The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-13

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Age of the CoIlege-Graduates-In i'm the
Institution-Its Prospects-Pleasant Season
OH College Iiill-The Commencement Be
guu-The Ugly Club Leading Of-Speeches
and Amusing Scenes at its Anniversary
Number Of Students, etc.
HANPpES SYDNEY COLLEGE, June II, 1867.
The catalogue of this institution, now De-
fore me, shows that il began its use1ul career
as a seat of learning about the year lIeo. Inc
list of graduates from that time 10 this proves
that il has given TO the State and the country
q number of we'll educated gentlemen, some
of whom have become eminent IN every prin-
loved n high degree of public favor, and It's
present condition and prospects indicate
that il is rising from that low estate TO
which all our colleges Mere de dn iSe
strength and renewing the efforts, and
about 10 receive the honors OF its former
years. 1t has warm place in the affections
of the people all through this country, being
the Alma Mater of very many intelligent farm
ers and professional gentlemen, and the place
where their sons are now training for useful
ness consequently its annual exercises OF
commencement draw together very large
number OF agreeable visitors of the very best
sort of our Old Virginia population from this
prince Edward) and adjacent counties, VINO,
with those who came from places more dls :
tant, make the College Hill busy scene OF
life for a few days-a more attractive one OF u
more DECENT orderly, and sober crowd, II
would be hard to find.
The proceedings of the Ugly Club yesterday
evening afforded about three hours OF exceed
ingly laughable entertainment TO q large au-
dience of gentlemen and ladies, young ana oio
assembled in the college chapel FIVE gentle
men received the honors OF the institution,
and nine speeches were made, some OF winch
sua r},led with witty and agreeable things, and
nearly all of which were heard with Interest.
some of the passages were very fine, and the
talent displayed at this burlesque affair, while
for the time being IL served only TO amuse,
must have profoundly impressed and greatly
encouraged every friend OF the ms litulion ana
the State.
The rewards of this noble society We're a
pair of boots given 20 the ugliest man, q hat 10
the handsomest pair OF slippers TO the mos
conceited, and a stick of candy TO the smallest
man. After the funny proceedings OF las |
year were read by a grave and accomplished
secretary, and all the preliminary elections OF
recipients and speakers had been made, ana
the gentlemen who were to take the no.
nors and those who We're TO give them mad
taken their places on the stand, committees
We're appointed to bring in the articles All
was conducted with due order and decorum
under the direction OF dignifed young gentle
man, who performed the duties Of the Chair
in very skilful manner. TWO young men
brought in trunk and placed II on the plat
form another bore the key wherewth it was
to be opened, which, at the distance at which
j saw il, resembled a sharks tooth; and
third bore upon his shoulder long, narrow
one side, which displayed TO the view OF the
audience roll of candy of the same length
and of an average diameter of an inch. The
speaking then began. The uglicst man stood
mp, and was humbled for about half an hour
i'll q handsome style by the gentleman APP
pointed 10 give him the boots the trunk was
then priced open, and he received them. He
replied, acknowledging the honor, and not
sparing the speaker who had addressed him.
All the others had 10 hear very hard things
said of themselves before they were let OFF
with their gifts but in nearly every case they
replied in such manner AS 10 rise above their
natural infirmities
Inc last act was the bestowal OF 4 knife upon
the ughest man in the audience. Committees,
WIN lamps and candles, were sent around,
anu brought up several. The one finally Sc.
ieetea proved 10 be an alumnus Of the institu-
Ton from the edge of Lunenburg. His speech
on receiving the knife was terrible on the col
iege boys ana shook the audience with
.aughter. "a report OF these speeches, if your
space allowed, would be VERY interestin0
The number OF students in attenda5ce nj
the session now closing is fftythree The
States represented besides Virginia ara North
Carolina, Alabama, Florida Marx,and
Texas, and Kentucky. 1t is penera,i,, 10
marked that there was never here n -, Of
more studious and orderly young men. Seve.
raj persons inform me that they have no,
heard more than one oath during the session
toxieating drinks. The sale of these Nouors
Is not permitted In the village.
Inc anniversaries Of the two literary socie
Ties tonight and tomorrow night, and tho
speeches OF the graduates TO morrow morning
wiz give ample material, think, for further
communications from
Yours, truly, VIC.