Daily Republican., 1881-06-16

that of old times in Europe. This age
had no composers to compare with
Haydn, Handel and Beethoven, and theil
grand old music is dying out in the
popular heart. Now instead of this,
| light, trivial modern airs attract atten-
tion, and at a concert send the people
wild, when a meritorious selection will
scarcely get any applause. He was in
| favor OF more care, and of the establish
ment ofan institution to cultivate higher
musical taste.
wM. II. PURNEL JR.,
was the validictorian. For the subject
of his oration he took "Clariore Tene-
bris," brighter from Obscurity,) }
and the result showed that he had
thought it carefully out. The drift of
what he had to say, (and he said it in
choice language and with perfect de-
l!very) was that the work of man
should not be that by which he
is altogether judged, that the height
he reaches and the depth from
which he comes should be considered.
He came over many instances Of won
derful advancement in the face Of ad-
verse circumstances. Circumstance he
held does not make the man-the man
must be fitted to the circumstances,
Mr.. Purnell'S valedictory was bean
tifu in its word painting and exceed
ingy elegant and appropriate.
DEGREES AND PRIZES.
More music was now rendered and
| then the degrees were conferred. The
| degree of Bachelor Of Arts was confer
red upon Thomas X. Mcdowell, John
S. NJ. Neil. w. H. PurneIl, Jr., and
| Robert II. Wright, Jr., and the degree
Of Bachelor of Philosophy upon Peter
+. Meredith. Samuel II. Messick, John
+. Pearce, and Rodney II. Richardson.
In presenting the diplomas President
Purnell made - few appropriate re-
marks, congratulating the graduates,
AMI comlucuding their good record and
department while in college.
II. c. Conrad, Esq, OIL behalf of the
committee OF judges, announced the
winners of the alumni prizes for de-
clamation and select reading. The
prize for defamation was awarded TO j.
Bernard CuSh, of 81. Georges, and the
prize for select reading to Miss Mamie
| Polk, Of Newark. The committee, in
their report, also made hOnoroblG men
ton OF Willis G.. Hazard, Harvey W.
Ewing, Miss Lizzie NJ. Ray, Lewis NJ.
Mustard, John &. Gray, AliCk NJ. Polk,
Miss Sue Ferris and Daniel Hirsch.
The prizes consisted OF SO in money.
The Soule prize, consisting Of a
scholarship in the Bryand & Stratton
Business College, Philadelphia, valued
at $50, was presented to William H.
| Purnell, Jr. for the best standing in the
graduating class.
The exercises were delightful through
out, and, as stated, very successful.
President Purnell in closing expressed
his pleasure and said that the college
was in better position now than al any
time since the reorganization.
DR.. Frost pronounced the benediction.
THE DELTA PHI.
The Delta Phi Society had an inter
eSting anniversary in the evening. The
beautifully decorated oratory was
torty-seventh. Rodney II. Richardson
presided, and the exercises were opened
with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Duhamel, after
which Robert II. Wright, Jr., was in
troduced, who made the society an ad-
dress, speaking on "AEcient and Mod
ern Patriotism" The address was
brief. and lauded the methods Of the
ancient Greek, but severely denounced
the political chiCanery of the present
day. After music by the orchestra,
Rev. John Atkinson, of OnanCOck, Va,
was introduced as the orator of the
evening. He took for his subject ''rhe
Relations an Educaten Man Bears to
Society,"" and his address occupied fully
an hour in its delivery. The address
was chaste and elegant in diCtiOn and
showed scholarly thought on the part
of the speaker, and can be titly termed
a finished Grafton. A synopsis would
do it injustice, and as space will
not allow its insertion in full ; suffice
it to say that seldom has a more
carefully prepared or brilliantly able ad-
dress been made within the walls of the
college. After Mr.. Atkinson had con-
cluded, the farewell address was de-
livered by John s. NJ. Neill. 1t was re-
ceived by the audience.
Several of the old members Of the
society who were present were called
on and made briefextempore addresses.
The bencdiction was pronounced by
Rev. j. l.. Nalliudigham, ID. ID.
THE ALuMN. MEETING.
The College AlHmni held meeting in
the afternoon. Appropriate leSolutions
upon the death of the late nr. Ferris Of
New Castle and Samuel M. Harrington
were passed 1t was decided to offer the
usual prizes of SIS for the under gradu
ates contest in defamation and reading
Prof w. G.. Mackey, The historiograph
er of the Alumni made some interest
ing statement one of which was
that 203 pupils had graduated from
Delaware College The committee on
extending the cratory was continued
with the understanding that subscrip-
tons should be solicited and progressive
steps taken. Dr. G. w. Marshall, Of
Milford was elected president. Thos.
Davis and w. j. Ferris, vice presidents
and A. f. Williamson, secretary. The
standing committees were re-eleCtel