Morning journal and courier., 1882-07-07
Undergraduate Impotence and the Com ferring or Degrces-Goldsvisa Smith nd Robert BroyvnInX.

UnderGraduateI Impotence and the Com
 ferring Of Degrces-Goldsvin Smith and
 Robert BrovvnInS.
 OXFORD, England, June b. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 One accustomed to the orderly manner in which & Commencement Day programme is carried out in an American college cannot help being somewhat surprised at the bois- terous conduct that often characterizes similar anniversary in the old University of Oxford. Yesterday was Commencement Day the great day of the University year. The occasion was marked by the conferring of honorary degrees on GoIdwin Smith, Robert Browning and other distinguished men.
 The Sheldonian theater was filled. At one end tho seats are arranged somewhat in the form of an amphitheater. In the center sat the vice chancellor. To his right and left, tier below him, the proctors grouped around, the honorable fellows, heads of colleges and other dignitaries, On higher tier of the semi circular seats sat galaxy of privileged ladies, and above, in an overhanging gallery, were the undergraduates. In front of the semi circle stood throng of 'B. A. " fel lows and strangers, supported on the right and left by more 1adies-in all brilliant gathering, but soon to become 8 noisy one
 As the house was filling the undergraduates began to warm to the occasion. Their tongues were loosened and at times their i- cense was almost unbounded. At first they were loyal. ''Three cheers for the Queen ?. were called for and given rousingly. '"rhree more for the ladies'" and these too were up roarious. It was easy to slip into impudence. F0ciHs desce7osuS dge,ni. "TLke off that brown overcoat, sir'' The unlucky object of their cry refused to do so, but they kept at him until he doffed the obnoxious garment amid tumultuous applause. "Take off that sir fTo sir,' and the tie and geranium were no more. Then their rowing eyes rested on the ladies, who furnished food for further uprosr. ''Three cheers for the ladies in pink" and ''the ladies in pink" turned red. Three cheers for the lady with the yellow fan" and ''the lady with the yellow fan" hid herself behind it incontinently. When some Indian girls in native costume came in there was great applause. ''Three cherrs for the lady with the false hair" and hundreds of pretty noses turned heavenward contemptuously. l A white vest on an unlucky old gentleman 1 drew their attention from the farer sex and 1 he became the target of their ridicule. l ''Take off that white waistcoat, sir, and as ! he wouldn't do it shout arose, Button l your coat over it, sir" ''Send 1t to the | wash, and so they kept 1t up until the pro- cess1on of dignitaries entered to the music of :'God save the Queen"
 Six beadles headed the line with immense maces. Next followed the Vice Chancellor l in scarlet robes. Behind him the two proc | tors in white fur and black velvet While 1 they were ascending to their places I was told a funny story about the distinguished head of one of the colleges. At dinner not long ago were two ladies, one widow, the other called grass widow" whose husband was in the torrid cline of India. The college dignitary took the widow out to dinner, but labored under the impression that it was the lady whose husband was in India. Consequently when a remark was made by his companion upon the warmth of the evening he replied, ''Yes, madam, but not half as hot as where your husband is. ' It was some time before he found out why the rest of the evening seemed so chilly. But this is Aggression. Next came the mas ters in their red gowns, among them the his torian Freeman, lately returned from Amer ica, and now, I am informed, engaged in writing his American impressions which are to appear in the Fortnightly Reoieao. One who knows says the article is ia most respects | quite conplimentary
 All stood while the Vice Chancellor made an opening speech in Latin, which the signal for anothor running fire of impudence l could hardly hear a word False quantity sir, :" "Quite enough" "Dum Satts,' ':The ladies don't understand, sir When is the chorus going to begin ?" At last he finished what in the uproar seemed like pantomime and the beadles, retiring, brought in the five candidates for the honorary degree, all ir scarlet robes, headed by Professor Bryce 1 who as the professor of civil law, made the speech of presentation of each to tho Vice Chancellor in Latin. Loud cheering greeted their entrance and they stood in the aisle cleared for them in the area, while ont by one Mir. Bryce presented them, each one after being presented, passing on up tho steps, shaking hands with the Chancellor ant taking his seat among the ''D. O. L.'s". Firs came Sir William Muir, the Eastern writer
 and member of council for India. His uni form and numerous medals and honors, a
 we'll as his scarlet gown, gave him quite fine appearance. After him came Goldwi,