Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-25
WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE.

The late anniversary celebration at Williams
burg evcntuated in complete success. il
could hardly have failed in this, considering
the hearty good will with which al! partic,
worked together for the result The faculty
had taken immediate measures 10 provide ncw
lecture and recitation rooms the citizen; Of
the town had thrown open their doors to pro-
vide bed and board for thc students: the stu.
dents had held a meeting resolving 10 stand
firm and assis; % keep the ball in motion,
the orator ard the poet Of the occasion
found subject of new and thrilling in.
terc.t with which 70 rary their di,courscs,
in The recent calamity which awokc all parties
to rcdoubled activity: the same motive rallied
Immediately a qgoram Of the Board 6 Visit.
orS; appeals 20 the alumni met n satisfactory
response; and last though by no means least,
the ladies lcG; their assistance in preparing &
dinner, which, in quantity and quality, filled
to running over the fullest measure Of more
than baronia! hospitality.
AZ IN informal meeting Of the Alumni, held
early on Saturday morning, Marshals for the
day We're appointed; Col. Munfor'i brother oi
the distinguished Secretary Of ;ho Common
wealth. being named as chief Marshal.
i;y one o'clock, p. NJ, the new Baptist
Church was we'll crowded. all the middle pews
being filled with ladies. Wearing Marshal: i
ribbon, it became our agreeable duty TO occupy
4 place Immediately in front Of the platform.
and facing compact phalanS Of the fair sex.
1, was ar interesting spectacle. on which wc
were obliged fairly To turn our back, in order
TO attend with befttng reverence to tie ap-
propratc prayer Of the Rev Mr. Young which
i;rausuratei the ceremonies.
Next came short and graceful! address from
Col. Mnnford, Introducing the poet or The day
st. George Tucker. ESQ.
Perhaps the most difficult trial which ever
tested poetic talent, is that OF an anniversary
poem. As general rule, every body expects
it 10 be commonplace, until the expectation
grows into dogmatic conviction, rs hard
To overthrow >, dogma itself that it vii!
be and mus. be commonplace, comc what
NAV. But Mr. fuckers poem fairly routed this
prejudice lie knew his ground, and was TINS
enabled 10 avoid mere sencralities.
His poem was evidently written III glow OF
genuine enthusiasm, and hence could not be
ta,nc. In word, he knew and lle felt what hc
wrote anl this, in our humble opinion, Is all
,hs, i, required Cor writing poetry, proride'la!-
ways the writer te poet ct all. And Mr.
Tucker is poet II dramatic grouping clear
" defined, graceful and impressive. feeling
touchingly expressed, apt and original imagery,
varied with occasional scintillations Of hui
nor and wit. mere and there outburstS,
too. Of genuine eloqucncc, all embodied IN cor
rect and not unfrcquentiy very musical verSlli'
cation-if this constitutes poetry, then Mr.
Tucker has written poetry, and very good pos'
try. too From the hearing. VIC would say that
the poin, in which this poem is most obnc1'
ious 10 criticism, is 4 want of unity. This may.
however. be mistake OF ours. We siial! Ger.
,ainy read the poem, and not alone for the
sake Of correcting any Of our imperfect i'm
pr.s,ions. |, will bear reading Indeed, j! We
NAV venture aro,brr criticism. sc are inclined
to believe that wc will ike ever better 10
read il. Than We did to hear il read. Mr. luck
er has voice oi gooi compass. >onorous aud
musical. and is master too. OF its intonatlonS.
Blu, he forms no exception To general rule.
We never did hear, and never expect to hear a
poet read his own verscs rs vel as r." ron read
other peoples.
Altogether. Mr.. fuckers ctf9r. is ao'!
flight above anything wc ever heard before N
the shape of an anniversary poem We are
vel! assured that its pcrusa. will secure to eve
ry reader real enjoyment, in which vc intend
to participate.
The haste and diversity OF occupation natural
is incident to return 10 editorial duties, after
five DAYS absence obligc us to defer further
comment on the late proceedings at Williams
burg. We hope TO nc able to accompany the
continuation Of cnr remarks with !u!! report,