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All lectures were suspended on Friday and the students attended
the funeral in a body, proceeding thereafter to the
University Cemetery for the interment. The day was disagreeable—damp,
cloudy, penetrating—and as snow had
fallen there was much moisture in the freshly upturned soil
around the grave, to the right and near the entrance gate,
where I took a position of advantage in full view and hearing
of the service by Rev. Dr. Woods.

Home-letter, Sunday afternoon, March 8th: "I attended last Tuesday
the funeral of a former professor, Dr. Henry Howard, who held the
Chair of Medicine here, as did the great Robley Dunglison, for thirty
years, but since the War, owing to age, now being nearly eighty-five,
resigned in order to have rest and no work. Since then he has boarded
at one of the hotels in the town, busying himself little with worldly
affairs He was buried in the University Cemetery by the side of his
first wife, who died in 1843, and now is survived by his second wife. By
the former he had two daughters, who in turn married Professor McGuffey,
whose death you remember occurred nearly a year ago. The professors'
families seem to believe in intermarrying—proverbial propinquity
—so that many of the older ones are related in some way, which fortunately
results in making the professorial colony one large family. What impressed
me most, as I stood by his open grave, was the small number
present, and especially the few that appeared interested. Professor Venable
and several other teachers, along with a handful of students and
outside friends, made up the full complement, so that I could scarcely
comprehend how such an important man to the University for an entire
generation, as I understood him to be, could have received at death so
little marked respect and expressed sentiment." . . .

While at that youthful period I failed to comprehend the
slight effect of Dr. Howard's death, yet now, in the light of
experience, the solution is not difficult—he had outlived his
generation, as only a small portion of the then professors had

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been associated directly with him, and none for the past ten
years, while to the students he was an absolute stranger—few
ever having seen or heard of him—and owing to age, retirement
and living beyond his cotemporaries, there remained
scarcely any friends having in him special interest. Why I
should have been one of those present I fail to recall, but
distinctly remember seeing the funeral notice posted, therefore
fancy I attended out of respect to what he had been to the
University, as I knew nothing of his personality and reputation
until after his death. The burial lot is in the rear portion
of the Cemetery, on a line with and near that of Professor
McGuffey's, and his grave was marked shortly afterwards by
a simple vertical slab bearing the inscription: Henry Howard,
M. D. Born in Frederick Co., Md., May 29, 1791. Professor
of Medicine in the University of Virginia, 1839-1867. Died
March 1, 1874. "Them also that sleep in Jesus shall God
bring with him."

Home-letter, Sunday night, March 15th: "I have seen sufficient
since a student here to convince me of our standard being the equal,
if not superior, of any other American college or university. Two of our
last year's graduates, Wilson and Stover, have just graduated from
Bellevue Medical College, New York City, after a five months' course,
and on their return homeward stopped off with us to see old friends
and to give an account of themselves since leaving here last summer.
One of these gentlemen sat at my table for several meals and delighted
us in substance with the following: I reached New York one Wednesday
night last fall, and on the next day visited Bellevue, where I interviewed
several professors, telling them I was a graduate in medicine—University
of Virginia—to which came the reply: You have graduated from the
best medical institution of this country. I was excused from attending
lectures on chemistry, anatomy and physiology, as well as examinations
in same, but this latter privilege I refused to accept, desiring to make in
them more than a mere passing mark. After graduation the Virginia boys
were congratulated on the high character of their work by the same professors,
who stated that, all things considered, their papers were the best
out of the eighty graduates; that they considered it an honor to have
University of Virginia graduates, and that they would always be received
with delight."

