Year: 1865

(New York Herald Correspondence)


LEXINGTON, VA, October2, 1665.-Gen
Robert E. Lee was to-day installed Pres


ident of Washington College. There was
no pomp or parade The exercises OF In.
stallation were the simplest possible
an exact aud barren compliance with the
REQUIRED formula of taking the oath by
the new President, and nothing more
This was in accordance with the special
| reouest of General Lee 1t was proposed
| to have the installation take place in the
| college chapel, to send invitations far
| and wide, to have q band of music to
play enliveniug airs, to have young girls,
| robed in white and bearing chaplets OF
flowers, to sing songs of welcome; to have
congratulatory speeches; to make IL o
grand holiday That this proposed pro-
| gramme was not carried out was source
| of severe disappointment to many. But
General Lee had expressed his wishes
contrary to the choice and determination
of the college trustees ana the multitude,
and his wishes were complied with.
THE INSTALLATION CEREMONIES.
The installation took place at nine A.
NJ. in a recitation room of the college
In this room were seated the faculty and
the students, the ministers of the town
churches, magistrate and the county
clerk, the last two officials being neces-
say to the ceremonial. General Lee was
inducted into the room by the Board OF
Trustees At his entrance and introduc-
| tion all in the room rose, bowed and then
became seated. Prayer by Rev. DR..
White, pastor of the Presbyterian church,
directly followed. To me it was notice
able fact, and perhaps worthy OF record,
that he prayed for the President of the
United States. Altogether it was most
fitting and impressive prayer.


JUDGE BRoCKENBRoUGH's SPEECH.
The prayer ended, Judge Brocken-
brough, chairman of the Board of Trus-
tees, stated the object of their coming
together, to install General Lee as Presi.
dent of Washington College. He felt
the serious dignity that should be min
gled with heartfelt joy and gladness.-
Passing brief eulogy upon General Lee,
and congratulating the board and the
college, and its present and future stu.
dents, on having obtained one SO loved
and great and worthy to preside over the
college, he said he could say great deal
more, had it net been voted against
speech making. During the delivery Of
these few words-and they came, despite
the prohibitory voting, very near culmi-
mating to the dignity of set as we'll as
eloquent speech,


GENERAL LEES APPEARANCE.


General Lee remained standing, his
arms quietly folded and calmly aud
steadfastly looking into the eyes of the
speaker. Justice William White, at the
instance of Judge Brockenborough, now
administered the oath of Office to General
Lee. For the benefit of those curious to
know the nature of this new oath to
which General Lee has just subscribed,
and it is brief, / give it entire. 1t is as
follows


I do swear that will, to the best of
my skill and judgment, faithfully and
truly discharge the duties required
of me by an act entitled can act for in
cooperating the rector and trustees of
Liberty Hall Academy" without favor
affection or partiality. So help me God.
THE KEYS GIVEN TO THE NEW PRESIDENT.


To this oath General Lee at once affix-
ed his signature, with the accompanying
usual jurat Of the swearing magistrate
appended Those inquisitive enough to
seek further light than that revealed in
the copied oath can look at the act there
in referred to, and, when found, make
note of it, The document in the form
stated was handed to. the County Clerks
safe and perpetual custodianship and at
the same time the keys of the College
were given by the Rector into the keep
ing of the new President. A congratu-
latory shaking of hands followed, and
wound up the days brief but pleasing,
impressive and memorable ceremonial
President Lee and those of the trustees
present with the faculty now passed into
the room set apart for the formers use
a geod sized room, newly but very plainly
and tastefully furnished.


GENERAL LEES DRESS AND APPEARANCE.


General Lee was dressed in plain but
elegant suit of gray, His appearance
indicated the enjoyment of good health
better, I should say, than when he sur
rendered his army at Appomattox Court
house. the first aud only occasion before
the present of my having seen him





An,esfer from Robert Il. Lee.