The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-04

FROM THE CENTENNIAL CITY.
PHILADELPHIA, May 81, 1880


A few evenings since, heard an en-
inent as ronomer of this city say in
public lecture, that the fraternity had
predicted a wtrm summer now ap-
and he thought the predic-
ton had been literally fulfilled thus far,
or during the late heated term. The |
reason assigned for such prediction, |
was on account of spots having been |
discovered on the suns disc; ono of
which he described as being thousands
Of times larger than the "mundane
sphere" on which we exist. Natural
philosopbic reasoning would seem to
suggest to the uninitiated at least, that
even If even small portion of that blaz-
ing luminary IN tho heavens was OBJ
scured, il would TO some extent modify
its reflected heat instead of auQmenting
ii, but doctors of philosophy might dis
agree, as sometimes the 70 lowers of e s.
culapins seem to do. BE that as il may,
the late heated term has been unprece-
dcntcd in this latitude as early in the
season, according to meteorological rec
ord for large number of years past.
A large number of deaths have occurred
from sun stroke, but the general health
OF the city seems not to have been much
impaired or lessened; had such weather
occurred later In the season, the mortu-
airy list would have been much increas-
cd.
Saturday, the goth inst, was observed
as Decoration Day. Flowers were scat
tered in profusion on the graves of the
fallen and honOred dead, who sacrificed
their lives in tent and on field, in up
holding and bearing aloft untarnished
that gorgeous ensign, our "starry flag"
which to-day floats triuinphantly over
forty millions of people. AS usual the
most imposing ceremonies we're holden
at Laurel Hill, over the sleeping dust of
the late Gen. George G.. Mead, the hero
of Gettysburgh. The principal orator
Gen. w. L. Sherman, the brave soldier
that plowed wide furrow through the
very heart of rebellion, making a wide
rift through Secessia, until he reached
the sea.
In the evening at the Academy of
music Meade memorial service was
holden, both In honor of the memory of
that great captain, as well as to aug
ment the monumental fund TO perpetu-
ate the memory of that loyal soldier
The stage was set with tents, stacked
muskets and other emblems. On the
platform were President Hayes. Hon.
Carl Schurz, Generals Sherman, Han
cock, Slocum, ricketts,, Kilby Smith and
many other military men, as well as
many distinguished civilians. Gen.
Chamberlain, ex-Gov. of Maine. deliy-
cred the principal grafton; followed by
President Hayes, Gen'ls. Sherman,
Hancock, Devens, etc. Gen. Sherman
asked what would have been the condi-
ton of Philadelphia to-day, if Meade
had been defeated at Gettysburgh?-
and that every man in this country owes
his memory a debt of gratitude he can
never pay, and that he deserves from q
grateful country statue of gold!
An extension of the mint in this CITY
has become necessity, as it is too linn
tied in its dimensions to do the enor-
nous amount of coinage that is now
necessary to be done. During the
month of April nearly six millions of
dollars of gold and silver were coined ;
committee of Congress have reported
in favor of the extension, provided the
properties adjoining can be bought for
thirty-five thousand dollars, which
would give a fine frontage both on
Broad and Chestnut streets.
The 130th anniversary of the birthday
of Stephen Girard was celebrated few
days since by the alumni of the college.
the services, or rather exercises, con.
sisting ofan address by President Allen.
and also by number of the former
graduates, music by the college cornet
band and drill by the college cadets,
which Is always admirably executed.
There are about sixteen Quaker meet.
ing houses in Philadelphia, and are
about equally divided as to Orthodox
and Hicksites. They have both held
their yearly meetings this spring; as
usual it rained about every day during
the Orthodox convocations. The Uick.
sites holding theirs later in the season
than usual, brought it within the COM
pass of the drought, and ] doubt whcth.
er they were ever sprinkled during the
meetings; a mode in religious point
of view they theologically ignore.
The western cold wave has arrived
and we hail it with gratitude and hope
1t may tarry few days, or until terra
frma becomescooled. P. VIC.