LETTER FROM PRESIDENT DAY. 107 



He is, perhaps, some better than when he left us, nearly a 

 year since. Though changes in this land of progress and 

 intense activity, are more rapid than on the other side of 

 the water, yet such is now the facility of communication 

 with Europe, that I can probably give you very little infor- 

 mation which has not already reached you. The principal 

 subject of public agitation, for many months past, is the 

 law of Congress for the restoration of fugitive slaves. Pol- 

 iticians of opposite parties are endeavoring to make capital 

 from it, for the next Presidential election. This dark 

 feature of slavery is to be the plague spot of our beloved 

 country, for a long time to come. 



Monday morning, July 28th. Being interrupted by com- 

 pany on Saturday, my letter was left unfinished. How 

 rapidly the years roll away. We have already come round 

 to another Commencement week. The first exercise of the 

 occasion was an admirable valedictory discourse by Dr. 

 Fitch, yesterday afternoon. This evening Dr. Bushnell is 

 to deliver an address on music, on the introduction of an 

 organ into the College Chapel. While the new class are 

 under examination for admission, we are favored with an 

 eclipse of the sun. Thanks to the progress of science that 

 we can witness the phenomenon with so much composure, 

 while it spreads terror and dismay among ignorant and 

 barbarous nations. 



The College is moving steadily on in its career of pros- 

 perity. The most exciting event among those connected 

 with it is the alarming illness and marvellous recovery of 

 Mr. Herrick. At the meeting of the Prudential Com- 

 mittee in April, he was reduced so low that no hope was 

 entertained of his restoration. It was believed, and perhaps 

 truly, that the process of mortification had already com- 

 menced. At the next meeting of the committee, he was 

 doing business with them, in good health, except a lame- 

 ness in one of his feet. Mr. Warner remains much as he 



was, perhaps a little better May He who is 



the sure protector of all who put their trust in Him, keep 