Sunday morning, April 19th: "We continue to have beautiful spring
weather, and I often feel like breaking away from study in order to
tramp the hilly paths far into the country, where I could remain alone
the live-long day to commune with nature. This, however, might prove
an unsafe procedure, as something would be missed here, and at this
stage of the session one can afford to neglect nothing. . . . Already
many show evidence of that dreaded contagion—spring fever—and its
cure can only come with the Final Day—too late to save themselves and

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those allured by their winsome charms. . . . Several parties recently
have insisted upon me joining them in another visit to Monticello, which
I intend doing, even though it be deferred until next month, when many
of the young people of Charlottesville make their annual pilgrimage to
that sacred spot, to celebrate May Day and crown the selected May Queen.
. . . You would enjoy reading the life of Mr. Jefferson by his great
granddaughter—a small volume containing many hitherto unpublished
letters, and good illustrations of Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson, the University
and Monticello mansion, including diagram of its first floor with
location of furniture and ornaments. I read it the early part of last session
greatly to my profit. . . . Professor Peters gave us a cruel
scathing on Friday, emphasizing our deficiencies and lack of thoroughness.
`Whom the Gods love they first make mad,' surely is verified in this case,
as he certainly is fond of us all, and for that grieves over our defects;
it seems near impossible to do as well as the professors desire, consequently
many become discouraged, and even I sometimes feel that there
will be few regrets when `Father Time' closes this session as an irrevocable
chapter—a feeling that may be followed by bitter remorse, since
the passing of each year means one less mile-stone in life to pass."

Towards the last of March politics in the Jeff. and Wash.
Societies began to be very absorbing, so that great efforts
were directed in securing new members and having old ones
renew their membership at a reduced fee of two and a half
dollars. Many of us became much interested in our favorite
candidates for the honors, and worked faithfully to increase
our numbers, which by May reached in the Jeff. one hundred
and forty-three. In the hope of mollifying the intense feeling
incident to these canvasses several innovations were suggested,
such as having all meetings secret, therefore very quiet, of
abolishing the medalist, etc., but all upon final test met with
defeat. The election of presidents and orators took place
April 4th and of medalists May 2nd, with the following result:
Jeff.—President, Mr. Frederick F. Reese, Md.; Orator, Mr.
Roger Johnson, Va., who resigning was succeeded by Mr.
Mat. W. Ransom, Jr., N. Ca.; Medalist, Mr. James E. Powell,
Mo. Wash.—President, Mr. Thomas L. Raymond, La.;
Orator, Mr. Robert S. Saulsbury, Ga.; Medalist, Mr. John
St. Clair Brookes, Va.

Home-letter, Sunday night, May 3rd: "The election in our two
societies came off last night, consequently I retired quite late—it being
after midnight before I got away from the hall. Many of the members
afterwards enjoyed a champagne and beer supper—the meeting of extremes—so
you can fancy what that meant. All this morning things
around the University looked unusually dull, as scarcely a handful of
students were up and doing. Mr. Saulsbury, of Georgia, is to be the

University—Travesties of a Generation Ago

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orator of the Wash. His father is a cousin of our Delaware Saulsburys,
and the young man himself seems a fine fellow—affable and quick in forming
friends—so that we feel sure his speech will do himself and the
society great credit. Mr. Powell, one of the present Magazine editors,
was elected medalist in my society, Jeff., winning by a plurality of thirteen,
which is considered exceptionally large. In his efforts at thanks—thought
by some very good—he made an introductory somewhat puerile and commonplace,
using strange similes as these: `I feel like a cow in a parlor,
a junebug on skates, etc.' But with it all he managed to produce much
laughter, and finally to get down to a great deal of serious matter. I
supported him, and he is very popular with the students."

Sunday morning, May 24th: "The Episcopal Convention met this
week in Charlottesville, consequently gentlemen of the clerical cloth have
taken possession of the town and University community. This body is
composed of delegates—many conspicuous and prominent—from several
southern states, and its meeting is always an event in the life of any
place it may select. To-day, both morning and evening, all pulpits of the
town, irrespective of denomination, will be filled by Episcopal ministers—
a happy circumstance in that it marks the liberality in thought and opinions
of our age. . . . A circus is expected this week, the first in years,
as in the dim past a student was killed in an altercation with one of the
circus attaches, thus causing such shows to be tabooed ever since in this
section. . . . With the coming of longer days and hot weather our
supper hour has been changed from 6 to 7 o'ck, and as darkness comes
so late there is little left of the evening for study before the sand-man
puts in an appearance."

