The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-11-20
Commencement at Wilhamstou- Inter
esting Exercises.

Commencement at Williamstou-]htsr
esting Exercises.
Editor a6tev;le Press and Banner
Some twelve months ago there ap
peared in the columns Of the leading
up-country newspapers o short no
tice to the effect that the exercises o
the Williamston Female College
would commence on the 1st Monday
of February of the present year, un
der the management of Rev. Samue
Lander, as President, aided by com
petent corps Of assistants. This
Messrs. Editors, was the first intima
tion that any one, save those wht
were Immediately interested in it, bac
that such an enterprise as female
college at Williamson. s. c., was in
contemplation. The institution was
opened at the time stated, and
strange to say, with so very brief q
notice, there were enrolled near seven.
ty girls during. the first week Of its
session. This unprecedented success
can only be accounted for in this way,
first, that the President is a we'll,
known, experienced and most success
full teacher Of girls, and secondly, the
location of the college is in a place
which enjoys many advantages, both
natural and otherwise, over most
places where are established institu.
tions ef learning-facts which
thoughtful and prudent parents are
not apt to overlook in the matter Of
the education of their daughters.
This institution completed its frs.
scholastic year within the last week,
and it was the writer's good fortune
to have been present on the occasion
of the commencement exercises.
The programme was as follows:
"wednesday. November 18th, Z P.
NJ, sermon before the Young Ladies'
Christian Association, by Rev. R. L.
Harper, of Anderson, S. c. Thurs
day, November 18th, 10! A. NJ, ad.
dress before the Erosophic Society, by
Prof. J. Wash Boyd, Of Abbeville, S
c. Thursday, November l4tb, Z P.
NJ, closing concert and graduating
exercises"
Ga Wednesday evening as the
train in which We had taken passage
reached the pretty little village Of
Williamson, there was falling cold
sleety rain, and as we looked out OF
the car window and saw only some
dozen persons present at the station,
we began to think that it bid fair to
be q pretty tame commencement, and
to- tell the truth we felt Q littls
Cheap" But putting on an. air Of
indifference, as if it was. mere acci.
dent that we were there, We ventur-
ed out. We were met at the door Of
the ticket Office by that prince Of
r. r. Agents, DR.. Mex. with his gen.
ial smile and a hearty 'scome into the
fire," which, together with the assu.
rance on his part that there was q
treat ahead for all lovers of good mu-
sic and pretty girls, to say nothing Of
tho varied exercises Of literary
character, that was to form a con-
spicuous part of the entertainment,
went far, very far towards cheering
us up. At the appointed hour, the
rain having ceased, we repaired to
the college chapel to hear Rev. Har-
per in his sermon to the Young La
dies.
As it was some little time be-
fore he made his appearance, We had
an opportunity of examining the
tastcfuIly decorated Hall. To do JUS
tice in the way of description Of this,
requires more facile pen than ours.
At.the one end was erected a rostrum
some three feet above level with the
floor, which was beautifully testooned
with evcrgreens intertwined with
flowers Of every hue, which we never
dreamed were any other than those
furnished by the bonnteous hand Of
nature, until rude blast Of wind and
the rafting Of the window sash re-
minded Us that even the last rose of
summer had long since "wasted its
fragrance aud forever disappeared,
and thereupon making closer in
spection we. found that these were oil
artificial and that art, practiced by
the cultivated and refined taste of
lovely women, had been made to sup
ply tho place of nature. Presently
our. attention was arrested by seeing
quitea youth in appearance ascend
theirostrnm, and learned that he was
the man Of the occasion-the Rev,
Mr.. Harper: He Immediately com
ner,ced hy prayer which was quite