Judah Dana, U.S. Senator

U.S. Senator Judah Dana

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• The School and College Life of Judah Dana of the Class of 1795
• Dana-Ripley family of Fryeburg, Maine, Political Graveyard

Judah Dana, third son of John Winchester and Hannah Pope Dana (Putnam), daughter of General Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame, was born April 25, 1772 at Pomfret, Vermont.* He went to the Indian Charity School at Hanover, and was graduated in the Class of 1795 at Dartmouth College. He practiced law in Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine, was Judge of Probate, a United States Senator from Maine and left a record of legal capacity hard to surpass. Thanks to his granddaughter, Mrs. James Hopkins Smith of New York and of Falmouth, Maine, I have lately been loaned a copy of his autobiography, which contains so much that is unique concerning college life at Dartmouth in the XVIII century that I have taken great pains to edit and annotate it for the living alumni of Dartmouth. I trust that others may find in its perusal the same pleasure which I have felt. The half tone appended is from a very early portrait and gives us some idea of the odd appearance of Dartmouth students of that era. I will now let Judah Dana speak for himself, using his own words as far as possible, and annotating briefly the characters mentioned as the story proceeds.

When I was about two years old, I was found asleep on a grass plot, and lost from home, for I awoke seeing people about me with lanterns. I was frightened and remained wakeful the rest of that night. In the autumn before I was four years and before I had my winter shoes, I followed my Father's workmen in the snow, six inches deep in my bare feet, and spent the day in the barn with him. I remember when the Indians in October 1788, came and burned Royalton, near Pomfret, and killed and carried away some people captives. Father was at the Legislature, and Mother led us all into the woods about three miles away from home, where we spent two days until we learned that the Indians had retreated with their prisoners to Canada.

We next had as teacher in our home, Miss Susannah Hutchinson, Daughter of the Rev. Aaron Hutchinson,1 settled in the ministry first at Woodstock and later at Pomfret. He had a wonderful memory, and could recite whole Books from the Bible, and never carried Bible or Hymnal into the pulpit. We used to hear it said that he could repeat the New Testament from beginning to end by heart. His daughter also taught us to learn by heart, verses and chapters from the Bible which we used to recite in the Sunday Schools. I could at one time repeat fifty chapters in the Bible and over two hundred hymns and psalms.

Father had a good farm. I became intensely fond of animals, and in the Spring of 1788 when I was 16 I made more than 200 pounds of maple sugar and did all the plowing and harrowing that same season.

In July of that year I began fitting for College with Rev. Elisha Hutchinson,2 then minister at Pomfret. He lived three miles from Father's and I went and recited to him daily, but staid with him in bad weather. He informed me all about College Life and made me acquainted with the character of the President, Professors and Tutors. I began with the Latin Grammar, never having studied the English. It was dark and mysterious, but I persevered and committed it in a few weeks. I then went to Norwich Academy under the care of Mr. Asher Hatch3 a mild and good man but not a thorough instructor. I boarded at the Rev. Lyman Potter's4 about a mile from the Academy; The next summer I went to Moore's Indian Charity School, or the Hanover Academy as it was called, then under the charge of the celebrated teacher, Col. Josiah Dunham.5 Instead of running over 50 lines of Virgil, he reduced our lesson to five, and the same in Greek,— and required us to parse every word in its etymology, as well as in its relations. Never did I feel so small. In this critical course he kept us until he offered us for College, when really we had not studied the 6 books of Virgil nor the 4 Evangelists in Greek, nor Cicero's Orations against Cataline as required by the Rules of College. I was examined with four others offered by Col. Dunham but none of us were examined in the studies we had not been over under him, so we passed good examinations and were complimented as being well fitted. Whether this was owing to accident, good luck, or arrangement, I never knew. But when I came to recite with the Class, I could not get my 100 lines at a lesson, or 30 Verses in Greek, so thoroughly as we had done under Col Dunham, who advised us always to get what we could, well.

I recited my lessons well, where I had studied. At length one of the last verses in the Greek lesson was put to me. I frankly told the tutor that I had not studied it. He gave me the last verse which I told him I had got, and I refcited it readily and correctly, and then he screwed (twisted me up?) me in parsing. I was nevertheless prompt and correct and came off triumphantly. Thus I sustained my reputation as a scholar, though in fact, until within two days of the end of the Term I was never able with the greatest diligence to get my required lessons. Glad was I when vacation came. I stuck right down to my studies, and Junior Moore6 seeing my perseverance invited me to spend the vacation with him, in his room, and heard me recite all my lessons, at the end of which I had no more trouble in getting the whole of all my lessons. I ever felt under deep obligations to Moore, and took him as my Friend and Patron whilst he was in College. I never met him but once after he graduated, and that was while he was President of Williams, where we had a joyful meeting, and heartily reviewed 'the interesting colleges scenes through which we had passed.

