The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-02-27
eoRREsRoNpENeE -or TEE. ptsrArc

J. fgts 49, LEXINGTON, Va, Feb. 3d. 1856
The l24th anniversary Of the birth day of Wash.
| ngton, was celebrated as usual by the Cadets of
the Virginia Military Institute and the students of
Washington College AT an early hour salute
was fired at the Institute and at 10 A.. NJ, the
corps of Cadets paraded and marched with ban
ner fife and drum" to the Presbyterian church in
| company with the members of the two Literary
Societies of the College The four speakers re-
presenting the Societies of these Institution took
their places the platform and proceeded in turn
to enchain the large and attentive audience with
their well prepared and appropriate addresses
The speakers were, Cadet G.. M. Edgar, of Mon
roe county, Dialectic Society; DR.. Cosby, Jr, of
Halifax county Washington Literary Society;
| Cadet c. Rumbough, of Campbell county, Society
of Cadets; and w. H. Brooks, of Augusta ceun-
ty, Graham p Society Without referring par
tcularly to the subject matter of either of these
very creditabe efforts, cannot refrain from say
ing that the speech of Mr. Cosby delivered asst
was in SO forcible and graceful manner, and con
tanning SO many admirable and patriotic senti.
ments, won the applause of all who heard it.
rIn the afternoon, the independent Fusileersr
alias the 'Shanghias' made their annual parade
on the streets deeked in all the grotesque and
barlesque costumes, that their ingenuity could
suggest, and mounted the worst specimens of
horse flesh that could be procured; they attracted
the admiration of all the children and negroes,
and having thus accomplished their work, retired
orderly to their roosts and rested from their ardu
GUS labors This being their third appearance, the
novelty is almost gone, and lest another turn out
might prove q miserable failure, it is hoped that
something new will hereafter be adopted. After
this farcical exhibition, and by way of keeping up
the excitement, couple of rencounters took.
place which ended inthe spfling of little claret
only, without any serious. damage to the parties.
Whether these puglstic :combats were cause by
the martial display of the Cadets or the fanfaraade
of the .Shang hias, Y or whether they were merely
the ebultions of the emotions aroused by the spir
tied addresses of the forenoon your correspondent
saith not I~s"-~. s'.'s7'-'"
At night, the College buildings were handsomely
illuminated and crowds of ladies and lassies wend,
ed their way to the hall of the Washington Lite
rary Society, where its anniversary meeting was
held. The speaker for the occasion, j. w. Car.
rington, of Halifax county, acquitted himself well
In his endeavor to press upon the members the
claims of our own literature The question for
discussion, viz: Is the institution of Slavery ne
eessary to the perfect development of Societyi"-
was then debated with considerable ability by sew
eral of the regular and honorary members and de-
cided by an overwhelming vote in the affirmative
Thus ended the entertainment and the celebration
of this day;-the weather was mild and cheering
and all had an oppOrtunityto participate in the
commemoraten of the birthday of the immortal
Washington. = --~t-- ,-'-- A.-- '-'--- --'-s5~-
In consequence of this celebration the lecture Of
Major Gilham before the Franklin Society was
postponed one week. His subject is Geology, but
his thorough knowledge of this somewhat obscure
and, to some persons, embarrassing science, will
think, render the lecture quite entertaining The
major is well posted on the duties of his Profess
siona chair, and he has the rare faculty of impart
ing his information to others. Well may the Vir
gnia Military Institute be proud of him, and long
may he be spared to give instruction in his present
position and to benefit as he has already done to
some extent, by his analysis of soil and bis excel
lent essays, the agricultural interests of Virginia
The delivery of these lectures before the Franklin
Society, of this place. will mark new epoch in its
history; and while much valuable Information is
disseminated, the dormant energies of some Of our
Htcrati will be sti more awakened, and greater ef
forts will be made to make this association useful
to its members and beneficial to this community.
BY special request, the Rev. DR.. White viii
preach a sermon tomorrow, on the " Religious
character Of Washington" Having had the plea.
sure of hearing Dr. w. on this subject, feel conf
dent that an able and interesting sermon will be
delivered and unless it falls far short of the former
discourse will bear repeating at the recurrence Of
every I'D. ''*' A..