The Portland daily press., 1879-06-09
MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 8.

the Wesleyan University, ex-Gov. A. t. Nor
rill, Gen. Perry, Prof. Jewett of Tennessee,
DIR. J. HI. Houghton of Pennington, Rev. DR..
Allen of Hallowell, Prof. Fernald of the Ag-
ricultural College, J. A. Locke, Esq, A. j.
Blethen, Esq. and Rev. A. S. Ladd of Port
land. would like to write out some very in
teresting "reminiscences related by the speakers
connected with the history of the school, but
time and space will not permit it. Letters
were received from ex-senator Armstrong of
ST. Louis, Judge Bell of Skowhegan, Prof.
Hartman of Brooklyn, n. Y, Rev. j. G.
Pingree of Evanston, Illinois, and others. 1t
was very pleasant occasion and everything
passed off to the entire satisfaction of all pres
ent.
The Grafton before the Adelphian and the
Literati societies was by Prof. c. 7. Winches-
ter of tn, Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Conn, and was scholarly and eloquent pro-
duction. Wednesday evening was the ami
versary concert led by w. F. Morse, professor
of vocal and instrumental music in the insti-
tuition. The department of music in the SEM
mary and college has been brought up by
Prof Morse so that it now takes high rank
in the musical world. He was assisted in the
Commencement exercises and in the conce.t
by several distinguished artists from Boston.
The regular Commencement exercises came
off Thursday forenoon. The orations and
essays (alf original productions) were, without
a single exception, excellent, and it was the
universal remark that the graduating classes,
both gentlemen and ladies, prospectively had
grand and successful life before them. In
the evening there was an alumni reunion in
the parlors and chapel of Sampson Hall.
dnOrnn n II uyac no,1fa 4
plomas given to the college graduating class of
ladies,a and diplomas awarded to graduates from
!he scientific, classical and Normal classes.
The trustees held their annual meeting on
Wednesday and Thursday. Nearly all the
members were present Two of the Oldest
and most respected members of the board have
died during the past year-Rev. E. Robinson
of Kent's HILL and Rev. Geo. G. Crawford of
Brunswick. Resolutions of respect to their
memory were passed. Their places were filled
by the election of Rev. Roscoe Sanderson of
Pennington, and r. w. Dunn, Esq. of Water
vile. A large amount of business was tran
sacted by the board. Measures were taken to
satisfy want long felt in this instituton-the
establishment of a theological department for
the instruction of students who contemplate
entering the ministry. During the last year
rooms in Bearce Hall have been fitted up for
the philosophical, chemical and geological de-
partments, and by the liberality and personal
efforts of A. j. Blethen, Esq. and j. A. Locke,
Esq of Portland, aided by other trustees, and
especially by DIR. E. Clark of Deering, fine
set of philosophical and chemical cases and
alcoves for geological specimens, costing about
$500, have peen placed in the rooms.
They were manufactured by Burrowes Bros.
of Portland. The trustees, in conjunction
with the ladies of Kent's Hill, have connected
an alcove with the rear of the church, frescoed
the inside walls and ceiling, which, with other
repairs, make the house very tasty and con-
venient
Rev. DR.. Torsey was reelected President of
the Board; Prof. F. A. Robinson of Kent's
Hill, Secretary, and Hon. John J. Perry of
Portland Treasurer. Prof Robinson, Hon.
e. R. French of Chesterville, and DIR. H. M.
Blake of Monmouth, were elected Prudential
Committee.
lmously reelected. Miss Eliza j. Perley, the
preceptress, after graduating at this college
several years since, has spent about three years
at the best French and German schools in
Europe, and probably is not excelled by any
teacher of modern languages in the state. Dr.
Torsey has been at the head of this school for
nearly forty years, and his reputation as
teacher and disciplinarian extends all over the
country His excessive labors have partially
broken down his health for several years past,
but he now seems to be fast recovering, with
an assurance from his physicians that he will
be able to do good work for the institution for
several years to come. Under the instruction
of the trustees, he will spend part of his
time the ensuing year in soliciting and col
lecting funds for the more ample endowment
of the institution. The other professors in the
school are all able, experienced teachers
Nearly six hundred students attended the in
stitution the past year. ALUMNUs.