The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-07

To THE ED1roRs OF THE DAY Book:

10 THE EDITORS OF THE DAY BOOK:
l have recently enjoyed the pleasure Of
visit to Lexington, Gin the Valley of Virgin
la, as it was called by Jackson, in his dying
hours, when designating it rs the place of his
burial, and of attending there the Commeace-
ment exercises of Washington College, now
presided over by the venerated aud beloved
Robert E. Lee. A singular interest now at
taches ~ Lexington, ION association with the
names OF these two great men-Jacks,n and
Lee-ot whom the Que repoSes there in bis
well-assured Immortality, speaking yet from
the grave with holy and sanc,iiying intu-
ence; the other lives and works there in uu-
broken energy, adding to the Immortality Of
martial fame and great deeds in the eyes of
the world, the humber, yet not meauer glory
OF modesty in the midst Of praise, and equa-
nimity in the midst Ut defeat, devotiug him.
self to the education and training Of youth,
and to the interests of the institution over
which be presides, with as earnest zeal as
though he bad never known any other Office,
or earned any brighter fame. There seems
to be a singular beauty in this coincidence;
and Lexington, apart from all other attrac-
TONS may well claim to enjoy no common
gcry. 1t is not little singular, too, that
the two great institutions of Lexington, should
be thus identified with the names of these
two gentemen-a legacy which, in all future
time, their students will surely cherish with
pride. Such influences can, indeed, hardly
be lost, In the education of q generous youth.
This Commencement was the first that had
been held since 1860, and singular feature
OF interest in it, was, that among the students
who had now gathered to celebrate peacefully
tlaf 6
remnant only, Of those who in 1851, beardless
boys, had ttthese same halls, with their musk
cts on their shoulders, to seek death or honor at
the cannon's mouth, in defence of their faith,
now returned bronzed and bearded; not few
bearing honorable wounSs, and matured by
experience beyond their years, seeking yet,
with such means as are lett them, to gather
from the same source the advantages Of edu-
cation, before passing into the battle fields
of life.
One Of these young gentlemen, who had
been the Captain of the College com pany, at
the celebration of the Literary Societies of the
College, held on the evening of the 9th, de-
livered an address OF such mature and thought
iul earnestness, as has rarely ever been heard
on such an occasion; as, indeed, could not
have been delivered by any young man in
whose mind the fierce trials of war, or other
hardships, had not prematurely wrought the
years of manhood aud wisdom
will simply add that all the Collegiate
exercises were we'll and ably conducted The
great feature Of the occasion, however, was the
address of the Rev. J. A. Duncan, D. D., of
the Methodist Church, from Richmond. His
subject was "the Hour and the Duty; and
eloquent as he is known always to be, on this
occasion the orator rose above himself He
seemed TO have concentrated all the inspira-
ton of his theme, the time, the place, and
the presence, into one happy effort, which for
two hours held his large audience spell bound
and delighted The address was full of the
noblest thoughts, and of the loftiest senti-
ments apt to the occasion, and full of signii-
canoe for the times; and it must long be re-
membered by all who heard it. 1t is hoped
the Reverend gentleman will yield it for pub
LEGATION; its perusal could not but be useful
and inspiring to thousands of young men be-
yond those t. whom it was addressed.
There being no graduates, these exercises
concluded the Commencement ceremonies
In the evening, the College buildings We're
beautifully illuminated, and the capacious
lawn in front was enlivened 10y brilliant
band, the "Stonescalt Band of the stonewall
Brigade, -discoursed sweet music, many a
chivalrous youth doubtless took tender leave
of the eyes that had beamed sweetest and
dearest upon his student life. 0! ye College
days, how full ye are Of hope, and dreams,
and love blessed, whose very partings look
only to brighter future oays!-nay, whose
very parttngs-credo erpclto, are themselves
sometimes doubly blessed
The commencement was attended by a
large humber of visitors from abroad, who
came TO manifest their interest in the rising
fortunes Of the College, under its great Presi-
dent Among the community of Lexington,
and, we are told, among the trustees and
faculty, the greatest zeal and enthusiasm pre-
vailed in regard to the College. Important
improvements and reforms have already been
made, and still others are spoken of, in con-
formity with the recommendations Of General
Lee, who is Of course the ruling spirit in all
He is said to have devoted himself with the
intensest assiduity to the work, and to have
made himself perfectly master Of every detail
of the administration and of the instruction.
every part of which passes more or less con-
stantly beneath his own eye, While large
portion of his time is devoted to intercourse
with the students, who are thus all brought
directly within his supervision and influence.
Several new Professorships have been al
ready established others still are intended.
The chairs of Natural Philosophy, of Applied
Mathematics, and of Modern Languages and
English, have been already filed. That of
Moral Philosophy viii be filled at the meet
ing of the Board o Trustees, on the 18th of
July and Law School has been established,
of which Hon. John w. peterborough,
LII. D., long celebrated i'll connection with
his private Law School i'll Lexington, has
been elected Professor. There will then be
nine full Professors, besides several assistants.
A Preparatory Department has also been in
stituted, for the special benefit of young men,