The Portland daily press., 1882-12-25

get it, The three days occupied in that excur-
sion will ever remain bright spot in my
memory. The browning work of Professor
Packard's life is his History of Bowdoin Col
lege. His "reminiscences of its founders and
the first board of its government, include
nearly every prominent man of the then dis
trict of Maine. Those notes could not be fur
nished by any other living person. He lis ven
cradle not only for his age, but also for his
works. for his genial manners, and his uniform
kindness of heart.
at the request of her father, Mrs. Abba
Goold Woolson sent from her home the follow
ing sonnet:
SONNET.
AS p.
The hero's brows in naughty triumph wear
Fun, rustling bays, which mortal fingers tSine
For yalor's quick reward; but farer shine
The laurels growing in that upper air,
Where none may wander free and none may tear
One leaf for guerdon, till the gods design.
Not every soul shall hear their call divine:
They beckon whom they will to enter there,
Through deaths dread portal from the life below
But he alone is crowned with joy at last
Who lived for others, seeking no renown
Long may thy laures ripen ere thou CO.
Wise teacher Of the generations past,
To pluck from them thine own appointed crown!
And when, at length, in that far altitude,
In one full chorus shall ascend the praise
OF glad hearts, conscious that whate'er of good
And brave endeavor biest their eager youth,
Whate'er of steady vision cleared their gaze
Came from thy guidance, when, through doubt
Thy voice was wisdom and thy counsel truth
And sweet as words all broken ON the gale
From lips of friends. in final parting sent,
While we sail out forever from their shore,
So sweet to thee in that empowered vale
Where thou shalt dwell in endless calm content
Will float these echoes from the friends of yore.
REV. Pr. PEPPER.
DIR. Pepper, President of Colby University
commented briefly upon the mutual work Of
the two colleges, and in the name of Colby
congratulated Bowdoin upon her having so
honored teacher as Prof. Packard, as well as
in the record of the college back of him. The
frosts of age are on his mead, but only these; in
his heart is summer. DR.. Pepper touchingly
referred to the fact of the little children run
ming to meet the Professor, ''to share the good
mans smile"
PROF. CHAPMAN.
Prof. Chapman, an associate of Prof. Pack
ard in Bowdoin, in few remarks described
the pleasant relations existing between them
and testified to the value of Prof Packards
services, concluding with fine sonnet written
by him for the occasion.
Hon. Joseph Williamson of Belfast, followed
in congratulatory remarks of much interest:
HON. JOSEPH WILLIAMSON.
q
already crowns the brow of our revered associ-
ate. Such an old age as his, reached in the en-
joyment of health, and in undiminished vigor
of mind, would secure him honor and respect,
were that his only claim. But this is not all.
We have the whole of his faithful aud conspic-
uous career to look back upon with pride, and
to remember how justly belongs to him the
triple wreath Of the professor, the scholar and
the historian.
One of the greatest Latin poets Ehas given
Ctr Ak.-
tend a protracted life, including loss of rela-
tives, failure of memory, decay of intellect
and physical infrmity. But excepting the
first, we have none of these to regret for our
honored friend. He is still active, and respon-
sive to enjoyment: CHS aye is not dimmed nor
days have been thus long in the land, and that
what Victor Hugo so expressively calls "the
youth of old age" has been vouchsafed him.
To our Society the present occasion has an
appropriate interest. Professor Packard is its
Oldest member He is the last survivor of
those who watched over its infancy, and he has
been permitted to see the feeble institution of
sixty years ago expand, largely by his personal
efforts, to prosperity and usefulness. His work
has been thoroughly done, and now
C. good old age, released from care,
Journeying in long serenity, away
In such bright late quiet"
has everything which renders 1t venerable and
beautiful. "Quid conscientid bene dct9 Uit9,
DllLt0Fnl que 0e7le tCtct0Tunl fec0TddtlS 5cttll
disSin1d est as Cicero remarks in De iSenectatte
is his. Affectionately remembered by the un-
merous alumni of the college whose name is so
ihseparably connected with his own, and held in
estimation as constant and uDwearied coadju-
tor IN, etiae.s tor ssi,if'. saeiety- was
formed. he remains an example to the young to
seek for eminence by untiring industry, and Of
duty never left unperformed. And it is pleas
ing tribute for us, in his presence, "to dwell up
on life so distinguished, so rich in praise, so
81 Oh
close shines with the serene and tender light of
the setting sun OF long summers day"
GEN. j. NJ. BROWN.
General John Marshall Brown being called
upon declined by reason of the lateness of the
would only express his great pleasure at being
present on this occasion.
Mr.. Edward Gould gave interesting reminis-
cences of his acquaintance with Prof. Packard,
prior to the latter's connection with Bowdoin.
Congratulatory letters from former pupils of
Prof. Packard, were read as follows;
BENJAMIN TAPPAN.
trust that the life OF Dr. Packard may yet
be preserved many years as a benediction to
the college with which he has so long been
identified to the Maine Historical Society, to
the church of Christ and to the whole Com
munity.
j.. p. WARREN
| Nothing surely could be more fitting than
the honor thus paid to one who for period
| almost unparalleled in modern times has served
as he has the profession of letters and history,
| and at the same time SO adorned the character
of Christian gentleman.
GEO. L. PRENTIss
| 1t is now half a century since entered Bow
| doin, and there saw DR.. Packard for the first
| time, and 1 can truly say that during all these
| fifty years he has been growing in my esteem
| and affection. I count his faithful friendship
| among the blessings of my life Such career
| as Professor Packard's is as beautiful as it is
rare, and L think of him as one of the best ed
| ucational institutions of my native State.
RUFUS X. sEwALL.
| find myself unable to meet with our society
| in honor of our venerable associate and my
| affectionately remembered teacher.
| MAY the Lord honor and bless him hencefor-
| ward as in the past, and in full measure as he
has been blessing to his day and generation.
JOSIAH CROSBY.
was the youngest member of my class and
! never shall forget the kind words of advice