Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-07-19
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
pAvIDyON COLLEGE.

closed on the lItn luStaut. 4uo ooonoioh 90
one Of interest, Importance and encouragement.
The ecrowd was large, brilliant, quiet and respect
full.
The disappointment was universal and intense
that Rev. A. W. Miller was detained in Peters
burg, Va, by sickness, and hence, failed to be
present to preach the sermon to the Graduating
Class. The worthy President, DR.. Lacey, fur
nished for the occasion q sermon, which, for
sound advice, earnest and tender e1postutations
with the young men to consecrate themselves to
the service of God, was an excellent substitute.
The Orator elected to deliver the address be-
fore the Alumni Association, declined to meet
the appointment.
Rev. George D. Parks, of Hendersonville, N.
c., was chosen to address the Alumni next
year.
Instead of the representative speeches from
the two societies, and which occupy Wednesday
evening, conversational party was held in
the college edifce. OF the character of this
we cannot speak, but learned that it was pleas
antly occupied in conversation, listening to most
excellent music from the Salisbury Brass Band,
and in discussing a most luxurious supper, pre-
pared for four hundred dollars, by Mrs. Brown,
steEardess of the college. Under the force Of
the old maxim, obstar pincipirts we enter our in
dividual csveat against this material iufraction
of a custom which has contributed so largely to
stimulate the members of the societies to culti-
vate writing talents. In our judgment, Babel
like hubbub of miscellaneous chit chat, and
corporeal glut with mic macs, are an inferior, no
to say degrading, substitute for half dozen
literary speeches; for we are confident that the
talents to be cultivated, are requisite to the en-
joyment of the supper; and its appurtenan'es
are neither so rare, nor desirable, nor ennobling
as those employed in the preparation, delivery,
and appreciation of the speeches.
Our official engagements prohibited US from
hearing but four of the whole number ofspeech-
es during the commencement occasion. We
were, however, fortunate in hearing Judge Per-
son, Of Wilmington, N. c., deliver his practica J.,
pleasant, and entertaining augmentation upon
the "material, mental, moral and progressive
spirit of the age" Besides the mastery array
of illustrative thoughts upon the general sub
ject, and some witty and withering rebukes of
prevalent vices, the address was fraught with
high-toued moral and religious sentiments, and
was happily relieved of every feature of po-
litical harrangue, so frequently, and in such
bad taste, obtruded upon Literary Festivals
We also heard the address of Rev. W. T.. Hall,
of Ebeneezer, s. c., before the Philanthropic
Society, in which, in his own chaste and inter-
esting style, he discussed the 'conditions of suc-
cess in study" but as your readers know the
reputation of the speaker, it may suffice to say
that his effort on the OCCASION was in keep.
ing with his many attainments and successes as
o public orator.
From the Latin Salutatory and Vale lictory Of
the Senior Class we infer that the t,centy grndu-
ates have solid claims to high scholarship and
commendable literary attainments. Wewere priv
legged to hear no more of the eight Seniors
speak; but we opine that Mr.. Dickey-a native
of York District, and a second honor man-ir
his philosophical oration," reflected honor up
on himself, his family and his District.
Tho Trustees filled the vacancy occasioned
by the resignation of President Lacey, who is
suffering under bodily in6rmities, by electing
John N. Waddel, D. D., Of Lagrange College
Tennessee. This, all admit to be a fe,icitous
selection; and under his administration, the col
lege will go on prospering and to prosper.
The professorship of Bellies Lettres-vacan
since it was created, five years ago-was fllee
by the unanimous election of Victor c. Barringer
Esq, of N. C. 1t sufices to say that he is {
young man, thirty-two years of age, and is (
worthy representative of the noble, polished
and gifted Bnrringers of the Old North State
There is to be a called meeting of the Trus
tees held in Charlotte, N. c., on the seconc
Thursday of August, to provide for the profes
sorships of Greek, and Natural Philosophy an'
Astronomy, recently va Gated by Professor
Fishburne and Leland. Applicants for thes
Chairs, would do we'll to furnish their names
and testimonials to some Of the Trustees befor
that day. None but members of the Presbyte
rian Church are eligible to any professoria
office in Davidson College.
The college is destined, we believe, to ascen
still higher in its progress of usefulness and eff
fciency. The catalogue of the past year re
ports one hundred and twelve students. A mos
magnificent edifce has just been completed at
cost Of more than eighty thousand dollars
Many pronounce It to be the most commanding
and complete structure of the kind in America
We can truly say that its overwhelmingly gran'
proportions must be seen to be realized. Thos
eight large recitation and lecture rooms; NOR
than seventy roomy and well-ventilated dormito
ries, entered from three wide corridors or aisles
each about three hundred feet long that i'm
mense library room, eighty feet by forty, ane
the chapel, eighty feet square, with wei
of pure cold water, emptying, through pump
into one of the passages, constitute building
which is an honor, all ornament, and recon
mendation to any institution.
By next spring, the railroad between Char
lotte and Statesville, now in process Of grading
and running in full view of the college, will b
completed. And thus not only can students fin
easy access to the privileges of the college, b'
the commencement occasions will be visited b
countless numbers who are unwilling to be sui
|iected to the inconvenience of private travelling
and the inadequate accommodations with col
7eyances, and e1tortion sometimes practiced
horse .hirers in towns where railroads now te
inmate.
May many more of the youth of the Ian
flock to this Pharos Of the country, to be po