The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-15

Annln0nd glspaMM
SATURDAY FEBRUARY is, 1868.
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Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
So s 1seater from Lexington.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE "pIALEcTIc" socrE-
TY, VIRGINIA MILITARY INsTITUTg-DE-
:. BATE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FROM TIE
aessGLEE CLUB BOOKS FOR THE soclhIf
LIBRARY slwANTED-NEss HALL-CoA-
pLsTE COOKING APPARATUs-SEATNEs
Ann ospEe-NEw neutrality-suspicious.
s.z.Sps asS1vERsARY OF THE WASHINGTON
society OF TIE COLLEGE,.
LEXINGTON, VA, February 10, 1858.
The anniversary Of the Dialectic So
cfety" Of the Virginia Military Institute
came of on Saturday evening last. Your
correspondent was, unfortunately, not able
ia accept q kind invitation to be present,
but learns that everything passed off in
fiaes style, and that the audience were
highly grasifed. The hall was filed with
professors, cadets, and some Of Lexington's
fairest daughters. The question for debate
was, !" Which brings the greatest happiness,
She recollection Of the pastor the 'anticipa-
t;ou Of the future 2" Cadet ). G. Edmunds,
of Virginia, and Cadet F. B. Clark, Of
Alabama, represented the affirmative, and
Cadets Fl. NJ. Jackson, Of Virginia, and W.
6. Powell, of Virginia, represented the
negative. The speeches Of these gentle
men are said to have reflected great credit
both upon themselves and their Society.
Cadet Charles Randolph, Of Virginia, de-
claimed in fine style one of Kossouth's
speeches. Cadet A. Barrett, Of Texas,
declsimed in good style piece on " We
teri; and CadetJ. III. Riley, of Missouri,
rendered "The Maniac" in q style which
would have been creditable to an expe-
rienced actor. The Cadet "Glee Ciub"
enlivened the evening with some very nne
music.
The "Dialectic" Society is in quite a
f1ourishipg condition. They are making
strenuous efforts to replace their library,
which Hunters vandalism destroyed. The
Young men have contributed largely them
selves to the object, and any assistance
which outside friends might render them
would be appreciated. Your correspond
emit was very much interested the other
day in being shown by the polite and eff
cient steward Captain ]. T. Gibbs
through the mess hall and kitchen of the
Institute. The cooking apparatus is GER
tainly very complete, and does its work TO
perfection. A large "steam generator "
does all the boiling very effectively---two
"portable ovens" will cook at the same
time forty-one turkeys and 300 pounds of
beef while a large bake-oven converts o
barrel and half Of flour per day into as
beautiful bread as one would care to see.
I was struck with the order and neatness
which reign throughout the whole estab-
lishment-every servant knows and is re-
uuired to keep his place, and discharge
punctually and properly his duties. The
cadets are marched into the hall are seat
ed, and rise from the tables at the word Of
command, and are required to keep per-
feet order during the meals. The present
mess hall is temporary substitute for the
one burnt by Hunter, and it is proposed to
build the coming spring large one, which,
in all of its arrangements, will be model
of convenience and comfort.
The steam apparatus for heating the
barracks of the Institute is an immense
saving Of fuel and trouble. BY the first Of
July next the Institute buildings-save
the professors housewife be placed just
as they were when Hunter applied his
vandal torch. Long may they stand
monument 20 the zeal, industry, and effi-
cheney Of the accomplished superintendent
of the Virginia Military Institute. And
If the hybrids Of the Convention do not
really attempt the folly of squelching it
out, there lies before the Institute future
of unexampled prosperity. The anniver-
sary of the Washington Society of the col
lege will come off the I'D instant. Mr..
Wickbam, Of Hanover, (son of General
Wickham,) is the orator elect, and Messrs.
Wilkerson, Jaimison, jenkins, and Harvie,
are the disputants on the debate.
The intermediate examinations at the
college closed on Saturday. There is now
general Encouragement Of the classes.
Those who attain certain standard are
passed into higher classes, while those who
fall below are "set back" The large
corps of working instructors enables them
to have as many "sections" as may be
necessary. .......
A change in our town paper has re-
Gently occurred by the purchase of Mr..
Leech's interest by W. W. Scott, Esq.
Colonel Letcher still retains the editorial
control, but it is understood that Mr..
Scott DIETER kuown to many of your
readers as s!the ugliest man of the Ugly
Club" at the University last Year, will
contribute largely to the editorial columns.
Flo wields facile pen, and will no doubt
largely increase the interest of the paper.
Enough for the present. OCCASIONAL.