Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-04
Presentation Day at the National Deaf
Mute College.
AN INTERESTING AFFAIR.

The interesting exercises OF this anniversary OF
the college took place yesterday afternoon in the
han Of the college. Kendall Green was fresh In
its spring beauty, and extended its usual cordial
welcome to large gathering of distinguished
people The graduating class had tastefulIy deco
rated the hall with the coats-of-arns OF their
spectiyo States AMI with drapings and feStoonS or
hags and banners, which set off the portraits and
busts OF the benefactOrs of deaf mutes adorning
the hall. The motto Oh the class, "know Thyself,"
Sh0ne IN Greek above the platform, on which, be-
sides the faculty of the college, were seated
number OF men eminent in literary, educational
andSDotical spheres.
Dr. Ga,laul let the president of the college stated
that President Arthur being unable TO be present
TO preside in his capacity patron OF the institu-
ton. n would ask Speaker Keller TO occupy the
chair. That genial and modest gentleman, in
happy manner declined the honor in the presence
OF greater merit, and called upon the venerable
MI Bancroft, the historian, to honor the occasion
by presiding. Mr. Bancroft was equal to the occa-
SION, and the exercises were opened by an invOca-
ton by the Rev. Dr. Leonard, OF st. Johns church.
The essays of the graduating class were delivered
in tue sign language, While read by DIR. Gaaudet,
rector OF st AIMS church for deaf mutes, New
YORK city, and Prof. Chlcherlng OF the college
faculty. Mr.. E. L. Van Damme, OF Michigan wrote
upon Liberty and Law and he with the three
here following were candidates for the degree OF
e9chelor or arts. Mr.. Lars Larson OF Wisconsin.
discnursed upon the Progress of Agriculture"
Mr. Robert zeiger. OF Pennsylvania, upon "Mon-
linn, upon the contributions from the New World
TO the Old" The candidates for the degree Of
bachelor OF science, and their subjects, were Mr..
G I. DJugherty, OF Missouri "The Scientific
achievements OF Faraday;" ana Mr.. j. G. SaXtOn,
OF New York, "Grectan Art in the Time of Peri
cleS.' Mir. George Layton, Oh West Virginia, was
candidate for the degree OF bachelor OF philosophy
and considered the question, Was America DIS
covered by the Northmen?"
Alter the presentation OF these Young men, and the
announcement that the honorary degree Of Master
OF Arts had been conferred upon Mr. Lars Hav-
stad, An eminent deaf mute, OF Christiania, Nor
way, DR.. Cattell, president OF Lafayette College,
delivered a scholarly and interesting address, an
nouncing as his subject "a Liberal Education"
and dong honor to the occasion by his elevated
tone and showing, as others have done before him,
the cordial appreciation which other college facul-
ics have OF the high character OF the work OF this
les q tuition The exercises We're closed with ben
ediction by Dr.. CuthDert, OF the First Baptist
Church.
The interest in the essays OF the young men was
increased by the fact that some of them have
future and permanent interest in the subjects OF
which they treated. Mr.. DOugherty, for instance,
was not present to deliver his thesis, having by
consent OF tie faculty. spent the last year In the
Washington University of St Louis, pursuing
special course in chemistry, with view OF becom-
considerable talent in art, intends to devote him.
sell to Its study and practice. Mr.. Zeigler having
mentioned IN his essay the project of the deaf OF
President Garfield in the College Chapel to com
mennonite their gratitude for his long continued
ana efficient efforts to aid them obtain higher
education. DR.. Gallaudet announced that two
thirds OF the sum necessary had already been sub
Scrlbed, and that the execution of the work had
sculptor, OF Concord, Mass, formerly OF Washing
ION IL Will be remembered that the last public
ad ircsS made by the late President Garfield was
at Kendall Green at the anniversary exercises Just
year ago.
After the exercises in the chapel, the college
butid1EgS were Inspected by the visitors, and the
students gave an exhibition drill in the gymna-
SUM, which was greatly admired At it's cOnclu-
sion most or the guests paid their respects to Dr.
ana MIS- Ga1lauiet at their residence This re-
ceDtion was one OF the most agreeable OF the
spring partins. Its surroundings were looking es-
peclally attractive yesterday, SO perfect was the
weather, ana the interior OF the mansion, always
entlcng, was rendered yet more so by the the fra
grant h9WerS adjoining 1t, and the bright faces OF
tne lost and hostess, who SO cordially welcomed
their guests.
Mr. George Bancroft, Mr.. W. W. Corcoran, Act
ing wee President Davis, Senators Dawes and
!awiey, Chief Justice Waite, Justice Millers WIFE,
MIS-. Blaine, Miss Dodge, and many others OF
prominence in social ana official life were present
A ooutt!ful collation. was enjoyed before the COM
pIny separated.
There was on exhibition In one OF the class rooms
a very creGitable display OF cray0n and pencil
drawings by students, under the instruction OF
mr. A. ID. Bryant, graduate Of the college. One
or the best OF these excited our wonder as being
oy The captain OF the base ball nine It was prob
aDly executed before the commencement OF the
base ball season.