conferred upon mankind, be struck entirely from existence, we should not suffer much, as long as we have the "human voice divine," which can discourse such heavenly music, as that to which we have this day listened, from the "Durston Quartette." The only mistake I apprehend, made in this glorious re-union, is, that we did not appreciate the magnitude of the occasion, and resolve to have it continue three days, instead of one, to give an opportunity more thoroughly to renew the scenes of early life. As it is, so soon we meet, so soon to part; and while the lingering farewell dwells upon our lips, the moistened eye of the thousands who hear me, indicates the deep feeling that pervades this sacred place. And let us remember, with a faith that reaches beyond the shores of time, and spans the endless cycles of eternity, that upon the resurrection morn will be another re-union of Pompey's children, past, present, and future, more glorious and enduring, when we shall see, high upon the scroll of eternity, amid the honored names of the remotest generations, and the succession of generations, down through the long vistas of the ages past, the name of Pompey, encircled with an immortal wreath of perennial flowers, and all her children redeemed and purified, for the society of a higher and purer life.

closed by the Durston The time intervening

The exercises at the grove were Quartette singing a farewell song. between this and the evening meeting was spent in social intercourse, in taking rides and walks to familiar places, which awakened the slumbering memories of early days. Some visited the Academy and the grounds upon which once stood the "old wind mill." Some hastened to pay a tribute of respect and veneration to the "old homestead,” now in the hands of strangers. Many repaired to the village cemetery, a beautiful spot located on the highest land in Pompey, affording a comprehensive view of the surrounding country. Here rests the sacred ashes of the fathers, mothers and friends of early life. And as the various parties sought the places most to memory dear, and walked

again upon the soil that gave them birth, who can catch, in imagination the panorama of thought and feeling, that must have passed in review, as the thousand recollections of youthful days crowded upon the minds? Who delineate the varied emotions, that such a visit must have developed? While many remained to attend the evening meeting, and to visit for a few days, friends and early homes, very many, characteristic of American life, exchanged the hasty farewell, and were off to distant homes, to mingle again in the busy scenes of life.

EVENING MEETING.

At seven o'clock, the old bell that had in " olden time," summoned to religious duty, pealed forth its familiar tones announcing the time for the final meeting of the day.

Soon the Presbyterian church was filled to overflowing; on motion of Victory J. Birdseye, Dr. Richard F. Stevens was appointed chairman, who upon assuming the duties of his position, made appropriate remarks, as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen :-I thank you for the partiality shown in calling me to preside at this the last meeting of this most interesting re-union occasion. I am reminded by these sacred walls of times long gone by of childhood days, when here I was taught the words of Holy Writ in Sunday lessons, and my eye rests upon the family pew where I sat with my parents more than fifty years ago, and listened to religious teachings from the pulpit. I see before me, men and women who were children with me, whose heads are already silvered, and whose changed appearance tells its fruitful story of many years. I see also before me those who were the active men and women of those early days, now full of years, and bent with age. It would much more comport with my feelings to remain silent, when I remember that on the spot where I now stand I have seen deposited, on funeral occasions, the encoffined remains of my parents and many dear friends and neighbors who rest in the quiet old buryingground on the hill. I see at my right my former school

teacher, Mr. Asa H. Wells, and in yonder pew, I see Mrs. Beardsley, formerly Miss Charlotte Hopkins, who taught me my, A. B. C's. The house adjoining this church, was my birth-place, and in this immediate locality, many who now listen to my words, ran and played with me in all the joyous sports and pleasures of childhood's happy days. To one returning after so many years, everything that remains is vocal with reminiscences of early days, the churches, the houses, the village-green, the shade trees I helped to plant, now a foot in diameter, the gardens, the apple-trees, everything however small, has its history of some childhood event.

I cannot express the gratification I feel in being permitted to enjoy with you this re-union of so many of our former friends and neighbors as have been assembled here to-day. From all parts of our country the descendants of the old town of Pompey have come to meet and revive recollections, to shake the friendly hand like brothers and sisters in a common family, to call each other by familiar names, to tell of the passing events of life, and, as the hours of the re-union draw to a close, to give the parting aud affectionate "goodbye."

