USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical > Part 17
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* Wardsboro.
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of such fearful impediments ; through the pathless snow- banks, bewildered by the flakes thickly driving into his face, but more so by the fumes from his jug. He toiled, but made slow progress of course. As he proceeded his strength decreased, both by his struggling efforts, and by the action of his treacherous companion. He fell and rose many a time ; but rising with more and more diffi- culty. Night overtakes him as he draws toward his home. Darkness, uncertainty, the benumbing cold, the howling tempest without, and the raging torrent within, throw in his way obstacles no longer to be surmounted. He falls for the last time. He had almost reached his habitation ; he lacks but little of it; and this lacking only a little, seems the bitterest ingredient in his cup of sorrow ; and it drifts, and drifts over him months in suc- cession. The search for him by his neighbors and townsmen is given over. He is buried deep beneath the surface ; and bleaches, and bleaches in the snow, till the return of spring gradually wastes it, and his body appears above it like a drowned man rising to the surface. The moans of his dog call his friends to the spot to behold the melancholy spectacle. The jug was under his arm, hugged closely, so to speak, to his heart. His face had become pale by the action of the sun and snow, and the rum-stains were washed from his cheek. But- we can no longer follow him.
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CHAPTER XIX.
Literature .- Colleges .- Vermont university .- Presidents .- Dan- iel Haskell .- Middlebury College .- Presidents .- Academies and high schools .- Primary schools .- Improvements .- Literary men .- Authors .- Daniel Chipman .- Royal Tyler .- Martin Field .- Wilbur Fisk .- Jeremiah Evarts .- William Chamber- lain.
THE government and citizens of Vermont have mani- fested a laudable spirit relative to literature and science. Two colleges are established in this state; one at Middlebury, and the other at Burlington, called the ' Vermont University.' The latter is more particularly the foster child of the government ; being founded, (1791) and liberally endowed by legislative enactments. The buildings are situated on the eminence a little east of the village and make a very handsome appearance. Their situation is pleasant, commanding a very extensive view of the lake and the adjacent country. For a summer's residence to students, it is difficult to imagine one more inviting. The academic groves of Plato may have the advantage of remote antiquity; and of the charms of eloquence, and the romance of description associated with them. But here you have the matter of
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fact, and sober reality ; present, visible and palpable ; the elegant buildings, the beautiful yard ; the ornamental trees and shrubbery with prospects before you to fill your mind with elevating sensations.
This institution has struggled with difficulties, rising and falling till you would have apprehended that it had fallen for the last time. The number of students for a long time was inconsiderable. Its operation was sus- pended in the late war with England, and the buildings occupied by soldiery and the instruments of war. Under the presidency of Daniel Haskell it was rising fast into notice ; but sunk as fast when his sudden indisposition left him midway his course of usefulness and honor.
At Yale in the days of Dwight, the writer knew him, amiable, gifted, elevated, the scholar and the christian ; and in subsequent life fulfilling the early promise of eminent usefulness.
This university had interruptions in another of its heads ; but of a different kind; and not now to be par- ticularized. But to counterbalance these obstructions, Austin, and Marsh and Wheeler are more than sufficient. The first two of these have been presidents, and the last now presides with great success over that institution. It is prosperous and flourishing, promising to become what the Edinburgh university is to the 'north country ' of Great Britain, a light shining far around, clear and safe.
Middlebury college, founded in 1800, has been endowed and sustained chiefly by private liberality and munificence. The buildings are pleasant and well protected by the surrounding hills from the cold of the
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north. It has been, and still is a flourishing institution, having sent forth a great number of good scholars to occupy the responsible stations in our land. It is remarkable that the first three presidents of this college are still living. They maintain a high standing in society. Davis and Bates, by their indefatigable labors raised high the character of this institution ; and, in the cause of letters have done much ; and in that of pure religion more, rendering their names dear to the christian public. The fourth president is the Rev. Dr. Labaree, who now occupies the chair with indications of success and usefulness. The officers and teachers of this college have been distinguished for their high literary attainments ; and for their systematic and successful course of instruction ; and raised to elevated standing its scientific and religious character. Its graduates have reflected honor on the management and discipline by which they have been furnished to the various duties and posts, to which they may have been called.
