National Republican., 1875-06-28
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Exercises at the AnnrAI Commencement

Exercises at the AnnVSl Commencement
Perhaps 'Ehere are hut comparatively few Wash
ingtonianS who are awESe Of the existence, Just
beyond tic District lines in the beautifdi suburb
Of Bisdr msburg, Of the Maryland Agricultural
college Nevertheless such is the fact, and al
though the numbers Of its students are not yet
very formidable, the excellence of its manage
ment and the practical character OF Its studies
prom Ise to add yearly to the extent of It's useful
ness
The approaching commencement has been an
exciting event in the surrounding country for
weeks past, and all have been absorbed in the
prepSretiGns considered necessary to encompass
It's accsmplishmen with brilliant success. The
Baccalaureste sermon was preached on the 10th
OF the 25d an Grafton before the Mercer Literary
Society was delivered by q. E. Nielsen, esq.
But the 2tt6 was the grand Esia gay ,n,6nS o. 66s
q No. As "old Sol' rolled his glsring rays above
the eastern horizon the boys could be seen to turn
collegiate heart made glad with anticipated
hoDOTs md some heads dizzy perhaps with fears
as to what might beiall them ere the day was
over. A memorable day II was sUre to be IN one
Wsy.or another to most Of them. The hall had
been beautifully decorated by the favors Of lev
ing hands, and the scene at the hour Of gathering
was one OF rare brilliancy and grace.
The exercises began with prayer by Rev Mr..
Williams, Of Bladenshurg, after which graduate
Charles E. Lerch delivered an address upon the
disability of Free Governments" He was fol-
lowed by Mr.. J. F. Bird Hyde upon the "Perma-
nency Of Literary Fame" MI; LoEtSq % MnIer IIG
B. Gray GRATED upon the Elevation Of Literature
as Profession" The addresses of the graduates,
which were alternated with musical selections,
were deemed exhaustive, and were received by
the audience with unstfnted appreciation and no
ordinary degree of pride. They were rendered
with ease, huency and grace, and ELECTED showers
of bouquets and baskets of rare flowers which had
been culled and arranged with exquisite taste by
partial female friends. After the addresses came
the comforting of the degrees by the president of
the college, General Jones, who made short
sTeech to the graduating class. The venerable
Bishop Pinckney then closed the exercises by q
prayer and benediction.
THE ANNUAL HOP.
The inner man was refreshed by bountiful
collation., which received the highest compliment
that can be paid TO such an entertainment, BY
being pRrtaken of most heartily.
The hall was in the meantime prepared for the
usual annual dance. and about eight O'Clock the
guests began to arrive. BY nine O'Clock the room
was completely filled with about the happiestap-
pcsring company that ever convened upon like
occasion. The dance was entered upon with
Zest that never tagged until the n10rning hours
gave warning that but short time could be had
for WOOing a. ature's sweet TestOTer'' before the
duties Of another day would demand attention.
The participants separated with regret, but In
TIL unanimous opinion that they had Just enjoyed
about the iOllIest "hOp" which the college had
ever provoked. Among the many gu It's from
Washington were General Jones aud daughter,
Miss FerreII, Mr.. John Coffren, Mr. aud Miss
Mr.. &. OmOhundrO. Mr.. Havener and the Misses
Havcner, Miss Jackson, Mr.. and Miss Foster,
the Misses Long, Miss stephens and Mr.. Guy