The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-29
THE UNIVERSITY.

st .ss C11ARLOTTESVILLE,J uDe Zls 1916.
The University was the attraction last
night to those who could brave the heat ana
dust. The Washington Society held its an
nual celebration. The exercises commenced
promptly Mt 8 o'clock by the band striking
up and marching in the Society, with the
usual honered guests, members OF the Board
of Visitors, Faculty, dc.
After short prayer by the chaplain (Rev.
J..R. McBryde) the President, in an exceed
ingly appropriate and able speech, intro
duced the orator OF the evening, Mr.. j. d.
Colly, OF Georgia.
NATIONAL PROGRESS.
The speaker announced as his subject
"National Progress" and applied his re-
marks to the United States. He took q
hopeful view OF the future OF our country,
arguing that the very adaptabilitv OF hui
manity. TO the logic of events would perpet-
uate the nation, and predicted q grand and
glorious future, the accomplishment OF
which depended upon two things-good
government and liberty. His speech was
not over fifteen minutes in length, but
evinced considerable ability throughout.
-, DEBsTHRs' MEDAL.
After fine piece by the band the Presi-
dent presented the debaters' medal to Mr..
Thomas E. Blakey, of Virginia, in speech
eloquent and fiattering.
Mr.. Blakey, on receiving the medal, made
plain, sensible, well-considercd address,
the burden Of which was the duty OF. young
men to themselves, the country, and the
alma mater.
THE GERMAN. .-.,
After this speech the President announced
the exercises closed, and the audience dis
persed to the lawn, and some to revel in the
delights Of the German, which was to be
held at Dash Hall.
THE HITTIRST CELEBRATION.
II brevity is wit, then this is the wittiest
celebration that has ever taken place within
the knowledge of many who have been pre-
sent every year for half century. The
Young gentlemen showed decided Judgment
and good taste in restricting their speeches
within reasonable bounds. The audience
was not large, and few strangers were pre-
sent. Tomorrow night the celebration OF
the JEFF. Society will take place. This will
form 4 special attraction to many, from the
known ability and popularity OF one OF the
speakers. OF whom more anon.
....- ,s 2 PROFESSOR ELECTED.
The Board OF Visitors last night elected
Professor Thomas r. Price professor OF
Greek, to fill the chair left vacant by Pro-
lessor Gildersleevc. QUIP.
CELEBRATION OF THE JEFFERSON SOCIETY,"
NEEDS OF THE SOUTH DIsCUSsED-PRESEN-
TATIoN a BRILLIANT ASSEMBLY - PER-
SONAL.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
H'a JUNE IS, 1876.
At hai-past the doors were thrown open
to receive the large crowd who had assem-
bled to witness the closing exercises OF tue
Jefferson Society. ,.
4 fine breeze tempered somewhat the tor
rdity Of the atmosphere, and the enjoyment
OF the audience was proportonately en-
HANGED.
After the usual exercises the president,
Mr.. II. D. Downing, OF Virginia, introduced
as orator Of the occasion Mr.. y. L. Thom,
OF Virginia.
INFLUENCE OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITIES. !
Mr.. Thorn, after q glowing peroration
upon the hundredth year OF American indie
pendence, announced as his subject "The
Influence OF English Universities upon the
English Nation" He then rapidly and in a
comprehensive. manner reviewed English
history, showing that the power and glory
OF England was due to the four great
events-yiz.. Magma Charta, the House
of Commons, the Reformation, and the
Methodist movement. These were the eras
in the progress OF the nation, and the speaker
attributed their establishment to the influence
Of her two universities.
NEEDS OF THE SOUTH.
His closing remarks, in which lie alluded
to the great needs OF the people OF the
South, elected loud and continued applause,
and when he took his seat was literally COW
cred with bouquets-those silent testimo-
malls of woman's admiration. Mr.. Thorn is
good speaker: his languagei is chastc with
out pedantry; he reasons well, is fluent,
and his action is graceful. 49,
PRESENTATION OF MEDAL.
After magnificent piece from Webber's
Germania Band the President presented the
debater's medal to Mr.. Bernard Peyton, OF
New York, who was found worthy to bear
that honor.
Mr.. Peyton disclamed in the outset any
oratorical qualifications. He returned thanks
for the honor conferred upon him, and then
addressed himself to the audience in q
speech OF about forty minutes length. 1
cannot describe his speech and do him JUS
tice. -..... .......
It possibly occurred to others, as it did to
me, that it was little in bad taste to dis
claim any qualification rs 4 speaker and
then proceed in conscious power to enchaln
the attention OF his audience. His remarks
were of political character, though not in
the least sectional; and the influence OF his
words, the magnetism OF his voice, the al
most impassioned manner, secured for him
that attention which would not have been
accorded to one less gifted in an address by
half too long, i...... s..r ..a
Dir. Peyton is the son OF Major Peyton,
proctor Of the University, and he has n
bright future before him.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
The assembly was very brilliant one
gay and beautiful women and handsome
and gallant men-who soon dispersed them
selves over the grounds, and in the shady
groves and brilliantly-lighted lawn whlled
the hours away-a beautiful picture.
Among the distinguished gentlemen on
the stand last night were the Hon. A. II.
Fl. Stewart, and Hon. Ralph Waldo Elmer
son, OF Boston, who is TO deliver the adj
dress before the Literary Societies tonight.
az, ;. ..,t.a.r-. - Personal. M ~
Professor Thomas R. Price, the newly
elected Professor Of Greek, is an A. M. OF
the University, and is a fine linguist. He is
at present connected with Randolph Macon
College. He is spoken Of rs genial, plea
SAINT gentleman, OF high scholastic attain
ments. le,v. RI. $. a.~~ass. =. H. s.,.,,
Tonight the joint celebration will take
place, when Mr.. Emerson will deliver the
address, and the Magazine medal be pre-
sented to Mr.. L. a.. Levi, of Texas. ~