Newbern weekly progress., 1859-07-26
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
SALISBURY. n. c.. July 18th, 1859.

| SALISBURY, n. c.. July 18th, 1859.
! Dear Progress Il went to Davidson College
commencement last Tuesday, 10Th inst. I ought
/ to have given you an account sooner, but the
weather has been SO excruciatingly hot since then
that have not felt equal to the task at midday
! the thermometer has been ranging from $50 to
1909 in the shade these last days. I take
heart from evident signs of a coming thunder
storm, besides I have been par-boiied and stewed;
baked fried and bereft of appetite till can't raise
a sweat at all, any more, and can hide quite Sc
! curely behind one of our neat slim lamp posts.
| But, TO the College: Of the present buildings
it is needless to speak, that immense structure,
the new college, viii be in use next year, but l
must say the present Halls Chapel, Lecture Room,
Dormitories, &c. vesy tasteful and are ar
ranged in perfect conformity with the most ven
cradle grove, which constitutes the campus only
they too small for the increasing number of
applicants for instruction, at this finely conduct
ted institution. The new building is decidedly
by far, the largest single College building in the
United States. Some idea may be formed of its
size, without resorting to figures, by stating, tha
the tin for It's roofing, exclusive OF work, cost
$4,000 Nothing is yet finished inside but the
dormitores 1t is built in the form of cross, and
in its general STYLE embraces all the Characters
ties which distinguish originality, and its highest
pretensions are adaptation, capacity and use. 1t
has oe of the finest vel wells | ever saw, in the cen;
will ts fitted up in -ampitheatre style, mag
nificent music gallery over looking the entire
arena. At present the general effect is lost
by the necessary scaffolding, but when this is
cleared away, it must be singu!arly imposing, its
proportions are uncommonly grand, and the roof
is at an unusual elevation; but wherever you go,
you can find 70 line or ornament, that is not con
sistent and in harmony with the rest of the build
ing.
Tuesday, 18th, at o'clock, P. NJ, the Salisbury
Band, in full UNIFORM came dashlng IN, IN their
superb band car, electrifying every one by play
ing through the village and campus. At 81 o'clock
a dense crowd filled the Chapel to hear sermon
delivered to the graduating class by the Rev. DR..
Dabney, of Va After service the band played
selection of fine concert pieces in the campus.
Wednesday the exercises Of the two literary
cieties of the College took place. In the forenoon
the Philanthropic, in the afternoon the Eumenean,
and at night, the elite of both societies, three
members from each, spoke alternately Every
thing was so excellent that anything short of ad-
miration would be out of place especially delecta
BILE was the Grafton of W. n. Dickey, of Arkan-
sas on China and the Chinese, in which he elici-
ted from every wonder and admiration at his
brilliancy. and laughing amusement at his broad
humor. In the morning the annual address to
the students, delivered by VIM. Eaton, ESD, of
Warrert01i, was one of the most chaste, truthful,
erudite and unpretending, but fascinating speci-
mems OF OrdtOIy L ever listened 10. 30, WllGC with
interesting oratory, professions, and select and
appropriate music by the Band, at every interval,
[ never spent more pleasant day in my life.
Thursday forenoon devoted to the exercises
of the graduating class. AS want of space denies
a notice of each, will merely advert to the vale
dictory address delivered by Risden Bennett
Gaddy, of Arson County, to the students, the
graduates, the faculty and the President. AS
whole it was a most astonishing effort of vigor
Gus and polished intellect, abounding in many of
the most finished graces of rhetoric, pathetic hope
full, impetuous, and, altogether, in the style and
character, most impressive, on such occasions
and the feeling manner in which he alluded to a
beloved cassmate, who died d few weeks previ-
ously, brought tears to many eyes, as did also the
touching :; good bye" he bade the President,
whom he designated as father' This reminds
me, that fal love seems to be spontaneously ac-
corded to this amlable man by all the studs nts
sEhs le,ai On arel-af Ers,si
Immediately impress a stranger with his excel
lent qualities of mind and temper. His mobile
face shows that he is brimful of tender feelings,
and good impulses, towards his young wards, con
stantly shines forth through the loop holes of his
minds grey tenement.
How rapidly do scholars ad7ance when learn
ing is rendered attractive by tie kindly firmness
and f;ltherly interest of such a tutor and guar
dian Compare him with some we have all seen
in as high, and in lower positions, as teachers Of
youth those who, from age only, assume to be
the sage, the stole; and pretend scOTn for the
warm temper, sanguine feelings, intrepid intcg-
rity. and open manners of youth. They snob and
and stite its generous emotions, often
preaching down the vanities of life q mean such as
are not real vanties) in such acrimonious man
ner, to show obvious y, that 1t is only because
they can longer share in them OF all the
youths educated under such cynical teachers, how
few there are. to whom learning is not rendered
most irksome and detested slavery; and who do
not leave the establishment with firm resolution
never again to open 4 book from the moment Of
their emanci patton?
At the close of the festivities President Lacy
went up to some of the band, and in my hearing |
rendered them the most enthusiastic compliments, |
for the excellent music, string and brass with
which they had garnished the festival He ez-
pressed the rapture and delight he had expert
enced by saying "gentlennen, your music has
been 100, yes 500 per cent. better than any we
ever had here before, and indeed equal to the !
very best l ever heard anywhere"
l intend going South IN week, but 1 shall
write as2often as can. COSMO.