The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-03
For The Democratic Adroente.

MEssRs. .EDIroRs IL want yon and your
readers to know how handsomely the students
OF Western Maryland College do things. On
Thursday evening, 18th Of March, | was at
the college by invitation, and when ushered
into the parlor, found IN addition 10 the Fac.
ulty, their families and few of the students
for most of them had gone home to spend
the Easter holiday--qute number Of ladies
and gentlemen from Westminster. The scene
was one of animation and pleasure. Spiles
wreathed the faces of fair ladies', and gallant
gentlemen were making their best advances
The earnest conversation, the glowing com.
pliment, the blushing Acknowledgements, the
witty sally, the silyery laagh--"Ladies and
gentlemen, suddenly exclaimed Mr.. Thomas
II. Lewis OF the senior class, III have word
Tor you" He then proceeded to explain that
the Faculty allowed the gentlemen to spend
an evening IN the company Of the ladies ''onoe
month, but as they were On the owe Of q
holiday they had asked this pleasure
accorded ON Saturday evening, for this evening.
This was one reason of their present gather.
ing. But said he, 1--WE have another. n
more important reason We are here to night
more especially TO pay respect to our depart.
ing yicc-principal. Then turning TO Rev.
Dr. Nichols who had resigned his chair as
professor and expected to leave in few days,
tue young gentleman proceeded TO convey 10
him an expression Of the affection the students
entertained for him and their regret at his
departure from their midst. In the COURSE of
his remarks he uttered the following beautiful
sentiment, which give, as nearly as | can
recollect, in his own words: ssllut do not
think, sir, that we would celebrate your depar.
ture with mirth and hilarity. Rather witness
N our attempt to be gay an effort to deaden
the sense OF our pain, to lessen the poignancy
OF our grief consequent upon the knowledge
OF our parting. We would put away with
smiles and cheerful conversation, the sad
thought that You will be with US no more. =
lie closed by uncoyering beautiful silver
ice pitcher and begging the DR.. to accept il
as the spontaneous Offering of all the students
WITH which they rendered a continuance of
their warm affections and their good wishes
,or MS iutnre prosperity and happiness. The
DIR. was greatly astonished and very highly
gratiiied. He accepted the b,autifnl testimo.
NAL with the deepest gratitude, reciprocafug
At the same time, in the fullest degree, the al.
lection and good wishes with which Ii was OF.
ierod, and In speech Of some length adyerted
to the delightful relations which had existed
between the students and himself during the
whole OF his occupancy of the yiee-princinal's
chair. II love the young ladies and gentle.
men, said he, .Eor many reasons. for their
generosity, their beneyolence, their cheerful.
ness, their stndiousness but | loyo them
chiefly for their goodness" lie continued.
that he could never forget the associations Of
the eollege--they would ever form a green
sunny spot in memory, and he predicted a
prosperous future for the institution, He
closed with renewal Of his kind wishes for
the welfare Of every body connected with the
college, and again proffered his war,nest
thanks TO the students for their graceful tr;
butte OF affection and regret. Both sneakers
were frequently interrupted BY hnrsts Of an
plause;. After the presentation the company
Fogaled themselves with bountifnl suunly ~
refreshments, and to use trite. we'll bacL-
neyod phrase-''all went merry as a MARRIAGE
beil.r Z" '""' mage
The taste of the students was certainly well
proven by their selection of gift so beautiful
N design and so rich in execution. / do mot
think ! have ever seen a more beautiful Mitch.
err. IL bore this inscription
Rev. J. X. Nichols, d. d.
Vice President, Western MARYLAND College
From The Students, 1876
Surely this act Of grateful cnurtosy on tho nar,
Of the students must challenge the admiration
Of every one, and reflects the greatest erol;.
upon them and him on whom L was bestowed
Yours truly, GaArrs
Matchmaker, March eoth, 1875.