympathy.
As he comes now to the lecture room, with care
worn face and nervous manner it is but too
plain to us all, that, sooner or later, he must
fall victim to oyerwork.
Besides his duties as President, and his
labors az auYauthor, he is working prodigiously
at other things He is the leading man in effect
ing the sustentation scheme Of the Presbyterian
Church, and upon it expends no small degree Of
energy. He is also working bard to effect
improvement in the whole system of New Jer-
sey.
The national civil reform movement also solic-
its much Of his attention.
just before his illness, at the invitation of
Secretary Belknap who is an old alumnus of the
college, he visited Washington While there he
organized Princeton " alumni association" at
the first meeting of which many notables of
Congress were present, BY special invitation he
attended meeting Of the President and his
Cabinet. as also a meeting of the " Civil Service
Commission" Before the latter body. he had
the honor of making speech in which he urged
his views as to civil reform. Nor this all, for
upon Sabbath he had to occupy one of the first
pulpits in the city, and preached to an audience
that contained President Grant and many of our
public men.
Such are some OF DR.. McGosh's labors exhibit
ing peculiarly restless energy, n broad philan-
thropy and an extended usefulness which our
country could scarcely afford to lose. j. G..