Sunday afternoon, June 14th: "There is little occurring now with
us worth relating, and that little will keep easily two weeks, when I can
talk it over in person. . . . About every one that now remains is
either busy making ready for, or standing examinations. Yesterday was
our Latin—translation and meter—which taxed a profound knowledge of
the language. . . . The weather is still very hot, but some relief
comes nearly every afternoon through a thunder storm, which fortunately
serves to prevent a positive spirit of indolence and indifference—at best
one must possess a fine self-training or mastery to study these days."

Commencement this year began Sunday, June 28, with an
address in the morning before the Young Men's Christian
Association, by Rev. Dr. T. D. Witherspoon, and the annual
sermon at night in the Public Hall, by Rev. Dr. James A.
Duncan, President of Randolph-Macon College. This gentleman
was rather compactly built, well-proportioned, smooth
roundish face, clear complexion inclining to be florid; hair
dark, longer than the rule and combed back from the forehead.
His voice was pleasant and sonorous, language full, chaste and
elegant—speaking without manuscript or notes to the delight
of every one present.

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Monday night—Wash. Celebration. After prayer by Rev.
S. A. Steel, the President, Mr. T. L. Raymond, La., in a
felicitous manner introduced the Orator, Mr. R. A. Saulsbury,
Ga., who delighted the audience upon the subject, "The Character
of the Institutions and Celebrations of the Ancients,
Compared with Those of the Present Times." The President
thereafter presented the debater's medal to Mr. J. St. Clair
Brookes, Va., who made a short but highly appropriate acknowledgment.

Tuesday night—Jeff. Celebration. After prayer by Rev. S.
A. Steel, the President, Mr. F. F. Reese, Md., in a happy vein
introduced the Orator, Mr. M. W. Ransom, Jr., N. Ca., who
discussed intelligently, "The Power of Will, as Illustrated in
the Life of Napoleon Bonaparte." The President thereafter
conferred the debater's medal upon Mr. J. A. Powell, Mo.,
who accepted it with a short but graceful speech. At the conclusion
of the exercises receptions were held at the homes of Professors
Peters and Schele, where hundreds accepted most
generous hospitality. My invitation to these functions, as
usual, came through the mail and read as follows:

"Col. and Mrs. Peters, At Home, Monday Evening, June
29th, University."

"Mrs. Schele De Vere will be happy to see Mr. David M. R.
Culbreth at her reception on Monday Evening, June 29th.
University, June 19th, 1874."

Wednesday morning—Alumni Meeting. Here Major
Green Peyton submitted a report of the Committee on the
Semi-Centennial Celebration—next year: 1, That the Alumni
have two orations on the occasion (the Literary Societies dispensing
with their usual address).

2, That Hon. R. M. T. Hunter (a member of the first class
that ever matriculated at the University) be invited to make
the historical address; that Gen. John S. Preston (one of the
earliest students) be invited to deliver an address, and that
Daniel B. Lucas, Esq., of Jefferson County, be invited to compose
a poem suitable to the occasion.

3, That a catalogue of all the Alumni from the foundation
of the University be prepared by the time of the celebration.

4, That a central committee be appointed of which the presidents
of all the clubs shall be ex-officio members, and that they

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shall have charge of the arrangements and devise the measures
necessary to raise the funds needed.

Wednesday night—Joint Celebration. The audience was
large and brilliant, attracted chiefly by the great desire to see
and hear Father Ryan, the priest and poet in which all were
doomed to disappointment, as on the previous day he telegraphed
from Albany, N. Y., where he had been taken ill suddenly,
that he would be unable to fill his appointment—a fact
unknown generally. After prayer, the Chairman of the Joint
Committee, Mr. Frank P. Brent, Va., expressed to the multitude
the universal regret at the absence of Father Ryan, but a
high sense of gratification in being able to present such a
worthy substitute in the personage of a great Virginian,
scholar, orator and patriot—Hon. John Goode, of Norfolk.

