The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-07-14
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.

ONASEhSkT1 OF MISSlSSIPPI.
The late Commencement was indeed
. brilliant affair. In no college in the
United States are greater efforts made to
elevate the standard Of scholarship, and
to send forth into active life soundly edu-
Gated young men. The Faculty is an
able and laborious one. The provisions
for imparting instruction are unsurpassed
in any similar institution. Richly en-
dowed, as it has been, through the mu-
nifcence of Congress, the State legisla-
ture has only to act honestly and honor
ably by ito cause it to rival the first
colleges in the union. The amount due
from the State, is, according to Gov. Nc
Rae, $S74,329,49. 1t has never cost the
people of Mississippi one cent. The
avails of its generous endowment have
been absorbed into the treasury Of the
State; and all its friends ask for it, is
that it may receive sufficient amount to
enable it to fulfil its high destiny--thus
to become a fountain of Unreasonable
usefulness, and a monument of imperish-
able honor, to the commonwealth of which
it bears the name.
The Baccalaureate Sermon was preach
ed in the Chapel by the Rev. Wiley NJ.
Reed, from the 9th verse of the 10th
chapter of Ecclesiastes Whatsoever
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy
might; for there is no work, nor device,
nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave,
whittier thou goest." 1t was an eloquent
discourse, and listened to with breath
less attention. Monday was occupied by
the Sophomore prize declarations and
the celebrations of the Hermean and Phi
Sigma Societies, On Tuesday morning
speeches were delivered by members of
the Junior class. At O'Clock in the af-
ternoon, Hon. j. w. Clapp. Of Holly
Springs, delivered the annual address be-
fore the two Literary Societies, and, at
night, Mr.. +. w. Reyes, of Carrollton,
addressed the Alumni. The exercises of
the day were closed by Levee given by
the President.
Wednesday was commencement day.
A large crowd was in attendance. en-
bracing much of the beauty and the chiv-
airy of the State. At the conclusion of
the usual exercises by the graduating
class, the Hon. VIM. L. Sharkey was in
troduced to the audience, and delivered
to the Law Glass a most able and i'm
pressive address. The Sophomore pri-
yes were then announced and awarded by
the committee, through their chairman,
the Hon. L. @. G. Lamar, who, in most
manner set forth the character
lStlcS OF the true orator.
At night complimentary ball was
given to the Graduating Glass. Thus
closed the exercises of one of the most
interesting commandments it was ever
our good fortune to attend. Every Mis-
sissippian should feel proud of such an
Institution, and should ever cherish it as
the brightest jewel in the corunal which
glitters on the brow of his own proud
State.
The prizes for Sophomore defamation
were awarded to w. G. Nelson, of Holly
Springs, and F. w. Johns, of Kinds Co.
Richard M. Leavell, of PontotOc, deliv-
cred the Salutatory, and j. II. Stuart, Of
Kinds, pronounced the Valedictory Ora
ton. The degree of B. A. was conferr-
ed upon
d. P. Bestor, j. f. Brown, j. B. Buck,
D. M. Buckner, S. s. Carter, G.. L. Don
aid, G. G. Eggleston, H. Falconer, E.
Fleming, j. V. Harris, H. NJ. Jackoway,
r. M. Leavell, r. H. Lipscomb, H. w.
Purnell, G. j. ]. Ship, d. E. Smith, j.
II. Stuart I'D. Talbert, H. r. Vaughan.
And the degree of L. L. B. upon
r. f. Barksdale w. r. Barksdale,
NJ. A.; H. 7. Edwards; II. B. Harris !;
j. G. Russell, B. A.; H. NJ. Scales, b.
A.; Il. r. Stockdale, B. A.; j. w.
Thompson, B. A.; w. w. Witherspoon.
The PIc-N NEAR PRAIRIE MOUNT
Last Friday we shall ever remember as
among the most agreeable days of our
life. "From morn to set of sun" we en-