The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-06-14 00:00:00

oxroiw COMMEMORATION.

Turasorni, JUN 6 12, 1923.
At an early hour this morning!, groups of elegarolf
dressed females were seen in all directions proceeding fur
the Sheldonian Theatre, to witness the Annual t'om,
memoratien of the Benefactors, and the recitation of the
Prize Poems. The ladies were admitted as early as 1
o'clock, and were all accommodated with seats in the
risi g semicircle of the theatre, leaving the front row for
the noblemen and doctors; the area was reserved Lr
mas era of arts, bachelors of law, and strangers; the rip-
per ga'lery exclusively for bachelors of arts and under.
graduates. Thus situated, the sight was most imposing,
from the splendid variety of female dresses, and the
brightness of a host of lively countenances. contrasted
with acs &mica! gowns and stittlious fa vs above and be-
low them. The authorities deserve the great, s. fr i•e
for theexcellence of he arrangement, bywhich near') 4 lte
persons were admitted without the slightest confusion. M
11 o'clock the. procession of the Vice-Chancellor moved
from Pembroke College through Christ Church, acressihe
buildings by Radcliffe Library, and entered the theatr t
front of the chair, The Vice Chancellor was most fia
teringly received by the students; and the proctors
Messrs. Short and Smith (which is unusual), ts,,!re w
corned with general acclamations. Many of the heads
of houses were distinguished, on their entranee, by the
most violent disapprobation, and some few by the oppo,
site testimony. We did not perceive the Dean of Chri't
Church present. The singers met a distinguished recep-
tion 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, the
Professor of Poetry, then ascended the ros'runt, and
spoke the Latin oration for the benefactors, which was
well received. The recitation of the Chancellor's prizes
followed. A Latin essay, " Conditio Sernorttni aptlAa-
gigues," was first very well recited by Edward Id ickliam,
B. A., Fellow of New College. A Latin P. em, Ara'
Getologiae, was delivered by Isaac Williams, scholar of
Trinity" and an English essay on public spirit among•
the Aicients, by Charles John Pluiner, B. A., Fellow of
Oriel College. Both these young gentlemen were very
deservingly applauded. Sir lt.iger Newdigate's prize, for
English verse, was recited by the author, Thom. .s
Stokes Salmon, of Brazenose ; and, Independent rf
the composition, which is thought highly of here, it
was delivered in a very superior style, which was rm.:
terially increased by the intelligent and pleasing a, p.!,,ra
Imre of the juvenile port.
The meeting concluded about half-past two with " God
save the King," which was encored. The same marks of
applause or censure that distinguished the entrance of the
heads of house.; was repeated on their leaving. Among ti e
company present was the Eimi and Countess of Abinirdeni
Marshal General Lord Beresford, Earl Bruce, Lord Hope,
Lord Ingestrle, Lard Ongley, Lord Fineastle, Lord htor-
mount, Lord Malmo, lion. Mr. Kenyon, and lion. Mr. Ve-
Key. Time WieetChancellor's procession, on leaving the
'Ph •sire, returned to Pembroke Hall, where a most elegni t
drienne was prepared for them. The third and last cone, rt
was most brilliantly attended: the veal performers argLit-
ted themselves with great eclat. The performance concluded
at 9 o'clock in the evening with " God save the El ma."
The ball at the Ties n-hall this evening is expected t I a
very splendid, and numerously alien. Mr. Green makes
his eighth ascension to-morrow, at one o'clock, from the
Gas Works, at the Friars, which will conclude the festivities.
of the week."