COLLEGE LAWS AND COLLEGE SCENES

In 1791 as I have said I entered Dartmouth as a Freshman. Under the regimen of that day it was the duty of the Senior Class to read and to expound the College Laws to the Freshman Class. It was the privilege of the three upper Classes to send the Freshmen to do their errands. This duty of the Senior Class was promptly attended to by them, and we were all called upon to appear before them to hear the College Laws read, and explained. We accordingly met them at the time and place appointed, heard the laws read and expounded and we asked them some questions which manifested an unwillingness to submit to the drudgery required of us, and made some objections to some of the laws, and endeavored with due modesty to show their absurdity, and our unwillingness to obey them. However, we separated pleasantly and were never called upon to do any errands at all until the next Spring, when a Sophomore ordered one of our Class to go nearly a mile off of the Plain7 and bring him a book. This was soon known, and our Class assembled to consult, and concluded that a Freshman could not be sent so far off of the Plain to do any errand.

We, however, doubting the correctness of our opinion, formed ourselves at once as a Class into a Military Company, and took up our line of march in martial order to get the book! We went to the place, got the book, fixed it on the top of our Flag Staff, and with colors flying we marched (in military style around the Plain, and up to the College8 and carried in the book, in triumph. All the students came out to see the show, the Seniors and Juniors laughing and countenancing us. But the Sophomore Class, one of whom had sent our classmate for the book, looked upon our conduct as an insult to their Class, as well as to the individual who had ordered the errand. Then they all began to call out to us; "Freshman A bring me a pail of water;" "Freshman B Take these clothes to the washerwoman;" "Freshman C Go to the College Library and get me such a book;" and so on through the whole Class. Some of us refused to go, some made one excuse and some another, and few or none went. My excuse was that I was going to do an errand for Junior Moore. He heard me make the remark, went with me to his room and sent me to Long's9 for some paper. In the midst of all this confusion, one of our Class being the College Bell Ringer, anticipated the time of day and rang the College Bell for "Study Hours." We all followed the signal, ran to our rooms, and left our errands to take care of themselves.

The next day our whole Class were arraigned before the College Government10 who appeared to consider our conduct as a Combination, to resist the laws and appeared to us, distant and stern.

President Wheelock who had been as kind as a Father to me, now put on his Cocked Hat, and looked frightfully. Never had I seen such a change in any man! We had some older members who managed our defence admirably. Every one of us had some plausible excuse; some did not hear; others were busy; others were under prior engagements; and just then we were all called to our studies by the college bell. In addition to all these excuses, we contended that we were under no obligation to go a mile, and that, off of the Plain to do errands. The Government tried to make us confess, but we would not. Then they dismissed us, and called us all separately the next day, but could not make any of us confess. They then threatened, and two of our leaders11 who lived nearer Cambridge than Dartmouth threatened to leave and go there, where these "Odious Laws" had been recently repealed. They were our best scholars and most studious and exemplary young men. These two men then urged with great earnestness, and ability, that the errand was not such as came under the laws, and there was no insistence of that kind, and upon that ground, and as the Class had never before offended, we were all excused and were never afterwards called upon to do any more errands. We also voted that when we should in the course of time have the right to send Freshman on errands we would not exercise that right, and in a short time, the Government repealed that odious law at Dartmouth, as had been done at Cambridge.

Another pedantic law of College, was also abolished about that time, namely, one requiring all students at the distance of four rods from the President to take off their hats, and carry them under their arms until the President had passed, to take them off at a distance of two rods from a Professor, and one rod from Tutors, and to raise them from their heads as an underclassman passed a Senior.

COLLEGE SOCIETIES

Whilst I was in College, there were Three Societies, The Phi Beta Kappa, The Social Friends, and The United Fraternity. The first elected only one third of the Junior Class at the end of their Junior year, the other two could elect one half of the Freshman Class, each, at the end of the Freshman year. These two rival Societies had each an excellent library, more useful than the College one. The elections from the Freshmen were all made on a particular day, about the first of August, and at the same time of day. Then, you would see the most influential and popular students of each Society out among the Freshmen extending their invitations, and endeavoring to persuade them to unite with their Society. The best and leading Scholars would receive invitations at the same time from both societies. This was called "Fishing" and the various terms of Angling were applied to this scene. Some would "Bite," and be "Caught" at once; others would not "Bite" at all; whilst others would "Snap at the Bait" take it "from the hook," and "Swim Off," etc. It was amusing to see the skill, or the want of it in the "Angler," and the dexterity with which some would avoid, and the ease with which others were "Caught." I was at one moment invited by a Social Friend, whom I really liked and hated to refuse, and then at the next moment, my Friend and Patron Moore, appeared on the scene with an invitation from the United Fraternity. I gave him an affirmative answer at once, and settled the question, whilst some would hold their invitations in suspense, days and weeks, and perplex themselves and give much offence.

