The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-06-17
Comnemcememt Exercises Of the
Literary Department Florida Un \.
versity.


Literary Department Florida Un 4.
versity.
Heretofore one day sufficed for the Commence
ment programme OF this Institution As the
warm weather would set in in the early part of
May, students would begin to drop off until only
a corporars guard would be left at the close of
the term But the past year the attendance has
been unusually good, aud the percentage Of fall
ing off has been lower than ever Never before
since the good old ante bellum days has the SEES
sion closed with so large an attendance |, was
therefore determined to devote four DAYS TO the
usual exercises instead of one as heretofore.
On Sunday, at 5 P. ~ in Galle's Hall, DR..
w. II. Carter preached the Commencement ser
mon. Principally at the hour appointed the
cadets, in charge OF Adjutant Shine. and the
young ladies, under Miss E. L. By,hcwood,
marched into the hall, the cadets occupying the
two front rews Of seats, and the young lady pu-
pills those Immediately in the rear Notwith-
standing the threatening aspect of the skv quite
large audience had assembled The theme
was one we'll suited to the occasion. Before the
preacher were those who had been his pupils
during the scholastic year then drawing to a
close, while further back in the audience were
the parents of those pupils. Many of the latter
had stood we'll in their studies while ssme few
were about to enter upon the active duties of
life They had drunk at the fountain of
knowledge, but was that all that was necessary
Here the reverend gentleman dwelt on the inn
portance of the Church coming in to assist the
teacher, and remarked that knowledge, unless
sanctifed, was often hurtful, quoting the old
saying that it takes smart man to make a
rogue 1t is to be hoped that Dr. Carter may
furnish the press his excellent discourse for pub
hcatlon, for it is well worthy an attentive pc
rusal
Monday was the second day And on the
evening of that day, long before the appointed
hour large crowd had assembled at Gallie's
Hall. 1t was the largest that we have ever seen
IN Tallahassee on an occasion of that kind The
recitation of Curfew by Miss Fannie Gibbons and
of -- by Miss Florence Wilt were we'll rem
dered and bore evidence not only of the merits
OF the painstakng teacher but of the docie p,i-
pull. The dialogues, too, showed latent hisrionic
talent, which by careful culture may ultimately
develop into more than enc successor to Booth
or hacready. But the chief attractions Of the
and the cadets in full uniform aud Announcements
in the prize drill Under Miss Byihewood the
young ladies have been practicng calisthsnics,
for the past two years, but no public exhibition
had heretofore been given. Hence this part of
the programme was new to many of the audi
ence. Some fifteen or twenty young ladies, all
dressed in white skirts and red jackets, appeared
on the platform and went through the evoll-
tons and motions peculiar to this accomplish
ment to the music rendered by Prof Meek ut the
piano. So well did the young ladies acqu,
themselves that at the conclusion of their per-
fOrmance they were greeted with rapiurous ap-
plause. The prize drill too excited great inter
est Who would be pronounced the best drilled
soldier -? To the uninitiate,l their motions
seemed to be perfect Every command seemed
to be obeyed promptly and correctly. But after
first one and then another was counted out, ca
Diet Hugh Shine the smallest soldier appeared
alone as the best drilled cadet
On Tuesday, the night of the third dav the ar-
dience at Cables Hall was even larger than on |
the preceding, and the programme still more at
tractye. 1t consisted of the Play of Manager |
in which a number Of interesting characters ap- |
peared to the great amusement of the audience;
Silent Manual in which section of the corps of
cadets went through the Manual of Arms in all
Of its phases with rapidly of execution that |
reflected credit en- themselves and their precep-
tor, without any audible commands being given |
and lastly the Fan Brigade under the command |
of Captain W. c. Lewis. This was, unquestion-
ably, the great attraction of the evening" and the |
oprN1o Of tIn lar
tested their high appreciation of the difficult and
coquetti1 maneuvres fthe young ladies.
Wednesday 18th was the great day of all. for |
1t was Commencement Day. The exercises were |
opened with prayer by Rev II. II. Kennedy |
Original orations were delivered by Cadets Chas |
Crawford and John II. Carter, which would |
have done credit to older heads An essay was |
read by Miss Bessie Linn, of the graduating
class; and in the absence Of the regular speaker
for the occasion, who was to have delivered the
Commencement address, the accomplished Pres
ident, Colonel F. r. Rivers, proved that he was
a man for emergencies. With but limited time
for preparation, for nearly hour he enter
tanned his audience by chaste and scholarly
address, we'll worthy the occasion The address
ended, came the conclusion of the ceremonies
the c0nferring of degrees There were two grad
uates-Misses Bessie Linn and Nellie Bassett
These having completed the Normal course, were
awarded diplomas Of Licentiate of Instruction,
they being the first graduates in this particular
school of instruction. The Honorary Degree of
D. d. was conferred on Rev. Henry E. Pitcher,
of Ohio that of Phi. d. on Nahum E. Ballou. M.
D., of Illinois; and of LII. D. on our esteemed
and worthy fellow citizens Ex-Governor d. s.
Walker and Judge j. T Bernard.
Never before has a Commencement excited
such public interest 1t shows that the prosper
ity Of eur cherished institution is not matter of
indifference to the community. Heretofore it
has had hard struggle Now it is well patron
lied, and a brighter day is dawning.
City improvements.
Editors Floridian: The very great interest
which YOUR valuable paper has ALWAYS mani