EXERCISES AT OPENING OF THE NEW DARTMOUTH HALL FOR ACADEMIC USES

The exercises connected with the opening of the new Dartmouth Hall for academic uses were held Saturday, February 17, two years after the burning of the old hall. The exercises were of the simplest character. The formal opening attending the presentation Of the hall in behalf of the alumni will take place at Commencement.

A short chapel service appropriate to the occasion was held at half past eight in the morning. At the close of this service, a procession was formed, headed by the band and consisting of the faculty, the alumni secretaries, and other alumni, arid the students of the College and Associated Schools. Professor Craven Laycock acted as marshal. Starting at the Chapel the procession marched past Butterfield to Main street, turned south, and when opposite the new hall, advanced straight across the campus, taking its position in front of the middle entrance of the new Dartmouth . As the procession approached Dartmouth, Psalm CXXXVI (as used at Commencement) was sung to the tune of Nuremberg.

A brief service of dedication took place upon the steps of the new building. President Tucker spoke as follows : -

" The presentation of Dartmouth Hall to the Trustees on behalf of the Alumni will take place at Commencement. We anticipate nothing which belongs to that occasion in the present opening and occupancy of this building for academic uses on this the second anniversary of the burning of the old hall. But before we enter and take possession of the new Dartmouth Hall, we pause for the moment to adjust ourselves in spirit and in purpose to the exacting but ennobling traditions of the place.

" We, therefore, who are here assembled, do here and now call to mind the heroism of the Founder of the College and of those who in immediate succession to him in the same heroic work laid the foundations of the ancient structure which stood upon this site.

" We do here and now accept the inheritance of truth, augmented from generation to generation by those who wrought within its walls, committing ourselves with a like honesty of purpose and reverence of spirit to their unfinished tasks.

" And above all, we do here and now with one accord implore the blessing of Almighty God who, through His gracious providence,hath in due time restored to us our 'former habitation,' giving us 'beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' "

Immediately after President Tucker's address, the procession marched around the building cheering the new hall, as it marched. The procession, then reassembled in front of the building and sang the Dartmouth Song. The ceremony was concluded with the ringing of the peal of bells, the new bell upon Dartmouth Hall taking its place as a fourth bell in the peal.