The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-27

ULU PHlNCETUN COLLEHE.
Closing Day or the 125th Anniversary OF
tho Fourth Oldest College I'm America
The Maiden Orators-Degrces, Fellow
ships and Honors Confsrred-The
Alumni Dinner-Speeches by Distin-
guished Visitors.
Yesterday was the last epoch OF the commence
ment at Princeton College. 1t was very i-natured
OF Nature to make 1t the most disagrceable Of all
those upon which the celebration has fallen. The
drizzling mist OF the early morning soaked provok-
ingly through waterproof overcoats and cloaks as
1t did through umbrellas, and the procession that
formed at the main academcal han presented o
rather ghostly appearance as it wended its way In
the fog through the grounds OF the old institution
to the Presbyterian church, which stands but q
short distance from their classic shade. company
Of musicians marched foremost, next the under
graduates; His Excellency, Mr.. Parker, the Gov
ernor Of New Jersey; President McCosh and ex-
President Maclean, the trustees, the faculty, the
gentlemen having platform tickets, the Senior
Glass, candidates for the masters degree, the
alumni OF the College OF New Jersey, the alumni OF
other institutions, citizens and strangers.
The Inhabitants OF the little village OF Princeton
were, OF course, as usual at this annual rete on
the Q,f viue, and the whole place was in
wHIRLwIND OF EXCITEMENT
this the last day Of the yearly celebration OF the
anniversary OF the birth of its big pet which was
now adopted and claimed by half the world, and
was rightly too proud to acknowledge any other
patronage. Among the educational Institutions OF
the United States 1t is the fourth In age, 1t being
now just 1875 years since that old provincial Cover
nor Belcher, was instrumental in obtaining char
ter from His August Majesty King George H. for It's
foundation. Under this 1t still lives and nourishes
like the green elms around it, with only some slight
alterations In Its government, which have been
made from time to time by the State Legislature.
A good deal or historical interest attaches to the
institution, which came into being but few years
before the Revolutionary war, and near which one
OF the most remarkable battles was fought.
THE OLD HALLS,
built Of freestone rough hewn seem to bespeak the
characters OF the stout patriots Of iron hearts who
were their earliest contemporaries. The library
contains many very fine paintings OF the men who
have been connected with the college and have at.
nes Of tee
ton represented at full length in the f0regr ound,
which was painted by the celebrated artist
America. The money which paid for 1t was
given to the college by General Washington, to
trait or George the second by cannon bali winged
from the field OF Princeton on the day which Is
memorable In history. The battle was fought about
which encrced the original work-the smiling face
of the King OF Engand-stl surrounds the painting
OF washington, the LlDeraJOr. Ola princeton sent
many Of her sons forth to play leading parts in the
drama Of creating the new nation OF the New
World Some Of them were
sIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
among others President Witherspoon and Richard
Stockton, one OF whose descendants is pupil in
the college to-day; and more were members OF the
Continental Congress which formed the national
constitution. With such memories clingng rOund
1t 1t is no wonder that this should be one OF
the most powerful institutions Of the country,
almost grand In its age and wisdom.
The present President, Dr. McCosh, Is native
of Scotland, with a pleasant tncture Of the broad
accent in his voice. He is fine looking, with
slight stoop OF the shoulders and pleasant smile
ever ready to break in sunshine on his face.
n On tine ne the
visitors were Professor Henry, OF the Smithsonian
Institution; Senator Kelly, Of Oregon; Senator
sor Guyot, Ex-Governor Bradford, OF Maryland, and
Professor Milligan, OF the University Of Aberdeen,
and the Rev. Mr. Lyon who are delegates from the
Established Church Of Scotland to the Presbyterian
Church here.
The exercises began at halfpast nine O'Clock
The interior of the church presented as pretty
faces, gray heads and medley OF brilliant ribbons
and Alma Mater badges. President McCosh deliv-
cred an impressive prayer, and long series Of
VIRGIN CREATIONS
followed, many of which, however were excep-
tiOnably brilliant. The wellattuned band In the
gallery discoursed pleasing music at intervals.
The finest addresses by the students were those by
Masters Master, Newell "; Wells Of New York and George
appreciative criticism OF the poet Shelly eouched
in good style, and the latter rapid and earnest
speech, advocating the theories OF protection.
After an intermissOn of fifteen minutes the exer-
cises were resumed by the delivery Of the MAS
tr's Grafton" by Mr.. Edward Quinton Keasby, OF
New Jersey. which was duh and tedious affair."
The degree OF Bachelor of Arts was then con-
ferred on the ninety-twO graduates.
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT
The venerable President then addressed his pu-
pills with tender words OF advice which were deeply
determined to make q change In the courses OF
study by introducing French in the second term OF
the first year. He then referred to the donations
which had been bestowed upon the college during
the last twenty-five years. Professor Morse, at his
death, although never connected with the institu-
ton, had left to 1t the gift OF two scholarships. To
increase the salaries OF the professors a fund
had been begun by a donation from Mrs.
RoS Ssy Rdnnsr added Of 70 the
Mr.. H. G. Vanguard, who was already their bene-
factor, had ntimated to him yesterday his intention
This announcement was received with enthusiastic
cheers. The audience interrupted the speaker by
rising en- nodsse the students and alumni giving
vent to an immense cheer, followed by the peculiar
cry called the Princeton tiger" In honor of the
Alma Mater, aided by the rest OF the assemblage,
the ladies waving their handkerchiefs and going
wild with the excitement OF gratitude and SYM
pathy.
President McCosh, when this sentimental enthu-
Siasm had subsidized, announced that the following
HONORARY DEGREES
were conferred-
Dose, the degree OF Doctor OF Laws; on the Rev.
Thomas Murphy, Of Pennsylvania, OF the class OF
1S45. the degree Of Doctor of Divinity; on Mr.. Ed
ward O. Bates, Jr., OF Wyoming Territory, Mr..
Charles w. West and Mr.. Andrew Kirkpatrick the
degree OF Master OF Arts; on Mr.. Edward ID. Terbel
the degree OF Bachelor OF Arts
The results OF the competition for
THE PRIZES AND FELLowsHIPs
were as fOOws:-
or the Junior Orator Prizes, the first was won by
Mr.. Josiah r. Adams, OF Pennsylvania; the second
by Mr.. George Howard Dufreld, OF New Jersey; the
third by Mr.. Henry J: Van Dyke, Jr., OF New York,
and the fourth by Mr.. ]. p. Kennedy Bryan, OF
South Carolina The MCLEAN Prize was won by
Simon John MCPHERSON, OF New York; the George
Potts Bible Prize by Frederick Bea Du Val, OF