The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-10-04
Letter From Wateryilie.
VAUDEVILLE, Oct. 8, 1873.


HIGH TINES
The people here really believe-and appar-
emily with good reason-that the course of en-
pire is surely taking its way in this direction
after so many years of weary waiting. Mr..
Dunn's enterprise with the particulars of which
your readers are acquainted, has acted like an
electric shock. I judge that the average citi-
zen makes his mile on foot at least five min
utes quicker than he did six months ago. And
there is tearing down and building up on Main
street and elsewhere, a sharp advance in real
estate, an influx of population and a general
disposition on the part of the people to get
ready to make lots of hay when the sun comes
out. A few men, by their energy and foresight,
have contributed very largely to bring about
the existing state of pleasant expectation.
Conspicuous among them is Hon. Reuben Fos-
ter, ex-Speaker of the House and President of
the Senate whose faith in the possibilities of
the situation has led him to make the most Wig
orous and perseyering efforts to promote the
public interests, and has FASTENED, perhaps
more than any other one circumstance, the new
departure that mpends.
LITTLE sENTIMENTALIsM
But what pity, after ALL to spoil the tone of
this delicious town, with its air of literary Sc
clusion and high culture-to make it a manu-
featuring city, wherein the factory shall over
top the college, and the man of money take
rank before the man of letters!-to exalt the
brisk, pushing man of affairs over the modest
scholar. 1t seems proper that these reflections
should be made, and it was inevitable that
somebody would make them. But if you and
your readers should he so unmannerly as to
say ''bosh" or fudge" to my fine lament.
should not be much surprised or differ much
with you in your estimate of their propriety.
AT THE COLLEGES.
Elderly peoplewho have long observed college
manners and customs in Waterville, hardly
credit the evidence of their own senses when
they see students fastening to overtake DIR.
Robins, the new President. as he walks the
street. But they regard it as no small indica-
ZION Of his success in gaining the confidence
and personal respect and friendship of the
undergraduates. Hitherto this has been re-
garded as matter of trifing consequence, but
it seems highly probable that DR.. Robins kind
ly affabllty will prove more valuable adjunct
% his fine administrative ability than would
the most dignifed isolation. Icertainly do not
mean by this to disparage the administration
of the profound scholar and great man who
has just retired from the Presidency; l merely
mention one of the traits that greatly eIlarges
the. usefulness of his successor.
THE LIBRARY.
No alumnus of Waterville can now visit the
college library without feelings of extreme
qualification at the reforms that have been in
troduced there. Prof Hall has spared no
pains to make books available to students by
arranging and classifying them, and by labor
'ous attention to indexng He is also constant
" msklng additions to the number of volumes
ny soncitlng voluntary contributions from
friends OF the college. L heartily commend the
library to the attention of those who have tho
means and the disposition to aid the-hano II
all!-UniUersity! (nonaen terrorisD
THE NEW PROFESSORS.
Prof Tay lor maintains in his new position
the popularity he gained as tutor, and that is