Communicated
Dublin Core
Title
Communicated
Subject
A gala
Creator
Tred
Source
http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1
Publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Date
May, 1883
Contributor
Devon Keyes, Libby Howe
Format
Text
Language
English
Type
Letter to the editor
Identifier
LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.2, no.5 (May 1883), p.2
Coverage
Christiansburg
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
COMMUNICATED.
DEAR EDITORS.-Among the many pleasant occasions of the spring, it was your humble correspondents good fortune to attend the public exercises of the Lee Literary Society a few weeks ago. The weather favoring the occasion, it seemed as if the whole of our quiet little town turned out fully determined to enjoy it. A number of Christiansburg's fair daughters also added their radiant and winning faces to the large assembly. The capacious ball room was decorated with care and taste in genuine military style, and at the hour for the exercises to commence was filled to its utmost capacity. Just at this time the marshals escorted nine young gentlemen, their society's representatives, up the main aisles to their respective seats upon the rostrum, and so well did each perform his part that it seems scarcely worth while to enter into details but, we will venture a few remarks. Rev. W. E. Herbert, pastor of the Lutheran church, opened the exercises with a very able prayer, suited to the occasion. The Student's Band followed with a familiar air, after which Pres. W. L. Pierce, of Montgomery Co. delivered a well prepared salutatory in an impressive and graceful style. He then introduced as [illegible] Declaimer, Mr. James C. Watson, of Washington Co., subject " All the world's a stage." Mr. W. M. Pierce followed as Second Declaimer, subject "Silent Voices." The two preceding young gentlemen had only been members of their society a little over a half session and certainly acquitted themselves well, both giving evidence of dilligent preparations beforehand. Next, Mr. W. L. Payne, of Giles Co. as 1st Orator delivered an excellent oration, subject, "God in Nature." Together with his matchless delivery, his oration in the beginning gained the attention of the entire audience, retaining it till the end. Second, orator Mr. J. S. Musgrave of Southampton Co, chose as his subject, "Pleasures of Science," which he handled in a masterly manner, showing many of its real "pleasures." Gifted with such a voice no wonder he impressed his oration deeply upon the audience.
The President then stated that the debate would next take place, & announced the question, "Which is the more desirable Literary or Military fame?" He introduced as First Debater on the affirmative Mr. B. T. Barker, Goochland Co., who delivered a strong logical speech in defense of his side of the question, and who threw down the gauntlet which was promply taken by up Mr. G. H. Spooner, Albermarle Co., 1st Debater on the negative; the discussion waxed warm the gentleman, warded off the blows of his assailant and presented his side of the question in a very forcible manner. One could easily see the argument was well balanced when he closed. Mr. H. L. Watson, Washington county, then came to to the rescue as 2nd on the affirmative and with persuasive eloquence and logic brought the audience largely over on his side. He pointed to the beauty of many literary monuments and closed with excellent and eloquent advice to his opponents to turn from dreams of conquest and seek for higher and more lasting fame. Mr. E. Lyle, Montgomery Co. closed the discussion with able argument sustaining the waning negative but the affirmative got it. We will close by urging you young gentlemen to lay considerable stress upon this part of your education. We will come again.
Au revoir. TRED
DEAR EDITORS.-Among the many pleasant occasions of the spring, it was your humble correspondents good fortune to attend the public exercises of the Lee Literary Society a few weeks ago. The weather favoring the occasion, it seemed as if the whole of our quiet little town turned out fully determined to enjoy it. A number of Christiansburg's fair daughters also added their radiant and winning faces to the large assembly. The capacious ball room was decorated with care and taste in genuine military style, and at the hour for the exercises to commence was filled to its utmost capacity. Just at this time the marshals escorted nine young gentlemen, their society's representatives, up the main aisles to their respective seats upon the rostrum, and so well did each perform his part that it seems scarcely worth while to enter into details but, we will venture a few remarks. Rev. W. E. Herbert, pastor of the Lutheran church, opened the exercises with a very able prayer, suited to the occasion. The Student's Band followed with a familiar air, after which Pres. W. L. Pierce, of Montgomery Co. delivered a well prepared salutatory in an impressive and graceful style. He then introduced as [illegible] Declaimer, Mr. James C. Watson, of Washington Co., subject " All the world's a stage." Mr. W. M. Pierce followed as Second Declaimer, subject "Silent Voices." The two preceding young gentlemen had only been members of their society a little over a half session and certainly acquitted themselves well, both giving evidence of dilligent preparations beforehand. Next, Mr. W. L. Payne, of Giles Co. as 1st Orator delivered an excellent oration, subject, "God in Nature." Together with his matchless delivery, his oration in the beginning gained the attention of the entire audience, retaining it till the end. Second, orator Mr. J. S. Musgrave of Southampton Co, chose as his subject, "Pleasures of Science," which he handled in a masterly manner, showing many of its real "pleasures." Gifted with such a voice no wonder he impressed his oration deeply upon the audience.
The President then stated that the debate would next take place, & announced the question, "Which is the more desirable Literary or Military fame?" He introduced as First Debater on the affirmative Mr. B. T. Barker, Goochland Co., who delivered a strong logical speech in defense of his side of the question, and who threw down the gauntlet which was promply taken by up Mr. G. H. Spooner, Albermarle Co., 1st Debater on the negative; the discussion waxed warm the gentleman, warded off the blows of his assailant and presented his side of the question in a very forcible manner. One could easily see the argument was well balanced when he closed. Mr. H. L. Watson, Washington county, then came to to the rescue as 2nd on the affirmative and with persuasive eloquence and logic brought the audience largely over on his side. He pointed to the beauty of many literary monuments and closed with excellent and eloquent advice to his opponents to turn from dreams of conquest and seek for higher and more lasting fame. Mr. E. Lyle, Montgomery Co. closed the discussion with able argument sustaining the waning negative but the affirmative got it. We will close by urging you young gentlemen to lay considerable stress upon this part of your education. We will come again.
Au revoir. TRED
