Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1889-07-04
GRADUATED.
CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE WEEKAT
VERMONT ACADEMY.

The Commencement Exercises and Speak
ing The Banquet-Prof Wizards Re
marks on His Resignation-The Alumni
Meeting-The Art Department.
Again commencement has come and
gone at Vermont Academy, bringing its
usual Joy and more than its usual sorrow
- JOY that the student can now take a step
higher on life's ladder, sorrow that class
mates must part, and that the beloved
principal is to leave the school. The an
nual rain storm came on Wednesday, so
Thursday found the skies clear with a
soft breeze blowing from the south Full
Ter Hall was well filled at 9 o'clock. The
doors were then closed and chapel eXer
cses observed. Following this the doors
sought, found seats. The Beethoven Club
remained and furnished music through
the day, also Mrs. Allen.
When the first musical selection had
been rendered, the exercises of the grad
uating class commenced. The salutatory
address was rendered by Miss Elizabeth
G.. Temple of Granville, n. Y. She also
spoke from the theme " Gladstone's Mis-
sion.' Both the salutatory and the essay
proper were very finely written and were
delivered in a very pleasant and easy
manner. Gladstone, ''the grand old man."
the champion of Ireland, the lover of
learning, the man of one idea, and that to
do right, the Christian and scholar, was
man deserving the emulation of the
sons of the nineteenth century.
The second speaker was John L. Casey
of Whiting, Vt. His theme was " Music
ho Tniy Of
Music is that art which employs sound as
the medium of artistic expression. From
the earliest periods the emotions have
found expression in music. 1t is the eX-
preston of the heart Mr.. Casey's ora
tion was graceful in construction and was
rendered smoothly.
Uneasy lies the head that wears the
crown" formed the subject of a beautiful
essay by Miss Nellie NJ. Adams of Bel
lows Falls. In this Miss Adams showed
that kingly honors are always accom-
panied by kingly hardships and suffer-
ings. {" Let those who believe that to be
great and noted constitutes all of happi-
ness, study the lives of those famous men
presented to the world by history Who
can vouch for Napoleon's happiness, Or
Milton's or Sir Francis Bacon's? Their
greatness did not make them happy. Miss
was well received.
':Divine Revelation in Chemistry was
the somewhat deep theme from which
Mr.. Frank A. Walker of Williamstown
spoke, and spoke well. The oration was
a scholarly one. 1t held that the hand of
God is always present in the works OF
nature. 6 Mature is a stage upon which
we see the power of God manifest on
every hand.' The Grafton was one of
rare thought and study and showed what
Vermont Academy can do for the man
who wills. No man ever made greater
improvement in the school than Mr..
Walker.
Mr.. Edward n. Casey's subject. "The
Constitution furnished broad theme
for discussion, and when looked upon as
a subject which Webster and Kent studied
and discussed without fathOming its
depths, it appeared little beyond the
Young man. But he discussed it well,
certainly from an historical standpoint,
giving the outline of events which led to
its adoption, and its subsequent history.
" No weapon that is formed against thee
shall prosper; and every tongue that
shall rise against thee in Judgment, thou
shalt condemn"
''Ihe Battle of the Books" by Miss Ada
M. Stewart of SaXton's River was one of
the brightest and best received productions
of the day. The speaker said the four
years course had been battle, or rather
siege. She assigned the various men,
bers of the class to different commands
and described the work of taking the
citadel of learning. The siege grew
tiercer as they approached the end of the
course.
I" Greek to the right of us,
Latin to the left of us,
Geometry all round
Volleyed and thundered."
During the fourth year she described the
provisions as giving out ''when two de-
lightful Gases of provisions arrived, and
a large Fish which had floated its way
from the mountain brooks of Ira down
the Connecticut and up SaXton's River
The audience were fairly convulsed when
she added:
"That was a "Ffsh" you scarce might hide;
A "FiJt" of character and pride,
Six feet long and two feet wide'
Long and loud applause followed Miss
Stewards effort.
'sWaste by Friction was subject
which furnished many bright thoughts
to Miss Martha NJ. Pettengill of Clarks-
vile, Va. Miss Pettengill showed in hei
essay that it is not hard work that wears
people out, but rather the friction of
worry and unrest which so many have.
There is too much rush and hustle in life.
We wear out too soon.
'sThe Claims of the Dude" furnished
inspiration for Mr.. Walter E. Gee OF
Marlow, n. III. This speaker endeavored
to show that, contrary to the popular doc
trine. clothes have an influence and leave
an impression as strong as the mind
leaves. ''Who will forget the old coat
and hat of Horace Greeley?" The dis
cussion of his theme brought him to the
dude, whose clothes constitute the prin-
cipal part of him. 10 him it seemed that
the dude was the missing link which Dar
win tells us about. The order in the
process of evolution should be % mon.
key, (2) dude, CD man. This essay was
very funny and well received.
At this point Walter Smith, member
of the class who did not graduate, recit
ed selection of his own choice, which
he rendered in very creditable manner
The Rev. A. E. Wood of New York
was introduced to the audience, lust be