The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-09
COMMENC CEMENT NOTES.
The Annual Exercises of the Lou
isiana Agricultural and Me-
chanical College.
A Large Attendance and Successful
Exhibition-Scenes, Incl
dents, Etc.

Thinking it would be of interest to some Of
your many readers to know something OF the
commencement exercises OF the Louisiana
| University and Agricultural and Mechanical
College at Baton Rouge. I write this.
| At the solicitation and invitation OF Col. D..
E. Boyd, the worthy and efficient president OF
that institution, I left New Orleans on Thurs
day evening, at O. clock, on board OF the mag
nificent steamer Frank Pargoud, In company
| with Hon. r. M. Lusher, Hon. s. MI. Brian, OF
VIM, and Z. "a. Farrar, Esq, Of New Orleans
After a pleasant trip we arrived at the High
land City" at 81 a. m. on the fourth OF july
! We found the city in her holiday attire with
| flags streaming from nearly every house.
We went Immediately to the University, and
arrived just in time to see the cadets answer
the reveiIle. There were about 1875 cadets In
| line It would have made the heart OF any
man leap with pride to have seen the dignified
and soldierly bearing OF those young men,
They reflect credit to the State as well as the
| institution to which they belong.
| We were then courteousiy invited by some
| Of the cadets to take tour through the
building. We were asked to overlook the
disorder, as they had not as yet rolled their
Bile disorder, but were completely surprised
to find the regular and uniform order and
neatness about the numerous rooms visited
by u.s., These are large, well ventilated, fur
| nished with neat Washstands, bureaus, tables
and chairs, hooks on which to hang their
clothes. Their beds consist OF q nice mat
tressf which Is rolled up during the day and
set tt one side, not occupying much space.
| The building Is well adapted to the purpose
| for which it is intended, but should the school
Increase In popularity there is not sufficient
room. After our visit through the rooms we
were then carried into the library. u large
and beautifully arranged room, filled with
the best Of all kinds Of literature. Thence we
returned to the city and spent the balance OF
the day visiting different places Of note III the
city until 8 .. H.. the hour for the exercises to
commence. We then wendell our way to the
United States Barracks, on the upper side OF
the city. The grounds here are beautifully
laid off and are shaded by large and beautiful
live oaks. Under these was erected q tenn
porary stand, around which numerous com
Portable benches were arranged. The seats
were soon occupied by ladies' the large as
Isemblage OF gentlemen taking seats on the
beautiful grass that covers the entire grounds
as O. carpet Large numbers Of ladies. not
being able to get seats on the benches, kept
their seats III their carriages and other vehicles
around.
Precisely at 4 o'clock p. m, the cadets
marched into the barracks under the com
mand OF their professor In military tactics,
Lieut.. NJ. r. lamar, Q, 8. A.. The Baton
Rouge brass band greeted their arrival with
ed their arms and were then marched Id front
Of the platform to the places reserved for
Them Prayer was offered by Rev. G. K. Mar.
shall, of Mississippi. This was followed by
upon about forty OF the cadets who, after the
most rigid examination In their various
studies, received ninety out .of hundred
merit marks in at least two studies.
Col Boyd desired that %. y. Farrar, Esq,
should deliver the certificates to the cadets.
Mr.. Farrar came forward and handed each OF
them their certificates as their names were
called.
Cadet =. E. Michelet, OF Lafourche, read an
eloquent and inspiring essay in French, en-
The composition and graceful delivery by this
young cadet reflected great credit upon him
self and the splendid corps OF professors OF
the college.
Cadet j. w. Pierce, Of Baton Rouge, then
delivered an able and beautiful address on the
subject Of Our State and Its Future He
exhibited considerable study OF his subject
and gave some excellent ideas.
The annual address was delivered by Major
John Preston, the very able superintendent
OF the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. 1t was in
deed an intellectual treat. A looker-on could
see that every word that he said went to the
heart Of every cadet around the rostrum.
Col. D. f. Boyd then addressed the cadets,
giving them advice as to their future course
Rev. G. K Marshall was then loudly called
and entertained the audience for some few
minutes.
This closed the exercises, save the dress
parade by the cadets. They gave practical
exhibition OF the splendid progress they have
made under the very able preceptor, Lieut.
lamar. The cadets then marched to the
University, and at night entertained their
lady and gentlemen friends In manner that
Is historic with this institution, at shop"
which was kept up until the dawn of the fifth |
1t seemed that each cadet Wed with the others
to see which could be the most entertaining. |
The occasion was one OF most pleasing sue
cess. The morning was devoted by cadets to |
sleeping and packing for homeward march. |
At II the commandment, Thcs. Boyd, called the |
cadets together and regularly disbanded |
them. Visiting and handshaking were then |
INDUCED In by them until late hour that |
night.
On Sunday morning the wharf was covered
with boxes trunks, valises and cadets. The |
Edward j. Gay, the floating palace OF the |
Bayou Sara trade, came at o'clock and car
Tied off the first lot Of about forty. Although |
anxious to see those at home, they were loath |
to part with their school friends. We met |
the steamers Whisper and Yazoo Valley, |
which would take the remaining boys only /
short distance below Baton Rouge.
This institution bids fair to take the lead
in the South under Its present able and eff |
Gent corps OF professors and directors; it is
bound to succeed. w. A. S. !
RATS In BRAZIL.