The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-01
From our Special Correspondent.
commencement eek-University Of
ginin-ScIebrRLiOn of the Ugly
Club ''-VaEedictory Celebration of
the Washington SOciety-BriIIiant

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, }
lima 90 lNES

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
June %, 1868.
If your correspondent had been an entire
stranger in these parts but little discern
mcnt would have shown him as he ap-
preached Charlottesville that something of
II stirring nature was OIL hand. And very
little cayesdropping would have told the
cause. At each station VIC had fresh Access
sions of bright-cycd girls, evidently look
ing forward with intense interest to some
approaching pleasure; and as your CORE
spondcnt gave up his seat to one of the fair
chattercrs, and stood for awhile in the aisle
of the crowded cars, he could hear on every
side, "Ugly Club, -" Wash" and "Jetf"
celebrations, General Preston's Speech"
Inauguration of the statue" and other
topics, which left no doubt that the joyous
days of q University commencement
week" were at hand, and that fair ladies
and gallant bcaux were Fastening to swell
the tide of that festive occasion. But when
we arrived at our destination the scene was
especially lively and striking-ladies of
Charlottesville and the University come to
meet expected lady visitors students in
search Of sisters or sweethearts; crowds of
lookcrs-on who merely wanted to sec who
had come; happy greetings, mingled with
ordinations Of disappointment that other
expected visitors had not arrived; congra-
tulations to students who had borne off the
unrivalled honors of the University; an
OCCASIONAL word 81 sympathy fer some poor
fellow who had been pitched by mercl-
less professors, who will insist that the di-
plomas of the University shall be aoorh
something; and above all this, the clatteT OF
rival portcrs and hackmen. All these and
much more besides combined to form
scene only to be met with in Charlottesville,
and only here on the eve Of commence
ment week"
Your correspondent had scarcely time to
wash the dust off ere he had to hasten to
the annual celebration of the "Ugly Club"
A platform was erected on the lawn, and
benches and chairs for large crowd pro-
yided. But the crowd proved far too large
for the accommodations, and many ladies
as we'll as gentlemen were compelled to
stand throughout the protracted exercises:
Grave professors, dignited i. DIS, and
other clergymen, gay maidens ana attentive
beaux, comely matrons and quiet citizens,
were all out in full force: but perhaps the
most striking feature was the large number
of small boys who crowded around the
platform to join vociferously IN the APP
plause, and be present at the expected dis
tribution of the candy. :
At the appointed hour the baud struck
up an appropriate march, and the process
sion of their most excellent uglinesses-the
committee in front bearing the prizes IN
their arms-made their way to the stand
amid the most yociferoas applause. The
yellow, pink, and blue rosettes, the boots,
hat, and slippers, and above all, the huge
stick Of candy FIVE feet high, were all duly
admired and commented upon by the au-
dience. The exercises were begun with
humorous speech by the President, Mr.. ).
!, a. Clifton, of South Carolina, who made
some hard hits ut all of the shoBor men, !"
the committee. and the Faculty, and con-
Guided a speech well written and very well
delivered, but too long by half, by intro
dneinp Mr.. w. C. Hamilton, of Maryland,
the alittle man." who was entitled TO the
candy, The candy was presented by Mr..
d. S. Deyerle, of Virginia, and received by
Mr.. Hamilton in speech which he had not
committed to memory, and seemed TO hnd
some difficulty in reading, but Of the merits
OF which your correspondent was prevented
from Judging by the clatter Of tho bellies
and bsauS. Mr.. Nj. Miller, of Mississippi,
presented to the g pretty man." Mr.. G. L.
tastner, Of Tennessee, the hat, which he
designated g colossal Btoye-pips," and
babe him wear as ga fue to eVer-eonsum-
ing vanity" Mr. Cashiers response was
happy, containing some good hits. !,
Mr. NJ. Marshall, of Mississippi, pre-
scented the slippers to the conceited man."
Dir. II. IL. Harrison, of Virginia. MIR.
Harrison's response was in blank verse,
and is said to have been good, but as he
aoaispered it cowidentiaay to those around
him, your correspondent could not catch it..
MI. j. ID. Shewalter, Of Missouri, pre-
scented the boots to :" the ugly man, Mr.. !.
G. Reed, of Charlottesville, Va. Mr.. She
walters speech was quite happy.
Mr.. Reeds response Gt is no disparage-
anent to others to say was the speech Of the