THE SOPHOMORE QUARTER

In 1793 my Class had their Sophomore "Quarter" in June. There were three Orations, Latin, Greek, and Philosophical, and Dialogues of Two, Four, and so on Students. There was much (disappointment and disturbance about the assignment of the parts. Some would not perform, and some scolded, and others muttered. One of our best scholars, Samuel Worcester,12 and Samuel Fowler Dickinson,13 were put into Dialogue, instead of having Orations. Worcester had a Single Dialogue with me, and Dickerson, with some one else, Field,14 I think. In these Appointments, we supposed our Characters were fixed for life.15 I was pleased to be ranked with one whom the scholars of our Class considered best, but Worcester and Dickinson were much disappointed that they had not received the first two Appointments, and when the Class graduated in 1795, they did each receive Orations, Dickinson the Salutatory in Latin and Worcester the Valedictory.

Ours was a small Class of 32 but generally acknowledge to have as much talent and merit (and more evenly divided) than any Class which had preceded them. There have been more members admitted to the Phi Beta from it than from any other Class according to the number, and no other Class has furnished so many members of Congress; namely: Allen, Bigelow, Jewett and Noyes of the United States House of Representatives, and Dana of the United States Senate.16

RISING AGAINST HOMER

Soon after our Class had commenced the study of Homer (for the sake of being fashionable or some other cause) a Conspiracy was raised against this illfated book, and upon a certain afternoon and evening the copies all disappeared, and when the Class went to get their lesson, not a Homer could be found, and the next Morning the Class appeared at recitation without Book or Lessons. Professor "Johnny" as we called Professor Smith17 who was the best Linguist in New England, but did not "Know Beans" about anything else, stared at us with amazement, was grieved and almost wept at the depravity of the times, in which that excellent book could not be understood and duly appreciated. He then gave us many Beauties of Homer, reciting whole passages from Memory, and smacking his lips as if he were tasting something delightful. At length he requested us to recite, but there was not a book there, except his own, and a few lines, only, were recited, and the Class dismissed. Next, we were summoned in squads to appear before the Government, and were examined as to the disappearance of all the Homers at once. No Intelligence about them could- be found though day after day was spent in examining the Class about them. The Government made us appear every morning at recitation with such books as could be found. They then ordered all to furnish themselves with books within a week or ten days, and all who did not would be supplied by, the Government and charged in their College Bills. This, we laid to "Old John" (President Wheelock) who had much skill in College Government, and we said every thing against him, as he was the one who had contrived this plan to make us find our Books.

After all this, our Homers began to come forward in as mysterious a way as they had disappeared. Mine, however, could not be found, and I recited from an old one belonging to the College Library. At length, in throwing some old chips from my wood closet on to my fire, my Homer went in with them one day, but was not injured. I did not know where it had been, but had no doubt it was safe somewhere. Thus, after a while, the Homers were mostly found, and the attempt to drive that worthy from College, proved as such plots generally do, abortive, and Old Homer stood his ground then, as he has to this day.

CONSPIRACY TO DESTROY THE PHI BETA AND OTHER SOCIETIES

Toward the close of our Sophomore Year and immediately after the election from the Junior Class into the Phi Beta, an extensive Combination was formed to destroy it, as well as the Social Friends and United Fraternity, and to form one Grand Liberal Society, to the privileges of which every member of the College should be eligible.

To this end, the rooms, closets, chests, and trunks of the Secretaries of the several Societies were searched for the Constitutions, and Records and papers thereof, but those of the Social Friends only, were found and destroyed. This Combination was composed of the Disaffected in the Senior and Junior Classes who had not been invited to join the Phi Beta, and such of the lower Classes as they could persuade to unite with them. This comprised more than half of the students in the College. Amongst them, were many members of the Fraters and Socials, who with great plausibility and intrigue endeavored to overturn and destroy those Societies. In the U. F., we had a severe struggle; every member was obliged to take sides, and some of our Seniors and Juniors who had been leading members of the Society were secretly if not openly endeavoring to destroy it. Every member of the Society belonging to my Class, stood firm, and most of the Freshman Class, but we had no leader.

