The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-29
THE UNIVERSITY.

CELEBRATION OF THE WASHINGTON SOCIETY,"
IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC HALL-DisTIN.
GUIsHED vIsITORs-TITLED GRADUATES,
&C.-PERsONALs-LIGH
Correspondence Of the Richmond nspatchl
JUNE 2S, 1881.
The Board Of Visitors met yesterday, but
adjourned without action, owing to the
absence OF several members. There were
present Hon. A. II. ii. Stuart, j. Il. Marye.
w. G. n. Randolph, Holmes Conrad, Paul
Whitehead, and John Goode.
Last night the celebration of the Wash
ngton Society took place. For two years
past the "Wasb." has been unable to have
a celebration on account o: its paucity Of
membership. During this session, how.
ever. Il has revived wonderfully. aud now
stands abreast with the jeff" Mr.. Stone.
wall j. Shepherd, Of Tennessee, presided.
After prayer by the chaplain, Rev. DR..
Vaughan, and music by Weber's excellent
band, the president, in neat and grace
full manner, presented the debater's
medal TO Mr.. William W. WilkersOn, OF Al
ALBANIA. Mr.. Wikerson responded in a
manner that showed his appreciation OF the
high honor conferred. The president then
presented to Mr.. +. NJ. o Fem, Of Texas,
the medal as the best orator in the Wash.
iugtou Society. Mr. Fem, in a ten min
utes' speech, ably demonstrated that came
rica was the Hope or the Curse OF the
World" The speeches were all brief, the
the music was good Though stale, because
OF the pieces having been heard here so Of
ten beiore), the audience was fair, and were
dismissed before they got wearied. The
lawn was handsomely decorated, but there
was q singular absence OF "dress' in the
| fair ones who attended.
A noticeable feature in this commence
ment is the improvement In the Public
Hall. 1t has been thoroughly reprinted and
rearran9ed, and the wretched side.ighi at
the stand that used TO distract the eyes OF
the auditors have been displaced, and hand
some chandelier placed Immediately over
head.
Among the distinguished visitors present
are Ex-Governor j. W. Stevenson, Of Ken
lucky; judged. w. Menzies, OF Kentucky !;
Hon. Thomas Ellis, of Chicago; W. W.
Corcoran. OF Washington; Judge c. L..
Bradley uoint orator., of Providence, X. |. !;
Hon. James o. Broadhead, OF Missouri.
The list OF titled graduates has been an.
| nonnced. They are: Masters OF Art Ii:
Thomas Atkinson, Baltimore. Nd; c. l..
Andrews, Baltimore, Mu. y. ii. Fendle-
ton, Louisa, Va. ; r. Fl. Dsbney, Middle
burg. Va; j. Z. Blair, Columbus, Miss.
b. L's.: J. Ii. Woodrow, South Carolina
G. NJ. Balm, Portsmouth, Va; c.. II.
Faunterov, Winchester, Va. j. A. Ian.
caster, Richmond, Va; A. w. Patterson,
Richmond, Va.
1t is rumored that the Board OF Visitors
will appoint successor 10 Professor Page
and also assistants in several Of the schools.
The weather has been delightfully."- cool SO
far.
Professor F. Fl. Smith left yesterday fol
Europe, where be will spend the vacation
in studying new Developments in mecban'
les, and, it is said, in casting an eye around
for q suitable person to ill the Chair OF
Astronomy at the University. This is mere
rumor, however.
II is reported that severe storm devas-
taied things generally at Washington last
night. The display OF electricity in the
northeast, as witnessed here, indicated that
il was produced by the storm'cloud at
Washington. The flashes were so vivid
and continuous as to appear as II 1t were q
grand lantern hung out III the northern SKY,
with only the momentary passage OF cloud
between it and the beh0lder over hundred
miles away. No thunder was heard.
To-day the thermometer has gotten away
up in the nineties. QClP.