The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-12
HAMpDEN SIDNEY COLLEGE, !

unusually large, showing steady increase
of the public interest in the college since
the war, and gradual return to the posi-
ton and influence of former days. The
| people do not come to Hampden Sidney in
as handsome vehicles as those which brought
them in the time that preceded this era OF
their poverty and oppression, but they still
come in great numbers, and with the live
Hest appreciation of those objects which
their presence here at the annual festival
tends to promote. The houses on College
/ Hill and in the vicinity are thrown open
still with the most cordial hospitality, and
warm hearts receive the friends who have
come to tarry for awhile amid the scenes of
the annual reGnion. The excitement among
the young men of the college and their
young friends that come in from all quar-
tiers rises higher and higher every day, and
people of all ages partake of the feelings
of that class in which all feel so much in
terest.
The summary of students at the session
now closing is as follows: Seniors, 8;
juniors, Is !; sophomores, %; freshmen,
II; irregulars, s. A considerable increase
upon last year.
The trustees commenced their annual
| meeting to-day. Present-Dr. j. M. P.
| Atkinson, president; DR.. Peyton R. Berke-
lev, Mr.. r. C. Anderson, Colonel A. D..
Dickinson, Mr.. T. E. Parkinson, Mr.. 7. T..
Tredway, Colonel Henry Stokes of Prince
Edward, Mr.. A. G. McIlwain Of Petersburg,
Rev. NJ. D. Hoge, D. D., and Rev. P. b.
Price of Richmond, DR.. R. A. Patterson of
Halifax, N. c., Major John n. Flood Of
Lynchburg, Captain 81. s. Reynolds of Nor
folk. Mr.. +. A. Watkins of Farmville, Mr..
". w, Henry of Charlotte Courthouse, DR..
w. L. Stamps of Milton, N. c..
The report of the president read to the
trustees is q very gratifying one. The dill
oence of most Of the students is highly COM
mended: There have bssnsno infractions
of the rules of the college, in respect to or
der. recurring the attention of the ia
Guilty ! and the morality Of the young
men is such as to give the friends OF
the college a high degree of pleasure. There
has also been a season of religious in
terest and some Of the students not pre-
yiously pious have protested, religion,
while others have determined to study for
the ministry. Among so many there must
of course be some who do not improve their
time as their friends and the faculty
would desire, but the proportion of such
seems to be unusually small for the num-
Der of students present. Most of the young
| men are earnest and studious, and some
have applied themselves to their work with
| an ardor too great for their physical
| strength. These facts, brought out in the
| presidents brief but suggestive report, and
other circumstances patent to every one who
visits the place, must determine Hampden
Sidney to be, one of the very best places
for young men to be found in all the coun-
| try, and stimulate the trustees and its
| friends amid all the difficulties of the
times to foster it with constant and unwea-
ried watchfu1ness and care. efs ,s.e ga &c
The public exercises of the commence.
ment week began tonight by q meeting
which partook more of the humorous than
the serious order. But it was fully attend
ed by old and young grave professors and
their wives, as well as young men and
maidens, boys and girls, little children, and
surrounding crowd of delighted freedmen
of both sexes. The room was crowded on
its lower floor and galleries, and in all the
approaches, while carriages drawn up at
the windows afforded places to outsiders,
who from their tops as well as their seats
looked luEuppu Stup nSoAJ sstio re&nAo'AoS
scene. Such was the crowd drawn to-.
gether by the proceedings of the Z" Ugly.
Club" The proceedings Of the last meet
ing, 30 called, read by the secretary, con-
tanned some hits which produced Q great
deal of merriment, and the presentation
and occupation speeches connected with
the inevitable old boots, old hat, looking
glass, and stick of candy-thes rewards OF
iugliness, prettiness, conceit, and stature
were full Of. amusement. There were some
fine passages in MOST Of the speeches, and
much ingenuity displayed in some of the:
poetical efforts in mixed Latin and English.
All the speeches we're too long, and GONE Of
them became very tiresome. This gentle
hint will be remembered, perhaps, next
year. - Where there are 30 many addresses,
,bIevity is especially the soul Of wit. The
last two speeches about the stick Of candy,
however, were admirably brief, occupying
not more than five minutes in all, which
was very happy idea on the part Of the
two young men concerned, under the cir
chmstancee. u go X 80 =
Aftess this, and OF q late hour, Colonel
FaTrar, Of Amelia, tho annual orator
OF the Ugly Club this year, was introduced,
anu addressed the young men on the art Of |
public speaking. He illustrated all sorts Of
styief and went through tbs greatest variety
0fsoratory, greatly to the delight Of his au-
sd;eaae. He was grave, earnest, and pa
thetie, then humorous and exsuisiteiy droll.
Hisspeeoh was useful, and IN the highest