The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-04
Closing Exercises of the University.
BROOKS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., &C.

sity until Wednesday,. otherwise we might
have given some account of the celebrations
of the two Literary Societies, which are des-
cribed by all as having been unusually in
teresting, and characterized by an originate
ty and manliness Of thought seldom display
ed by youthful orators, and marked by an
absence OF sophomore pyrotechnics, which
usually render such occasions ridiculous.
On Wednesday evening. accompanied by
the associate editor OF the indicator, we
visited the New Museum, erected and equip
ped by the muniiicence ofLeWis Brooks, NOW
deceased). This imposing structure, now
the most interesting feature of the Univer-
sity, stands on the right of the avenue leading
from the entrance of the grounds up to the
Rotunda. Its architecture is fine; the first
story and portlco are of granite; the second
and third stories are of pressed brick. The
windows, cornices, pediments and archi-
traves are all of granite carved with the
names of Aristotle, Linnaeus, Huxley, OAR
win, De Cando]le, and other eminent scien-
fists. Each window is surmounted with
colossal head of some deniZen of earth,
ocean or river, gazing out OF sphinX-like
eyes on the world around. This building,
with its contents, is a valuable addition to
our great University, and will no doubt at
tract many students and visitors to its
walls. as heretofore there has been no in
stitution at the South where the scientific
student could pursue his investigations un-
der such advantages. Entering the main
Hall of Mineralogy and Geology, you feel
as if you were being ushcred into some pri-
meval world, the strange and uncouth forms
of the Plesiosaurus, GliptodOn, Dinotherum
and Megatherium. and other ''old fellows"
greet you. What menagerie the ancient
world must have been, and what amusement
must some forgotten Barnum or Van Am
burg afforded the children of prehistoric
man. OF the mastodon, l would say, the
University certainly has ''an elephant on ats
hands, 1t is the biggest thing we ever
saw. What splendid fire department three
or four OF these monsters would make, and
but for the fact that Staunton (proverbially
ambitious) would have Insisted on their in
PRODUCTION in this capacity, and thus de-
pleted the treasury in their sustenance, we
would have bitterly regretted their extinc-
ton. The Grange Hall might have stabbed
them, but they would exhaust the "Reser-
voir" at a draught. 1t is said by travellers
that these huge creatures are found in per-
feet state of preservation in the ice bergs of
Northern Siberia, and that their flesh is
greedily devoured by the dogs of that re-
gion. Call in the marines.) What won
derful age that must have been when the
girls rode these beasts" and the sentiment
tai Prehistoricus would give his Prehistorica
Plesiosaurus instead of canary. The
collection OF Polypi is remarkably fine, many
OF the specimens surprising in beauty of
design and t,acery the chef de>oeurres Of
Tiffany-or Mix e Kingan! One hardly
wonders that the delicate sensitive fancy of
the ancients should have peopled the vas
ty Deep with mermads and other poetical
creatures, when he looks upon these pro-
ducts of the skilled artiZans of ocean depths.
The only thing | saw suggestive of any one
IN Staunton was the B0s Aaner1conus-
its head like Shadrack's, the Presbyterian
Sections, on frosty day. Leaving the
Museum we repaired to the Lawn, where all
was SO quiet, that we remarked to the Yin.
dictator mo one knows ace are here"
When the day grew cooler and the band
STRUCK up" the long rows of dormitories
and professors houses poured out their con-
tents. Before eight O'Clock the great au-
dence hall was packed almost to suffocation.
Through the courtesy OF brother Waddell,
Of the Chronicle, we secured reporters
hand," and it being folly to attempt to take
the speeches down in ordinary writing, we
kept up appearances by jotting page after
page with unmeanihg hieroglyphics. The
band struck up ''Scenes that are BRIGHTEST"
a very appropriate piece, for it was a strik-
ing sight. Among other fair faces noticed
that of Il famous Staunton "belle," Miss M.
H., who was the theme of universal admir-
alton. On the rostrum was a large assem-
bly, of Virginia notables, among them the
Hon. a. II. Fl. Stuart, whose rectorship has
produced striking improvements both in the
exterior appearance and internal manage
mcnt of the Institution. In the background
was Raphael's ''School of Athens" the
grave and thoughtful Aristotle, the poet phi
losopher Plato, and Zeno the stole.
Diogones and hosts Of other great ones
of ''old" overlooked the notified sea of faces.
A strange sight it was, the ncieat and mod
ern heroes thus brought face to face,-the
representative Past communing with the
representative Present. Professor Southall
in one of his inimltable speeches, replete
with classic beauty and touching pathos,
there presented the Magazine medal to Mr..
Wooten, OF Texas, who in addition to this
was also the recipient of the Debater's med
al in the Jefferson Society. He is remark
able young man, and many predict that not
many years will elapse before his voice will he
heard in our National Councils. He has al
ready a call for the State Legislature. His
reply to Prof. Southall was in the finest
style, graceful in delivery, excellent in taste,
happy in illustration, and listened to with
an attention that bespoke an unusual mag
netic power. He then introduced Gov.
Hendricks, who i'll appearance is not I'M
like the Rev. DR.. Martin Of our city. His
hair is sandy, eyes grey, and his face
smooth, with the exception OF a suspicion of
side whiskers. His theme was ''ReroJution."
Many anticipated when he announced his
subject, discussion Of some of the great
questions which have recently agitated our
Republic, but were disappointed. He COM
menced at slime whereof the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary" and
came down to the Revolution Of 1876; then
he stopped. His speech, though good enough
as philosophic discussion Of the great rev.
olutions of history and their effects
upon the cause of human liberty, was def
Gent in fire, and too far removed from the
popular heat to interest the mass of his'au
dience. After the speaking for that night
closed, several hours were spent by the
young people promenading the Lawn, meath
the light of chinese lanterns s'that shed their
soft lustre and TALON on head-dress and
shawl" This is the hour at which the I'LL
innate degree of the University is conferred
Bachelor of Hearts.
On Thursday morning the Hall was again
crowded to hear Southall deliver his lecture
on 'Man's place in the world" He was in
troduced by Hon. A. II. Ii. Stuart in such a
speech as only Mr.. Stuart can make. Mr..
Southall's address was splendid refutation
of the modern school of scientists, who pro-
claim that man is the descendant Tor rather
ascendant) of the lower orders of life, and
of prehistoric antiquity. lie showed that
theory after theory had been abandoned,
until the scientist and Christian philosopher
could at last meet on common ground; that
the theory of gradual evolution has at last
been demonstrated to be opposed no less to
nature than revelation that there was only
two modes of accounting for man and his
condition : by parorysms of evolution, or by
acts of special creation. Virginia should
feel proud of a son who from a laborious and
absorbing occupation should find time to
master the whole range OF modern science,
and to deal blow admitted on all sides to
be the severest that modern scientific inf
deity has received. She should at least re-
ward him by making him curator Of the
Museum. After this address, Ham Cham
berlaync of the State, made stirring ap-
peal in behalf of the Alumni Association,
the result of which was a large meeting
shortly afterwards in the Chapel, where
several propositions looking to the advance
ment of the Institution were discussed.
Hon. Henry Aliens DroDOSitiOn that the