Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-09-05
HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI.
The Annual Reunion Meeting Lns,
Evening.

lNNN 'l N'HlNNllik SUM HhluIt was the
delightful gathering of the Bratteboro Higb
School Alumni association at the Brook
House last evening There were some prav
heads and many youthful faces among the
assemblage, but old and young were alike
the children Of the old school for which
every heart that is made as it should he
has "A corner both large and warm. The
gathering was very informal and in conse
quence thoroughly enjoyable, and even the
locker ON could but enter into the spirit of
the occasion and watch with interest meet.
ings Of old class mates and school felovs
for even when living in the same town the
gathering on such an occasion revives the
old memories which an ordinary meeting
fails to stir. The attendance fell somewhat
below that Of last year, the number pres-
emit reaching about ll0.
The company was called To order at mar
ter of nine 10y President J. j. Estev IN
transact any business of the association
The report of the recording secretary WINS
read and accepted. Rev. f. l.. Phalen was
elected an honorary member. Then dis
cussion arose as to how often the reunions
should he held in the future, and il was
finally voted not to adopt any rule that
should he binding further than that rem
ION should he held next year. The pres
dent, secretary and treasurer were reilert
ed, with new vice presidents and "A new
board Of directors.
At the close Of the business meeting. nd
journment to the dining room was in order
and the discussion of most excellent re
past was conducted to the music of the
Military orchestra. The large dining room
was filled, aud the hum of many voices and
laughter made music which filled the pauses
in the concert. Dainty, yet simple little
souvenir menus were furnished.
At the conclusion of the banquet the
president, Col. D. j. Estey, said that it had
been hoped to have an address for the even
ing and several speeches, but being dissp.
pointed in this he would ask few of those
present to give "reminiscences or speak of
something in connection with the schools
and first called upon Col. l.. X. Fuller. wbn
IN his remarks referred to the schools of
Older days, of their special advantage in
training the boys and girls in them to some
particular end, developing their special
tendencies and comparison was made
with the present schools, not at all To the
disparagcment Of the latter. Some of the
features of school life in those DAYS were
pictured with a vividness which evidently
brought painful memories to some of the
old bows who belonged TO that period
when the scrlPturnf maxim Spare the rod,
spoil the child was the prevailing sent
ment Anecdote and story were made To
point his remarks, and in conclusion Col
Fuller congratulated all who were present
upon being identified with the association
whose purpose was to keep alive the CRATE
iuI memories of days past and to keep in
touch with the advance of ideas of the pres.
ent.
DR.. Geo. l.. Walker of Hartford. who
was next introduced, spoke Of the trepida-
ton with which he had entered the ban
quet hall after being told that each person
was to sit with his class. somewhat expect
ing to find a lonely table somewhere. per
haps draped with funeral hangings at
which he would be placed to eniov On the
festivities of the evening, but fate had been
kinder to him than that. The progressive
ness and spirit of Improvement of the pres
ent day impressed him, and as he returned
year after year to this beautiful town its
evident large possession of this idea of AL
vance and Improvement could but be no
ticed. And in nothing is this progressive
ness more marked than in education. He
referred to his own early school days spent
IN the old school house on the common,
which is still standing though removed
from its former place, spoke of his gradua
ton therefrom to the High school and his
course therein Perhaps the young people
of the present have keen perception Of
the advantages of the present But in spite
of the fact that about all the good going is
in these days, he found that there was
much of good in those davs past Mr. Gar
field had said that log hut and Mark Hop
klns made IA college to his mind such a
schoolhouse as that old one, with Moses
Woolson or Mellen Chamberlain made an
institution whose worth and influence were
incalculable. Especially appreciative words
were spoken of Mellen Chamberlain whose
impress had been left upon so many young
men who had gone out into the world up
lifted by association with such a man and
mind. Various old companions were spoken
of with evident feeling. In conclusion Dr.
Walker spoke of the great possibilities
which the present privileges open up to
every one, putting it in the power of all to
attain almost anything they may desire.
He urged all to stand by the schools and to
put down everything which in any sense
opposes them.
President Estey introduced the next
speaker as from one of the later classes,
and Will Collins of Trinity college was
greeted with applause as he rose to his feet
Mr.. Collins said that he had heard that in
olden times it was the part of the young
and inexperienced to maintain a discreet
silence in the presence Of thos- older and
wiser, and the propriety of such IA course
struck him with special force just at this
time. But since ne was not expected to
add anything 10 the sage things already
spoken he would venture to disregard the
saying. lie said that to all present must
have come thronging thoughts and memo
ries of the days gone by, but to the young
er ones they come with special freshness
and cearness, because they are 50 lately
removed from those scenes. Indeed, it
would almost seem that on the morrow, at
the call of the old bell, they would find
themselves again going up to the struggles
and difficulties and pleasures of the day ut
school Years that have thus passed are
but memories but they have in them much
that can never be lost The old school
master, to whose love and tenderness each
one could testify, received tribute from
him which was touching, coming from one
of the last class which Mr. Bingham ever
prepared for graduation, and in conclusion
the desire was expressed that the unity Of
purpose and earnestness which character
lied Mr.. Bingham, might also be found in
the life of all his pupils.
Mr., Il. X. SeHbury Of Walpole, n. H.,
was the next one called upon, and in his
brief remarks he alluded to the pleasure
unmixed with sorrow when we miss so many
faces Though his interests now are chief
ly ON the other side of the river his aifec
tions still turn to Vermont And as in the
late war the order to put the NermOnters
to the front and keep the ranks closed up
brought victory, so Vermonters to the
front today in any cause is assurance Of
success.
At this point banjo duet by Misses
Cressey and Dearborn was well executed
aud received with applause.
The president expressed regret that i'll
ness prevented the attendance of Principal
McLachlin, who was expected 10 speak,
and introduced DR.. Holton, chairman Of
the committee Instead of indulging in
"reminiscences, the doctor took look for
ward, aud having spoken of the radical
changes in methods of education in recent
years, showed how other nations, France,
Germany, Sweden, are in some respects
far ahead of America in methods OF teach
ing, and how these improved ways and AL
vanced ideas are making their way slowly
but surely into the schools of the country,
to their great advantage. He urged bet
ter acquaintance of the people with the
schools, a keeping in touch with them AL
along, aud especially the help which will
be given by the presence of those interest
ed, in visits TO view the working Of the
methods adopted.
+. G.. Crosby, who has just returned
from a western trip, was here called upon
to give some of his impressions of the state
of education in the places he had so recent
Is visited Mr.. Crosby regretted deeply
the fact of his having lost two years of the
High school course, and deplored the fact
that the fashion of dropping out in the sec