Dickinson was rather diffident, and I had generally been silent, but we were compelled to go forward, and we met our opponents with all the skill we were masters of. We called to our aid, two substantial and capable members of the Freshman Class, Packard and Eastman18 who took a stand and who operated with us, in battling before the Society as well as in planning our operations. We had meeting after meeting, and some turbulent ones; the existence of the Society depended on our efforts, and success, and never were combatants more engaged and ardent. Dickinson threw his whole soul into the Conflict, and Packard managed affairs with great adroitness, and my sleeping and waking thoughts were all on this subject.

At one meeting, the Revolutionists carried their measures, which if successful would give them the control. We were alarmed, notified Graduate Members who lived not far from the College, who came to our aid, and helped us to vote in, more students, whom we could Constitutionally take, and who we knew to be friendly to the existence of the Society. This was an appalling stroke to our opponents, and caused them to withdraw and openly unite with the Independent Society, as they styled themselves, or Pot-Metal Society as we styled them. The Social Friends, though they lost their Constitution, and Records had not so many revolutionists among them, nor so severe a struggle to preserve their existence as a Society, and the Phi Betas had no internal commotion, but withstood with firmness and success the most extensive and powerful and talented Combination ever formed against them at Dartmouth, or perhaps at any other College. This Omnium Gatherum Society continued its existence for a few years, but the others were established on a firmer basis than ever. Thus ended this mighty Conspiracy, as a Warning to Disappointed, Disaffected and Unprincipled aspirants.

ACTIVITIES AS A JUNIOR

In my Junior year I was invited by Mr. McFarland19 to assist him in the Academy, (Moore's Indian Charity School). We had a numerous School of about seventy scholars, among whom there were not less then Twenty young ladies, about half of whom wrote a Composition, each week, and some of them were in the study of Virgil. These Compositions were handed in, with great gravity, but criticized with much freedom of remark. At the end of the Term we were to have a Splendid Exhibition, at which Cato's Tragedy by Addison, amongst other pieces was to be acted, in the College Chapel. Great preparations were made, and all the parts were well committed, and expectation was on Tip Toe, but at the rehearsal on the night but one before the day of the Exhibition, Mr. B, who had the part of Cato, became dissatisfied at something, refused to act the part, and the Preceptor could not coax nor drive him. All were surprised and disappointed to have the exhibition broken up, and all blamed B for his refusal to act. When the Preceptor found that he could not prevail upon B, to act, he tried every way by shifting the parts to have the exhibition go on. No way, however, could be contrived and we were about separating and giving it up, when the Preceptor suggested some one to read the part of Cato, as it was so long that no one could commit it. Several were applied to, but were not willing to undertake it. No means could be contrived to have the Exhibition go on. lat length told them that rather than have so great a disappointment, I would lay aside my Dignity and Authoritv as a Teacher, and read the part of Cato. They were all rejoiced at my condescension, and readiness to oblige them, and nobody was ever so marvelled at and bepraised as Junior Dana. We immediately commenced the Rehearsal, and went through it admirably as all had their parts well committed, and much of Cato's part, which was very long was familiar to me.

When we got through and separated to meet the next morning at 10 for rehearsal, I returned to my College room about 9, made up a good fire took my "Cato," and studied it and acted it until well after 2 A. M., when I went to bed, and then, before I went to sleep (according to my habit) I repeated the whole without hesitation. Before I arose in the morning I repeated it all again, then took a late breakfast, repeated it once more and then went to the Rehearsal, where I found them anxiously waiting for me, fearing that I should not come or that something would prevent my reading my part. They greeted me heartily, and commenced the Rehearsal. I gave the Book to the Preceptor as Prompter, and entered the stage as a Speaker, and had my part well committed to the astonishment and joy of all. Never were Poor Souls more gratified, their pleasure broke out in many ways, and most of all they rejoiced that he who had determined to break up the play was disappointed and chagrined (and he wanted to take the part now and act it) but neither the Preceptor nor the Scholars would consent. So, though a Teacher I went on the Stage as an Actor and Student and the Exhibition went off admirably. I acquired much reputation by my strength of memory, as well as by acting, while the other man was so mortified that he left the Academy.

PHI BETA KAPPA

About the close of my Junior Year, in July or August 1794 I was, with seven of my Classmates, elected to the Phi Beta. We all accepted and were initiated, at once. Afterward, five more of our Class were admitted, and there was no disturbance in the College on this occasion, although_no inconsiderable influence was exerted to dissuade and prevent us. I do not recollect that at any period of my College Life I ever studied to Excel any one- or for any Appointment, but from a sense of duty and a desire for a good educaton.

