Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-18

rest. but without labor there can be no
rest. By labor Is meant mental as
we'll as physical toll. There is work
for every man, and he should not allow
misguided ambition to lure him from his
proper sphere. Happiness does not de-
pend upon the kind of work, but upon
how il is performed. Could we learn that
sweet. ennobling lesson that contentment
with honest effort, be the result ever 80
small. is the ideal Of perfect success in life
we would often succeed where we now fail.
Every man should feel IL to be his duty
10 labor It is a debt we owe to
nature. Too many lose sight OF the
claim the world has upon them and
adopt the epicurean motto - Hhrm rirzn1ts
rirqD,,,s" All nature calls the indolent
from their idlencss. The ceaseless activity
of the lower creation is great object les
son which it behOoycs men 20 consider.
Honest labor is richly rewarded, and the
reward IS according TO faithtulncss rather
than according to the sphere in which we
labor The annals of the ages bear testi-
monv TO these truths. The names of Full
ton. franklin. and Newton are living mon
umeuts to the dignity of labor N humble
spheres.
Mr.. Motley has an easy delivery and did
himself and his society much credit.
WAS EDGAR ALLAN POE 4 siADMAN.
The orator Of the Philogian Society was
Mr.. Curtis J.. Laws. of LOudOun county,
Va. This centleman's theme was the
auorv. " Was Edgar Allan Poe q Madman "
Ia his earliest life the child of lnisiOr-
tune. in boyhOod the subject of naughty
pride and shrinking scnsitiyeuess, IN man
hood the being IN whom dwelt the TWO
antagonistic spirits the angel of llfe and
the demon Of darkness. each striving Tor
complete mastery. in death the subject OF
ltl lac veil
of calumny has heavily and darkly clouded
the memory Of tha, magnificent genius who
alone among American poets Is worthy,
said the orator. to bc ranked IN that Illus
trious procession Of bards from Chaucer to
Teunvsou. which are the worlds wonder
and admiration. Was Edgar Poe a mad
man. II seemed 10 the speaker that the
strange and contradictory phases OF ms
life can DE explained upon no other by
potheSs. Again. there can be no possible
doubt that all great literary men have left
in their productions deep and lasting traces
of their own personal character and
idiOsvcrasics.
Mr.. Laws. continuing, said; A close
study of the life and works Of Poe IN the
light of literary criticism upon the rationale
of poetic and prose composition bas con-
yinccd me that this mysterious man IN
composing his bcautiiuily-welrd poems
and his mysterious ghOstiy stories did but
incorporate m writing not the results ol ms
poetic fancy. which increased with hls lite
rarv culture. but the images, visions, and
phantom. which appeared to him as living
Teali.tics and which clung 10 him with such
pertiuacitv as 20 render ms solitude he'll,
and which at the same time increased h.S
autipathv 10 the social world. This Is the
most reasonable explanation of the coucep-
tions which resulted I'm such stories as
The Black Cat The Fail OF the House
of Usher The Imp Of the Peryerse- aud
such poems as The Raven ana the
Haunted Palace
Here was answered the objection that II
is not necessary for man 10 be mad 10 re-
cord the feelings of a mailman.
The speaker cndcavOrcd to show that the
conceptions which resulted IN Poe'S I'm
lshed works were but the revelations OF
his subjective experiences. IL We accept
such a. the explanations our inquiry bas
not been In van, for this wll enable MS 70
reverse the order of inquiry 10y hvpothe-
sizing his ndd3ieSS 70, an aXVlautuon OF the
contradictory phases Oi hIs life and charar-
ter Ir was not claimed chat he WIS ma
mac. but only that his writings and per-
~oual conduct conclusiycly proved mental
disorder.
Mr.. Laws forciby presented his views on
this much-dcbated question, and added
greatly TO hl5 growing ropufitiOn as q
speaker. he received the heartlcst ap-
llau,r of tine evening.
TIKI yALEDICTOEY.
Last ON the programme was the valedic-
tory. This sad. sweet duty fell 90 the lot
of Alr. Joseph Whitehead member Of the
Ma Sigma Rho Society from Pitsylyanla
county. Va. His illusions % college Gus
toms and jokes were numerous and very
amusing Bus the fun Was intersperSed
with much practical encouragement and
cheer. lie exhorted bis foll0w-students to
awake 10 the duties of the hour: 10 To-
main i'm their own Southland and assist in
elevating her 10 her rightful position
among the peoples of the earth.
This pleasant and witty speech fttingly
closed tine exercises OF the evening. The
floral tributes received 10y the speakers
were very handsome.
NEXT.
This evening the societies will be adj
dressed Joy Hon. Henry ). Walker. of West
Virginia.
Mr. Walker bear the reputation of being
an exceedingly attractive and eloquent
speaker. and those vino are SO fortunate rs
u secure seats may expect . literary treat.
Ihc medals of the societies vii also be
awarded by Hon. G.. Il. Sands. Mayor FL
Tyson VIII preside.