The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-26

rCorrpgpondence of the Richmond Dtspatch.I
Commencement a. Wake Forest College, n.
C.-Addresx or Mn Jor Foote- His AIlusion TO
Departed virgininns- Address OF Rev. DR.. j.
T., M, Curry University System Adopted
Closing Exercises.
WAKE FOREST COLLEGE. N. C.,s
June 90, 1871.
The commencement exercises of this In
stitution have just concluded. For several
days our village has been filed with VISIT
On Tuesday evening the Alumni Associa-
ton was addressed by Maj. J. II. Foote. of
Raleigh. He chose for his theme The
Dcpartcd Members Of the Association
and began by graceful alusion to the
p,ncryric pronounced by Pcrlclcs over the
dead heroes at Athens. Then in fitting
words he passed in review the lives Of a
number of the old graduates of the insti-
tuition who both in peace and in war had
taught by example lessons of patient en-
durance and heroic valor.
Specially beautiful were his euloHcs OF
two men who are well known to many of
YOUR Virginia readers. The first of these
was Rev. John L. Prichard, who stood
noblv at his post when the yellow fever
ragged at Wilmington in '62, and fell a
MARTYR to his faithful devotion. The other
was Capt. Abram w. Poindexter, of Hall
fax, Va, who fell at the battle OF the
crater, near Petersburg, in 80.
| On Wednesday morning 4 large audience
assembled in the public hall to hear the adj
| dress before the literary societies by Rev. }.
l.. Nj. Curry, d. d.. of Richmond. The
highest expectations had been excited by
DR.. Curry's reputation as an orator, but
they were all more than filled long before
the speaker had concluded. He spoke
upon "Ihe Means of True Development"
and it may well be doubted whether IN adj
dress characterized ut the same time by SO
much practical wisdom and common sense,
and by so much rhetorical beauty, has ever
before been delivered ut any institution in
this State. The audience have been enthu-
saStic in their expression of praise, and
the societies have asked copy OF the adj
dress for publication. :,
by Rev. Il. d. IIufham, Of North Carolina.
lie took his subject from Romans V: 3, and
added to his already enviablc reputation by
the ferror and beauty of his discourse.
On Thursday morning orations were de-
liyercd By the members of the graduating
claSs-Mcssrs. c. Durham and Ii. A. Brown,
Of North Carolina, and Mr.. -Trantham, of
south Carolina. Mr.. Sykes, of Norfolk
county. Va, who was announced as 4
| graduate. was suddenly called NOME just
before the commencement.
| The results OF the collegiate year snow Il
HIGH grade of scholarship ut the college,
and also the wcll-appiied cXertions Of the
students.
The Board of Trustees has just made
| some very important changes in the scheme
of studies. The old curriculum system
has been abandoned, and the clc ctive sys-
tenn of the Virginia University introduced.
Degrees will henccforth be given only TO
those who shall have graduated in all, or
| such as may be required, of the separate
| schools. ,
Appropriations were also made for the
| involvement Of the College campus, which
is already one Of the most beautiful Ill the
South. a..
A bright future seems to lie before TINS
college. It's central position, the fact that
the University at Chapel Hill is virtually
closed. and the thoroughness and extent OF
the instruction given, will he sure to com
mand large patronage.
Thursday night was given up to the
Young people. The buildings were bril-
iianty Illuminated, and the Raleigh Brass
Band, which has been here for several days,
| played till the small hours Of the night,
when reluctantly tho promenaders retired
| from the scene.
Most Of the students will leave to-day.
Il,