TEACHING WINTER SCHOOL

In December, 1794, in my Senior Year I was invited to take a School at Orford, New Hampshire. I went and found a large School with many large Scholars. I liked the school and the business and succeeded well in it. Some of the scholars were desirous of having an Exhibition at the end of the School, and I was willing to gratify them, as well as myself, for I was very fond of theatrical displays. There was also a large open new Hall, nearby, which would be very convenient. The great difficulty was, that I could not find any plays fitted for the ages, character, and capacities of my scholars. To overcome this difficulty, as I had written Blank Verse, and my Sophomore Dialogue with my Classmate Worcester, was also written in this way, I undertook the' task of writing an Original Play in that form, and succeeded much better to my own liking than I had expected, and with much more dispatch. In the course of ten days I had formed my Plot and written the greater part of the dialogue. I kept my writing a secret, for fear it would not be well received, but Junior T20 who lived in the same district was at home and much in my room and it was impossible to keep the thing from him. He was so carried away with it, that he took a part with the scholars in it, and was faithful not to reveal its origin. Some of the inmates, however, of the Boarding House had access to my room, and ascertained the fact, but kept it to themselves. A great concourse assembled, and the lines being well committed, were well spoken and all went off admirably. The scholars were pleased, the parents were gratified, and the public delighted. Never was an Author and Teacher more applauded than Senior Dana, whose wonderful exploits were not confined to the town, but spread back to College where upon my return I was congratulated on my exploits.

COLLEGE AND SOCIETY EXERCISES AT COMMENCEMENT, 1795

It was usual for the United Fraternity to have an Oration before that Society on the day before Commencement, and an Original Dialog or Tragedy or Comedy, exhibited on the evening of the same day. In June or July, 1795, Dickinson, who was a distinguished Scholar and good writer, and I, were appointed to compose and prepare the Dialogues (for exhibition on the anniversary of our Commencement. Eli Emmons21 our eccentric Classmate was appointed with us, but declined. Dickinson and I undertook the task, but had no small difficulty in fixing on a Plot and in adapting it to time, place, and actors who were all, members of our Society. It fell on me to write the first scene of the first Act which opened with a soliloquy of an Eastern King, who had received premonitions of a powerful invasion of his realms, after which the Oueen enters, inquires the causes of his Solicitude, and consoles him. Dickinson wrote the next scene and we went on writing alternately, until we completed the Dialogue. I wrote more than half of it but we continued to mix it up, so that it could not be ascertained what part each wrote, and neither was ambitious to take to himself any more than his share.

When we had finished the Tragedy, the whole Society was convened and it was read to them in tears of joy and sorrow. They were highly gratified with it, and appointed a Committee to distribute the parts. The celebrated Poet, and Man, Col. Dunham wrote the Prolog and Epilogue, the parts were well taken, well committed and the while went- off with eclat.

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS, AND MY COLLEGE EXERCISES AT COMMENCEMENT

About six weeks before Commencement, our Senior Examinations took place, all tfie Class were admitted to degrees and the appointments were given out, much to the satisfaction of the Class. Dickinson had the Latin Salutatory, Von and Snell22 each a Philosophical Oration, and the first Dialog, "The Downfall of Poland" was assigned to me, with others. As I had acquired no small celebrity in writing Blank Verse, the whole task of writing the whole Dialog was put on me. I went at it, soon accomplished the work, and before we left College for our homes to spend the Vacation we had committed our parts and rehearsed. The Day of Commencement arrived in the middle of August, Snell delivered our Society Oration, which was well received. The Tragedy was now to be spoken. I had written the greater part of it, and the most important character had been assigned to me. On the success of that evening was suspended all of my hopes and fears. After tea I went to my room, sat down and composed myself, rehearsed my part, reflected upon my former successes on all such occasions, took courage, became animated and dressed myself for the occasion. The Bell soon rang, and the audience collected. i went to the Chapel which was filled to overflowing. I was delighted at the sight of such an audience, and was perfectly composed. The scene was soon opened. I appeared, solus, in the character of the Kirg in a soliloquy. I spoke with ease, much to my own liking through the first Scene, and retired. When I could hear what was said on the opposite side and end of the Chapel, the comments on my personal appearance and speaking, and excellence of the new Tragedy, were gratifying and greatly encouraged me23. The parts were perfectly committed, and admirably acted and greatly applauded. But the Epilog, which was one of the happiest hits of the facetious and celebrated Col. Dunham, brought forth roars of applause. The whole went off with much credit to the authors, the speakers and the Society.

