The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-27
Correspondents OF the Richmond Dispatch

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
WILLIAMSBURG, June rs, 1876.
Owing to the lateness OF tho hour your
was unable to send you full
account of the commencement proceedings
Of William and Mary College by Fridays
the last) mail to Richmond. At s O'Clock
z. NJ. on Wednesday the 21st the Joint cei-
ebration OF the Phoenix and Philomathean
Literary societies took place in the College
chapel.
After prayer by the Rev. George Wood
bridge, D. D., Mr.. j. w. Garnett, OF Wash
ington, d. c., acting as president OF the two
societies, introduced Mr.. J. L. Gordon, OF
Louisa county, Va, rs salutatorian in be-
half OF the Phoenix Society. He was fol-
lowed by Mr.. j. C. Hobson, Of Virginia, rs
the Philomathean orator, whose subject was
~ Duty"
THE MEDALS.
Mr.. Is. B. Munford, OF Virginia, was then
rs orator OF the Phoenix Society,
but cXcusing himself from this duty, the
President announced the presentation OF
medals next in order.
Or. Barten, of Norfolk, very gracefully
performed this task; after which. at the
Doctors suggestion, "three rousing cheers y
were given by the students for the medal.
lists. The medals were of%old, the follow
ing being list Of the recipients:
On the part OF the Phoenix Society: Fl. c,
Coke, OF Virginia, debater's medal; W. P.
Kent, Of Virginia, writer's medal.
On the part Of the Philomathean Society
II. w. Hobson, OF Virginia, debater's medal
II. w. Hobson, OF Virginia, writer's medal
Y. r. Garrett, OF Washington, D. c., de-
claimer's medal.
Mr.. w. 7. L. Taliaferro, OF Virginia, a:
valedictorian OF the Philomathean, next ap
peared; after which the exercises were
closed by few appropriate remarks from
the President.
CTTERANCES OF MATURE MANHOOD.
The speeches were all remarkably good
and quoting the language OF a distinguished
gentleman present, "were the utterances Of
manhood instead OF the so common
schoo.-boy rhetoric Of society celebrations
The pleasure Of the occasion was greatly en-.
HANGED by music from the excellent amateur
band OF the Eastern Lunatic Asylum. The
large crowd in attendance then dispersed
seemingly well pleased.
BOARD OF VISITORS.
Early the next morning (ThurSday the
92d) there was meeting OF the Board OF
Visitors, presided over by Dr.. Woodbridge,
OF your city. Owing to the unavoidable
absence OF several members, the Board adj
journcd over to meet in Richmond on the
9TH day OF July, after transacting some mi
nor business and the qualification Of the
Rev. 0. S. Barten as member thereof. AT
Zig o'clock A. NJ. the commencement exer-
cises proper were opened by prayer from
the Rev. Z. W. Hager, D. d., OF the United
States navy. President Ewell acted as pre-
siding officer.
CREATIONS.
Orations were delivered rs follows: w.
P. Kent, OF Virginia-Subject "True
Greatness c. P. Armistead, of Virginia
Subject: "Patriotism .; b. ID. Peachy, OF
Virginia-Subiect: "Dccision OF Charae.
ter; II. w. Hobson, OF Eirginia-Sub-
ject: Sclf-Education." Rev. .. S. Bar
ten, d. D., was then introduced as the ora.
tor on behalf OF the Faculty to the gradu-
ating class. His admirable address to
Youth" which is to be printed in pamph'
let form by request Of the alumni, would
be married by an attempt at condensation.
THE DIPLOMAS.
President Ewell then presented the di'
plomaS, comforting the following academic
degrees upon the graduating students-viZ.,
The degree OF Bachelor OF Arts to Jennings
Wise Garnet, OF Washington, D. c.; j. c.
Hobson, of Virginia; Henry Wise Hobson,
OF Virginia; William G. Jones, Of Virginia
W. T. l.. Taliaierro, OF Virginia; b. D.
Peachy, of Virginia. The degree OF Bach.
elor OF Philosophy to Y. P. Garnett, OF
Washington, d. c.; W. p. Kent, OF Viz
ginia, and G. 2. Armistead, OF Virginia.
The following honorary degrees were
then announced rs having been conferred
by the college during the session-Viz., Doc
tor OF Laws to DR.. James Crack, OF Louis
vile, Ky; Doctor OF Divinity to Rev. +. W.
Hager, United States navy, and Rev. L. 3.
Wharton, of Bedford county, Na.-both OF
the Episcopal Church; also, to Rev. Viii.
liam Stoddert, OF Tennessee, OF the PrcSby.
terrain Church.
Certificates to the proficients in the vari-
ous classes were then presented by the Pre-
sident Of the college. omit the long list
in consequence of the crowded condition OF
your columns.
yALEDICTORY.
Mr.. G. p. Garnett, OF Washington city,
delivered the raledictory address, thus
closing the proceedings.
ALUMNI MEETING.
General William 3. Taliaierro, president
OF the Society OF Alumni, taking the chair,
organized the alumni meeting. AT the re-
quest of the president the secretary OF the
Society stated that the commencement this
wear having for special reasons occurred
much sooner than usual, and in view OF the
Centennial and political attraction else.
where, it had been deemed best not to call
a full meeting OF the Alumni Society this
wear, thus accounting for the small number
present.
After remarks by the president and the
aDDointment OF some committees to practl'
callv advance the interests Of the organlza-
ton and college, and the reelection OF al
the former officers, the Society adjourned
to hold regular and full meeting at the
next college commencement.
TREAT.
By the invitation OF the President OF the
College, the Board Of Visitors, Faculty, gra-
duates, and few invited guests, repaired to
the Presidents house and partook OF q most
sumptuous and elegant dinner. Numerous
roasts were offered and responses made,
glowing with feryor and affection for the old
college. And many were the renewed
pledges of devotion to her interests. Moth
ing occurred to mar the pleasure OF this COM
mencement, though it was Il source OF re.
eret to every one that the accomplished
chancellor, Hugh Blair Grigsby, the courtly
rector, Hon. James Lyons, and true and de-
voted visitor, General Henry A. Wise, were
prevented by sickness from being present at
their posts Of duty to the college, from which
for no other cause have they ever previously
been absent. The same cause also deprived
the Society celebration OF the services OF the
editor and poet, James Barron Hope, OF
Norfolk. His absence produced equal dis