The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
WELLESLEY'S JOYFUL DAYS.
INCIDENTS or THE COMMENCEMENT
NEANON At TIE COLLEGE

portant event in the history Of the college.
The new memorial chapel, which for many
months has been In process OF construc-
ton Ia now com peted and dedicated and tho
outgoing seniors will have the distinction OF
being the first class to receive diplomas In the
beautiful building. They will not be alone In
their appreciation OF its ample size and con-
venient arrangement, for every friend who has
ever attended Wellesley commencement be-
fore will bo ready to sing song OF gratitude
10 the donors OF the building that they are
enabled to cit comfortably within. watching
and listening. without feeling that 800 or 400
unfortunates are chatting and frcttinE outside
because the building will not hold them. too
Tho old chapel was altogether inadequate for
public occasions. and no one was better aware
OF this than the seniors Yet In spite OF 1t all.
the last vespers held In the place where they
had met day after day month after month and
year after year through their course. was full
OF "Reminiscences with an inevitable touch OF
pathos. The whole service fitted into such a
mood. Mrs. Irvine. who this year makes her
farewell to the college as its President. took
charge OF tho service. Dean Stratton. Prof.
whiting and Prof. Roberts oil made addresses
which brought tho past and the hope OF the
future wildly before the students.
The memorial chapel was dedicated on juno
], in tho presence OF the students. tho faculty
and more than 1000 guests. The students sat
by classes. occupying relatively the same posi-
tons as in the old chapel. Special music had
been prepared and members OF the Boston
Symphony Orchestra accompanied the college
chorus and glee club. A hymn was sung. COM
posed for the occasion by Miss Martha Ganse
McCauey OF the class OF 1892. with music by
Mr.. Rotoi. the director OF the college chorus.
On the musical programme. besides this hymn.
were the "Stahat Mater" OF Pergolesi and
Handels Hope in the Lord The formal
address of the occasion was delivered
by DR.. Charles Cuthbert Hall OF Union
Theological Seminary on 9TH" Hallowing
OF Education" The address Of rresenta-
ton in behalf Of the donors was made
by the Rev Dr. Edward L. Clark Of Boston. He
emphasized particularly the memorial charac-
ter Of the building and the fact that it was to
be used exclusively for religious and academic
purposes. The chapel was formally accepted
In behalf OF the trustees by the Row. DR.. Alex
ander Mckenzie, President Of the board. The
chapel was given by Miss Elizabeth q. Hough-
ton and Mr.. Clement 4. Houghton Of Boston AS
q m memorial OF their father. the late William s.
Houghton. The building was erected at cost
OF 100000. 1t stands on the westward spur
OF the Stone Hall hill facing the main avenue
The walls are of Milford granite up to the
water table. and above OF smoothly dressed
chapel is o cross. The organ is the gift Of for
mer students of the college. and several col
leRe classes will provide memorial windows.
Ex- Gov. Clnflin. trustee OF the college. has
already given the great light OF the western |
transept in memory OF his wife. former
trustee.
From every indication commencement this |
year will be as interesting and enjoyable as
ever. Wellesley reverses the rule OF Smith and |
some OF the other womens colleges. aud ac- |
eordingly. instead OF keeping class supper as a |
grand finale when every other function is fin |
ished. the seniors begin the commencement |
season with their class supper. which occurs |
this year on June %. This. however can |
hardly be called the initial festivity. since Tree
Day. the most delightful day OF all the year,
though usually preceding commencement by a |
month or SO. seems the forerunner OF all the |
later pleasures. On that day the college Is at |
home to itself. At other times Wellesley extends |
tains her guests to tho best OF her ability but on
Tree Day her task is to enjoy herself The |
ceremonies and customs which prevail during !
this festival are among the most CHARACTERISTIC |
81 AL th tS which have gr4Swn To- be tradition
Tbe fGS sh9 he t1F 81 IN. Is
lsge to the first class OF all in 1877. and in I'M
broken sequence the day has been celebrated
- At first simplicity was the keynote, and Tree
Day was synonymous with an outdoor revel.
nome little iormality. took leave Of their tree
Anu the freshmen planted one. which they
llege course. By a gradual evolution Tree Day
has come to be one OF the most elaborate occa-
sions OF the year, Each class tries to conceive
a more original form than tho others OF i'm
college public, on. veal, Hobin Hood and his
merry men darted forth from the woods again
Gypsics with tambournes troopcd over the |
ssai annni, party Of May uueenS Joined in
he n
Ii Ike mus ooms. Tree Day. indeed, is II season
81 ont very class
with itself and won much APPLAUSE for its skill
and sii,i "rignaIty. It w1nid seem as if later
smull number OF devices that former classes
have lrtt unred. but the Wellesley girls seem
to be full OF resource, and every year untoIds
such new marvels in costume and entertain.
mrnt that a stage manager might be glad to
When the freshmen have planted their tree
and tho programme Of entertainment hy all
classes has been carried through to its end the
seniors commend the care Of their tree TO the
winds and rains in the following song:
Ont Of the old is the new.
tnder the storm Is the blue,
For each little leaf OF the tree
80 he warm lay sunshine be.
Than all the summers before
Ts' la La !" s L. I'll !. / !, " T.ii IL s
. and Float for Juns 70 Float ' also "" is
enc OF the joyful times Of Wellesley, when even
protoplas differentiated into BRAN and
muscular tissue and gives herself W. to |
as nearly like Paradise as any sub |
stitute could be- Float is an occasion when
the hospitality OF Wellesley is conducted on it's
most ample scale. The exclusiveness OF Tree
Day yields to the spirit which says Come, |
friends OF the college. one and all, and enjoy
our merry carnival with us"
The guests respond by thousands, and an
endless procession carrying wraps and cush-
ions. begins to wind its way to the curving
shores OF tho lake as early as half past q
O'Clock on the evening Of Float" BY they
are seated comfortably about. and as the long
gins to show itself, Then the class boats with
their Rayly dressed crews. shoot out from the
shore; guests. applaud and watch the graceful
weaving and Intervening Of cruises without
rivalry among the classes, for racing 10 not on
the programme of Float" Later other
boats; all aight with lanterns, glide out
on the lake. till the whole scene would
seem like phantom pageant II It were
not for the laughter and talk. the songs
OF the glce club and the Jolly musical
ammunition with which tho different classes
pc each other in good natured ridicuIe FL
nally all the boats converge near the shore in
star. and sing for an hour or more, while
fireworks from different points on the shore
make the whole SKY glorious and lines OF
spectators vaguely and make the moon nuite
unnecessary. u by some strange chance 1t for