The Sun.
London, England, 1823-06-17 00:00:00

144.
_

OXFORD COMMEMORATION.

Oxronn, JUNE 12.—At an early hour this morning,
groups of elegantly dressed females were seen in all directions
proceeding for the Sheldonian Theatre, to witness the Annual
Commemoration of the Benefactors, and the Recitation of the
Prize Poems. The ladies were admitted as early as eight
o'clock, and were all accommodated with seats in the rising
semicircle of the theatre, leaving the front row for the Noble-
men and Doctors; the area was reserved for Masters of Arts,
Bachelors of Law; and strangers ; the upper gallery. exclusively
for Bachelors of Arts and Undergraduates.. Thus situated,
the right was most imposing, from the splendid variety of
fe-
male dresses, and the brightness of a host of lively countenances!,
contrasted with academical gowns and studious faces abOve and
below them. The authorities deserve the greatest poraise for the
excellence of the arrangement by which nearly 4,000 persons
were admitted without the slightest confusion. At 11 o'clock
the rocession of the Vice-Chancellor moved from Pembroke
College through Christ Church, across the buildings by Rad-
cliffe Library, and entered the
.theatre in front of the chair.
The Vice-Chancellor was most flatteringly received by the stn.:
dents ; and the proctors, Illessrs. Short and Smith (which is
unusual), were welcbthed with general atclaniations. Many of
the heads of houses were distinguished, .on their entrance, by
the most violent disapprobation, and some few by the opposite
testimony. We did not perceive the Dean of Christ Church
present. The singers met a very distinguished reception on
their entrance into the orchestra. As soon as silence could be
obtained, the Vice-Chancellor, in a brief address, opened the
commemoration. Mr. Millman, a Professor of Poetry, then
ascended the rostrum, and spoke the Latin- oration for the
benefactors, which was well received. The recitation of the
Chancellor's prizes followed. .4 Latin Essay, " Conditio Ser-
vororn opud Antiquar,!' was first very welly recited by Edw.
Virickaro, B. A., Fellow of New College. • A Latin Poeni,
Ars Geologitv, was delivered by. Isaac Williams, scholar of
Trinity ; and an English Essay on Public Spirit among the
Ancients, by Charles, John Plumer, 8.A., Fellow of Oriel
College. Both these young Gentlemen were very deservedly
applauded, Sir Roger Newdigate's prize, for English verse,
was recited .by the author, Thomas Stokes Salmon, of Braze-
nose • and, independent of the composition, which is thought
highly of here, it was delivered in a very superior. style, which
waxmaterially increased by the intelligent and pleasing appear-
ance of the juvenile. poet.
The Meeting concluded about half-past two with " God save
the King," which was encored.. Amongthe company present
was the Earl and Countess of Abingdon, Marshal General
Lord Beresford, Earl Bruce, Lord Hope, Lord Ingestrie, Lord
Ongley, Lord Fincastle, Lord Stormount, Lord Mahon, Hon.
Mr. Kenyon, and Hon. Mr. Vesey. The Vice-Chancellor's
procession, on leaving the Theatre, returned to Pembroke-
Hall, where a most elegant titleune was prepared for them.
The third and last concert was most brilliantly attended : the
vocal performers acquitted themselves with great eclat. The
performance concluded at nine. o'clock in the evening,, with
" God save the King."
The Quadrille Ball, this evening was crowded to excess, and
many carriages, filled with longing hearts, were obliged to be
driven away front the gay centre of attraction, owing to the
press for admission into the Town Hall, and the impossibility
of finding even standing room after an early hour in the su-
perb saloon set apart for the dancers. The Countess of Abing-
don shone conspicuous as Lady Patroness, and the Noble Earl,
with other Nobility
.and Gentlemen Stewards, Were particularly
active in endeavouring to arrange the quadrille parties, and
maintaining tbe utmost order, possible in so crowded a room,
which, in preparation for an increase of dancers, beyondk those
of the 10th, had more space left in it for the public accommo-
dation. The :refreshments were abundantly served with the
Utmost regularity, and promptitude by Mr. Bertram, to the
complete satisfaction of the Ball Stewards, as the Gentlemen
to whose More immelliate care the previmis arrangements of the
balls had been confided., The number of fashionables present
dartetdh.e Bull could not have amounted' to less than eight hun-
We subjoin' Mr. SALMON'S Verses,-which have considerable
vigour of expression, and some thought and imagination.

STONEHENGE.
Wrapt in the veil of time's unbroken gloom,
Obscure es death, and silent as the tomb,
Where cold oblivion bolds her dusky reign, .
Frowns the dark pile on Sarum's lonely plain.
Yet think not here with clatisic eye to trace
Corinthian beauty, or lonian grace;
No pillar'd lines with sculptur'd lbliege crown'd,
No fluted remnants deck the balloted ground;
Firm, a* implanted by some Titian's ntight;
Each rigged stone uprears its giant height,
Whence the poised fragment tottering seems to throw
A trembling shadow on the plain below.
Here oft, when evening sheds her twilight rays" •
And gilds with fainter beam departing day,
With breathless gaze, and, cheek with terror pale,
. The lingering shepherd, startles at the tale.
Itebhinodipeietfineewcnl thatisuigs of murmurstclime
mbey ,
HoW, at deep midnight, by the moon's chill glance,
Unearthly forms prolong the viewless dance;
His
•Rise,
gilineemidieter
nafoacs
Rise,
lhPtni stl cy
ast
tflPutf hears'ne°l irti
g:11: dg?terticlouds of age ,
And fling new radiance on Tradition's page :-
See ! at thy call, from Fable's varied store,
In shadowy train the mingled visions pour;
Here the wild Briton, 'raid his wilder reign,
Spurns the proud yoke, and scorns th' oppressor's chain ;
• Here wizard Merlin, where the mighty fell, •
Waves the dark wand, and chants the thrilling spell.
Hark! 'tis the bardic lyre, whose harrowing strain
Wakes the rude echoes of the slumbering plain;
La ! 'tis the Druid pomp, whose lengthening line
In lowliest homage bends before the shrine.
Ile comes=the priest--tionid the sullen blaze
His snow-white robe in spectral lustre plays ;
I)im gleam the torches .thro' the circling night,
Dark curl the vapours round the altar's light ;
O'er the black scene of "death, each conscious star,
In lurid glory,. rolls its silent car.
"Fitt gone
From one e'en now the mystic horrors fade
Serum's huffiness, and .Mona's glade ;
Husli'd is each note of Taliesin's t lyre,
Sheath'd the fell blade, and quench'd the fatal fire.
On wings of' light Hope's angel form appears,
Smiles on the past, and points to happier years;
Feints, with uplifted hand, and raptur'd eye,
To yon pure dawn that floods the opening sky ;
Anti views, at length, the Sun of Judah pour
One cloudless noon o'er Albion 's rescued shore,
THOMAS STOKES SALMON, Braienose College.
*On this spot, it said that the British nobles were slaugh-
tered by Hengist. .
t Taliesin, president of the bards, flourished in the sixth
century.
ASCENT OF MR. GREEN „A ND.MR. SPARROW IN