Academies also have been established in various parts of the state ; and the government have always mani- fested a readiness to foster them. In the early days of this commonwealth, one academy at least in each county, received the patronage of the government, and a charter of incorporation. But as the population increased and private means, these seminaries have been greatly multiplied. You will find one, or a high school in almost every town and village.
This system of education ; that is, by academies and high schools, is now in a measure self-supported and
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conducted. It leans not on the government; but the government in a sense, on that. For connected with christian principles, it furnishes a solid foundation for the political fabric with substantial columns and pillars to support and ornament the superstructure. Private munificence has endowed some of these institutions ; individual enterprise put others in operation ; and associations and temporary efforts have brought more of them into a sphere of greater or less usefulness. It may be found soon, if not experienced already, that these schools are becoming too numerous to command the best teachers, and insure the highest objects of education. It is undesirable to have them of short duration ; coming up in the day, and, so to speak, disap- pearing in the night. But in many places, you will find very flourishing and well regulated and useful seminaries of this description.
Of the common school system of instruction, some- what has been said in another part of this work. It is matter of rejoicing that efforts are now making to im- prove it. Conventions have been held in different parts of the state on the subject ; and a spirit of inquiry into the existing evils and defects in primary schools and instruction ; and for the proper remedies and means of improvement, is prevalent. The Normal school-regula- tions have received much attention ; and excellent lectures on the principles and benefits of elementary instruction in that way, have been given by several gentlemen, whose benevolent services are highly com- mendable.
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As it regards literary men among them, the green mountain boys, if they have slender grounds for boast- ing, have no cause for shame. Few comparatively have leisure and means to engage in literary and scientific pursuits as the business of life. But some individuals have emerged from the mountains and woods of Ver- mont, who have entered the field of letters, and suc- cessfully cultivated a portion of it.
Nathaniel Chipman, well known in the early history of this state, as a distinguished advocate, and stedfast friend of her rights, was also a classical scholar. He was well versed in the literature of the ancients. On the question, " Had the ancients the knowledge and use of glass ?" the writer remembers his published quotation from Aristophanes's Comedy of the clouds, in proof of the affirmative. It was the devise of one of Socrates's pupils for evading his bond. "Between the clock and the sun, (the court being in the open air,) I would stand," said he, "and with my burning glass melt the letters ; (made of wax,) so that he could not read it ;" this might have been diamond, it may be said ; it was certainly a transparent substance, drawing like the glass lens, the rays of the sun to a focus. At any rate, it is evidence, and not the only evidence of his familiar acquaintance with the Greek writers in their own lan- guage. His character, that of an excellent scholar, though poor in worldly wealth, of great usefulness and moral worth, was given him by his contemporaries.
Royal Tyler, also, though not a native of the state, yet strictly a Vermonter, as most of his days were spent
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here, was a literary man. His ' Algerine Captive' is one of the best works of the kind, (fictitious,) which our country has produced ; and is evidence of great inven- tion and versatility of talents in the writer. He was one of the most frequent and able contributors to the Port Folio ; a periodical of high standing, established at Philadelphia, under the direction of the celebrated Dennie. He was long a judge of the supreme court ; and several years chief justice. Several of his charges to juries and condemned criminals were published ; and are specimens of elegant composition as well as evidence of his professional knowledge. He was a man of ready wit, and great facetiousness ; so innate was his vein of humor, that in his last days, under the painful and melancholy inroads of a cancer, scintillations from it occasionally burst forth. His pen was often applied to correct and polish manuscripts designed for the press.
