The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1895-12-06
OXFORD University.
How the Audience In the Galleries be-
HAYES During Commencement Exercises.

How the Audience In the Galleries Be
HAYES During Commencement Exercises.
A bright and observant woman, just
returned from tour of Europe, thus re-
lates her experience at Oxford ON the
evening Of degree day. "We sat In the
great hall where the exercises were to
take place. 1t seemed as if all the dig
nitaries of church and state were pres
emit, besides vast crowd Of people who
packed every gallery to overfowing.
Professor Roberts sat at the organ wait
ing for the entrance of the faculty and
students. The Marquis of Salisbury,
chancellor of the university; the Earl of
Carnarvon, high steward, and all the
proctors, burgesses, librarians, keepers,
orators, professors and moderators were
present. 1t was dignifed occasion.
Suddenly from the highest gallery
came a thin voice:
"'Oh, Mr., Roberts, won't you please
to oblige us all by playing that beauti-
full composition entitled "Her Golden
Hair Was Hanging Down Her Back?"
"Not head was turned in the hall.
| The crowd sat In studied silence.
| thought it the most shocking thing l had
ever heard Of, but the great people
around me seemed to take not the slight
est notice of it. In minute or two the
voice was heard again:
ooh, Mr.. Roberts, are you going to
oblige us with that sweetest of melodies
this evening entitled Her Golden Hair
Was Hanging Down Her Backi" Per
haps you have forgotten it, Mr.. Rob
crisp
Cup arose a man ON the other side of
| tho hall
"'Perhaps the gentleman making the
request of Mr. Roberts does not under
stand that this is too dignified an occa-
sion for the music he has mentioned.
Mr.. Roberts would like to play for us
all nocturno or something Of similar
character.
"But Mr.. Roberts sat still.
cat last the procession entered and
the crowd awoke. walk right to the
front, gentlemen, and don't be bashful,
said voice in the gallery, while from
the opposite side came running fire OF
words that were bold, sarcastic and
witty. The graduates read their papers
or tried to read them, but not wore
was heard from one of them. The rallies
from tho crowd were SO vigorous ard sc
constant that they riveted the attention
of the entire audience. Ono of the grad
yates were flaming red necktie, which
the galleries did not admire.
=" Take off that red ragn they called
from all sides. He read on. of will
that red ragl' Get out and borrow an
other tier Wen excuse you for tel
minutes, but for heavens sake get OF
another ticn we can stand the speech
but We can't stand that tie' OF viii
itp
"As tho student paid no attention t
these remarks. one of the gallery god
leaned over the railing In full view O
tho auG:encc. and taking off his own ii
threw ii down to'the stage, calling out
r 'Hcto you aye, my boy. I'll lend yo
a this tn Jon can get another Return
: to 81 High street.
LAO in the evening | met sevara
friends among the faculty and eS
pressed surpriso that such interruption
wero allowed.
= oh, that is what we go for, e,
plained enc Of the professors. 'Nobod
= cares 10 hear tho papers read. All wal
to listen to the remarks from the ga
lerics. Tho wit was not atnn up to ii
standard this year, not at all. Last yef
it Was really very clever. 1t made mo-
Of US laugh New York Press.