The next day was our Commencement. After breakfast I dressed myself in my black Commencement Suit; Black coat, waistcoat, and small clothes, large silver shoe buckles, black silk gloves, and a black Cocked Hat, with my hair cued down with a black ribbon, and my head and hair powdered as white as the driven snow. Thus dressed, at the sound of the. Bell, I repaired to the front of the President's House, where a Procession was formed, and proceeded to the Meeting House. As I was now a Senior, there was a long Procession of Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, who opened to the right and left with their hats off for us to pass through and enter. Music,. Prayer by the President, and the Latin Salutatory then followed. As my dialog was the highest Appointment next to the Orations, it was assigned for the last exercise of the Forenoon. II had no fears nor anxieties about it. I felt confident that we should perform it well, and it was allowed by the Class and the students that there was none better.

Thus ended my Collegiate Course, which was closed by a splendid Ball in the evening, of which I was one of the managers. The next day I packed up and left beloved Dartmouth for home, August 17, 1795 after receiving the Honors of the College. On the Monday following, Mr. McFarland brought me an invitation from President Wheelock to take charge of the Academy, Mr. McFarland having been appointed a Tutor in the College. I was much gratified in being selected to take charge of that Institution, and to board in the family of the President. I accepted the invitation and agreed to return in about three weeks.

After receiving so many, marks of confidence and distinction, my mind was far from feeling at ease, I reflected on my follies and errors, but as my early religious impressions had worn away, I felt little of that religious enjoyment that I had heretofore done. I sought Forgiveness, and resolved to lead a new life. With these views I entered upon my employment.

I now had a good opportunity to study Theology with the President in whose house I dwelt, and this would have been agreable to my Parents and the Duties' and Employments of that Profession would have been much more congenial to my feelings than the turbulent scenes and strife of the Law, but; How could I teach others what I could not see through or understand; the Mysteries of Calvinism! Thus perplexed, I gave up the study of a favorite profession, and entered my name as a Law Student with the Classical and Technical Benjamin'Joseph Gilbert, commonly known by the Title of "Baron" Gilbert. 24

MY YEAR OF INSTRUCTION

I entered on my duties as Preceptor of the Academy connected with the College about the first of October, 1796 with only eight pupils. My board and room were found for me at the President's gratis, and I was to receive the Tuition of the scholars in addition. I roomed in the President's garret where all of my worthy and distinguished predecessors, L.L.D's and Presidents of Colleges, before me, had done, and where all their names were cut and carved upon the ceiling of the room, and where I had the honor to enroll mine.

Whether they have stood the ravages of time and stand there now, I know not. Most of those Worthies have enrolled their names in other annals which will be more durable. From this small beginning, my school gradually increased and in December I had not less than Seventy Scholars with Senior Tilton Eastman as an assistant, many of them preparing for College and not less than twenty young ladies. The School was in good repute and never did a teacher enjoy himself and his business better. In April we had a most Splendid Exhibition, with an Epilog by the facetious and Poetical Thomas Green Fessenden.25 But a Local Description of Hanover written in poetry by Col. Dunham whose wit, fancy, and poesy were never more happily commingled and exerted, as spoken by H. W. Fuller26 of Augusta Maine, was by far the most celebrated performance and created the most amusement and diversity of opinion. Some censured me for having it spoken,, but as I was taken off in it as severely as the others, and had never seen the piece but left it to the Colonel and his pupil to write and speak it, I got off very well. So did my assistant, for he had never seen or heard of it, which was abominably severe on everybody and everything on' the Plain, and about the College and the inhabitants. The exhibition went off admirably and I then had a vacation of four weeks, during which several couples of girls and boys rode to Lebanon City27 and then sailed across to the Shakers' V illage at Enfield. At this time I nearly upset the boat from my giddy behavior, an event which has never been erased from my mind, and led me to reflect how many misfortunes and crimes are ascribable to the indiscretion of youth.

After vacation I had about Fifty Scholars, entered two in the Freshman Class and one in the Sophomore, and closed about two weeks before Commencement with' the approbation of all who had been connected with it. My Tuition, after deducting expenses amounted to about $270 in the year. At that time I was Vice President of the Phi Betas, and in the absence of the President, I presided at the Initiation of several members who had come to Commencement and amongst them President Kirkland of Cambridge.28 I was not a little agitated and feared that I should never be able to go through the Ceremonies, but I was told, that though my voice trembled, at first, I was not any more excited than to appear and to speak well.

I now closed my services as teacher, travelled to Portsmouth, Boston, Providence and Hartford, and then returned to Hanover to continue my law studies with "Baron" Gilbert, a critical scholar and sound lawyer. As we then had no printed Forms of Declarations, Pleas, and so on, I. copied three blank books of them for my own use when I should begin practice. I derived much information from my teacher . who . though a retiring man was communicative and Instructive in conversation. I joined a Debating Club which had been formed in the previous year, and one circumstance attending its origin ought not to be omitted.

