Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-06-24

Essen CLASSICAL lSSrITUTE.-lle regular
graduation exercises of the Institute took
place at Institute Hall on Tuesday last. The
hall was beautifully decorated. The flag of
our country draped the north end, in the
centre of which, over the platform, hung
photograph Of Hon. 7. r. Fletcher, to whom
the Institute is indebted for its endowment.
The platform was wreathed with flowers, q
large tank of MOSES, evergreens and rare
flowers neatly arranged adorning the front.
Upon the walls were hung rare paintings, and
pictures. Upon the platform were seated
the trustees of the Institute, the several
clergymen present, together with Prof.
Sabin and President Buckham of the L. V.
NJ. and Principal W. A. Deering. The pro-
gramme of the exercises was as follows Mu-
sic, ''Bacchanale" by Miss Lane Prayer by
Rev J. Cowan The Secret of Success, with
salutatory, Lizzie E Bates; Chivalry, Lizzie
f. Barney Jeanne D'Arc Mary Warner !;
Waltz Song, splendidly executed, by Miss
Lane; piano accompaniment, Miss Scofeld :;
Mining for Gold, Sarah n. Tracy; Advan-
tage of Rural Life, Minnie r Bliss; A Nation
Wealth, Grafton, by Frank S. Paddock The
Hour of Triumph, Ethie NJ. Scofield Music !;
Eyes that See," Jennie S. Somers; Influence
of Memory, Clara Z Williams; Value of an
Education with valedictory, Charles f. Perci-
val Nenitian Boat Song by Miss Lane.
The ESSAYS and orations were generally OF
u high order, and delivered with grace and
dignity The salutatory and valedictory
were especially happy efforts As each
member Of the class left the stage, they were
49,. ---..inanis fr..ss, L..i f-'~.-a- IS Tr-|-.
sion of basket and hand bouquets, to which
the valedictorian's apostrophe was very ap-
propriate. The universal opinion as ex-
pressed by many present, was that all the ex-
ercses were well DONE Following this was
the presentation of diplomas, in comforting
which President l.. c. Butler addressed the
class as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen 1t is now
my pleasant duty to present to You the
diplomas which Indicate the successful
termination of the respective courses of stu
dy You have completed in this institute.
These diplomas are not mere pieces of parch-
ment on which your names are enrolled with
signature and seal, they are not title deeds to
sloth and Incidence in the future. They are
rather commissions for the performance
of higher duties, and for the achievement of
greater aims. They introduce you into other
apartments of the great temple of science to
which your beg innings of knowledge here
are only the stepping stones. They are only
inklings and incentives to the possibilities, to
science and literature, in moral and intellect
ual growth, that are awaiting your grasp in
the future. As you 60 forth from this Alma
Mater remember that she follows you with
her benedictions. She trusts you will turn
back to her betimes from your pilgrimage,
or send greetings of grateful memories and
loving hearts. She expects you to act well
your part in the great drama of life. She
crowns you to-day with her highest honor.
She sends you forth bearing her escutcheon,
on which is engraved her motto, Iirtas et
scisRtii, and she bids you take care that in
the conflict that awaits you in the scientific,
the moral and religious world no stain shall
mar its beauty or soil its purity"
The forenoon exercises at the hall clos
ed with music, ''IIomc Sweet Home
with variations, representing Storm al
mirably given by Miss Lane \ pro-
cession was then formed under the d-
rection of +. c. Abbey us marshal, and
marched To the town hail. where 4 splendid
and hountiful collation. had been pre-
pared 10y the muniticence of the Ladies
of the town, notably the the special fren!s
and patrons of the Institute, to whiSh the
hundreds that were present did ample us
tice. Great credit is due TO the committee,
which WAS made up of ladies and gentlemen
from different portions of the town, for this
sumrtulus entertainment There was no
lack.
Al three O'Clock the people again assem-
bled in Institute Hall and listened to an adj
dress irn'n President Buckham on the sub
ject OF Education fer Business, in which he
pleaded cloquently, AMI with convincing
force of argument and illustration, for a
thorpu.,!, education Of all the children of the
State tor business. whether it be for the
farm for the workshop or any occupation
of life Any abstract of his address would
fail 10 bring out its many excellent points.
We wish it was printed and distributed TO
every household in the State. Preliminary
to his address he complimented the present
of the Institute. lie had
watched its progress through the various
phases of its existence with great interest for
many years. 1t has lacked l,es0.,s,.l.si = IN
its board Of instruction. That lack was now
supplied, and he trusted if he had the pleas
,lre of being present at future gatherings of
this kind, he might find no change.
At the close Of the exercises an Alumni
association was organized with Fay &.
Nichols as president and &. H. Hayden of
the L. v VI. as secretary. An executive
consisting of f. :. Paddock of
Colchester, Rufus dalusha and Jennie L.
Somcrs of Jericho, Sarah n. Tracy and
Mary J. Warner Of Essex were appointed TO
whom the arrangements for future annual
meetings were referred.
The exercises were spirited, interesting
and highly entertaining throughout They
a new era in the history of the
Institution. The friends and patrons have
reason TO be proud of its reputation and
progress under its present principal With
the hearty cooperation of all its friends in
.he town and in the State, its future pros
poets are bright and promising.