Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-05

single bright spot, and he expressed hope
that before long it might he possible
to recognize the architecture OF the
heavens and the laws according to which
the stars were arranged. 1--WE may
be able TO reach higher and higher
orders than those now known" he said, but
we have no reason for believing that we can
reach the limits of our system, or bound
with telescope the galaXies that lie outside
our system. 1t is not that | would narrow
the universe, but on the contrary carry our
investigations as far as possible into space
| would recognize yet higher orders OF stars,
and systems of systems, and so on absolute
ly without end. Here, then, We have lost
ourselves in the contemplation OF space;
we have lost ourselves in the contemplation
of time, and now we lose ourselves in the
infinite variety and complexity of the stars.
Prof Proctor then closed with an apt quo
tation from DeQuincy.
Such is a meagre outline Of this learned,
instructive and interesting lecture, few of
the salient points of which only we have
touched upon. 1t is greatly to be regretted
that Prof Proctors time was so limited, for
to every one in the audience the closing hour
came all too soon. Prof. Proctor's style is
easy and familiar, almost collcquial and,
while laying no claim to eloquence, he is a
most interesting and agreeable speaker.
VERMONT PoIITICs. is no doubt
that Mr.. Billings is smart man, ami per-
sonally irreproachable, though there are some
who are fond of mentioning him as Parks
piOus partner" There are, however. many
-, a,l, 81. Af NJ
gress to the governorship. His old ANITA
gonists, ex-Gov. Stewart and Smith, favor
his nomination no more now than when they
headed him off in 1872 with dark horse III
the form of his venerable townsman, julius
Converse His foes then are still his foes
But that is not all, nor the worst of it. Mr.
Billings was mad clear through at the
baloting in that convention, and though he
kept the appearance of good temper on tile
platform he laid about him right and lett
afterward, accusing his friends OF selling
him out and his enemies of foul blows
below the belt, most vigorously. The re-
suit has been that Mr.. Billings has not had
great many friends since among the 1oiks
that make governors in Vermont. Among
the people he is very little known, few hay
ing ever seen his face, or had him in mind
as active in everything in which Vermont
tlS lht'i'9ASN' Io'NiN"a
", socially or financially. lie has
spent or invested very little of his great for
tune among us. Most Of the people hardly
know how it was acquired, and perhaps |
may as well tell them here. Mr.. Billings's
father, Judge Dell Billings of Woodstock,
made his advent into that village from Royal
ton, early in the century, as an insolvent
debtor, committed to Woodstock Jail for
debt lie was a fine. genial, social fellow,
and being placed ION the limits, according
to the custom of those barharous times, he
made many friends aboutthe village and was
elected town clerk Subsequently he receiv-
ed the appointment Of probate judge, which
Office he filled to tine satisfaction OF the peo-
pie of his district for many years. But he
never lost his improvdent ways, and died
poor. When the gold discoveries were made
in California Capt. Beza Simmons, a wealthy
shipmaster, who had married Judge Bill
lngs's eldest daughter, loaded ship for San
Francisco, and took his wifcs brother, young
Fred, along with him rs clerk. Capt. Sim
mons had great success as u merchant and
Spectator in California, but died in few
years after, and was followed TO the grave in
a short time by his wife, leaving no posterity.
Frederick had the settling of the estate, and
succeeded to the business Here was where
a large portion of his fortune was made 4; the
rest coming out of his concern with Park in
the management of Gen. FremOnt's MaripOsa
principalitv, which made everybody rich who
had hand in il but the Pathfinder himself.
The other names most seen in the papers
in connection with the govCrnOrship are
those of Col. Mead of Randolph, Lieut.
Governor Cotton of lrasburg and General
Grout of Barton. The darkest of the dark
horses believe, is ex-Governor Stewart of