The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1883-06-16
AEpalNrEpFaoM YssrEaDAx
pn.,awARE COLLEGE.


DELAWARE COLLEGE.
Oomrnen eement Exercises Last Evening
the OratorIeat Confess.
Especial correspondence Of the 6axette.
NEWARK, June 15.-The fifteenth annual |
commencement Of Delaware College began |
last evening IN the College Oratory, the oc-
casion being the contest for the prizes fGr /
best defamation and reading. BY 2 O'Clock |
people began to throng up the college |
campus. evidently winding their way to-
ward tie college, and in Is minutes, the |
hall leading to the oratory was crowded, |
and the people began TO accumulate I
upon the college steps The doJrs were !
open at 730, and scarcely had 1t been done !
before the oratory was comfortably hlied; I
the audience, however, kept swelling until
July 400 persons were standing or sitting in |
the oratory, and the people continued to
come until the audience extended quite
distance from the doors, the anxious crowd |
being eager 10 hear ii not able to see the
disclaimers aud readers. The stage
was without decorations, with the
exception Of the personages OF the competi-
trs for the prizes, On the left side Of the
stage were seated the gentlemen, Will OPP
posite them on the right side, were seated
the young ladies. The young ladies were
all handsomely attired, and this fact no
pearance The President was seated IN the
centre of the stage, with Rev. w. ID. Mackey
on his right, and Rev. Mr.. Haines
on his left side. After very
sprightly selection by the Cadet Cornet
Band, the Rev. Mr.. Halnes was introduced,
and invoked the blessings of God upon the
occasion. The president having announced
that Miss Frazer of Wilmington, Professor
Bhdsall OF Wilmington and Rev. Mr..
Snyder of Christiana, would act as judges,
the program was very appropriately opened
by good defamation, entitled
the Future of America, by o. T. Cannon;
following this was Miss Ida Simmons, who
read the Barefoot Boy in most pleasing
manner. ''The Search for the Dead" by
j. Harvey Wbiteman W IS very good, as was
that of slack Chiddy," by Miss
Polk. E. M Purnell delivered In fair
manner. an "Eulogy on Webster" after
which considerable laughter was aroused by
the well-read piece entitled "Josiah Aliens
wife at Stewart" by Miss Maggie Deputy.
Temperance Welcome" by Alfred s. b.
McVey; Lookout Mountain" by Miss
Mamie Taylor; and "Sorrow for the
Dead" by w. r Huston, were we'll re-
ceived by the audience. Miss Maggie Will
liams read The ride of Jennie McNeall" in
most charming manner: the reader was
graceful and had the adva tage OF good
voice and all excellent pronunciation. Spa
triotism " by A, b. Folsom, was well-reu-
dered, the declaimer carrying true patriotic
air throughout "Tom Sawyer and his
was excellent, and tine readers grace
full manners and well-acquaintance
with the piece added greatly to-
ward meritng the hearty applause she
received. Part first of the program was
concluded by George A Carpenter, who de-
liyered in very pleasing manner an excel
lent piece entitled "Nation and Humanity"
After a short intermission, during which
time the band rendered in very fair man
ner an excellent musical selection, parl
second was opened by Victor 8. Woolley
who thoroughly mastered National Recon
citation" The speaker had the
advantage of an excellent voice
and an oratorical address. "Crippled Ben"
a pathetic piece, was well handled by Mist
A A. Evans, and Was followed by "Tht
Harvest of Rum, by Fl. Greeley Knowles
"Fiying Jim's Last Leap" by Miss Maggie
w. Blaudy, was particularly good aud won
burst OF applause from the audience. sin.
dividual Freedom" by Charles Evans,
nation, ''Josiah Aliens Family al
the Centennial" was very we'll rendered
and the reader showed abundant proc
OF being quite well acquainted with the elo
cutionary art. L. l.. Curtis was heartily ap
pl4uded Tor his excellent rendition of eth,
Roman Sentinel" Miss Grace ID. Che tel
read quite well "Tne Bells of Enderly.'
Aleck NJ Polk delivered with considerable
oratorical elegance very difficult piece Ell
titled, "The Benediction." ''The Visit o
the School Trustees" by Miss Lizzie LIE
Hearne, was excelently rendered, tn
reader had perfect command OF he
voice, and very pleasing actions, and
the prolonged applause wac, no doubt
abundant testimony that she was the favor
lite of the audience. Harvey W. Ewing
ended the program by delivering in an al.
most perfect manner the eagles Rock
Al the conclusion of the program the
judges were asked if they were prepared Il
make decision, whereupOn they stated
that they were unable to decide
and would not make their decision unit
next Wednesday. Last evenings exercise
is said 10 have been the best or many years
The eadems will hold its soiree in TIN
College Oratory tonight.