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Description
PF2.2.36
Date
3-21-1840
Transcript
Mr Jerome Buckingham
Western Reserve College
Hudson Ohio
Kenyon College March 21, 1840
My Dear Buck
The long agony if over and the Juniors are at length delivered of the load which has been pussing upon them for months. The orations are spoken and very good ones they were – The first Elliots was just such another as the one he spoke at commencement. Tro’s was plain and sensible without show, Long’s was ordinary and delivered with one hand stuck in his breast and his eyes rolling up like a chicken in a thunder shower. Dewalts was plain and better than most expected from him. W C French’s was a very good one indeed, You know Geology is his hobby and his oration was written “con amore.” It was well delivered, Kanes was also a fine performance. Calhouns was like a lecture, and rather dry – Sains was nothing but figures from Death on the horse down to a grasshopper. It was delivered with multitudinous gestures, prodicious ranting and roaring. Ridgeley’s was ordinary and conversational. Hales poem was rather a good piece of blank verse but Hale never can be a poet – he has no energy no creative power. You would have been pleased to have heard Buttler declaim away against political delusion and party zeal. He the most violent partisan in College declared with the utmost vehemence that parties were the curse and partymen the enemies of our country – It was however a splendid oration and declared by many the best of all I. D. French’s was finely written and well delivered. It seems to divide the honors with Buttler and some call it the best – W C French Kane Buttler and I D French undoubtedly were ahead of the others – Which was the best – I can not for any part decide – Twas on the whole an honor to old Kenyon as all say – Tis now vacation. Senior and Sophomore Junior and Freshman have departed and unbroken silence reigns at Kenyon save the occasional moans of some poor fellow left like myself to spend his vacation in dullness. I am however at present awaiting letters from home and think I shall start for Con in about a week. Your affairs here if I start I will leave in the hands of Taylor who will attend to them and forward you the money – You need not answer this till you hear from me – If I remain I will let you know and the same if I leave – We have had the usual fall election and after a hard contest – the vote standing often 5 or 6 ballottings 19 and 19. Ball Norton and Elder – Elder was at last elected by one majority viz 19 Norton 20 Elder, Buttler was chosen secretary over Ba Norton Dewalt Librarian over Sain and Case Treas over Turner – Buttler C. Rhoes and myself over appointed critics – I supported Ball in opposition to Elder but his conduct in regard to the magazine ruined him – Kane & Long have left the institution not to return. Fagg or I will send you the rose and geranium slips you mentioned. Excuse the haste withwhich this is written for there are two or three fellows in my room chattering like black birds – Your friends so many of them send respects that it would take ½ a page to mention names.
Believe me ever Your Sincer Friend Luc G. Peck
You will hear from me again soon. If I leave when I get home I will send to you – If you should write the day you get this it might reach me here as I shall not start under a week
Recommended Citation
Peck, Lucius G., "Letter from Lucius G. Peck to Jerome Buckingham" (1840). 19th Century Correspondence. 57.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/correspondence_19thc/57