New-York tribune., 1886-07-18
AN OXFORD GALA-DAY.
sKETCHED BY THE PRESIDENT OF HAvER.
FORD COLLEGE.


FORD.
OXFORD JulyI.
Thirty-one years ago attended the C0mmemOra-
tion at Oxford and yesterday was again present
at the Encenia in the Sheldonian Theatre. The
outward aspect OF the pageant has little changed.
There were the same shouting students in the GAL
lery almost as vociferous Of Old IN spite of thu
sprinkling Of ladies' among them which the dons
have introduced a check to their license. OAen-
sive personalities indeed less frequent: and 40
also IL must he confessed vas Wit The same brill.
liant circle of ladies surrounded the pit and relieved
the sombre black of the members of the conyoca-
ton and distinguished strangers who stood pa.
tiently on the crowded floor. The same sp!endidy
robed procession Of heads of houses and doctors
escorted the new candidates for the highest honor
of the University from the hall of Baili0l College
where they met the Vice Chancellor. The same
Latin formule were used By the Vice Chancellor,
with the same English pronunciation, which was
also used by the reciters OF the prize Latin verses
and Latin essay, with this difference only that
the quantity of every syllable. as well as that Of
the penult WIS observed One ielt that the sams
University was holding high festival that has held
it for centuries past and yet two startling incl
dents proved that great changes had como about
in the last thirty years.
In the Commemoration of 1855 the name of John
repeated again and again. 1t was evident then
that he was the man best hated by the gildei youth
of England In the CommemOration OF 1886 John
Rright was the guest whom all most deli ghted 10
honor the recipient of most freqneH. and loud ap-
rlause and the lion of the day. The other incident
which. in connection with Mr. lryings address q
few evenings before. marked great change. was
the recitation of prize essay on The lninence OK
the Theatre on Lille and Character IN wAeG, whiis
the verdict passed upon the theatre was on the
whole unfavorabe. and il was asserted that " the
quantity of pnre and harmless enjoyment whcha
man obtains from it is in an almost inverse ratio to
the number of his visits" the writer ended with tho
words: We may look forward, with that intense
longing that may avail in some degree to hasten It's
own realization. to "A nation in wlch idleness aud
the dulness and thirst for excitement that are
born of idleness are well-nigh unknown, nation
in which all classes take their own rightful snare
of labor. all enjoy and capable of using wisely
rghtful share of recreation. In snch a nation .
purifed and elevated tn ,Atre wonld find its place
as tine minister of innocent amusement and the
honorable servant of the arts that eDn0ole the lilo
of man. 1t was gratifying to notice how heartily
and unanimously the students applaulei every ex-
preston like this: The dri should be free from
every talnt of vulgarty OF coarSene's.'
The degree of ID. c. l.. was conferred upou Lord
Hcrschell the Lord High Chancellor: John
Bright. Sir Frederick Joseph Bramweli. the rres,-
dent of the Institution of Civil Engineers Ma,or-
General Pitt-Rivers F. r. s. Dr. Oliver Wendell
Holmes. William Adlis Wright Fellow of Trinity.
Cambridge tue Er glish scholar, and secretary OF
the company of reyisers of the translation of ths
Old Testament: and Thomas fIodgkin. author Of
% italy and her Invaders" and editor of Cassio-
dorusD Like Mr. Bright Mr. lIodgkin Is a member
of the Society OF Friends, aud he is moreover MN
ister in that body. Amidst the cheers Tor Bright
on his first appearance IN the theatre MS exit.
and his Going no and coming down from receiving
his degree the frequent cry Union" Union"
denoted the nearly unanimous feeling OF OSloEd on
the great ouestion of the day. Doubtless this
poltical feeling greatly heightened the warmth OF
his reception And yet | think that at any time
within the last ten years Oxford would have given
him generous applause for the qualities Justly
Indicated in Latin phrases by the Professor OF
international Law as he presented him Tor tho
degree the purity OF his diclon, the ioitness and
classic dignity of his eloquence tie spotlessaess
of his lifc his patriotism, his philanthropy. and
| tbe universal Acknowledgement of his worth, now
! that envy is outgrown and hatred Is buried" DE-
Jowett making an addition to the formula used
with all the other candidates. sauted him as q
man most fondly devoted to liberty and to nus
natiye landv Every one admired the leOnins
|
by the increasing feebleness of his Old ago.
| DR. Holiness reception was also enthusiastic
| and cordial, and his literary merits we're warmly
! Ntoed by his introducer Did he come up ia
! the one-hOss shay y was shouted from the UNDER
gra luates gallery The Lord Chancellor also. was
warmly appaudcd. amt all the other new doctors
had a kindly reception. Perhaps the wttiest thins
| shoutrI from the gallery was T" Non causa, when
| Vlce-Chanceor Jowett declared that he conferred
the degree OF doctor upon General iIttk,ivefs Nv.
honorls causa." Witty rather than just; Tor ~
nliait at ne degree
but TO the valuable donation he has Just gwen 10
the University Of an extensive couect!oh oi pr.inl-
tive relics illustrating the development and history
of civilization: whereas ho il undoubtedly entltled
10 the degree for his learning and ability, although
his gift furnished the occasion Tor his reception
As | have already said. the horseplay in the gal
leIy was less witty than sometImos Dr. JSSwets
! courared by the cry that's better .; and warned
not to be initiating Irving" Mr. Palgrave and
the prize essayists were Interrupted py an ht'us
of slang; and the English poem alone was received
with tOerably respectful attention. ileS sWai.
lowed a dictionary !" some one erred at the end OK
an elaborate period of the English essayIst hrow
away that yellow tower| was shouted LOT soms
ten minutes before the exercises beg IN, TO gem
tleman in tho area, who at last oDeyed tae conf
| mand. Lord Randolph Churchiils name Was
greeted th loud cheers and some groans Nr.
| GIadstones with many groans anu II lew cheers.
The Prince and Princess CHRISTIAN, VINO sat Oh 'hS
| stage were warmly applaudei.
| Oxford has been unusually gay IN Commeiora-
ton week this year. Besides the promenade on
| Show sunday and TIE pfOcc sslon ol tHc po"'s ''A
| tbe ilower show and the usual puOlic balls there
| have been several balls every evening ami scveral
| concerts at different colleges, and boating ana PIC
| nc parties galore. Another event has been the
| oneninr of a theatre, whittier Undergraduates ana
| their Young lady sisters and cousins and friends
| have gone without let or hndrance, ana whe'e
niay wtitten for the OCCASION Girl Graduate. an
| fdvll of COmmem,' nculcates the lesson that love
viii triumph over all resolves to lead life Of study
| in ,nonastc or cOnyentual secluslon
The iicsnse given To students t. attend the thea
trc formerly one of the gravest OF offences is OF
piece " lth the warm reception given 10 Mr' TWIN!
when he lectured upon the drama last SATURDAY ~
the Examination school, ut the invitation oi ths
| Wee Chancellor. Perhaps more startling lnnova
t,on in Oxford ways was exempliiied at the concert
| in the Hall of Bailiol on sunday evening. when
| songs from Shakespeare were sung In the presence
| of the Vice-C Chanccllor and other dons, ana th'
Ill. Mr. Irwin