Wilbur Fisk, a native of Brattleboro, was distinguished for science and literature. His course was short, but brilliant and salutary ; and his death too early for the cause of letters, virtue and religion. He was persuaded to act as pioneer in the commencement of operations in a Wesleyan college at Middletown, Ct. He was the first president of that institution ; and his efforts and superior literary qualifications gave it a favorable outset ; winning fast the public attention and patronage. His instructions and example were instrumental of great good in this way, raising the standard of education, and giving it a high rank among similar institutions in New England. It was rising rapidly in the estimation of the surrounding
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country when his death in the meridian of life cast a shade over its prospects. In the pulpit he was eloquent ; an ornament to the church at large ; standing at the head of his own denomination in the graces and power of oratory. He published a journal of his tour in Europe ; which with other occasional publications of his have placed him high as a writer. His biography in full by one of his fellow teachers is expected soon from the press. The character of the first president of the Wesleyan college reflects no discredit to the state of his nativity, being a star of no dim lustre in the constellation of New England college-departed presidents.
Martin Field, a lawyer of Newfane, was a gentleman of high scientific attainments ; particularly in chemistry and mineralogy, and geology. The circumstances in which he made this proficiency and his manner of pur- suing them were somewhat remarkable. At the time of his college education, these branches were not taught systematically in but few if any American colleges. Of course he graduated, almost entirely ignorant of them. But when subsequently called to educate his two sons at Middlebury, these sciences were professionally taught ; and they became adepts in them. Hearing these studies mentioned often by his sons at vacations and seeing their engagedness in them, excited his curiosity to examine them even at his period of life. The result was that he went far in advance of them; and became very distin- guished for his attention to these interesting and profitable" sciences. Not satisfied with a theoretical examination of them, he more especially carried out practically his
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knowledge. His subsequent life even to old age, what leisure he could find from domestic cares and the labors. of his profession, was devoted to these pursuits. It was matter of admiration to see with what interest and pleasure he endured fatigue, and severe and patient exercise in collecting minerals, and entomological spe- cimens.
With his hammer and picks he explored the hills and vallies in every direction ; and made more geological surveys ; and discovered a greater variety of rare min- erals than perhaps any other man in Vermont. Large pieces of ore, and other substances found in places inaccessible to his carriage, he would carry some distance by personal effort.
In this way he collected a cabinet of choice specimens in these sciences ; not only of what the mountains and the fields of this state have hitherto afforded, such as it is in the curiosities of nature ; but made valuable additions from various and far distant parts of the earth. He devoted a building of two large rooms to this collection ; and it is still in the state in which it was when he died ; a place of great interest to the connoisseurs in these branches. Indeed the different articles, and the variety is almost endless, are arranged and labelled with such order and distinctness ; with such neatness and taste ; so striking the symmetry and beauty of the whole appear- ance, that it is an object of general attraction and curiosity. No one can be so indifferent to these things as not to spend pleasantly an hour or two in viewing them. No cabinet of minerals and entomological speci-
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mens equals this in Vermont ; certainly none collected by individual enterprise ; and Gen. Field has deserved well of his state in the cause of science, as he gained credit and honor to himself in this way as well as the profession to which he belonged. He was a subscriber from the commencement of it, to Silliman's journal of science; and was a frequent contributor to its pages, having furnished several valuable articles for that excel- lent periodical.
James Marsh, D. D., who recently died, a professor of natural and moral philosophy in the Vermont Univer- sity at Burlington, was highly distinguished for science and literature. He was several years president of that institution ; and gave good satisfaction, it is believed, to the public and to the students. But his modesty and love of study induced him to relinquish so conspicuous and responsible a post, and take the more retired one of a professor ; being enabled thus to follow his favorite pursuit to better advantage. He was a close and inde- fatigable student ; and one of the best scholars accord- ing to his age, not only in Vermont, but in New Eng- land. He excelled perhaps in metaphysics. But the whole circle of science was more or less traversed by him. His strong mind and rich mental acquisitions were devoted especially to the cause of virtue and reli- gion. He was a great admirer of Coleridge ; and did more perhaps, than any other man in the country has done, to exhibit his claims and merits as a scholar and able writer ; and to call the attention of the American public to his works. He republished some of his best
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writings ; especially his " Aids to Reflection," accom- panying it with an extensive and learned and critical introduction written by himself.
