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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1885)
Ma THE HESPERIAN. French statesman in a production that, counting both thought and delivery, was above the average. Miss Lillus Peck, the favorite of the Lincoln public then gave one of her sweet est solos, and the first exhibition of the Philodicean society was ended. Chancellor Manatt issued invitations to the members of the senior class and their friends to partake of a one o'clock lunch, Saturday June 6th at his house, and when thehourwasathand the parlors were filled. Mrs. Manatt deserves credit for under standing the art of entertaining to its nicest details. Some seventy-five guests were present and every one was made to feel perfectly at home. The refreshments were served in the most elegant style and completely satisfied the "inner man." Such occasions are not only pleasant but have the extra merit of establishing agreeable social relations between the Chancellor and the friends of the graduating class. The fact that Chan cellor, and Mrs. Manatt are evidently making an effort to ex tend their circle of acquaintances as widely as possible bodes nothingbut good to the University. On Saturday evening occured the ninth exhibition of the UniversityUnion. The usual delay until nearly nine o'clock was made before commencing the exercises. The fault lay entirely with the audience, as there were very few present un til after 8:30. Every entertainment during the entire Com mencement has been begun later than the specified time, and the Hesperian cannot help remarking right here that reform is necessary in this matter. The exercises of the evening opened with a piano duet by Miss Minnie Cochran and Dr. I'alin Saxby, who were enthusiastically applauded. Owing to sickness, Mr. W. F. Wiggens was unable to give his ora tion on "The Civil Service," and the first literary numberwas an eulogy by E. C. Wiggenhorn. The subject, "Prince Bis marck," was a happy one, and its treatment gives Mr. Wiggen horn a place among the best writers of the University. Much of the force of the article was lost by low and indistinct deliv ery, and the necessity of receiving several promptings from a man behind the scenes who had charge of his manuscript. The pluck of Mr. Wiggenhorn in deciding to commit and re cite an exercise that is generally read, was commendable. "The fall of the Alamo," a poem by Miss Awana H. K. Paint er was one of the prominent events of the evening- Her ap pearance was striking, and she held the entire attention of the house during the rendition of her interesting story in verse. Miss Lillian Chamberlain of Omaha, came before Lincoln people for the first time with a vocal solo, "Sing Sweet Bird," and received a hearty encore. The debate on the question "Is an aggressive policy safe and honorable for England in the present crisis?" was opened by Anson H. Biglow, who held that England should be bold and defiant in her dealings with Russia. Mr. Bigelow is one of the latest matriculates of the University, and is known to very few of the students, but his appearance on this programme brought him forward as a man of much ability and promise. His debate was prepared on two weeks notice a fact that entirely excuses any defects that might be found in his production. In delivery he was more finished than any other gentleman on the class, and al though he lost himself several times the promting was neatly done attracting but little attention. In reply Mr. H.T.Conlee was fierce and almost abusive. His appearance was not as good as that of his opponent, and to draw attention from his awk wardness he became enthused and made the hall ring with de nunciations of British policy. With great vigor he proceeded to twist the tail of the British lion, and as he warmed up to his work was vigorously applauded by a large number of Irish sympathizers who occupied seats in various parts of the house. When he retired a noisy demonstration proved that he had made an' effective speech. Miss Chamberlain again favor ed the audience with a song "The Flower Girl," which was received with appreciation. The oration of the evening was given by Miss Nora. E. Gage on "The Mistakes of a Cen tury." Competent critics pronounce this to be one of the finest literary articles af the Commencement, and we regret that it is impossible for us to give a synopsis. The delivery of Miss Gage was easy but hardly forcible enough to impress upon her hearers the fact that her production was an extraor dinary one. Miss Rheta Childc who recited "The Lorelli" took the house by storm. Her musical voice and graceful bearing, added to artistic knowledge of her selection and much dramatic ability, made her exercise almost unapproach able. She was vigorously applauded both at the opening and close of her reading. Dr. Palin Saxby closed the programme with one of his popular solos, and the audience dispersed, ful ly pleased with the entertainment furnished them by the Uni versty Union. On Sunday evening the 7th of June the Opera House was completely filled with the audience that assembled to hear Chancellor Manatt's Baccalaureate address to the graduating class. His subject was "Materialism in Modern Science" and though, as he observed, he is "a professor neither of physical nor metaphysical science" his study of the subject had been most thorough, and the address was scholarly and interesting. At five o'clock on Monday, June, 8th, the members of the classes of '85 and '86, assembled at the residence of Mrs. C. H. Gere and after an hour of pleasant conversation, the guests were ushered into the dining room where an exquisitely prepared collection awaited the upper-class cyclone that was about to demolish it. The two dozen students who gathered around the board did ample justice to the entertainment and Mrs. Gere was com plimented in the way most pleasing to a hostess. It seems that the feast was in honor of Will Owen Jones, who has successfully finished his Junior year. We look anxiously forward to the time when Mr. Jones shall complete his Senior year. The last society exhibition of the commencement was that of the Palladians, given on Monday evening to a large audience. The curtain went up promptly and the officers of the society did their best to begin on time, but the first members on the programme did not care to be sacrificed before empty bench es, hence the regulation wait of ten minutes was made before the first number was announced. This was a piano solo, "Cachvucha Caprice," artistically executed by Mrs. Julia T. Beebe. Miss Anna L. Keys came next with a descriptive es say on "The Land of the Pharoahs." It was an unambitious production, intended rather to please and interest than to show deep thought. Mios Keys appeared well, and read distinctly enough to be heard, though the noise made by the crowd of late comers was greatly to her disadvantage. Wm E. Johnson followed with a "Discursus" on "De Philosophia Horatiana." This was a well thought-out euiogy of the "grand old pagan," Horace, but the peculiar style of Mr. Johnson is hardly appropriate for such an occasion. The pub lic expect literary ponderosity and feels insulted when a per former sugar coats his deep thought with humor of whatever order. Mr. Johnson's delivery was good, and he would make an effective speaker if it were easier for him to be dignified. Miss Jessie Wolfe's recitation, a selection from Tennyson's