The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-29
THEIR COLLEGE DAYS
sc,,,srp AROUND THE JOYOUS
BANQUET B0dRD
uoror Done 30 Their Alma Mater by
Loyal Sons Of the University OF
Nircinia-The Tossts.

1-.f,-.rSitN Of Virginia has that or I
~.,stion spent more delightful even 7
,ran that Of last evening. when the /
al n,nquct was held at the Common I
wealth club.
...-y year near the date Of that /
s old statcsman's birthday. these
60, SONS OF their alma mater take pride
s,.rs honor 10 the name OF Thomas
..r.-son. patriot. statesman and founder
Che University of Virginia, and las;
..rs was one long TO be remembered
those who renewed old acquaintance
r. and reviewed the sweetest recol-
lions 90 their college days.
O'Clock there were about sixty OF
|. alumni present. and IL was picture
zeal enjoyment when they gathered
.r8.rl che huge bowl OF mint Julip IN
mo ol tte reception rooms before repair
..,t. the banquet han. old silver grays
..rseI freely with youths and middle
...s men, and all joined heartily in the
CORDIAL Misunderstanding and reviewing Of
.. ..'r-cs experiences.
TIE t.rqUct hall was decorated In the
me. BEAUTIFUL style. and a noticeable
..-.e OF anything like gaudiness In
... f.rai corceits made a most attrac-
1--WE erect On each side Of the main
entrance were large pot palms. with a
single Easter lily. as an appropriate
..--as. With the green.
.ae chandeliers were exQuisitely fes-
t.-rfi with smilaN alone. and on the
..-'e's and IN the windows were banks
.f sniax and maiden-hair ferns, which
lf' an impression as pleasing as II was
..frue Elsewhere I'm the room were
,..fei palms. ferns and Easter lilies. and
A. fhe centre 81 each ~ the three tables
n.s an exquisite basket Of Amcric an
HIefy rosebuds. which dropped their
pretty heads I'm fragrant pionttude.
The rcpast was true old Virginia din
r.r comprising all the most palatable
she's the old Dominion furnishes. ana
WIS served I'm Zimmormann's best stylA.
Hf. cloqucace and the choicest OF spark
Ing wines flowed as freely as the best
~ good wishes. and when the sixty sons
. NirCinia's timc-honored institution.
erch sporting the orange and blue sat
Town % the sumptuous repast. look
% true happiness was pictured on the
f.es ~ all.
among the oldest Of the members in
-t.ndance were: Rev. Or. William j.
mas. Judge Hunter Marshall. Pro-
f-n- John II. Powell. Hon. William
W.r Henry John l.. Williams. Judge
lewis James Peasants Rev. Randolph
N.Kl~ 7. c.. Harrison. Hon. J. TAYLOR
Trs.0 John =. Mcclure. Rev. pr. VIII
e- Randolph, Professor William NJ.
--'on. Leigh Robinson. Alfred T. Har-
-, Judge Minor and others.
Wr Wvndham r. Meredith. the pres
l.r' p the Richmond Chapter. presided
i- Nls usual skillful manner. and after
r-0rosiue a toast 70 the hosts Of the
evening the Commonwealth Club, he read
letters from Professor NJ Shele DeNere,
20 fre chair 81 modern languages; F. H.
Smith. ~ the chair Of natural philosophy
and W Mallet 81 the school Of chem
isfrv. expressing their regrets at being
unable 10 attend the banquet. and adding
their most sincere wishes for a success
fl' and ENJOYABLE meeting
Professor Shele De We're will have soon
completed HIS fftieth year in the Chair
- Modern Languages az the University.
Asa scientist Prof. Smith has a reputation
am over America. and his ready wit and
quick intellect IS well known throughout
this country. Professor Mallet IS a recog-
nizsd authority on chemical subjects. and
IS one Of the abiest men in his depart
nent on either side the Atlantic. He IS
O. Fellow q the Royal Society Of Eng
and. and IS held I'm lofty estimation by
tha members 81 this erudite body.
u was source OF disappointment TO
those IN attendance that they were de-
r-ived 81 tho pleasure Of these gentle
mons presence as each Of them is well
known for his ability as a post-prandial
speaker. and a the reading Of each let
Pep was an outburst Of applause from the
srtirs audience
MI, Meredith began his speech by say
Ing that the members Of the Alumni
ASSOCIATION who We're anxious TO see
some substantial benefits to their great
University mark the reorganization OF
.r.i- chapter. were unprepared 10 ad-
-lt the justice OF the criticisms OF those
r. objected 10 such gatherings on the
r-riud that the banquet was the sole
-.-rrgo. Whatever the occasion that
..nod them together. II was inspired by
desire 20 return I'm thought and feellng
., the time when life seemed formed OF
sunny years
Tra honors ~ the University could be
secured only through arduous toll, SAID
.ra sneaker The arduOusneSs or the
.fors however. were soon forgotten IN
--..rnuhs whose charms were never al
+-,s~ss eoualed and whose glory never
loses its lustre. Even the remembrance
l, failures was forgotten In the recol-
lection that there were formed the
.-..s, warmost and most lasting OF
f-.r1-hips. which were indeed the most
r-..aless treasures OF their university.
utN.. the character of the students ana
OH. prevailing tone OF the institution were
and ara so high and honorable that il
-r.- La dcserVcdly said or IT'S schoidiS
ra. whether they missed or won the
prize each was. pray God a gentleman,
a-rhar. IL was that the world seeiheu
ours and II any doubts arose as 10 our
..,acitv 10 conquer fortune. with the
s.- e.v al least. we believed ourselves
Irresistible. In Greek or mathematics we
r.sht occasionally cork but with the
calico tickets we were all 'curls.' mere
% vas that the prototype of the music
- Wagner rang through the old brick
srcaGes. when the horns Of the 'call-
talmpsts made such dicordant melody
rta, "a certain lneal professor Would
plead for few brilliant flashes OF
silence
Nr Meredith said that though TINS
r.fy since the war had trebled her wealth
and more than doubled her population
ftsl had increased the number OF her sons
WHO took advantage Of the best oppor-
'rtv for higher education WITHIN her
borders by but one single solitary mol
NlIal In 1879. with her aSgreEa'e
wealth estimated al twenty millions ana
t-' population at forty thousand she
fert tweuty-onc pupils to the ohiseI-
city, In las with her wealth equa 10
sixty millions and with population OF
40 least ninety thousand souls, she mas
tlt twenty-five youths whose names are
on The rolls Of the most thorough COL
l.es in America. No increase IN manu-
tcurc. commerce and wealth can hake
up for tho intellectual retrogressloh 'h@'