The Portland Gazette

COMMUNICATIONS.

BOWDOIN COLLEGE.

The anniversary Commencement at this rising institution is to take place on Wednesday the sixth of September. From public notices already given, it appears that the literary and other societies, which have had their origin in the College, will celebrate their anniversaries on the day previous, and in the following order. At 2 o'clock P. M. an oration will be pronounced before the Athenæan Society, by Levi Stowell, Esq.—At 4 o'clock, before the Peucinian Society, by Benj. L. Lear, Esq.—and at 7, an address will be made in behalf of the Benevolent Society, by Mr. A. S. Packard. It is, we believe, generally known to the public, that the object of this last named society is to assist students of unblemished characters, who suffer from pecuniary embarrassment; and on this anniversary strangers and others, who may be present, will have an opportunity for the full exercise of their benevolent feelings. These performances will be followed by a series of declamations in the presence of judges appointed by the executive government who are to award certificates of approbation to those who may excel.

The occasion will bring together large numbers of the various professions and employments, who, while they will encourage by their presence the laborious traveller in the walks of science, who is toiling to raise the literary reputation of our state, may also be advancing the interests of their respective callings. Husbandmen, in particular, are invited to be present, and unite themselves to the Agricultural Society of Maine, which will then hold its anniversary.

We have noticed with much pleasure, that the medical gentlemen of Maine have been requested to meet, probably, for the purpose of organising themselves into a society, that they may guard the gate of their profession against the intrusion of impostors and empirics. It is hoped also, that these deliberations will result in something auspicious to the Medical school, about to go into operation at the College.

As the present is, in several respects, a new era in the history of the College, we presume there will be an unusual assemblage from the different sections of our state. Their presence will show the strong hold which this seminary has on their affections. The high rank which it has already taken among sister institutions, notwithstanding the difficulties with which it has had to struggle during the short period of its existence, reflects the highest honor on the wisdom and ability with which its concerns have been managed. A discriminating and grateful people have shown themselves capable of appreciating the disinterested services of those, who have labored for the intellectual greatness of the community. No better evidence can be given of their ability to govern themselves, and determine in what their true interest consists, than through their representatives, they have given, by identifying their own interests with those of science and literature. It is with peculiar satisfaction, that we have remarked an aversion to that spirit of innovation, which, in some of our more gloomy forebodings, we feared would discover itself. They have done wisely in patronizing the old, instead of creating new institutions. They have made Bowdoin College their foster-child; given her a good share in Benjamin's mess; and we are persuaded she will amply repay this act of legislative fondness. She will nurse in her bosom our future civil fathers, judges, advocates and christian teachers; and thus diffuse through all the ramifications of society, good order and good morals, the light of science and the consolations of piety.