Part 42 (1/2)

”Mr. J. L. Humphrey, also of the Front Royal Academy, gave a declamation ent.i.tled 'Laska.'

”The contest for the Woman's College medal was introduced by Miss Nellie Underwood, whose subject was 'The Courtin' of T'Nowhead's Bell.'

”Miss Underwood was followed by Miss Hathryn P. Acree, whose subject was 'Parna.s.sius and the Captive.'

”The rendition of the Woman's College song, 'Merry Girls of R. M. W.

C.,' was followed by the contest for the Woman's College Medal for best address. The contestants were Miss Addie Taylor and Miss Sadie Jacobs.

Miss Taylor was the first speaker. Her subject was 'The Supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon.' Miss Jacobs' subject was 'Demands of Our Civilization.'

”The closing exercise was the contest for the Sutherlin orator's medal of the Randolph-Macon College, Ashland. The contestants were F. Raymond Hill, B. A. Wise, E. K. Odell, and S. M. Janney.

”Mr. Hill opened the contest with an oration on 'The Price of Progress.'

”Mr. Janney's subject was 'What For?'

”'The Power of a n.o.ble Example' was the subject of Mr. Wise's oration.

”Mr. Odell followed in an oration ent.i.tled, 'De Oratoribus.'

The exercises were closed with the singing of the Commencement Chorus.

”A feature of the morning's programme, which was of a decidedly interesting character, was the calisthenic drill, under the direction of Miss Alice Hargrove, of a number of young ladies of the Woman's College.

FIELD-DAY EXERCISES.

”Tuesday afternoon was devoted to field day exercises in the Rivermont base-ball park. A sound mind in a sound body has for a long time been a leading maxim in the Randolph-Macon system. Each inst.i.tution has its well-equipped gymnasium, under the instruction of an efficient instructor, and during the unseasonable days of winter every student of the system is required to go through an hour's drill in the gymnasium three afternoons in the week.

The average man gets his idea of college athletics from the base-ball and foot-ball teams, which generally tour the State annually.

Randolph-Macon recognizes the fact that base-ball and foot-ball are but a small part of college athletics, and consequently every student is encouraged to allot a portion of his time to the general training of his body, and especially to athletic feats requiring more or less skill and grace. In early spring, at each school in the system, a day known as Field-Day is set aside for athletic exercises, for which prizes and medals are offered as a special inducement, to ensure a large number of contestants.

THE CONCERT.

”Tuesday night a concert was given at the Opera-House by the young ladies of the Woman's College and the Danville Female Inst.i.tute. Of the character of the music of the programme the highest praise has been spoken. In the instrumental and the chorus selections the partic.i.p.ants presented music of the highest perfection music that possessed a charm and inspiration for every listener.

WEDNESDAY.

”About half-past nine o'clock Wednesday morning the students of the several schools and colleges, together with the alumni, met at old St.

Paul's Church, on Church street, and there, after forming into a procession and led by the band, marched to the auditorium. Here the graduating cla.s.s, in orthodox cap and gown, ascended the stage, where, with the alumni, they were seated in chairs arranged in semi-circular lines, forming altogether a pleasing and impressive picture.

”A few minutes were spent in rehearsing college songs. In this connection it may be well to note that the Randolph-Macon system is rich with songs suitable for commencement season, and written princ.i.p.ally by those who have studied within its cla.s.sic halls. After prayer by Rev.

Dr. James A. Duncan, of Knoxville, Tenn., Mr. W. S. Bell, president of the Cla.s.s of '98, introduced Miss Blanche E. Cheatham, of Martinsville, who delivered the salutatory address.

”The history of the Cla.s.s of '98 and its twenty-nine members was told by Mr. J. T. Porter, and as each name was called it was greeted with applause, while the historian made a brief comment upon its owner. The Cla.s.s song of '98, composed by Mr. E. T. Adams, Jr., was next sung, after which Miss Lily G. Egbert, of Atlee, Va., read the cla.s.s poem, an original composition ent.i.tled 'The Evolution of a Soul.'

”Mr. J. E. McCulloch, of Roanoke, delivered the cla.s.s oration.

”The Hall song, evidently a favorite with the male students, was sung with considerable spirit, especially the chorus, which eulogizes as 'the very best of all' the two halls of the two rival literary societies, those of Was.h.i.+ngton and Franklin. The president of the cla.s.s next introduced Miss Eloise Richardson, of Richmond, who read a cla.s.s prophecy, in which she drew vivid pictures of the bright futures awaiting many of this year's cla.s.s.

”Mr. Sydenstricker, of Loudoun, read a paper ent.i.tled 'Recommendations.'

In it he indicated, with a prescient knowledge of seemingly remarkable accuracy, the future employments and professions of the members of the graduating cla.s.ses of Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, and the Woman's College, Lynchburg.