The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-02-09
Annapolis Letter.
ANNAPOLIS, Mp, Beb. 3, |

ANNAPOLIS MD, beD. ., 1877.
The eighth annual celebration of the Philo.
nathan Society of 81 Johns College, Ca secret
literary organization,) took place last Friday
evening, Feb. 3D. in Mcdowell Hail. The hall
was simply but prettly adorned, the heavy pill
lars being fcstooned with different colorcd
gauze; the platform was covered with nest
hew carpet, and above the stage was the m' o
of the society in Latin. Surmouning this We Q
Greek characters denoiing Philomalhean. Tue
exercises began with prayer by the Rev. DR.. Z.
X Nelson. At O'Clock Mr., j. s. Crockett, in
q brief Introductory address, gave the hi tory of
the foundation of the society eight years ago,
and its rapid advancement and progress in lit
erature during thai period. He then presented
Mr.. A. w. Wright, of Westminster, Nd, VIII.
had been selected 10 read AN essay, lhe ute OF
which was, "Washington Irving" His reading
was admirable His language savored of that
refinement aud culture which is Il rare quality,
seldom furd even in persons of more exp
rience and age.
MIR. slunry Mudd, of Charles county, was
then introduced TO deliver an Grafton, "The
Liberty of the Press" Mr.. Mudd is also just
ly entitled to high degree of credit for the
manner in which he delivered his address.
DR.. j. NJ. Garnett next introduced Mr.. s.
Thomas Mccullough, one of our best men and
ablrst lawyers as "0ur much esteemed and hon.
ored citizen" Mr. Mccullough had been invit-
ed by he Philumalhean society to deliver all
address: 1.-THE Present; our Cares and Respon-
sibilties." This gentleman, who was gradu-
ate of st. Johns in 1850, proceeded to touch
very affertingly on his college career; the many
pleasant recollectiuns associated with the times
he used to enjoy as q boy in that grand old
Mcdowell Hall; the wel-remembered chime Of
the same old bell, which now rings SO fcebly
from the effects of time, but which then with
merry peals called The happy, joyous school
boys to their respective Rotations; but OF the
ten manly graduates who in 1850 started out ON
the eventful Journey of life, but two remained.
The civil war, which was the direct cause
of SO much suffering and devastation, robbed
the eight mothers of their promising sons, who
persisted in the defence of their dearly-lov
cd MARYLAND. OF the Professors but one was
alive and that was the Rev. Dr. Nelson, Vice
President of 81. Johns. MIR. McCullough's ell
oquence and the membranes which were Wis
IDLY stirred within him, were indeed affecting,
and there stood in more than one eye a big tear
of sympathy, as he wildly depicted the scenes
of his boyhood and the recollection Of faces
once SO dear to him, but now no more.
The exercises closed with prayer, after which
the benches were removed, and the younger
part of the audience, including OF course the
college boys, prepared for Il dance The hall
being large and commodious, it was particular
iy adapted to that purpose. The floor had been
previously waxed, and il now only remained to
clear the room of benches, chairs &c, and pro-
coed to the more congcnial amusement of waltz
ing. On account of The rain there were fewer la
dies than gentlemen, in fact there was not more
than one lady to two gentlemen. The time
passed very pleasantly, however, and it is t. be
feared that not few Of the students retired to
rest, there TO dream of "a pretty one with blue
eyes, faXen hair and pet nnme," as one Of our
cynical old bachelors in his criticism of The fair
sex has been pleased TO term NHe tres chere
amie. {, NJ.