Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-24

Opening Day Of the Institution =
HnrIfuRer nj nm Excellent YeaP.

Hnrbfuger Of an Excellent Year.
Richmond College opened yesterday
with prospects for one Of the best ses-
slons In its history.
The first day of the scholastic year
dawned outside damp and dreary. and
the streets and croad avenues bounding
the college campus on ali sides presented
an uninviting appearance 10 come and
walk upon them, but not so with the
massive gray structure in their midst
The doors of the institution were thrown
open, and it's dry, cheerful halls, already
echoing with the sounds of many feet,
smiled a glad welcome to the young
traveller meeting his first mud along the
road of life.
President Boatwright was in his Office
all day enrolling new students and the Old
ones. advising the former as to what
studies they could pursue with the best
advantage. and comforting with the for
mer students as to theirs. This was kept
up through the day until late In the eve
ming the President said every room In
the college building and the students
cottage" on the campus, had been
taken.
A committee OF professors was gathered
in the faculty-room 10 advise with the
new students, to examine them, II need
be. that there might be no mistake in
lege. But the committee had little to do
In this line. Professor BOatwrighr said
last night, In speaking OF the preparation
OF the students, that the average advance
ment in their Guides was beyond that or
all previous years. This, he considers, is
a glowing report. Another noteworthy fea-
ture OF this years opening-day is the
extended territory-North. South, and
West-represented by the enrolment.
Though the weather continued unpro-
Al.
students. and many friends Of the college
gathered in the audience-room of the col
lege last evening at Sis o'clock, to ex-
tend welcome to those who enter college
for the first time. The addresses OF the
evening were made by Rev. William II.
Hatcher. ID. D.. president of the trustees.
and Mr.. l.. A. Coulter. State Secretary or
the Young Mems Christian Association. A
number Of the pastors OF the city were
also present, and took part In the exer-
cises. At their conclusion everybody adj
journed TO the refectory hall, where re-
freshments i'm every variety and album
dance were served.
To-day will be occupied in classifying
the students in their respective schools.
But the enrolment will go on. No one will
go away, and no one be crowded. Rooms
had been engaged near the college, and
all who come will be made thoroughly
comfortable.
WOMAN'S COLLEGE DOING WE'LL.
Yesterday was the second day Of the
session at the Woman's College, over
which Or. James Nelson presides. The
college opening is good: better than ever
before, and the genial Doctor is jubilant
The work of Rotations Will be taken up
regularly Monday. and the work OF the
year will begin in real earnest. The last
touches TO preparation will be made to-
day. DR.. Nelson looks upon his school
with fond pride. and the bright. happy
faces that the Young ladies wear makes
that pride pardonable.
The opening is more satisfactory than
ever before and the school will certainly
be pretty full. but not crowded, as addi-
tional accommodations have been pro-
vided during the summer.