Oxford Democrat

Agricultural College.
Orono, Feb. 14, 1874.
Mr. Editor:-
Knowing that the columns of your paper are ever open to local items, I thought perhaps a few from an Oxford boy, a student at the People's College here, might prove acceptable to your readers. The spring term commenced on Thursday Feb. 5th, with most of the students in, although the severity of that week delayed some from getting here at the commencement of the term. The Freshman class has been increased this term, making it number thirty seven, the whole number of students being one hundred and five, of which five are from old Oxford, three in the Sophomore and two in the Freshman class. We have one new Professor this term, Prof. Aubert, in the department of Chemistry, who seems to be 'the right man in the right place.' On Thursday, the 13th, the 'Committee on Agriculture' from the Legislature, with their wives, and accompanied by several other gentlemen from both Houses visited the College; the afternoon was spent by them in visiting the different departments of the College, and listening to the recitations of the classes. After partaking of an excellent dinner, prepared by Mr. Reed, the Steward, they all assembled with the students in the chapel, where, after a few words of welcome by Prof. Allen, the company were interested in the able remarks of Messrs. Tucker and Foster, of the Senate, and Messrs. Wasson and Gibbs of the House, and by several of the citizens of Orono who were present. The speakers expressed much pleasure at the way the institution is being carried on, and that this was emphatically the people's college, and as such it should not be crippled on the part of the State. Prof. M. C. Fernald then gave some of the history, object, and needs of the College, which I may refer to hereafter.
F.