Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-09
From The Lexington Gazette.
THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTI-
TUTE-WASI,iNG COLLEGE
AND ANN SMITH ACADEMY.

THE VIR GINA MILITARY INSTI-
TUTE-WASI,iNGT COLLEGE
AND ANN SMITH ACADEMY.
The week ending on Thursday last was one
of deep interest to our yillagc. The inspection
and examination ut these three prosperous in
situations commenced ON the 18th, and terini-
mated on the o5,h.
The Board of Visitors Of the Military School
assembled on the 18th, consisting fool. Gro
yet, President, Gcn'l Is. peyton, Gcn'l Z. G.
Johnson, Gen. +. II. Bolts, Gen. VIM. Lig-
gon, Gen'l. G.. p. Dorman, Alfred Leyburn,
Hugh Barclay and James Mcdowell, Esqr's.
On the lst day the review and inspection,
passed off most crcditably to the young gen
t!emcn and to the entire satisfaction of the
Board of Visitors. On Friday the examination
OF the Cadets commenced in the Phiosophi-
cal Hall of Washington College, aud coniin-
ueG during that and the succeeding day. We
are Informed that this was most interesting
exhibition, furnishing the most ilattering ovi-
dencCs OF the rapid advancement of the corps,
in all their studies, and exhibiting throughout
the most conclusive proof that the Military
discipline, moral department, and scientific
advancement of the young gentlemen, must
contribute to elevate this school to very high
rank among the public institutions of our coun-
try. On Saturday evening the Board of Vsi-
tors admitted twenty-five irregular and seven
additional regular Cadets.
The exercises of Washington College and
of Ann Smith Acadamy, which commenced on
Monday and terminated on'rhursday, were also
of the most interesting character. The crow
ded and delighted auditory, which filed the
Hall Of the Ann Smith on Wednesday, and
the spacious Church on Thursday, the COM
menccnent day of Washington College, all
attest the superior advantages of these institu-
tons, and unite in pronouncing Wednesday
and Thursday the proudesL days in their an
nails.
On the day of commencement, the process
sion started from the College Buildings, I'M.
der the command of Gcn'1. G. +. Dorman,
marshal oithe day. in the following order:
r Band of Music,
Lexington Union Volunteers,
Cadets of the Va. Military Institute,
Graduates of Washington College,
Memb ers Of the Graham Society,
Members of the Washington Society,
Students ofcollege, not members OF either
of the Societies,
Faculty and Trustees of Washington Col
lege,
Professors and Visitors of the Va. Nj. In
s,itute,
Strangers,
Citizens.
The ladies Were prevented from uniting in
tne procession, ny d shower Oh ram, WHICH
commenced about the time of the formation of
the procession.
In the above order the procession marched
to the large Presbyterian Church, where the
degrees were conferred.
The ceremonies of the day were as fol-
lows:
LIST. Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. Mr..
Morrison.
I'd. Salutatory Address, by VIM. G. Hagan,
of Rockbridge, Va.
Sd. Dangers to which our country is ex-
posed, by Vim. l.. HOWE, of Cabarrus coun-
ty, N. G..
9TH Forensic Discussion, on the compare
tive influence of the sexes, by Jas. Il. Paxton,
and VIM. s. Beard, Rockbridge, Va,
5th. Cincinnati Address, by p. III. Custer,
Of Augusta, Va.
9th. Common Schools, by Lewis McNeely,
Of Rowan, N. C..
18th. Political Discussion, by Jno. R. Nc
Mutt, of Augusta, Va, and Jno. w. Echols,
ofLexington, Va.
9Th. Female Education, by Patterson Fletch-
er, of Rockingham, Va.
9th. Agriculture, by Robert Logan, of Au-
gusta, Va.
10th. Valedictcry Address, by VIM. w.
Trimble, of Augusta, Va.
lIth. Conferment of Degrees, and Bacca-
laureate Address.