Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-07-28


as York and this Demonstration is concerned
ONE WHO WAS PRESENT.
-+soS<-
For the Yorkvfle Enquirer.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES AT SPAR
TANBURG.
Dear Enquirer With large and immensely
developed, aurferous pen, presented by most
generous and much beloved friend, which pen,
am gratifed to remark, is ru6y-pointed, l am en-
deavoring to give you a small account of the
Wofford Commencement. By means of hack to
which were attached two elephantine horses, / and
companions, or companions and l, arrived here
on Saturday evening very joyous as to our hearts,
dusty as to our garments, and tepd as to our per-
sons Along the way, our journey was enlvened
! with Joke and JEST with blackberries and music,
the music of hearty, feeling laughter, and the
slvery sound of sweet voices singing every song
that had ever or never been heard, from the Pray
er in Moses, to the Psalm of Life adapted to
Yankee Doodle.
The first performance in Spartanburg was
Concert on Saturday night at the Female College,
at which, the young ladies, as usual distinguished
themselves; but where oil were excellent, it would
be invidous to particular;ze, so we pass them by
approvngy in general, only stopping to mention
the singing of Miss HIND, the instrumental per-
formances of Misses C. J. and ,R., and the Duett
between Miss H. and Professor MASS, the very
competent musical instructor of the young ladies,
all of which we would characterize as being very
| fine.
On Sunday morning, the Commencement SER
mon before the students of Wofford College was.
delivered BY Rev. WH1TEFooRD SMITH, D. D.,
who was preparing to take up hsconncction with
the College and sever the endearing relations
which had existed for so long time between him
self-as Chaplain and Professor, and the students
as his congregation and pupils The sermon
proper was fully equal to the reputation which he
has 80 long and so ably maintained, as one of the
| most eloquent of the many gifted pulpit orators
of South Carolina. The closing address to the
students vas touchingly pathetic, and proved that
the heart of their Pastor and Professor, had been
actuated in behalf of the young men by the kind
est and most Christian emotions.
In the evening of the same day, the Rev. DR..
| CRoss preached the Commencement sermon before
the Young ladies of the Female College. A like
interest was attached to these services as to those
| of the morning, from the fact that. DR.. Cross
having resigned his position as President, was
preaching his last sermon in his official capacity,
and perhaps, his last forever, to them; and the
graduates of the Institution were hearing the last
sermon which they would attend as students.--
The address or sermon was, in the opinion of
every ore, perfect gem. The text was from the
l44th Psalm: "That your daughters may be as
corner stones, polished after the similitude of a
palace" The entire production was filled with
flowers of poetry and jewels Of thought, and con-
tinually cleaned and coruscated with such pure
and beautiful conceptions and rare and glorious
imaginings as gave full evidence of the authors
qualifications and power as scholar, as poet,
and as Christian minister and gentleman.
On Monday evening. an immense crowd assem-
bled at the Chapel Of the Female College to hear
read, the compositions of the Graduates. Owing
to the great numbers present, and the awful heat,
and our excessive gallantry-which showed itself
by our successively yielding every seat'which we
were fortunate enough to obtain to somebody
not equally successful were debarred the plea
sure of hearing for ourselves, but using thankful
ly the Judgment of friend, we pronounce the
compositions rs all meritorious, and some attain
ing to excellence. The performances were con-
cluded by French Dialogue lEuphemism for Vau-
deville or Farce) by some of the young ladies'
The play was skilfully and spiritedly enacted,
and would have done credit to any theatre, but
was rather out of time and place, in our opinion,
when presented by young ladies at Methodist
Institution.
On Tuesday morning, the address before the
Literary Societies was delivered by the Hon. j.
D. TRApEwELL, of Columbia, who nobly sustained
the reputation which he has acquired as sound
statesman and polished orator The general
scope of the Grafton, was the Philosophy of Gov
crnment, as taught by Mr.. CALHOUN and other
great philosophers and statesmen. The address
showed great research, as we'll as great orl-
rinality, and the doctrines inculcated, except
some concerning the English government, met
with our earnest and cordial assent
Iu the afternoon of Tuesday, meeting of the
Alumni of Wofford College was held and socie-
ty was organized, of which Professor PETTY of the
Spartauburg Female College, was chosen Presi-
dent; and Mr. VIM. NJ MARTIN, of Columbia, was
chosen first Annual Orator.
In the evening of the same day, the valedictory
address before the Calhoun Literary Society, was
delivered by Mr.. J.W. HOLMES, of North Carolina,
who fully equalled the high expectations which
his reputation for talents and requirements, had
raised in the minds of the audience.
Mr.. DIcKENsoN, the President Of the Society,
in q graceful and appropriate address, delivered
the Society Diplomas to the Graduates, who were
from among its members.
After the speech, the students, attended BY the