The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-05 00:00:00

OXFORD

OXFORD, June 4.—Ou this, the chief day of Comme-
moration, the Sheldonian Theatre was the great point of
attraction. At ten o'clock the theatre was thrown open
and was Ailed in an instant. The undergraduates com-
menced the business of the morning with their usual
characteristic diversion, expressing their loyalty to the
Queen, for whom right hearty and enthusiastic cheers
were given. Prince Albert succi-e led, and was warmly
received. The cry of "Johnny Russell" elicited a volley
of hisses and groans, and Mr. Gladstone was as unpopular,
but for each some faint cheers were given. The Bi-hop
of
Oxford was greeted twice with unteingled applanee. The
names of General Williams and Omer Pacha called forth
deafening ae.elatriations. On the cry of " Gavazzi" being
ret.sed, never hardly was heard such a tumult and such
protracted groaning and hissing. The Emperor of Aus-
tria and the King of Prussia seemed to be in no better
odour; but when the Emperor Napoleon was called
with three cheers, they were given with a gusto and a
promptitude betokening that confidence is still unshaken
in our ally. The only remaining cries of any particular
note were those of the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of
Cardigan, and Lord Clarendon, each of which were wel-
comed with prolonged acclamation.
In the meantime, Prince Albert, the Prince Regent of
Baden, and the Prince of Prussia, attended by a brilliant
suite, had arrived in Oxford in a special train on the
Great Western Railway, the illustrious party being con-
veyed from the station in two Royal carriages to the re-
sidence of the Vice• Chancellor at Worcester College,
and having gone through the usual formalities of presen-
tetion, the Royal party returned to their carriages, and
drove to the theatre, where they arrived about a quarter
past 11 o'clock. The Chancellor (the Earl of Derby),
the Vice-Chancellor, the personages selected for the ho-
nours of the day, the proctors and the heads of houses,
who had assembled at Worcester College, formed them-
selves into a procession, and followed the cortege to the
theatre, A noble outburst from the organ of the sublime
notes of the National Anthem betokened the entrance of
the University dignitaries and their illustrious visitors,
but the strain was almost instantaneously drowned by
the continuous hurrahs and shouts which rang within
the building, and must have been beard for a long dis-
tance, When the applause had subsided the Chancellor
rose, and read the diplomas of Convocation conferring
the honorary degree of D.C.L. upon the Prince of Prus-
sia and the Prince Regent of Baden, the announcement
of which was received with renewed cheering.
The degree of D.C.L. was then conferred on the fol-
lowing distinguished persons :—His Excellency Musurus
Bey, Ambassador from the Sultan of the Ottoman Em-
pire ' • his Excellency Count von Bernstorff, Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from his Ma-
jesty the King of Prussia ; the Most Noble the Marquis
of Abercorn, K.G. ; the Right Hon. the Earl of Claren-
don, K.G., G.C.8., one of her Majesty's principal Secre-
taries of State ; the Right Hon. the Earl of Elgin and
Kincardine, K.T. ; the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton ;
Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart., G.C.8., ;
Rear-Admiralthe Hon. Sir R. Saunders Duodas, K.C.8.;
Sir Henry Holland, Bart., M.D., F.R.S. ; Major-Gene-
ral Sir Harry D. Jones R.E., K.C.8., Governor of the
Royal Military College, Sandhurst ; Humphry Sand-
with, E,q., M.D.; Dr. Heinrich Barth.
Unfortunately General Sir W. F. Williams, of Kars,
and General Sir Colin Campbell were absent, but the
mention of their names elicited the most enthusiastic
acclamation. The Earl of Clarendon and Admiral Sir
E. Lyons were more especially cheered in coming up to
receive the degree in the customary manner.
Then followed the recitation of the prizes. The first
in order was the Latin poem, by Mr. E. C. 'Wickham. of
Balliol College. It was entitled "Mors Socratic." To
this succeeded the English essay "The reciprocal action
of the physical and moral condition of countries upon
each other," by Mr. J. H. Reynolds, fellow of Erase-
nose College. The Latin essay, by Mr. H. Robson,
scholar of Balliol College, and the Stanhope essay, by
Mr. R. W. Henderson, of University College. The
Newdegate poem of Mr. W. P. James, scholar cf Oriel
College, was the concluding piece. At half-past twelve
o'clock the proceedings of this exciting morning had been
brought to a close.
In the afternoon the Prince Consort received an ad-
dress from the city, which he replied to as follows :—" I
beg to thank you for the address which you have pre-
sented to nae, and I assure eon that it affords me sincere
graqfication again to visit your ancient city. I have had
the pleasure of taking part in the proceedings of this
morning, and, in company with my two honoured guests,
have spent a very happy day."