The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-26
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE,
/ ". T...z az 1910

Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE, !
r ASHLAND, VA, June %, 1872
The wind from the northeast and rain are
not auspicious for successful commence
ment. still the $40 train this morning brought
lip goodly number of visitors from South.
side Virginia and North Carolira, and the
excursion train at 10 o'clock added largely
to the number of visitors already on the
ground.
Despite sundry promises, duly recorded
twelve months ago, that Ashland would be
provided with hotel before the recurrence
Of another festival,
THIS PUBLIC WANT
has not been met; and however supertiuous
inns may prove when people show such
genuine old-styIe hospitality as is evinced
here on every hand, still men who retain
their consciences in big crowds in small
towns do not altogether fancy the idea OF
blleting tlfeir wives and daughters, with
their multifarious trappings, upon the most
,1nbounded hospitality: If there were not
substantial evidences that this hotelless con-
ditiou would not continue for another year
scope would be given for a broad paragraph
or two. But the site of the future caravan
sary. opposite the railroad station and hard
by fhe College grounds, has been marked
off. regret to say that an eligible site and
nothing more was discovered after close in
spection.
Looking around from
UNDER AN UMBRELLA,
it appears that Ashland has not stood still
since nv last annual visit. Noticeable i'm
proyemepts and evident thrift attract atten-
ton in every direction. 1t is pleasant to add
that greater regard is paid to the style of
private residences here than is disclosed in
other villages of the State-perhaps of the
South. From Quantico to Richmond ira
Weller finds little to delight the eye; the
battle.felds along the route are. of course
classic and all that sort of thing, and afford
some food for reflection, if traveller ever
reflects, otherwise there is wonderful same.
ness and stupidity in the square boxes and
unpainted neutrality-suspicious. with sharp
pointed and perilous-looking roofs-obyi-
ously human habitations-that will not,
under any circumstances, admit the rain or
a northeast wind. This neat village, with
its attractive cottages, picturesque college
and surroundings, therefore breaks
in pleasantly upon the traveller.
THE COLLEGE BUILDINGS,
dormitories, lecture-rooms, &C., have shared
in the general improvement. A comforta-
BILE intirInary, which, however, there has
been little use--cminently adapted to the
wants of the sick, has been erected, and the
building of The literary societies has been
completed, and the commodious halls of the
same elegantly and conveniently furnished.
FACTS AND FIGURES.
The college continues to grow in populari-
ty. Within the past few years it has received
an impulse from public patronage and favor
hitherto unknown in its history. The wis.,
dom of its removal from Out-of-the-way
Mecklenburg to its present site, near the
heart of tht State; becomes more apparent in
reviewing the results of each successive year.
Colleges must be near railroads and the
world, The number Of matriculates for the
session now ending reached taco hundred and
hirty.four-a larger number by fifty than
ever attended previous session. The stand
ard of scholarship keeps pace with other i'm
provements. While raising this standard,
however, no effort is made by trustees or the
faculty to convert the college into q uni
Yersity.
The larger number of students are Of
course from this State; North Carolina and
Maryland contribute large quotas; then
West Virginia, other southern States, and
New York are represented.
It is worthy Of remark that the .1,.
ENGLISH COURSE
is given well-deseryed prominence. The
obvious advantages Of greater attention to
this department Of study are now receiving
an attention not generally attached to it in
the high schools and colleges of the country.
One hundred and ninety-six students have
attended the various classes of this school
during the session; 1S1, the school Of Mathe-
matcs; 1863 Latin, 1873 Greek, 50 Natural
Sciences. From this showing it does not
appear that the eclectic system has driven
students from the study Of the languages or
g Humanities." s;-.ys4.y.f.s--s =. -ss.
.- THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
continue their sessions, to-day, suspending
business only during the literary exercises in
the chapel. They have determined to push
forward at once the. construction of addi-
tional dormitories, and other improvements
for the accommodation of at least three hun
ilred students by the opening of the session
ON September 25, next. Among other plans
for charging the usefulness of the college
under consideration is the raising of q liberal
endowment fund, as suggested by Rev. A.
g. Brown, the financial secretary of the
college. Under the skilful management of
Rev. Mr.. Brown, during the past two years,
the financial affairs Of the college have been
rescued from confusion and chaos. His conn.,
views and practical good sense
will not allow him TO press any measure that
has not substantial elements of success in it.
AS vet no definite plan of endowment has
been agreed upon. But 1t is full time to go.
On with 49,, III, ,r 4
TIE COMMENCEMENT, 49,
and your reporter does SO with q full, con-
seriousness that thereais wonderful repeti-
tion in reeounting the events of such an
What is said OF one may with
almost exact truth be said of ALL The
drama is about the same, or slightly modi-
fed and adapted for the various localities;
the actors are changed, and yet it is a high
evidence of public partiality for this form
Of the legitimate drama that so many solid
men and fair women are willing to turn
aside from work.day duties, make holiday
of commencement, and find enough in the
Old play to amnse, interest, and instruct. =
4. RAIN Oh NO RAIN. t.9
At II O'Clock the chapel was well filled
with residents Of Ashland, visitors from
distance, and students. Kcssnieh's band dis
coursed that appropriate music " promised
10 the newspaper announcements Of the cele-l
bration. The orator of the Society Of Alumni,
Judge Mallory, was not present. The courts
have an inconYenient way Of Interfering
with literary reunions. In lieu Of this ora
ton tue contest for the 800. {. 81
sgTHERLIN 0RAToRICAL.M Medal
became the event af this morning.