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Michigan State Agricultural College BY PRESIDENT ABBOT
Professor Fiske gave the first lecture July 17, 1857; followed by Prof. Tracy, in September. President Williams lectured on "Obedience to Natural Law. " Other lecturers were Rev. George Willard; Rev. C. W. Knickerbocker; Rev. Asa Mahan; President E. B. Fairfield, of Hillsdale college; President Welch, of the Normal school, on "American Deficiency in Taste; " C. B. Stebbins, Esq., a poem; Hon. James Birney; Bethune Duffield, Esq.; William Withington, "Theory of Civilization; " Eugene Tenney, Esq., on "Cuba; " Hon. J. M. Gregory.
The Michigan Female College, presided over by the Misses Abby and Delia Rogers, was at Lansing, and parties and courteous attentions were not infrequent between the institutions—"the whole college, officers and students" being subjects of invitation.
Then there was a splendid meteor in May, 1857, exploding and shaking houses; a splendid comet in September. 1858, rising before the sun, and lingering after sunset; and a grand illumination with bonfires, and speeches by officers and students, September 1, 1858, for the laying of the Atlantic cable. There was always something for the busy heads and hands.
An occasional public exercise gave some variety to life.
The first public exhibition was November 10, 1859. There was music by a quartette and the following original pieces:
On chemistry and its practical applications—Essay, Edgar J. Abbott.
Midas—Oration, William M. Greene.
Stems of Trees—Essay. Gilbert A. Dickey.
Mathematics—Essay,. Charles J. Monroe.
Michigan State
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