The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-23
From Our spcc,a, Correspondent

'lI.f From Our Special Correspondent
] PETERSBURG, May %, 1877.
The exercises of the British Association
of Virginia In the celebration Of the Queens
birthday have already begun briskly,
though the browning event Of the occa.
sion is two days distant. The preliminary
proceedings Of to-day have been, so far, the
arrival Of large number OF delegates from
Canada and Philadelphia; the informal re-
ception extended to these, which Is to-
night to assume more dignifed character
the decoration Of the streets With flags and
other bunting in honor OF the celebration,
and the hurried but careful preparation OF
the banquet-hall in which the festivities of
Thursday night are to be held.
On the early train this morning three car
loads Of visitors arrived, including dele
CATION of eighteen from Hamilton and To-
ronto, Canada, and forty-odd from the diff
ferent St. George and Guelph societies Of
Philadelphia. Most OF these visitors took
up their quarters at the hotel--there were
several ladies among them-the hour OF
their arrival being so early that the Com
mittee OF Reception had not perfected its
arrangements for their distribution among
the citizens, as had been expected.
The guests that arrive tonight and there
after will be provided for by the citizens,
who have signifed their hospitable desire to
extend every possible attention to the
guests. Among the visitors already arrived
arc the correspondents Of several northern
and Canadian journals, which are said to
have given orders to have full reports of
the celebration written up, attesting the
keen interest in the exercises that is felt
wherever the Queens name is known and
honored.
Tonight, as has been intimated, there is
to be a reception OF the visiting members OF
the British Association ut the BollinSbrook
Hotel, at which addresses are to be deiv-
cred by D. 3. Tenant, Esq, president OF
the Association, and by Hon. William L.
Cameron, Mayor OF the city. The visiting
members will reply. Music has been pro-
yidcd, and other refreshments VIII probably
not he lacking. Altogether it is safe to cN-
pect that the spirit of the happy occasion
will begin to be developed at the exercises
appointed for tonight.
Tomorrow the exercises are to be, in
general, more OF business than OF fes-
tive character. According to the printed
programme the sermon OF Rev. Thomas
Spencer, appropriate to the day, is to be
preached on Wednesday at 10 O'Clock ~.
NJ, at st. Paul's church. The appointment
was altered some days ago by some OF the
officials of the Association to Thursday, at
the same time and place. At the present
writing it is not known how these conflict
ing appointments have been or are to be
rcconcied. .... r.,
After the sermon (if it be delivered to-
morrow the annual meeting OF the Associa-
ton is to DE held at the courthouse. The
business OF the last year is to be reported,
including the condition Of the treasury.
| Officers for the ensuing twelve months are
to be elected, and the next place OF meet
ing is to be determined on. We would
fain hope that all the celebrations would
be held in Petersburg, since they add
so much to the life and movement Of the
streets and bring our people into contact
with so many intelligent and substantial
representatives OF other systems and other
views from different parts of the Union and
the world. I hear, though, that an effort is
| likely to be made to induce the Association
to hold its next session at Norfolk, where
General Barton, one OF the most prominent
OF the British settlers in Virginia, has made
his home. l have not heard Richmond
mentioned in connection with next years
celebration.
Richmond, however, is expected to be
we'll represented here in the persons OF
some of her most prominent citizens, who
always add largely to the interest and plea
sure OF these celebrations.
After the business meeting the annual adj
dress is to be delivered before the Associa-
ton and the public. The orator selected
for the occasion is J. w. Hebditch, Esq,
author of q book entitled .'Three Years in
Virginia." His present subject is "a
British Farmers Experience in Virginia"
Mr.. Hebditch is gentleman OF Intelligence
and practical resource, and his views Will
command attention. v -...
At night there will be another reception
for the benefit Of new delegations just ar
irving, and Mayor Cameron and Mr.. Ten
nant will again deliver addresses. 1t is in
tended that the guests shall feel themselves
happy and at home, and all the old-time
hospitality OF the Cockade is to be put forth
to entertain the strangers in the city, and
to enhance the prestige Of the celebration.
Already the streets are bright with bunt-
inc, which streams from the windows and
stretches from side to side of the principal
thoroughfares The flags of all nations,
principally those OF the United States and
Great Britain, are flung to the breeze, and
beautify the long vista of Sycamore street
as far as the eye can reach. These flags they
are very large) were kindly sent for the pur-
pose by the Navy Department OF the United
States Government on the application OF the
Association, made through its secretary,
Mr.. J. J. Campbell, who visited Washing
ton city and Norfolk in that behalf. The
sight of the flags and the spirit OF festiyitJ
which already stirs the blood have brought
forth an unusually large crowd on the side
walks, and, to the exclusion Of almost every
other subject, the celebration has taken
possession OF the thoughts and the tongues
OF people. ..,,E"n ~ +,,..
An artist representing one of the illus