The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-24
william and Mary college,

INTERMEDIATE ExAMISAfIoEs-CEL B RATION
OF THE PBGNIx AND PHILoMATHEAN LITER.
AIRY SOCIETIES JOINT DEBATE AND ORA
TIoNs-PResPERITY OF THE CoLLEGE-LARGE
INCREASE IN TIE NUMBER OF STUDENTS
REV. O. 8. BARTEN., a,.-,. r..
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.l
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY,)
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, A.. ;
February %, 1876.
The intermediate examinations in this
College closed Saturday. For the most part
the students did unusually well, large
number being sustained. -. -"
Prior to the war there existed two literary
societies in the college-the Phoenix" and
the Philomathean." Since the rebuilding
| of the institution in 1869 only one Of these
societies, the "Pb@nix," has been in opera
ton until the present session, when the
| 90 Philomathean" was revived. "A joint de-
bate took place tonight in the chapel of the
college, and was attended by quite large
audience, the room being more than com.
fortably filled.
The Joint societies were presided over BY
Mr.. Yelverton p. Garnett, from Washing.
ton, D. c., of the Philomathean." who,
after prayer by the Rev. George T. Wilmer,
D. D., introduced Mr.. Beverley B. Munford,
from Botetourt county, Va, as the orator on
behalf of the "Pbenix." Mr.. Munford
chose as his subject 1.-THE Virginians of the
Past" His address was well delivered in
clear and distinct tone Of voice, and though
the theme was wel-worn one, he evinced
good deal of originality, and sense OF
that poetic taste which distinguishes bis
father.
The President then announced the ques.
ton for debate-yiz., care the men.
tai capacities of the sexes" equal?
and then introduced Mr.. R. G. Maclean,
Of Alabama, on behalf Of the Phoenix, who
advocated the affirmative. This speech was
| written, and was to have been delivered by
Mr.. C. B. Wilmer, Of Virginia, but his un-
expected absence prevented. Mr.. Maclean
read Mr.. Winners address. Then followed
Mr.. Henry W. Hobson, from Virginia, ofthe
Philomathean Society, on the negative side.
He acquitted himself very we'll.
Mr.. Esten Randolph, from Virginia, OF
the Phoenix, closed the debate on behalf of
the affirmative in very well-Written speech,
showing he had studied his question.
MIR. Jennings W. Garnet, from Washing
ton, D. g., Of the Phiomathean, closed tor
the negative. His speech was logical, we'll
disested, and as well delivered.
Mr.. j. C. Hobson, from Virginia, was then
introduced as the orator for the "Phlloma-
.hean." His subject: "Our Common Herr,
tage in Nature" His address was poetlcal
and asthetical, claiming for nature and her
works larger place in our thoughts and Of.
fections as a means Of alleviating the cares
incident to the material pursuits of life, and
of lifting our minds from "nature up to ma
lures God" His delivery was unusually
good. Altogether the exhibition was very
creditable, and was closed With few appro.
pirate remarks by the president.
A string band, under the leadership Of
Mr.. F. Camm, added to the enjoyment OF
The occasion. The girls, as usual, threw
bouquets laviShly--and cast "sheeps' eyes Z"
as well for aught | know to the contrary.
The college is in a very prosperous condl'
ton, the number of students being sirty per
cent. greater thts session than last, and the
whole number in excess of the average
classes prior TO the war.
The Rev. o. S. Barten, Of Norfolk, Va,
had been invited by the Faculty of the COL
lege to deliver an address to the students,
and had consented to do so, but was unable
IN attend much to the regret OF all, y.