RELICS OF EARLY DARTMOUTH INCLUDED IN LIBRARY EXHIBIT

In connection with the study of Dartmouth's History which is a requirement of the freshman course in English I, both the College Library and the Howe Library are exhibiting a large number of interesting relics and documents of the pioneer days of the College.

The first of these mementoes displayed at the College Library is a book dated 1750, from Wheelock's Charity School with the awesome title of "Eutropius' Compendious History of Rome." Another book contains a play entitled "The French Revolution," written and produced by the "United Fraternity" in 1790. The "United Fraternity" and the "Social Friends" were rival literary societies of the early days of the College. A silver badge of the latter organization is also part of the exhibit.

Another interesting article is a Commencement Ball ticket of 1792, stating that "Miss Collins' company is requested at the Ball, Commencement evening." A Commencement program is also included in the display, which is a reminder of the tribulations of the pioneer days. Among the speeches are orations in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Chaldaic, besides several "Forensic and Syllogistic Disputations."

The first steel engraving of Dartmouth College, showing Dartmouth Hall, the chapel and other buildings, which was published in the Massachusetts Magazine in 1793, a woodcut of Eleazar Wheelock and the students at prayers, and a large colored lithograph showing Dartmouth Row as it appeared in the thirties, comprise the pictorial section of the exhibit.

Other documents are several leaves from Samson Occom's diary, telling of a journey made by him and another student in 1774, from Mohegan, Occom's home, through the wilderness; a catalogue of the class of 1779, all hailing from New England save one native of New York; and a bulletin of regulations in regard to fires, which probably dated from before the Civil War.

Included in the College Library exhibit is a commission from King George III making Eleazar Wheelock a justice in the province of New Hampshire. The document is signed by John Wentworth, governor of the province. Other articles in this display are a picture of Samuel Gray, one of the four graduates of the first class, 1771; an engraving of Wheelock and a letter from him recommending a missionary among the Penobscot Indians, dated 1773; and the first triennial catalogue of the college, giving the names of the graduates up to 1786.

Among the more valuable articles in the Howe Library exhibit are the famous punch bowl and spoon presented to Wheelock by Governor Wentworth, and the President's Jewel, designed to be worn on occasions of state, presented in 1785.

Numerous prints, engravings and photographs of college buildings ranging from the earliest known print of the college, showing only one building, Dartmouth Hall, to a photograph of students coining from chapel in 1907 are shown in the exhibition. One of the most unique of these articles is a hand-painted cigar case depicting the Dartmouth Row. The collection also includes a photograph of the Old Pine and the park before the trees were planted. A set of etchings of various college scenes by George T. Plowman is one of the most artistic parts of the exhibition.

The Ticknor print of the college forms part of the display. This picture, made in 1803 by George Ticknor, an 11-year old sophomore, was presented by him to John Wheelock as "President of Dartmouth University."

Among the documents in the exhibition are autographed papers by the Earl of Dartmouth and Governor Wentworth, a diploma of 1794 signed by John Wheelock, letters from Eleazar and John Wheelock, Samuel Occom, Rufus Choate and Daniel Webster.

Three books of considerable historical significance comprise the remainder of the exhibit. The oldest of these is a story of the Indian Charity School in Lebanon, Conn., in the form of letters from Eleazar Wheelock. Another book connected with Wheelock is a primer which was found in the house he built in 1773, which stood on the site of Reed Hall. The third of these books contains a sermon by Samson Occom on the hanging of an Indian, with additions and comments by Jonathan Edwards.