Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-16
STAUNTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.
Proceedings in Lexington.


The Lexington papers publish detailed &C
counts of the proceedings in that place during
the sThree days of July" The commencement
of Washington College took place on the End
Among the graduates we observe the name OF
Mr.. W. II. Brooks, of this county, who delivered
the Valedictory Address, which, we learn, was
received with very general and decided favor,
Judge Brockenbrough, who oficiated as Presl-
dent in the absence of Rev DR.. Junkin confer
red diplomas with the degree of Bachelor OF
Arts on the graduates, and delivered an admir-
able address Gov. Wise was then introduced,
and made short and appropriate speech In
the evening the Literary Societies of the College
were addressed by the Rev. j. II. Smith, OF
Charlottesville, and the Alumni by the Rev. G..
r. Vaughn. VIM S. H. Baylor, Esq., of Staunton,
was unanimously elected by the Alumni to de-
liver the next annual address.
On the Ord the statue of Washington at the
Institute was inaugurated, when Gov. Wise
spoke for several hours to large assemblage.
The Commencement of the Institute took
place on the 4th. Mr.. Keitt member of Con-
gress from South Carolina, delivered an address
to the Literary Societies, which is highly lauded
for its various merits. Addresses were deliver
ed by Cadets, and certificates of graduation con-
ferred by the Governor. Mr.. Wise then address
sed some very appropriate remarks to the young
men, of which the Gazette gives the following
synopsis:
He urged upon them their duty to remain in
the State, said that the course of training which
they had received, fitted them admirably for
Engineering. Merchandise, Farming, and Manu-
featuring, and referring to the agricultural wants
of the State, called upon them to remain within
her borders and aid him in establishing q COM
mercial centre for Virginia. He dissuaded them
from going into the professions of Law and Medi
cine, because they We're already over-stocked
but he would place no hindrance in the way of
any that might desire to enter the Ministry, he
would only ask them not to preach politics.
Before, however, they should enter this or any
other of the learned professions, he advised them
to first prepare themselves by the study of Greek
Metaphysics, Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric and
Logic. He gave great prominence to the study
of Greek-that their intellectual muscles, bones
and sinews would be strengthened and made to
grow by the study of this language, even though
they might not be able to recollect and repeat a
single sentence from Greek author. He adj
vsed them to join the Oxford to the Cambridge
School--the literary to the scientific systemic
enter the University Of Virginia; but if they
could not incur that expense, to stay here and
go to Washington College-he would not say to
Washington College alone but to IIampden Sid
ney, William and Mary, or Emory and Henry,
in either of which they would learn things in
literature which they had never dreamed Of
In regard to Washington College, however, he
would say that he had it from Professor in the
University of Virginia, a few days ago, that, al
though all the Colleges in the State were i'm
proving, the Faculty of Washington College was
the best and most efficient of any in the State