The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-31
The Shades.
"Eg Fumo Dare Lucem."

In recent issue of the JOURNAL some
historical and commercial incidents that
give interest to the old building on Lang
dons corner" were reCOuuted. The mex
orable hand of improvement has now left
not one brick of the structure upon another
AS the walls crumbled beneath the strokes
of the laborers, to the sympathetic and
initiated ear they did many a tale unfold OF
convivial life and wild pleasantly in q for
mer generation, and recollection did many
a merrie spirit recall that long since passed
to the pale realms of the shade beyond
Trade and traffic monopoized the lower
floor OF the building, but in the rooms of
the upper stories, II the nights were not al
ways filed with music, the cares that in
fest the day were wont to fold their tents
ike the Arabs, but not always as silently
steal away, Bachelors apartments were
there, and quarters for the Montpelier band,
over whose musical training, in the times
OF these chronicles, he who was Familiarity
known as "Old Fales" presided; and there,
when the evening shades appeared, other
shades" began TO congregate for solemn
communion, or to ponder upon the pre-
cepts OF Doctor Hoyle and apply his teach
ingS to the intricacies OF vingt-un, euchre,
or other mysteries Of the magic symbols.
Most notable among the social associa-
tions in the middle sixties whose members
held their gatherings in this building, was
The Shades" But let no one imagine that
there was anything shadowy or incorporeal
in the membership Of this body. They &C.
Cupied the third story corner room, looking
| out upon and up Main street. "The Shades"
camo into being in 1855. 1t was an assoca-
| ton OF the younger class OF business and
| professional men who, in pooling their wits
and social arts, sought relaxation from the
| severe strain OF the serious affairs of life at
the Capital. The name was the bright sug-
| gestion OF member distinguished for his
| aptitude in characterizing things. There
was regular organization, it Is currently
| understood, with Officers and tradition
says there was book for records, but the
archives OF the association will probably be
found only in the pages Of the Recording
the mortal chronicler. The historian of
''The Shades" is therefore dependent upon
tradition and the intrmities of human
recollection for what eau DO rescued from
the oblivion into which the habitation OF
these blithesome spirits is descending.
Inspiring bold John Barleycorn" was an
honorary member OF 1.-THE Shades" and
the air OF the club room was always permeat-
ed by the spirit OF him who introduced the
| fragrant weed OF Virginia to the nobility OF
| England. The clubs Goat of arms" an
eagle with pipe in his beak, surmounted
by the legend, "Ex Fumo Dare Lucent
which being freely translated is, "Out OF
smoke comes light'-showed "The Shades u
appreciation of Sir Walters services to
mankind, and their general understanding
of the philosophy of some things
The hospitality of 1.-The Shades was OF
the "open door" kind, and their confidence
in mankind exceeded that OF the people OF
good King Arthur's time when golden
bracelets might be hung up in the highways