Jeremiah Evarts, a native of Sunderland in this state, was a man of elevated character as a scholar; as well as a philanthropist and christian. He indeed spent most of his days in Connecticut and Massachusetts ; being a long time editor of the Christian Panoplist ; and afterwards secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and editor of the Missionary Herald. He was an extraordinary man ; an energetic and powerful mind in a slender, feeble bodily frame. Few men, it might perhaps be added, not any in our country have left at his age more indelible ves- tiges of a great good man than he has. With the whole circle of literature and science he was familiar. Discri- minating, and acute in his examination of every subject that came before him, no fallacy or subterfuge escaped his penetrating eye. As a writer he was strong, clear, impressive, and methodical ; accurate and interesting. But the boldness of his conceptions often arrest the mind, producing strong emotion, and leading captive the will and fixing fast the purpose. He seemed to have commenced study in his youth with the fixed purpose of being prepared for usefulness and of being useful.
On the blank page of his classic books at college, (Yale,) the phra: , from Horace, the writer has seen,
" Nil sine magno Vita hore dedit mortalibus."
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" Life gives nothing without great labor to mortals." On this principle he commenced life ; a life of incessant labor ; the vigor of his mind, and the consuming desires of his heart to do good, exhausted at mid-day the slender powers of his body. But he accomplished much in a short time ; wrote and published much as editor of the Panoplist and Herald, which if collected and bound would make several volumes. Some of it, of course would be temporary and local ; but every page would bear the impress of a strong hand.
Mr. Evarts wrote a long series of papers, signed Wil- liam Penn ; and which were published originally in the National Intelligencer ; papers in behalf of the natives of this country. They appeared during the early part of President Jackson's administration ; and were copied into almost all the standard prints in the country. This fact is evidence of the respect with which they were received ; and the strong, commanding spirit which per- vaded them. Having studied the law and being ad- mitted to the bar, (although he soon relinquished the practice on account of his health,) he was enabled to examine professionally, the grounds and claims by which the Indians within our territory were entitled to the lands, which they occupied. He thus placed their case in a clear and strong view. Certainly these papers ex- hibit the author to us as a man of letters ; a learned civilian ; a close reasoner ; candid ; i, dependent, fear- less and philanthropic. They are an everlasting monu- ment of his talents, scholarship and benevolence.
But the most masterly productir his pen, is the
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conclusion of a report to the " American Board," written by him several years before his death ; and since pub- lished in a pamphlet form. It is a paper well worthy the attentive perusal of every patriot as well as christian. He takes the reader with him fifty or a hundred years in advance ; and, as it were, from some lofty eminence points out the state of our country on a supposition that the increase of its population goes on its present ratio, but the means of restraint and moral and religious culture, remain, first stationary ; or secondly, become less ; or thirdly, keep pace with the augmentation of its inhabitants and the progress of society. The conse- quences and the aspect of affairs in each of these contingencies are described and illustrated with the hand of a master, and with intense interest. Indeed few human productions contain in so small a compass, more passages of the sublime, than are found in this. This is saying much. But appeal is made to fact. Let the reader peruse it. Let the claims of this writer be examined with a spirit of candor, and it will be found that this tribute is underwrought ; and that not only Vermont, but the nation may boast of Jeremiah Evarts as one of her noblest sons.
Others might be named as examples of literary and scientific distinction. William Chamberlain, 'Greek Professor' in Dartmouth college, who was a native of Vermont ; and died at twenty-five years of age, lived long enough only to let us know in some measure what the cause of letters and virtue lost by his early death.