Col. Dunham, the distinguished wit, poet, satirist, and scholar, had for his part, at the first meeting, an essay in poetry in which he described the place where we met, and every member of the Club, beginning with the President, whose character, he delineated with so much accuracy, point and severity, taking off every fault, foible and peculiarity, that when he had done, we all trembled for fear the meeting would be broken up. But he next took off the Vice President, other officers and every member and lastly came to himself, whose defects, oddities, and failings were manfully set forth with even more wit and keen satire than those of any other member: By this time, we, however wounded, were all prepared for a hearty laugh and full pardon for our Poet and Reviler.

In this Club I took an active part to prepare myself for public speaking. Dana and Dunham coming alpabetically together, we were often called out as disputants in extempore debates, yet in this exercise with all his wit, eloquence, and general superiority, I could match and often master him. But as a Teacher, Declaimer and Instructor or in Speaking, I have never known his equal. Humphrey Farrar 29 was also a student with me and Daniel Gilbert80 a brother of the "Baron", but a very different sort of a man; frank, fun-loving, and spending most of his time in chitchat with the °irls, whilst I was reading, or gleaning information from the "Baron." I also met with the College Societies, and took part in their debates. In the Spring of 1798 I was appointed to deliver the annual oration before the Phi Betas and in June I visited Maine to seek a place in which to practice law.

NOTE: Not Pomfret, Connecticut, as stated in the Dartmouth General Catalog.

1. Aaron Hutchinson (17.55-1843) was graduated at Harvard in 1770 when but 15, and continued a minister all of his life. Though very learned, he was eccentric and uncouth in his manners.

2. Graduated at Dartmouth in the Class of 1775. Mr. Hutchinson preached at Pomfret from 1784-1795, when he removed as Minister to Newport, New Hampshire, where he died in 1833 at the age of 84.

3. Mr. Ashur Hatch (1752-1826) was graduated from Dartmouth in 1779, taught at Plainfield, Connecticut and at Norwich, and finally retired to his farm in Brookfield, Vermont.

4. Rev. Mr. Potter (1728-1847) was graduated at Yale in 1772, settled in Norwich soon afterwards, was very influential in Dartmouth affairs for many years, and in 1799 was sent on a mission to the Creek Indians to induce some of them to attend the Indian School at Hanover. This created scandal, as it was claimed, that his expenses had really been paid to that distant region to give him a chance to settle there; which he did.

5. Josiah Dunham (1769-1844) was graduated at Dartmouth in 1789, taught in this school for several years, was very famous at Dartmouth Commencements, probably delivered more Orations, Masonic, Patriotic and Political during the next fifteen years than any other graduate before or since and finally obtained a Commission in the U.S. Army. He was not only a magnificent orator but a magnificent man, being six feet three inches in height and finely proportioned. Some antiquarian ought to make a life study of Col. Dunham, for he was a man of local fame for many years. "Lord's History" gives many instances of his oratorical and dramatic skill at Dartmouth; the "Lite of Dr. Lyman Spalding" soon to appear has letters from him, and from Dana, we get additional touches which speak for themselves as material for a sketch of the career of a celebrated Alumnus.

6. Zephaniah Swift Moore (1779-1823) preacher at Leicester, Massachusetts, then Professor and President of Williams, and finally President of Amherst a famous man, Worth recalling, for his care of Judah Dana.

7. The Plain, it is hardly necessary to say means Hanover Plains on which the College is built, and as distinguished from the extensive hilly remainder of the town of Hanover.

8. Dartmouth Hall.

9. Samuel Long kept a Country Shop in the village of Hanover, sold books and stationery, was a deacon of the Church and very fond of the violin.

10. The "Faculty" of today. "Executive Authority," as Lord has it in his History of Dartmouth College. Dana here gives us still another title, valuable by the way, historically.

11. "It is impossible to identify these two men as there were fifteen members of the Class who lived not far from Cambridge.

12. Of Salem, Massachusetts (1779-1821), Founder of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

13. From Amherst, Massachusetts (1775-1838), one of the Founders and Builders up of Amherst College.

14. Bohan Prentice Field, (1774-1843) a very talented lawyer at Belfast, Maine for many years.

15. This means the College Government's opinion of their standing in the world, into which they would soon go to work.

16. Heman Allen (1777-1852) was M.C. from Vermont, and U.S. Minister to Chili; Abijah Bigelow (1775-1860) was M. C. from Massachusetts; Luther Jewett (1772-1860) was first a physician, then M. C. from Vermont, afterwards a minister of the Gospel, and finally editor of an influential Vermont newspaper; John Noyes (1768-1842) was Tutor at Dartmouth and M. C. from New- Hampshire, and finally Judah Dana was U. S. Senator from Maine, and could have been appointed to a second term but retired.

