The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-01

oeeasion--well conceived and well deliver
ed. His gestures were none the less grace
full because an empty sleeve reminded the
audience that he had been a gallant Conted,
crate soldier. Your correspondent haa
hoped to make some extracts from MT.
Reeds speech, but was disappointed IN Sc
curing the MSS. =.
IFhe exercises were now supposed 70 DC
over, bat another entertainment had been
improsised in,4the shape Of certificates
and diplomas to ahossswho had been sue
cessf,,l in the calico ticket" : A,laxge fnanls
her of these honors were conferred amid the
laughter and applause Of the crowd. The
certificates were done up after the order OF
the University Certificates, only cat'co was
used instead of ribbon, and the diplomas
were in the same style. but with very fancy
curtain calico trimmings. Mr.. Hampstead
of Arkansas, explained that as the Univer-
sity was system of 50 Independent schools, y
and that as the atudents chose for them
selves what tickets they would take, and the
University had strangely omitted to confer
honors in the 'tcalicc ticIet," which was
taken by.so many Of the students, the club
had thought proper to confer these "dls'
tinctions" and "Giplomas on those who
had 80 fairly won them. Mr.. Hampstead
then proceeded to make speech, which wa:
well written, very witty, and we'll delivered.
but Patrick Henry could scarcely have en-.
tartained that audience after their three
Tours, standing-lnany of them in the gun.
By the5way, Sif2yuur correspondent had
had the ear of the Committee of Arrange
ments, he would have insisted that attne
speeches we're too many for one sitting (or
standing rather), unless they had been very
short and gerry extraordinarily aoitty. And
are not "ugly clubs losing their novelty,
and consequently their interest Would it
not be best to have their celebrations once
in five instead of every year,
Tonight the large public hall was densely
crowded In honor of the valedictory cele-
bratlon of the Washington Literary Society.
Your correspondent never saw assembled
more brilliant audience. The brilliant gas
light, the profusion of white and blue rib
bons, which composed the badges of the So
cieties, the elegant costumes and unrivalled
beauty of the women, the noble features
and manly bearing of the young men, the
array Of talent, distinguished in the field,
the forum, the pulpit, and the professors
chair, the sweet strains Of music that filled
the hall-all these conspired to form a scene
in the highest degree inspiring, and GER
tainly beyond my powers of description.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Linsley,
chaplain. Mr.. Overton Harris, of Vir-
GINA, President of the Soci ETY., presented
the medal awarded "the best debater" to
Mr.. s. M. Wynn, of Georgia. Mr.. Over
toms presentation speech was happily con-
ceiyed and gracefully delivered, and Mr..
Wynn's response in admirable taste. The
medal is very elegant one, having on one
side the coat of arms of Virginia and the
motto of the Society, "Quons t7uctus d.
UerSi, guam mare coyuncti," and on the
other the name of the recipient entwined
with o laurel wreath. The orator of the
occasion was Mr.. Samuel Mckinney, Of
Tennessee. His theme was "Social De-
vyLopment." His speech was very well
written, thoroughly committed to memory,
well delivered, and contained some very
fine passages. But your correspondent
would say, in all kindness, that it smacked
too much of the hastings for the time and
place of its delivery, that it was entirely
toolong-onehoew and t,oenty- four minutes
for an audience wearied when he begun,
and that his eulogy on woman, however
beautiful and however applauded, was in
bad taste.
The bellies and the beaux kept up such a
constant clatter mot even ceasing during
prayer that large part of the audience
failed to hear anything that was said. The
exercises in the hall concluded at l. o'clock,
and the audience then wended their way
to the lawn. The scene here beggars de-
scription. The splendid lawn WAS illumi-
mated with variegated lanterns; the rotunda
and music stand we're decorated with beau
tiful transparencies refreshmcnt stands
were scattered on every side; the profess
sors' houses-all brilliantly illum;Aated-
were open to every conner and the band
discoursed sweet music as the bellies and
beaux promenaded till the "wee sma'
hours"
Tomorrow at J. o'clock we have the adj
dress of General John S. Preston, and to-
morrow night the celebration of the Jeffer-
son Society. ALUMNUs.