The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-14
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Webster Literary Society Of Western
Maryland College.


This Society held It's Third Anniversary on
last Friday evening, oh of March.
The weather all day had been very unpro.
pihous, Aneast wind accompanied with snow
and rain made the walking exceedingly un.
pleasant, but the well-lighted Hail. the cheer
fnl countenanccs OF the audience, and the in.
spring music Of the Orchestra, soon eflaced
all marks Of the stormy weather without from
our spirits, and diflhsed thrill Of pleasurablq
emotion that prepared US TO greet with salts.
faction the interesting tableau which was pre-.
scented when the curtain was lifled.
Grouped on the stage, with artistic taste.
sat the members Of the Webster Literary So.
ciety, the Orator Of the evening, Mr.. Hopper,
10 the right Of President Ward, and the Pres.
ident Of the Board of Trustees Of the College,
John Smith, Esq, TO the extreme right Of the
speakers. The tableau was both interesting
and suggestive. Here were young m n from
several States Of the Union, members Of the
same institution Of learning, members Of the
same literary society, united by fraternal ties,
jealous for the fair fame Of their society. and
each, with quiet manner but eager counte.
nance, manifesting the importance the occa.
sion was 10 him. Ten years hence and these
young men, IL living, would be, as citizens,
giving tone, more or less, to the society in
which they might mingle influencing for
veal or for woe the character ofthe eommnn;ty
where thew reside. But momen, hovever
was given us for reflection.
Aiter prayer. and music NV the Au,nb;ons
Mr., Homer rose 10 deliver TIE Ann;yersar,
Address. With the easy self possession Of a
praetised speaker, without manuscript or
notes. he delivered an Grafton on Inc !" Bare,
Of Ctilhve'' which would have done honor 10
an older head. His neat. finished style and
chaste, scholarly illusions gaye unbounded
satisfaction 10 his audience.
The selection, lover the Hills from the
Poor.house, - was beautifully read nv Thomas.
a Freshman. The pictures In This noem were
yiyidly brought out by the exouisiie taste n
the reader.
Billingslea. a Sophomore. coming NEXT on
the programme, declaimed "Ths Suzanne
Storm. This was not n simple utterance ii
words. His tone of voice. emnhasis and
manner showed much and careful cultivation.
One almost heard the meals of thunder. The
roar of the wind and the heavy min. fall
Hall, a Senior, next read THE Famin, :,
This fine poem was well reudered--the s,yle
of the reader suitine admirably its Sentiments.
After music came aThc Fiyino Machine !
This piece was comic, and comically enough.
too, was il rendered by another of our West.
minister boys, Norment, a Sophomore. Ono
would suppose, did he not know to the con.
trary, that the declaimer was native born
son Of the Emerald Isle. In fact, YOUR cor.
respondent firmly believes that some one Of
his ancestors must have been "Fine ola
Irish Gintleman.m
In the midst of tumultuous applause over
the " Flying Machine" Middleton, another
Sophomore, came forward 10 read q Orer he
Rirer,n which was finely done. The selec.
ton admirably suited the reader. His refined
manner and polished STYLE threw n charm over
his hearers, and won them into silence, which
was not broken till their feelings found ex.
preston in delighted applause al its close.
The " Gray Forest Edqlsi was declaimed
by Lewis, Junior, and was, after the ora.
vim of manner about all he doas tho, ;r,nrassas
Won He bad u,,e-sJ h., Ca, H. -