The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-27

] 80 .,.,sf.f ,s-5si sss sss:S "
special telegram TO the Dispatch.

| 70 attend the commence cNs. =
Randolph Macon College. Other sections sect % q
|this State, Maryland, and North Carolina !.
lcoot,;bu,e no inconsiderabie quotas to saei
tho copcourse on the grounds, and ever,
train is adding to the throng OF interested
visitors. Each year manifests,an increasing
public interest in the final exercises OF th i:
institution, f.s' ,,'sr,-t.'l'', =, i
!. .ts ASHLAND, - 49, I'll.
ALWAYS attractive with Its beautiful SURROUNDS
inrs.Zartistic cottages; grassy lawns, neatly
mown; shady and alluriDg promenades-'ha'
Of late years become n college tom, and lF pears
the unmistakable and undefina5lo evidences
Of that taste and refinement insep1rably aas
sociated with prosperous and popular lnstl
tutions of learning.
To-day the town is in holiday attire; bu
one thought, r@ t -
TIE COMMENCEMENT, .rt tt,t7
engages all minds this single theme tn
staple of al conversation. The SURROUNDING
country has caught the enthusiasm, and p
sending in its tribute in teeming m'Iltitude'
by every byway and highway. Town an(
Gown iratelnizc, and now it is difficult tt
DISCOVER whether citizen or student is await
inS with more pleasurable expectations th'
on-coming exercises. ,.-t. g..
There is ".'
NO HOTEL
in Ashland /; this want is a serious dlsatlVan
tage and inconvenience to visitors, despite
the fact that one meets at every turn the
hearty welcome of the olden-tine hospitality
and every, door is open, and swings on easy
hinges TO friends and visitors. ~p r.
Kcssuich's band is already ., ii ...s.,
ON TIE LAWN,
adding animation to the scene. We greer
old friends aid classmates who have conc TO
pay their annual tribute to alma Mater, to
renew and keep fresh the pleasant memories
and associations of the past. Under the plot
age OF young expert, who crowns hisard,i-
Gus Iabors of the session with single dis
tinctiop, who knows the points and beauties
of present surroundings, we meet the pretty
faces of the college belles,-wfo would be
bellies anywhere-.the eNpcctant; faces OF
anxious honor-mcn, professors, trustees,
strangers, hlrrying marshals with gay batonS,
and committeeman who know their value
in wcll-regulatcd commencement. The
new and spacious .,,.,
HALL OF the LITERARY SOCIETIES,
now ready for dedication, is the most attrac-
tive and imposing editice ut Ashland. In
addition to the commodious and elegant
halls of the societies. the building contains
wc.arrangcd library, reading, and commit
tee rooms. Erected by the eXertions of the
students during the past twelve months, it
will remain a fitting and lasting memorial OF
their devotion to the college and its literary
societies. While the students. with one ac-
cord. have worked with remarkable zeal and
persiStcncy In dcyising means to complete
the building, still the ultimate success of the
enterprise is due in great measure to the un.
tagging energy and skilful eXcrtiolis of Mr..
Jordan c. Lambeth, Of Alexandria, Va.
HISTORICAL. .a.
Randolph Macon, the oldest and perhaps
most influential college of the Method
ist Episcopal Church South, was chartered
in 1851. Originally under the control oil tho
Virginia and North Carolina Conferences
the institution was named in honor of dis
tinguishcd sous of the tWu States, and To-
Gated in NIccklrnburg county, Va, at point
theil equally accessible to the patronizine
Conferences. Subsequently the North C;rro
lima Conference established Trinity College
and railroads revolutionized modes of travel
Mccklenburg became inaccessible, the col
legc lost the greater part of its ample en-
dowmcut during the war; vigorous but IN
cffcctual efforts were pitt forth 10 revive III
sinking fortunes ut the old place; the col
lcge must suspend or change its base Of ope
rations-thc former alternative would ehtai
a lasting damage, if not positive discredit, Oh
the Church, liberal propositions from tn,
McthodiSts of Richmond, citizens of Ash
land, and the Richmond and Fredericksburg
Railroad Company, were presented at this
| critical moment, were considered, aiid accent
| ed. The transfer was made, not without op
position, however. The prosperity, of tn.
college during the past four years ampl!
confirms the wisdom Of the trustees i'll com
irg to this central, accessible. and flourishins
section of the State ,s ~ st"'.. ~ .r'-..
|, Rev. John Z. Blackwell, for many years
President of Buckingham Female Institute
Graduated in June, 1885,, His name is frs
on the roll of alumni. Three hundred
names have been added during the past thil
|itv-seyen years, and within that time nearl,
three thousand students have received in
struction in this Institution. .# .,:r
The catalogue Of the session now CLOSING
shows the names Of one hundred and sixty.
seven matliculates--a very large increas,
over preceding years. With the single eX
ception of Richmond College, no other Vir
ginia college has Increased the number o
,natriculatcs over the session ending June
1871. ,..,.-. .,." .itf'' $500 t'
| TIE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
were in session throughout yesterday, &c
viewing reports OF the session and consider
ing and adopting measures for the future.
A member of the Board informs me tina
In every respect the past session has bee,
beyond precedent the most prosperous ant
successful in the history Of the college, ant
that there is every reasonable expectation o
greater prosperity hereafter.
| Liberal plans have been adopted for ex
tending the facilities of students, especial,
in the scientific experimentation the con
struction of additional dormitories and Lee
! tl,re-rooms, demanded by the large increas