The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-06
Opening of the Literary Hall ut Ran.
doIpia Macon College.
correspondence Of tile Richmond Disp


ASHLAND, VA, December 3, 1872.
The new hall Of the Franklin Literary So
ciety of Randolph Macon College was for
maly opened last night. The proceedings
were very entertaining and impressive, and
will long be remembered by the students and
citizens of Ashland. The Rev. Dr.. Gran
Rev. DR.. Edwards was called to the chair,
and made beautiful and classic address. He
reviewed the past history Of the Society, eX.
tolled its present prosperity, and predicted
its future influence for good upon the young
men of the South.
He was followed by the Hon. Thomas
Branch, of your city. in one of his character
istic speeches. Mr.. Branch in style and man.
ner is unique.
Addresses were made by Revs. W. II.
Christian, A. S. Brown, James f. Twitty,
John c.. Cranberry, John Harmon, +.
Strothcr, Professor Shepard, Captain r.
Irby, and K. 0. Burton, JT. All Of these
addresses were pointedand eloquent, and re.
ceived by the vast audience with marked APP
plause. Mr.. Harmon is a recent graduate OF
Randolph Macon College. The Rev. I.
Strother discussed i'll u most able manner
| the subject Of I" female capacity"
A most pleasing episode was the prcsenta-
ton to the Society Of life-size portrait of
Mr.. j. w. Lambert, to whose energy and
taste the Franks arc indebted for their ele-
eantly-furnished hall. The presentation was
made by Mr.. L. L. Smith of North Carolina,
In very happy and appropriate speech, and
was responded to by Mr.. Lambert In modest
and graceful terms. This portrait is to be
one of the numerous adornments of the hall.
AS further token OF their high apprecia-
| ton of the valuable services of Mr.. LAM
bert, we learn that it is the purpose of the
Society TO erect memorial pillar and place
upon it chapter composed of network,
chains, pon1egranates, and liiy-IcorE, or
openine flowers. Messrs. Il. 3. and W. +.
Christian presented to the Society splendid
silver service; which, of course, was gratefully
received. The Rev. James A. Duncan, D.
D.. was absent, much to the regret OF all pre-
sent; but con- ratulatory letter from him
to the Society was received amid great ap'
plause.
But the great event Of the occasion was
the music. This produced the greatest as.
constituent and admiration. Nothing like II
was ever heard in Ashland before. The Rev
DIR. Edwards said that lie had heard music
in Europe and America, but had never lis
tened to such beautiful combinations as came
from the touch of Professor Leo. Wheat, o.
Richmond. His music will long linger upor
the ears of the delighted crowd. He wa:
ably assisted by Messrs. Grant and Dim
mock, Of your city.
The Washington and Franklin Societies o
Randolph Macon College can boast OF tn
finest and most complete halls in the South
No college in ancient or modern times ha
such 4 magnificent monument of the low
and devotion of her sons. This splendid
editice was planned and built by the stu
dents Of the college. The young gentlemen
are grateful for the many kind words of th
Dispatch in behalf Of their work.
The residence of Mrs. Jordan Harriss, il
Hanover county, was destroyed by fire las
Saturday. ASHLAND.