17. Rev. John Smith (1752-1809) of the Class of 1773 was Tutor and Professor of Greek for many years. He also taught Latin, Hebrew and Oriental Languages to those who cared to learn them. His Chaldee Grammar was a work of talent, his services as Librarian were of value to students and he preached the Gospel zealously In the College Church, for a generation of Sundays.

18. Theophilus Packard (1769-1855) Minister at Shelburne, Massachusetts for many years: and Tilton Eastman (1773-1842) who preached his life ermont the greater part of

19. Asa McFarland of the Class of 1793, afterwards Minister at Concord, New Hampshire.

20. This was John Morris Tillotson, of Orford, Class of 1796, who practiced as a lawyer in Northumberland, New Hampshire, where he died in 1822.

21. Emmons (1774-1837) became a noted physician at Amherst, Massachusetts.

22. Von is probably a bad reading of the MSS for John Vose (1776-1840) a teacher, all of his life, at Atkinson, New Hampshire, whilst Thomas Snell (1774-1862) preached at North Brookfield, Massachusetts.

23. This Chapel had wonderful acoustic properties, so that a whisper could be heard anywhere. This would account for Dana overhearing all that had been said about him.

24. Mr. Gilbert, born in North Brookfield, Massachusetts in 1764, was graduated at Yale in 1786, and probably came to Hanover as a Lawyer as early as 1792 with his Brother Daniel, who was graduated at Dartmouth in the Class of 1796. "Baron" Gilbert is often mentioned in the History of the College, between the years 1794 and 1821, but he finally removed in his old age to Boston where he died in 1849. He was called "Baron" from Chief Baron Gilbert of England whose book on "Evidence" was then much studied.

25. Fessenden (1771-1837) graduated in 1796, and was a very capable newspaper man in Boston.

26. Henry Weld Fuller (1784-1841) of the Class of 1801 at Dartmouth served for many years as Judge of the Probate Court of Kennebeck County, Maine.

27. This is sarcastic, for Lebanon is far from being a. city, but it wa.s so entitled as being much more populous than Hanover.

28. John Thornton Kirkland, President of Harvard, 1810-1828.

29. He was of the Class of 1794 and practiced as a lawyer at Hanover.

30. He was graduated in the Class of 1796 and practiced as a lawyer in Brookfield, Massachusetts, for many years living until 1851.

At this point the connecton of Judah Dana with Dartmouth and Hanover ceases, but in'a supplementary Chapter we find a brief account of his Love Affair with one of the "Ripley Girls," and under the title of; "The Romance of Judah Dana of the Class of 1795 and of Miss Betsey Ripley of Hanover." This will appear in a later issue of the MAGAZINE.

Let me in conclusion emphasize the fact, that whilst Judah Dana was studying law at Hanover in 1797, Dr. Nathan Smith established the Dartmouth Medical School and employed as his Assistant, my Grandfather, Dr. Lyman Spalding from Cornish who at that time made the acquaintance of Judah Dana and lived with him under the hospitable roof of President Wheelock.

A DARTMOUTH STUDENT OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY JUDAH DANA, 1795

Dr. James A. Spalding '66, Portland, Maine

Judah Dana was born in Pomfret, Connecticut on 25 April 1772. He was a grandson (on his mother's side) of the American Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam.

He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1795. He then studied law, and began to practice in 1798 in Fryeburg, Maine, which was then a part of Massachusetts. He was the district attorney for Oxford County, Maine from 1805 to 1811, judge of probate in that county from 1811 to 1822, and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1811 till 1823. He was also a judge of the circuit court, a delegate to the convention that framed the state constitution of Maine in 1819, and in 1833 was elected a member of the state executive council, serving in 1834.

He was an adherent of the Jacksonian Democratic Party, and, on the resignation of Ether Shepley, was appointed U.S. Senator, serving from 21 December 1836 until 3 March 1837, when a successor was elected and qualified. He died in Fryeburg, aged 73, and was interred in the Village Cemetery there.

His son, John Winchester Dana, was later a Governor of Maine on 21 January 1808; died near Rosario, New Grenada on 22 December 1867. He was for many years an active democratic politician in Maine, and from 1847-1850 was governor of the state. In 1853 he went to Bolivia as charge d'affaires, was commissioned minister resident on 29 June 1854, and held that post till 10 March 1859. In 1861 he was again a candidate for governor of Maine, but was defeated. Soon afterward he went to South America, where he resided at the time of his death.