The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-27
THE CHARLESTON COLLEGE.
ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT EAEffC1SES'
A Crush ut the Academy OF Music
Speeches of the Graduates, Classical,
AIlegoricaI, Sentimental and Humor-
ous-DIstrfbution Of Diplomas.
The Academy OF Music was one blaze of
youth, fashion and beauty last evening from
the packed parquette to the crowded tiers OF
the family circle. The inclement weather
which had necesslted the postponement OF the
exercises seemed but to have heightened the
universal determination to attend tne
Commencement, and as consequence the
clouds had no sooner broken little
and the entrances were but scarcely opened
before the throng came sweeping In. Old
ladies and gentlemen, and young ladies and
beaux, children and all, came crowding on,
snd before the appointed hour every seat In
the orchestra chairs, parquette and dress cir
Gle was taken This state of affairs by no
means dismayed those who were yet to come,
And they poured In until no one, unless of the
consistency and dimensions of lightning rod,
could force himself within tea feet of the en-
trance. The surplus then overfowed Into the
family circle, which was soon crowded too,
-and from the floor to within short distance
Of the ceiling the Academy was one radiant,
seager, expectant mass OF attractive civilized
humanity, all ready to do honor to, and enjoy
the annual commencement of, the dear old
Charleston College.
At half.psst seven O'Clock the trustees and
faculty of the College took their places upon
the stage In the rear, and the members OF the
graduating class were also seated on the left
of the stage As the exercises we're about to
begin, an unlocked for contre.temps occurred
which astonlshed the occupants of the orches-
ira chairs. By mistake, an unusual flow of
gas was turned upon the central reflector In
the, roof, and the fierce heat of the flames
caused the enamel of the reflector to crack
sharply into pieces, which busted down upon
the audience below, creating no little Sensa-
ton and some symptoms Of alarm, until the
cause of the sudden shower was understood.
The various college classes were accommo-
dated on the rows of seats nearest the stage,
and a soft breathing of music from Professor
Dauer's string band formed an agreeable pre-
lude to the programme for the evening. At
its conclusion deep stiffness fell upon the as
senbly ss the Rev. James q. Elliott advanced
to the front and opened the exercises with q
feeling and appropriate prayer. 1t was prob
ably the Hrst time since the construction OF
the Academy that such scene was witnessed
upon its stage, and the time, place and sur.
roundings made 1t as effective as it was un-
usual.
Mr.. VIM Hume Slmops was then introduced
by the president, and delivered the saluta-
tory address. His quiet aud impressive style
of speaking was we'll fitted to this. The au-
dlence appreciated the welcome, enjoyed It's
classical style, and warmly applauded the
rounded periods and fowery diction of the
speaker.
The address was an exception to rule.
The other speakers were all introduced by the
president In turn, and spoke In alphabetical
order, as the faculty in this way wished to
show that all the appointments, after the vale.
dictory and salutatory addresses, were to be
considered strictly equal. Mr.. Francis W.
Capers was next introduced, and delivered an
Grafton on the subject 'sLife Everywhere"
The speaker Invested his subject with an un-
usual degree of interest by placing 1t In the
form Of an allegory, the changing scenes OF
which afforded opportunities for some fine de-
scription and pleasing pictures. The theme
was handled with skill, and received we'll
deserved tribute of applause.
An Grafton on the s'Wonders of Nature" by
Mr.. John Bachman Chisolm, followed, and
claimed the attention Of the audience. The
subject opened broad field and required
skilful handling. The young orator had
studied 1t with care, and catching the points
osinterest, kept his hearers encharmed until
his closing words brought forth storm Of ap-
plause.
Mr.. John Gadsden spoke next on the sub
Ject, ssFiction on Education" and succeeded
well In administering consolation to the novel
readers of the day. The growing Importance
of this branch.o of literature was fully estimated
by the speaker, and his clear and forcible
oratory, and the exhaustive manner In which
he treated his subject, gave much pleasure to
his hearers.
The progress of Science" was the subject
of the next Grafton, and received an able
elucldatlon at the hands OF Mr.. W. B. W. Howe.
His delivery was manly and impressive, and
the manner in which he treated his theme
showed research and power of analysis
which surprised and gratif1ed his friends and
won the cordial appreciation Of bis audience.
Mr.. Thomas Moultrie Mordecai was next
introduced, and spoke upon "The Ruins Of
Time" He carried the minds OF his hearers
back to the days of antiquity, and reviewing
the fate of Babylon, Athens and Rome ahd
the lessons taught by them, brought the pro.
gress and condition of America before his
audience. A brief and eloquent allusion to
the honored names of late date, brought
down the repeated applause which the able
effort of the youthful orator well deserved.
Mr.. James Ancrum simons followed with
an Grafton on the subject: :. Let there be
Light" His opening description of chaos and
effect of the eternal words, "Let there be
Light was fine piece of oratory, and
throughout his address the speaker never lost
the effect which it inspired. The Light Of
Christianity" occupied the closing remarks of
his happy effort, and bespoke the sympathy
and feeling of the applauding audience.