The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-07-02
HOB PRESS.
THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
AT DUE WEST.
Large Asssmb1age and Brilliant Array

We again have had the pleasure oi
attending tho annual Commence
ments of the Male and Female Col
leges at Due West, on Wednesday
and Thursday last, and now at the
close of the exercises a d after the
hustle and excitement Of the occasion.
we propose for the entertainment OF
those at least of or readers who
wore not present, to recall some OF
the incidents which gave point and
brilliancy to the scene and lent their
usual ATTRACTIONS to this high literary
festival. We may say at the outset,
that the entertainment was wanting
in none Of it's usual brilliant accom-.
panimcnts the same dense tbrong
OF eager visitors from this aud other
counties and States, cr6wding the
hotels and private houses by night
and giving animation to the scene by
day-alumni come to visit the AGA
demic grove, and fight their battles
DER again" in the contests of the
literary arena-parents, brothers and
sisters, attracted by the desire of see-
Ing the laurel wreath encircling some
loved brow the same imposing ar
ray of profsssiona celebrities, grave
d.r;aes, learned lawyers, and wise
doctors-the same bright galaxy OF
young and lovely faces, radiant with
the inspir ,tiop of the hour, and I'M
parting their own joyous spirits to
all around-.the same pleasant re-
upious Of old friends, and the same
happy greetings Of new. All these
formed the natural and attractive
accompaniment Of tho exercises pro-
per of the occasion-lending new
interest and enjoyment to the literary
feast-thc neat speech, the graceful
essay. the eloquent oration, the sweet
music, tho parting words OF sage
counsel. We sh;;I! not attempt to
reproduce the picture, but content
ourselves with merely advcrting to
some o. lis characteristic, and dis
tinguishing features.
EXAMINATIONS.
The examinations in the two COL
Icges began on Thursday of tbs
week preceding Commencement, ana
closed on the Tuesday following.
They were conducted III the presence
of Examining Boards appointed BY
the Colleges respectively, and showed
very high degree Of proficiency o."
the part of the pupils The cours'
of study is very thorough one, aud
Us we suppose, there are few insot"'
tions which exercise greater care i"
securing the advancement Vt Its p"'
nils. so there are few which exhibit 9
moro satisfactory progress on the''
part.
FRIDAY NIGHT
was devoted to the delivery
of the, diplomas to tho graduates
of the Euphemian and Philoma-
theau Societies respectively. Mr..
Robert S. Galloway, Of Due We'l,
delivering the diplomas on behalf ct
the first mined Society, and Mr..
Leslie Morris receiving them on be-
baifof the classify. Haurens Brown
Ice, of Due West, appearing in behalf
of the Phi!omathean Society, and
Mr.. Dallas 6. Caldwell, of Charlotte
n. c., on the part of the class.
on SUNDAY,
as we before stated, the village
church was crowded to its III
most capacity, by q large con-
gregation, assembled to hear an able
and impressive Baecalaureate Ser
mon from Rev. ". J. Lowry, of Sci
ma, Alabama, graduate of the COL
lege, and who brings back tc his
alma Mater, the reputation of being
one of the finest pulpit orators oi
the South. The pr acher did no
fail to meet the expectations OF biz
audience and justify the reputation
which had preceded him, and deliv-
cred an admirable discourse, in which
hc set forth in a striking point OF
view the claims Of the Gospel, a.
founded upon the greatness of the
Divine sacrifice, and urged upon til,
young men, the need Of fresh labor
ers to swell the ranks Of the sacreu
ministry, The sermon has been the
theme of general commendation.
CONTEST IN DECLARATION.
Monday night witnessed contest
in defamation between members OF
the Sophomore class, which came off
ia Lindsay Hall in the presence Of a