Many living scholars and writers are found in the state,
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whom to characterize particularly, might be improper and indelicate. To say that some of them are of the very first class would be no more than justice.
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CHAPTER XX.
Literature and learned men continued. - The learned professions .- Clergymen .- Difficulties encountered by them in the early set- tlements .- Their characters .- Names of some of them .-- The fruit of their labors .- Dr. Burton .- His authorship .- Lemuel Haynes .- Bunker Gay .- Attornies at law .- Of some who are dead, their character .- Civilians and statesmen .- Courts .- Their appearance .- Dispatch in business .- Physicians .- Difficulties in their way in the first settlement of the state .- Their charac- ter .- Medical college at Castleton .- Vermont poets .- Self- ยท taught one .- Putney hill .- Stanzas of poetry made by a bard living at its foot.
THE learned professions, as they are termed, stand comparatively well in this state. They who came here as pioneers in the cause of the gospel, were men gene- rally of great moral excellence, and self-denial. They were of the right stamp ; and founded churches on the right principles, digging deep and laying strong the foun- dation guided by the unerring word of prophecy. The hardships incident to a new and rough country, and cold climate, they endured in common with their parishioners. They were under the necessity of dividing their time between study and parochial duties on the one hand ; and secular callings on the other. To the field in the
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summer and woods in winter, they were compelled more or less to go ; and often to endure privations ; and the dangers of fording rivers and traversing the wilderness, to fulfil the many and distant calls for ministerial service. They often had to receive ordination in the open air ; or under the shade of the forest trees, and celebrate the ordinances of the gospel on the Sabbath in dwelling houses, and in barns.
But these were days of union and brotherly love ; and praise and prayer ascending amid these wilds of nature, entered no less acceptably the ears of Him, who " pre- ferreth to all temples, the upright and pure."
The truths of the gospel were circulated in their native simplicity and power; and these truths found reverential hearers. For among the early settlers of Vermont were Bible, Sabbath-loving men, and church- going ; respecting the heralds of the cross for their works' sake. This is evident from the records of some of their public proceedings, and acts of the rulers in those times. The language of reverence to God and his word is seen in many of their political acts and resolutions. The first meeting of the general assembly was opened by Divine worship, and a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Powers, of Windsor ; in favor of paying whom, a resolution was passed, permitting any, who pleased, to contribute. A committee was appointed to receive those contributions, who reported the sum contributed, ten pounds lawful money ; which was ordered to be paid over to him. This gentleman and Mr. Dewey, of Bennington, are the first clergymen named in the journal of the general
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assembly, officiating as such in the earliest proceedings of that body. The latter was requested by a vote to open with prayer the daily sessions of the assembly at their June meeting at Bennington, 1778. The voie is in these words: "voted that the Rev. Mr. Dewey be presented with the compliments of this house, to desire him to pray with this assembly, at the opening in the morning, for this session." In these records the christian names of these clergymen are not given. In addition to these, may be named Jackson, of Dorset ; Burton, of Thetford ; Worcester, of Peacham ; Lyman, of Marlboro ; Goodhue, of Putney ; Tufts, of Wardsboro ; Reeve, of Brattleboro ; Kent, of Benson ; Lyon, of North-Hero ; and Gay, of Vernon ; as fathers in the churches of Ver- mont. Bushnel, of Cornwall, although living, ought not to be omitted. Others were associated with them who endured hardships in those times of self-denial and difficulty. Their names appear to advantage in the history of the progress of divine truth; and the estab- lishment of gospel ordinances and the diffusion of light and love. In a double sense was it true, that they were breakers up of the fallow ground, and sowers of the seed. They cleared away the ground with their hands for the meat that perishes ; and the moral wastes, for the meat that endureth to everlasting life. Of Lyon and Gay, it ought, perhaps, to be said, that the former was one of the representatives in congress from this state from 1815 to 1817; and that the latter wrote and published a par- ticular account of the attack by the Indians on fort Bridgman, and its melancholy consequences. Painful
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