Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-18

Lee Memorial chapel was packed by half
past 10 o'clock. and there was a large
crowd outside.
The exercises were opened at III
O'Clock with prayer by Rev. G.. G. Van
dersllce, of Lynchburg. One hundred
and sixteen class distinctions were con-
ferred. and thirty-seven certificates of
proficiency and sixty-three certificates
OF distinguished proficiency awarded.
The University prize Grafton was de-
livered by e. r, Layburn. of Virginia
the law-class Grafton by NJ. II. Haythe.
b. H.. of Virginia; and the valedictory
by ii. A. White, NJ. A., of Virginia.
DEGREES AND PRIZES.
The following degrees and prizes
were conferred
BACHELOR OF LAW. A. Carter. OF
Georgia; L: J, dudley. OF Virginia: q. n.
German, OF North Carolina: {. Il. Harris
OF Kentucky; N. II. Haythe, OF Virginia
T.. McCorkle, OF Virginia; ID. l.. Moody,
OF Texas: &. y. Nelson, OF Virginia: y. Sale.
Of Virginia: W. f.. Walsh. OF MARYLAND:
J. ii. Wise, OF South Carolina.
BACHELOR OF ARTs.-J. NJ. Allen, OF Ken
lucky l.. A. Sale, Jr., OF Virginia.
MASTER OF ARTs.-F. X. Carichon OF
Virginia; II. A. White. OF West Virginia.
DOCTOR Oh PHILOsOPHY.-W. ID. Camp
bell, OF Virginia.
EARLY ENGLISH-TExT SOcIErY's PRIZE.
Is. +. Sledd. OF Virginia.
ADMINISTRATIONS Medal j. II. Wise.
OF South Carolina Orators Medal: W. A.
glasgow, Jr., Of Virginia. Santinl Prize
Medal: g. III. German. OF Mo- tn Carolina,
Robinson Prize Medsls-languages f. X.
M Init lt.ff a n
erature; II. A. White. OF West Virginia ::
Mathematics and Science: W. b. Smith, of
Nirginia.
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP Latin: W.
VI. White. OF virginia; Greek: j. III. Cor
tell. OF Virginia; Modern Languages: L. VI.
Hairs. of Virginia; Natural Philosophy:
W. j. Uumphiies, OF Ohio; Chemistry: o.
l.. DAWN. OF Virginia.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS Taylor Scno.
lanhip: Il. l.. Washburne. OF Louisiana
Young scholarship: W. 4. Armstrong. OF
Texas; French Scholarship: W. 70. smith.
OF Virginia; Hamilton Law Scholarship:
T.. NJ. Grutchfield. OF Richmond.
CINcISsA1I ORATIoN.-H. A. White, OF
West Virginia.
HONORARY DEGREEs.-LL. d.: Bishop
A. n. Wilson. ID. d.. OF Maryland; Rev.
John Hall. ID. D., OF New York: Judge r..
q. Burks, OF Virginia; Professor Lawrence
Wade. OF Virginia; Rev. W. A Leonard.
Is. d.. of Washington; Rev. j. a. Waddell,
OF Virginia: Rev. John p Strider. OF Vir-
ginia; Rev. ID. NJ. Rankin, OF New York:
Rev. W. W. Landrum, Of Richmond.
General Lee read an extract from
the proceedings of the Alumni Asso-
citation giving the history of the Am
bier memorial tablet, after which it
was unveiled by Mr.. J. l.. Campbell,
Jr., clerk Of the faculty, and General
Lee read copy of the inscription on it
for the information of the large crowd
present. General Lee said 1t is known
to most of you that this is the one
hundredth anniversary Of this inStitu-
ton. In honor of the occasion Mrs.
Margaret j. Preston consented to fur
nish poem, which will now be read
by Colonel j. L. l.. Preston. Colonel
Preston came forward and read the
poem in his own inimitable style, and
it was received with the deepest atten-
ton. The intense interest never weak
ened al any moment.
The poem would occupy nearly four
columns Of the Dispatch, and. owing
to the fact that Mrs. Preston had been
positively forbidden by her physicians
to use her eyes, was dictated to an
amanuensis. 1t reciteS the history of
the intuition, and is studded with the
names Of distinguished alumni who
have figured prominently in Virginia
history. Its key may be judged from
this tribute to Lee. with which it
closes
-" Come lead US In the paths OF peace.
As once in war. since war must cease;
And teach us how
We too NAV bow
And rom sown dragOn-teeth may raise
A phalanx armed for boodless fight.
To crush the wrong. maintain the right
1he Sparti OF our future days!
XXuI.
with gra nd humility he came.
And found his calm Mount Vernon here.
v bile the worlds paans crowned his name
with praise he did not turn 10 hear.
And bever IN the prOudest hour
Oi wars embattled pomp and power
Did he so rule all hearts and sway
Their reverence rs none other can
The nobesi, couTtliest gentleman
The knightliest knight who wore the gray
XIV.
We saw him take with matchless grace
The academic seat, and wear
It's humble honoTs. with such rare
Majestic skill. rs II the place
We're broad enough 10 meet the large de-
mands
on his Imperial hands,
We watched him as his silvered head
flowed meekly ut the morning prayer;
And maryelled, AS with martial tread.
They brooked no swcrye 10 left or right
His bands OF students firm he led
AslegiOns to the fight
yesaw him in his peaceful rest;
Nesaw him in the evenings wone.
" hen unObscurCd by mist or stain,
II cloudless ORD went down the west.
All scarce We dare beneath our breath
10 name him here-sO pure, 80 brave!
| Tread softly. for the sculptor s skill
| Holds him in seeming slumber still.
| Hush for that stirlcSs sleep is death
Peace for we stand too near his grave.
XIV.
| OH ye who tread these classic halls,
| Baptized once ore In patriot Hood
! Think what exalted memories flood
! Those dOubly consecrated walls!
The hoafy lore Of Oxford's towers,
Made sacred by her Alfred name,
| Can never boast a prouder fame
| Than shriDes these simple aisles OF ours
| XVI.
| evil not walk ignobe ways:
lp dare not seek unworthy aims
Ye cannot do deed that shames
| Thee heroes Of our hottest days
| Your oath Roman oath must be,
sworn with a faith that will not yield
| sworn on the doubly -sacre shield
OF WASHINGTON and LEE!
The benediction was pronounced by
Rev. r. II. Fleming, of Virginia, anC
thus closed one Of the most successful
commandments in the history Of the
institution. The final ball takes place
at Newcomb Hall tonight.
The addresses to-day were far above
the average commencement oratlons
and the interest throughout was better
sustained than have ever known It Oh
such an occasion.
Professor White, at the banquet last
night, speaking of the character of the
work done in the institution, and the
estimate put on it throughout the coun'
try. said " We have constant applica'
tons for professors and teachers. Within
the last three weeks we have been asked
to name the president and faculty o.
an eastern college, and we have
done it,"
GeneralL was assisted in comforting