The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-13
Hampaen Sidncy College Commence
ncnf.
JUNE 10, 1870.
FIRST DAY.

.
Sharing with the Dispatch and It's reader.
regret at the absence OF their veteran cor
respondent and regular reporter tTucka
hoe}. the writer ventures to-day to volunteer
as his substitute, promising, however, thai
he can readily understand the inexpediency
Of taking up the more valuable space In the
Dispatch with a full report OF the inevi.a.
Bile college commencement OF the period
and therefore he puts his eondensing appa.
ratus to work.
The Baccalaureate sermon was preached
on Sunday (Sthl by Rev. DR.. Stoddert. We
| did not hear Il; but there is no dissent in
the Judgment OF oil who had that privilege,
who represent that the discourse was eal.
nen,ly wise, able, and practical, and pre.
scented in attractive rhetoric. 'sProgress u
forgetting the things which are behind,
was his theme. and drones and croakers re-
ceived no encouragement.
The trustees met to-day (Judge Watkins
| chairman). This session was occupied In
hearing official annual reports. The A. Z.
degree was voted to the graduates; and to
the following ministers the degree Of D. D.
was awarded--to wit: Rev. Thomas Wha-
rev, OF Prince Edward, Va: Rev. Z. Hard
ing and Rev. Z. Wood, OF North Carolina
Rev. Mr.. Mencely, OF Belfast, Ireland. Ma
ior Flood resigning the trusteeship, Rev.
j. Nj. Rawlins, Of Lynchburg, was elected
to fill the vacancy.
At night the Union Society held its an
nuaI celebration, and according to the fol.
lowing programme-the Rev. Mr.. Barnett,
OF Abingdon, presiding:
Junior Orators: A. A. Little, Virginia !;
subject, "True Happiness G. b. Wal
lace, Virginia; subject, The Dead Still
Live" Best speakers medal presented 10
Thomas Cummins, OF Ireland, through y.
G.. Stewart, OF Virginia. Junior deDater's
medal presented 10 {. b. Wallace, OF VIZ
GINA, through &. Fl. Wilson, OF Virginia.
Final Orator: Alfred T. Graham, Virginia;
subject, "Juius Cesar"
All OF the speeches were creditable to the
orators, and progress characterzes the clio.
cution OF our young friends. Theological
seminaries, colleges, and universities must
keep abreast of the age in giving more
practical attention to clocution. 1t ought
TO be matter OF instruction (and to theo-
logians especially. It's all boSh to say that
The % orator is born"; he needs schooling
in the art OF public speaking. Preachers
may learn something in reading hymns and
the Bible from competent instructors.
The behavior OF the audience was Wor-
thy Of commentator, the prophecies or
time and place being observed.
Will our college friends pardon hint
The average marshal on such occasion is
not at all deficient in "personal pulchrl-
tude," and be has important duties TO per-
form; but the pleasures OF listening to
platform oratory would not be diminished
| il these respected conservasors OF order and
masters of transportation OF flowers would
delay exhibiting themselves while the
speaking is progressing.
The walking" zeal of the period is
here. \ city gentleman estimates that he
walked forty-fve miles q with charming
angel under that item Of the programme
called "tne promenade" That Is not
bad idea OF the damsels Of the Tarmville
College. They appoint on such occasions
"rellei committee" and do not allow one
gentleman to monopolize lady on the
promenade" and everybody cheertMty
obeys the order OF the sch airmiss" 10
I" change partners" JOHN SMITH.