We have met this evening to listen to those who may be pleased to give us such reminiscences as will be most interesting to us all.

It is to be regretted, that no stenographic reporter was secured for the evening meeting, and therefore, no full report of the proceedings has been preserved. Historical reminiscences, and interesting remarks were made, in their order by the following persons: Rev. Samuel W. Brace, of Utica; Rev. Charles Jerome, of Clinton, Oneida Co., since deceased; Victory J. Birdseye, and Wm. W. VanBrocklin, of Pompey; Leman B. Pitcher, of Salina; Ebenezer Butler, of Syracuse, since removed to Whitehall, N. Y.; Dea. Asa H. Wells, of Pompey, since removed to Manlius; Hon. Wm. Barnes, of Albany, and Hon. Daniel G. Fort, of Oswego.

An original poem was read by Flora Butterfield, daughter

of Mrs. Catharine Clarke Butterfield, a cousin of Grace Greenwood. Miss Flora was only thirteen years of age at the time of the re-union, and her production, not designed for rehearsal or publication, is here produced without correction:

TO OUR GUESTS FROM ABROAD.

BY FLORA BUTTERFIELD.

The old residents of Pompey have here again met,
That your old native land you might not forget;
To renew old acquaintance with the few that are here
That you hold to your hearts, by memories dear.

There's but few that are left where in childhood you played,
To welcome you home from the lands where you've strayed;
But your welcome is warm, as we all can proclaim,
For long years it will be 'ere you all meet again.
Alas! what sad memories this day brings to some,
As fresh to your minds come the days past and gone!
When children, you played 'round this dear old Hill
With kind friends you loved, who in death are now still.

As you gaze once again on each familiar spot,
How they rush to your mind, scenes long since forgot;
And a sadness steals o'er you as of the past you tell,
And you turn once again to take a farewell!

Yes, farewell! 'till we meet above

In a blest re-union of peace and love!

Where no ties will be broken, for all will be there,
And happiness forever, free from all care.

REMARKS OF HON. WILLIAM BARNES.
Mr. Chairman:-

Interested I have been, and deeply, in the many narratives of early events and incidents in the settlement of this town, which I have heard this evening. These stories from eye-witnesses and participants cannot long be enjoyed by any of us, as the tottering steps and white hairs of some of the speakers too plainly indicate. I grieve that my beloved father, (the late Orson Barnes,) personally known to many of you, is not with us this evening in body as I know he is in spirit, for he could add many items interesting to

you all, relating to the original settlers, their trials, privations and triumphs.

During my term of office as Superintendent of the Insurance Department of this State, I noticed one New York City Fire Insurance Company, the annual statements and accounts of which were always marked with especial fullness and accuracy. Analyzed however critically, and subjected to any accountant's rules or legal tests, everything was found to be sound and correct.

Its stockholders numbered on its roll several of the richest and most influential men of New York City. From year to year certain delinquencies required more full returns from the Companies, and detailed lists of bond and mortgage securities of stock loans, lists of stockholders, and other requirements; which additional and specific requirements met with serious, determined, and even personal opposition on the part of several Companies.

I always anticipated that the Fire Insurance Company to which I allude would interpose the strongest objections to these new and onerous requirements, but I was always disappointed in my expectations, for every new blank form which was presented to the New York Bowery Fire Insurance Company, however full, or complicated, or onerous, was promptly filled up and sworn to, and generally the first return on file made by any of the Insurance Companies.

For ten years this fact was a matter of wonder. and astonishment to me, and it is only to-day that I have had a satisfactory explanation, by learning that its respected President, Dr. William Hibbard, was born in the town of Pompey, and belonged to the "Hibbard" family of Pompey Hill.

The above are all that have been preserved of the evening meeting.

The following resolutions were adopted, when the evening meeting adjourned:

Resolved, By the guests at Pompey from abroad, that we