New-York tribune., 1899-07-31
IRvING's NEW DEGREE.
THE GODS OF THE GALLERY UNABLEtTo
MAKE SPORT OF THE GREAT y.
ACTOR IN GLASGOW.
Glasgow, July n.

Sir Henry Irving received yesterday from the
University of Glasgow his third academic de-
gree. Trinity College. Dublin, was the hrst uni
versity to bestow upon the leading actor OF the
generation the distinction Of being scholar
and a man OF letters well as player cam
bridge confirmed his title last year as doctor
OF literature and the most practcal ana Sci
entifc OF Scotch universities has gone step
further and maac him a doctor Of laws. 1t now
remains the privilege Of oxford. always back
ward in its conservatism, to strengthen his aca-
demic title by comforting upon him the same de-
gree: and possibly its action will be anticipated
by either Harvard or Yale In view OF his emil
nent services to dramatic art in America.
The University of Glasgow was founded about
the middle of the fifteenth century. but its pres
ent site was selected barely thirty years ago.
back of the West End Park and the quadrangles
divided by the handsome common hall were de-
signed by Sir G. g. Scott The old time gateway
has been re-erected at the entrance OF the
grounds and the wainscot and ceiling OF the
senate room haze been preserved from the orig
nal structure: but otherwise the buildings are
entirely modern, and are mainly impressive
from their dimensions and commanding site.
The style is Early English. with Scotch French
notifications and trimmings. and the main
architectural feature is spire rising 3o0 feet
above the ground and serving to dignity with
it's open Gothic tracery an ambitious but rather
prosaic facade. The buildings and site nave
cost about $5,000000. and are mainly occupied
as ciassrooms. laboratories libraries and work
ing apartments for about twenty-five hundred
students. Butte Hall. where the academic func-
tions are held. Is the connecting link binding
together the senate hall. library. reading room.
museum and cIassrooms OF the university. 1t
Is a spacious and noble hail. encircled by a
broad gallery. and cut off by fine Gothic screen
from smaller hall opening into the senate
chamber
II was in this Gothic hall. fairly well filed
with students and women with bright French
millinery. that the honorary degrees were con-
ferred to a running accompaniment OF good
natured academic chaff. The students were in
the galleries as on similar occasions at oxford
and Cambridge; but while they were left at lib
erty to supply the comedy elements Of dull
and formal scholastic entertainment. they re-
vealed the density and seriousness of Scotch
humOr. No restraint was placed upon tnelr
mischievous pranks but there was little orgi-
nality in their comic byplay. although the au-
dence was easily amused and laughed heartily
at every shrill outburst Of whistling and every
noisy interruption Possibly the wits and clowns
untaries and slow religious music with which
the proceedings opened. Certainly they
not funny as the chorus Of students
at Cambridge and oxford. which invariably sue
ceeds In converting academic soemnities into
pleasing variety show.
The graduation ceremonies at a Scotch as al
an English university are conducted without All
academic word from the students. There Is
neither salutatory thesis nor oration nor
valedictory from the outgoing students Tne
degrees conferred in perfunctory manner
by the principal; there is brave show OF aca-
demic regalia and dress parade OF the hooded
dons: and the interest Of the proceedings CEN
tres in the horsepIay and buffoonery OF the gall
leres On this occasion there were three pro-
cessions under running fire or sarcastic
comment from the galleries The first was made
up OF doctors OF medicine and science and bacn-
elors Of medicine and surgery. who were to
receive ordinary degrees; and as 1t filed in from
the wings there medley OF cheers, groans.
whistling, screeches. catcalls. compliments and
reproaches. The second contingent was headed
by university officials in robes and hoods. and
the four candidates for honorary degrees we're
received with deafening applause, for the serene.
intellectual face of Sir Henry Irving was
deserted among them Professor Angellier, OF
robe, Sir Henry Irving followed in plain black
with academic robe, and he passed to MS
seat the boys in the galleries shouted themselves
hoarse and neglected 10 guy so popular IA
vorite Mr. Robert Logan Black. the Queensland
geologist. a tall gaunt figure in black, attracted
little attention: but Colonel Macdonald, with
loose academic cloak carelessly thrown over
scarlet uniform opened at the front to show half
a
with fervid enthusiasm befttng a Scotch war
ror and the hero of Omdurman. third pro-
cession. headed by Principal Story in purple
robe was greeted with hurry bury OF cheers.
groans and sarcasms from the galleries
At oxford and Cambridge the degrees are con-
ferred in sonorous Latin for which the gods or
the gallery supply free and easy commentary
At Glasgow University the prayer and benedic-
tion are in classical Latin and pass without
interruption: and the remaining functions are
conducted in brisk Straightforward English
Professor Glaisher named in clear voice the
four distinguished men who were To receive the
degree of doctor Of laws in return for their emil
nent services in literature. art. science ana
arms: and each in turn stood while a hatterlns
eulOgium upon his work and character was de-
ivered, and bowed his head when the amiaoie
graybeard. Principal Story, capped him ana
another official hooded him. Professor Angel
er was the first to be exposed 10 the raery
OF the gallery. but when he was introduced as
the French translator of Robert Burns Scotch
pride was nattered and he was heartily wei
coined.
When Sir Henry Irv.ng's name was called as
a synonyme for what was best and highest IN
dramatic art some OF the gallery wags ventured
upon a diversion. A bad imitation Of the weird
sound of sleigh bells heard in The Bells was
attempted. With poor results. The students
catching sight OF the familiar face and deepse.
eyes rose and cheered him Justify. Every sem
tence from Professor Glaishers lips was re-
ceived with rapturous applause, and the con-