The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-20
RICHMOND COLLEGE,.
FINAL CELEgRATioS OF THE Mu SIGMA
J. RHO LITERARY socIETY-APPRoPR ?
.sALUTAToRYi. AND yALEDIcToRYpAD-
ltDgEssFs-MEDALs CONFERRED, SC, &C.,

II The Mu Sigma Rhe: Society OF Richmond
College had its ifinaI celebration Mt the Col
iegelchnpei last night. u The deit fingers of
fair hands had decorated rthe room with
syerareens and flowers until It had become
g fit scene for the theatre of so mitch beauty
ar,dinteliigence.:cYo Young and Ioldltake iDs
terest In these annual displays OF taste, and
witt; and eloGuences; these early prophecies
by the students Of future emfnence land a
brilliant audience, filing the large hall, hon.
ored theil Society, and testified by good
order, by appreciative listening, and other
evidences, the qualification afforded by the
intellectual repast.r At some educational
institutions in some places; the disorder, the
iil-behavior OF the audience, makes the
speaking q farce, and we have known the
buzz OF conversation to drown the voices OF
distinguished speakers. In Richmond the
patience Of assemblies under uninterestins
and long addresses has been noted, while
the ready appreciation of delicate humory
refined wit, and culture of any kind, makes
a Richmond audience most excellent test
Of Ioratortcal merit. -.iuI ~. ~; 'aj
T. Mr.. a. R.Long, son Of Professor Long,
Of Grocer Theological Seminary, q graduate
and a trustee Of Richmond College, presided
with dignity, introduced gracefully the
orators, and made, what is not easy to do,
very appropriate saIutatory and yaledictory
addresses. The latter was out OF the beaten
path and exhibited humor, pathos, reading,
and good sense. Both were we'll received!
Mr. A. W. Boyd, of Betetourt, was the
first orator, ;and chose Is. Hugh Miller" as
his theme. The, eminent, Sc0tchman,
whose wonderful career has been a. con.
slant stimulus to the untitled and the
young, had full justice done to him. The
full, rounded periods of Mr. Boyd, bis
graceful and effective delivery, and his evil
dent mastery OF the details of the thrilling
life Of the stone-mason, geologist, and ed
itor. gave him vantage ground as speaker,
which he sustained admirably: - IL + a..f.
e Nr. Manly Is. Curry, son of Professor
Curry, was the second speaker Z" The
Dream OF One Age the Science OF the Sue
ceeding" was his attractive theme, and he
handled 1t with the skill and ability OF q
practiced speaker. By copious illustrations
drawn from history and science abundant
light Twas shed on the subject, and one won
dered bow much Industrious research and a
poetic fancy could throw on topic that
needed just such treatment to invest it with
unusual charms. ~.,, '.' ss...t
Is The two speakers did honor to the Col
lege and their societies, and from the num-
ber and beauty Of the floral tributes one
might safely infer that they were as much
the favorites OF the young ladies as Of their
fellow-members. 2. 4. =. ".. :
The medals conferred were upon j. j.
Taylor, OF Henry, as the best debater; r..
H. Pitt, Of Middlesex, as the best reader !;
A. j. Yancey, Of Mecklenbnrg, as the best
deelaimer; and Z. G. Davis, Of Texas, for
improvement in debate. .'".-,.
Han D y Rarkalov tyou bonY,ilu ohoSop
by the Society to award these distinctions.
Thereputation achieved on the stump was
sustained on the rostrum, and next to the
honor of winning these distinctions was
the honor Of having them SO handsomely
bestowed.
The universal sentiment OF all present
was that no preceding Society celebration
has surpassed this. 1.'' : ..'.- '..
Excellent music from the brass band en-
liyened the occasion. .' .'...'
Tonight the Philologian Society has its
celebration, and tomorrow night occurs
the commencement proper. 49,"