Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-07-04
NUMBER XII.
Commencement Glories of Toploftioal Col
lege.

! Commencement Glories of Toploftioal Col.
lege.
The commence ment exercises of that most
renowned of all schools, Toplofical College,
broke loose on Sunday, June 18th. 1871. The
hrst flash of glory came in the form of an an
nual sermon, delivered in front of the Theolog-
zeal Society, by the Rev. p Theodore Swell
head, ID. D., of Golden Swamp. His theme
was the Relations between Cosmogonv and
oplrltuallsnl, and he handled it with g1perIa-
tive subllmlty. There was in the discourse
wealth OF beauty, gesture, eloquence, perspira-
ton, and vOG nunsacd, that was absolutely over
whelming We do not hesitate to give il a.
our strong religious conviction that it was the
grandest sermon ever preached. Apollos, in
MS prime, could not have done half so well.
and as for Paul, had he heard it. we dare saw
| be would have blushed aud quit the ministry.
lt would be an unworthy compliment to pro-
nounce DIR. Swellhead's sermon perfect.-
Ferdect 1t was, and much more. 1t was plu-
perfect f-~
| On Monday we had second cargo Of glory
thrust upon US. That was the day which
brought us the privilege of slipping the honey
OF defamation from the lips of the freshmen.
1t was an occasion Immortality great. Such
glorious defamation was never heard before.
and without any wish to hurt the feelings of
coming posterity, we canddy assert our opin
ION that such defamation will never, to the
end OF time, be heard again. There were four
teen speakers,a!l noble looking, with genius
stamped on their foreheads, with eIoonence
and slight moustaches on their lips, and yerv
handsome variety of paper collars on their
necks. They all did better than their friends
desired, but the boy who bore off the palm of
victory and was afterwards introduced to Judge
Snibbs and warmly recommended by him. was
Marcus z. Swell. He will rise to eminence.-
La fact he is eminent now. We never met a
grander and more excellent boy than he is. and
reluctant as we are to speak so fayorably of an
own brother OF our wife, still We must say that
be is perfect glory of a boy, and on this occa-
sion he beat all.
On Tuesday we had the address before the
literary societies, by that most wonderful and
scholarly of all men of this or any other age.
1t IS not necessary to say that our reference is
to Cacoethes Loquendi, LII. D., formerly pro-
fessor in Hifalute University, but now the ed
itor of the Only Monthly.
This was the ''only really literary address we
ever heard" 1t was truly wonderful. Huge
~in conception, gigantic in thought, admirable
In construction, faultless in diction, and eternal
lnearly) In duration, it was a powerful effort.
Great as it was beautiful, it was, we really
think, as beautiful as it was great.
His subject was The internal Bias of Ex-
ternal Jurisprudence, and was discussed from
strictly philosophical standpoint Il was the
greatest address We ever heard, and we wept
four times while he was speaking, for those
who were hot present.
AT night, there was public debate between
Mr.: Cleopas Puff, Of the ''Hesperian Society"
and MIR. Victorious Whit, of the Columbian
Society" The question was ''Was Romu-
lus and Remus the Mother of the Wolf?"-
Such bursts of eloquence we never heard. Those
young men are the hope Of America Mr..
Puff's closing alluson to the feelings of moth
er fer its offspring brought down the house and
secured the decision of the question that Rom
ulus and Remus aoas the mother of the wolf
OnWednesday we had the alumni Grafton by
FuriOsus Bombasticus, Esq Mr. 3. is one Of
the rising alumni of our college and a LAWYER
of great promise. His address was a ''trium-
phant success, splendid in thought, brilliant in
ornament and fine in delivery" We have
been hearing alumni addresses constantly from
the day of our birth, but this was, by far, the
most majestic and peerless thing of the sort we
have ever crossed.
Wednesday night was the richest aud sweet
est of this great feast. We consider it was the
highest point On the road Of our blessed exist
ence. 1t was Commencement night The prin-
cipa men of the State-and we may say, ofthe
world, were there. Of the ladies we know not
what to say. So gorgeousy and sparingly at
tired, SO gentle, so much more intelligent than
OiHCl iCtudICS, diiu 81 lUELu, that language re-
spectfully declines to attempt description of
thenl The Cornet band added inspiration by
blowing for us the most enchanting music that
mortal ear ever heard. 1t almost breaks our
heart to omit the programme of exercises, but
we must. There were nineteen graduates
thirteen of whom made wonderfully fine speech
es. The Latin and Greek speeches were su-
perb, and deeply moved the audience The
German Essay was thrillingly beautiful, and
made everybody cry.
Mr.. Browns Essay on Hope" was original,
and very beneficial to persons of dropping
mind. Mr.. Orlando Gnash spoke on effort"
and it was great effort to hear him. Mr.. vi
Wan Blow was Valedictorian. He said seve-
raj times it was painful to say good bye" but
he showed his willingness to sacrifice his feel
lngs by bidding US goodbye" about twenty
one Or two times He wept slightly at the
close of his remarks, and left for Texas next
morning.
The degree of A. B. was conferred on six;
that of B. A. on seven. The degree of A. M.
was given to nine and that of NJ A. to two.
The ID. d. was conferred on Rev. Junius
Bluster, and LII d. on Judge P. A. Push
Bluster is well worthy of this honor, for he
sent eight or nine students to this institution
last tall. SO is Judge Push, for he is thinking
OF giving $4,000 to the endowment fund of
the college.
Ao tnS cioSe VI CHe evening the QlSt1ngulSh-
ed president gave supper, which was largely
attended by about thirty persons. Thus end
ed an occasion which, in point of briancy,
enjoyment, and glory, was never witnessed be-
tore ca this continent. Long may the old col
lege flourish.
p 5. Richmond Dispatch and Raleigh
Standard please copy.
An invitation to calico party, given by a