The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-18

''co IVu tno enquirer ol + TluNy. Inc college
Of William and Mary has been steadily rising in
public estimation since the appointment OF
Bishop Johns to the presidency, and we doubt not
that under his able management it will regain
its former distinguished literary reputation. Il
deserves the patronage Of Vireinians, and we
should be happy to see it generously supported
by them.
"Wc attended the commencement of William
and Mary College, ON the 4th instant, and were
never more gratitied with visit TO our Alma
Mater.
AT an early hour large number of ladies' and
gentlemen of Williamsburgh, and the adjacent
counties, and visitors from other portions of the
State, assembled in the college chapel, forming
a brilliant audience which might have unnerved
the most prncticed speaker After the exercise,
of the day were opened by prayer, addresses
were delivered by Messrs Mason, of King
George, and Johnson, of Illinois, Bachelors Of
Arts ard Messrs. Naper, of Alabama, Christian.
of Charles city, and Blane of Halifax, Bach
elors of Law, which evinced much erudition and
mental training. These young gentlemen NAV
well be proud Of the applause which greeted
their Efforts. Honorary degrees were then con-
ferred on the graduates, and certificates of good
conduct and proficiency on those students who
have distinguished themselves in their respective
classes.
We listened with great interest to the vale
dictory address of the president of the college.
He briefly explained the course Of instruction
pursued, and the successful effort made to min.
gle the knowledge of religious truth with the
acquisition Of pure science; and then, in few
eloquent remarks, babe the students adieu, ex-
horting them to keep always before them the
bright example of their elder brethren-Mar-
shall and Madison, ard Wythe and Lee--and 10
emulate the deeds which had gained for these
alumni of William and Mary, an abiding place
in the hearts of their countrymen.
We rejoice that the causes which temporarily
depressed this venerable college are rapidly
passing away for, apart from the maternal lose
we cherish for it, we feel commendable State
pride in an institution which trained to useful
ness and honor those illustrious men whodA3yes
are part, and the proudest part, Of the hlhtory
of this renowned commonwealth.
The college is row established on firm
fcnndation-and we know Of no literary institu-
ton which affords greater facilities to the stu.
dents, or which more deserves public confidence.
The president, Right Rev. Bishop Johns. IN
distinguished for his urbanity and Intellectual
requirements, and for possessing, in nm eminent
degree, that rarest Of all gifts-eloqmence--s
potent in the government Of young men, He
is ably supported in the management Of ths
college by professors, all Of whom arc favorably
known in the literary world. s
The prospects for the next session, we are
Informed, are very cheering, and we are salts
fed, from our own observation, that if the
Alumni scattered throughout the State--and
what county in the commonwealth ia not
by graduates Of WilIiam and Mary
would now exert themselves for their Alma
Mater, her halls would be filled to overf1owino,
She ought and docs look to them for support.
Let them zealously sustain her, and the later
days ofth old Institution, famous as the nurse
of American statesmen, viii be more prosperous
than her former.--So mote it be- ALumxus.
NEW view or NIAGARA FALLs-A Niarara
Falls correspondent Of the New York Journal
OF Commerce remarks that some three wears
ago, Mr.. Prime the editor of the New York Oh
server, invented the idea of lying on the back
and looking over the edge Of Table Rock, at the
sheet of water. He published an account OF
his success in thus obtaining new view, and
since that time it has been adopted by the guides
as part Of The performance 1t seems to have
become highly popular mode Of viewing the
salls. The writer says: EA
can add my testimony to the mngni6cence
IF the view thns obtained, and itA cariOasness.
90. Wehave often tried it., and always with
,eW ucItEnt.
But the appearance of Table Rock y ttode
excessively amusing by the spectacle thus pre-
ented. All along the edge, lay a row al men.
women, and children, each with one hand hsli
~ by-standsr, and the neck stretched 10 II ~
most capacity, while IN occasional start and sud
len grasp of the hand, or elevation of the one
which was at liberty would Indicate the bodily
ear Of the more timid. Tho sight WIS often-
ines irres'stlbly !ndicrous, as party advanced
With the gnide, and one after another lav down
N the edge, and looked, and made room for
more TO come. Bnt don't miss the sight because
il ludcrous II il a GRAND SCENE and ,roly
epnys tho exertion"
DEPARTURE OF THE ArRrcA.-Th, royai mail
teamsnip al lea LEFT yesterday at noon for Lvr =.
DOL, with about ore hundred uassan0eyr snd
II ,000543 in specie. Ia
Among the passengers is the Rev. Edward
Poet, Of the Episcopal church, Rahwav' a.
he bearer Of dispatches TO our minister of
II IA n-A