The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-23

merchants clerk will outstrip the yonug
algebraist In calculating interest and stating
an account. But give the college youth 4
little time and he will surpass his
rival not only 10 general culture, but 10
technical drill. He will triumph IN purely
professional contest, and this be will do
without fling himself down into q sharp
professional expert and marring the round.
ness OF his development as q citizen, a
Christian, and a man. Compare the libe-
rally.educated man with the so-called SELF
made man. II is perhaps an abuse OF Ian
guage to call that man self-made who Is
moved by political currents, ground like q
river rock by social collisions, and at last
drifted into position Of prominence.
But these are truly great men who
owe nothing-notbing directly to college.
America IL the paradise OF such selfmade
men. It's careers widely open to merit Its
primary schools, its pulpit, its hustlngs,
its newspapers, its extraordinary facilities
and inducements for travel, quicken and
cultivate mind. Its atmosphere kindles uni
versal aspiration.
Certainly much the larger proportion OF
the finest genius must have received. must
be receiving, discipline outside OF colleges.
Compare the aggregate number OF success
ful self-made men with the number OF sue
cessful college-men, make the most OF
wrecked and sunken collegians, and then
count on your fingers the rare few
OF the self-made men who successfully
defy the waters Of oblivion. And when
you find the really great self-made, does he
so tower above all rivalry? Does the un.
taught Hercules so easily crush with the
weight OF his club the well. l.panoplied and
dcXterous fencers OF the sch0olsi
Political life is the most favorable arena
OF the self.made man. He is felt to be the
truest representative because the best speci.
men OF the masses. He Is what so many
men would have been II fortune had
only smiled. We'll, he reaches emf
nence-an equivocal glory. For the eagle
may indeed soar, but the reptile
may crawl to that dzzying height.
But does he iii the high place more to his own
true honor and his country's good? His
narrow experience and bis rigid routine are
less available in quiet times. But it is in
times Of revolution and new departures that
guiding principles, developed from the his
tory Of all ages and countries, are the only
directory. And 1t is precisely then that the
Jeffersons and the Madisons loom up most
grandly above the choicest specimens OF
self made men. Education does very much
udU III It's uiICCt OHly
abide with him till he takes hold on the busi-
ness OF life, and thereafter employs his
abiding discipline on a new theatre. But It
can no more afford to give over
his gymnastic and caisthenic drill
than the soldier can afford to remit the
strenuous exercise OF the manual after leav-
ing the camp Of instruction. Return to
these delightful fields. The second reaping
will afford most healthiul exercise. The
aftermath will be almost certainly the bet
ter crop. Prepare yourselves TO rival Ma
cauley, II not In genius yet in the breadth,
the richness, and the unwitherng fresh
ness OF his classical learning. See him In
the meridian OF his life and glory, oppress-
ed with the perplexing government and
the eneryating climate Of India, yet seizing
period Of comparative leisure TO read from
cover to cover every volume he can reach
OF the Greek and Latin classics. He reads
many OF them again and again. He fills
the margins OF his volumes with his invalu-
able criticisms. Many Of his early an
lipathies are overcome. Many OF his
youthful idolatries are cooled down.
There is little Of his most studiouslv-splen-
did compositions, fascinating as they are
beyond all ordinary fascination, that awakes
half the interest Of these terse, original, In.
dependent, brilliant iottings.
or what incalcUIable value was an educa.
tion which made such review possible, and
how must the review itself have repaired,
and polished, and frightened the machinery
OF that mighty mind.
EFT CErERA.
DR.. Brown was greeted all through his
splendid address with frequent and raptu-
rOus applause, and evidently added fresh
laurels to his reputation as one OF the most
able, scholarly, and eloquent speakers in
Virginia.
Rev. DR.. John Pollard then made a witty,
chaste, and every way admirable speech in
delivering the following medals
Medalists-Mu Sigma Rho Society: Best
debater, G. B. Taylor, Jr. Improvement,
G. l.. Corbitt. Philologlan Society Best
debater, A. Judson Reamy Improvement,
A. j. Montague.
Rev. DIR. NJ. ID. Hoge then presented the
Joint medal OF the two societies to the best
writer to George b. Taylor, Jr., Of Rome,
Italy.
Mr. Taylor has Just won his A. b. diplo.
ma, and the best debater's medal OF his
Society, and has the warmest congratula-
tions not only OF his own friends, but also
OF those OF his bonored father, Rev. DR..
George b. Taylor, OF Rome, Italy.
In presenting this medal DR.. Hoge made
a brief speech which we cannot at this late
hour attempt to report, hut OF which 1t is
sufficient to say that in keen wit, fine sentl-
ment, graceful appropriateness, and genu-
inc eoquence, it was one OF the happlest
efforts Of this prince OF orators.
The whole occasion was one OF the most
interesting ever witnessed in college hall.
Tonight at O'Clock the commencement
proper occurs.
THE ALUMNI SOCIETY
OF Richmond College will meet in the base
ment Of the Second Baptist church to-day at
~ O'Clock for the transaction OF important
business.