Mr. Goode expressed deep sympathy with the audience in
the disappointment of the expected speaker, to the hearing
of whom he himself had looked forward with so much pleasure,
but in spite of deficient oratorical powers he could not refuse
the unexpected call made upon him last night by the young
men to play substitute, and therefore stood in recognition of
their wishes and the high compliment they had paid him. He
queried, what he should say in the halls of this noble University—in
the presence of their able teachers—and to those
young men who are about to go forth to the great battle of
life? He ought to be able to catch inspiration from the brilliant
scene before him and the hallowed associations of the
spot on which he stood, and to speak with more accustomed
fervor on the theme he had chosen, "The Claims of the South
on her educated young men." He gave a vivid sketch of the
condition and wants of the South since the war; spoke of the
peculiar responsibilities of those who live in this age of
material progress, but insisted that the greatness of a State
depends upon the character of its people; vividly and scathingly
rebuked the political and social corruptions of the times,
and eloquently exhorted the young men to avoid these corruptions,
to appreciate their obligations to the land of their
birth, and to meet with brave hearts the duty of the hour.
While denying that the sword can ever settle abstract rights,
he brought out the point that the late war had settled that we
are to have but one nationality, and eloquently urged that we

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should imitate the example of our immortal chieftain, General
Lee, think it no dishonor to follow where he led, and having
acknowledged our allegiance to the American Constitution, to
remember that we have duties as American citizens. He
would not counsel the young men to enter upon the devious
paths of politics, but he would exhort them to meet their full
share of the responsibility in stemming the tide of centralization
now setting in, and to bring the country to the Constitution
as our fathers framed it. He next discussed what
these young men could do; and eloquently insisted that nothing
is necessary to lift the South from the dust and restore
her to pristine glory and greatness but a resolute purpose and
earnest effort on the part of her sons. If the young men who
are now entering upon the theater of life will determine not
to shrink from honest toil; if they will seek employment, not
only in the learned professions, but in the useful departments
of commerce, mechanics and agriculture; if they will carry
into these departments not only strong arms and stout hearts,
but skilled labor, trained intellect, and incorruptible integrity;
if they will imitate the primitive simplicity and old-fashioned
homely virtues of their ancestors—in a word, if they will exhibit
the same high qualities in peace which illustrates the
conduct of their elder brothers in war, our beloved South will
once more "bloom and blossom like the rose." In conclusion,
he noticed the splendid advantages which the young men of
this University had enjoyed, and exhorted them that in going
forth to meet their obligations: they should first seek that best
of all, wisdom, which "cometh down from above." Mr.
Goode was interrupted frequently by applause and took his
seat amid wild plaudits of the audience.

At once followed loud and continuous calls for Gen. Jubal
A. Early, who was seated upon the stage—an ovation that
caused him to respond somewhat hesitatingly: "I came here
not to take public part in these exercises, but to listen to that
orator and poet priest, who has done so much in prose and
verse to perpetuate and keep green the memory of our noble
Confederate dead. I have listened with very great pleasure
to the eloquent words of my friend from Norfolk, and his
sentiments of love to the Commonwealth found an echo in
my heart. After thanking his hearers for the high and unexpected

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compliment they had paid him, he would only detain
them to say (though he could not say it in the eloquent words
of the great statesman who had uttered the same sentiment last
summer)—that he had hope for the country so long as we
have so many noble women to strew with flowers the graves
of our martyred dead, and to teach to coming generations the
principles for which they died. For myself I have faith in the
women, and in their ability as well as willingness to preserve
our principles. And if this be treason, then they may make
the most of it." The General from his first sentence caught
the sympathy of the multitude and sat down amid the loudest
applause.

The Magazine medal was then conferred by Professor
Southall upon Mr. William W. Thum, Ky., author of the successful
article, "The Death of Marlowe," who acknowledged
it in a short but graceful speech that, coupled with his youthful
size and appearance, elicited rounds of demonstration. At
the conclusion of the exercises a reception was held at Professor
Mallet's, where many journeyed, while others meandered
the Lawn and byways in the sound of delightful music.

Thursday morning—Commencement or Final Day. At 10
o'ck, the entire University contingent, including many
strangers, assembled in the Public Hall for the usual conferring
of diplomas and certificates of proficiency—an exercise that
lasted about two hours. This over, together with a short intermission,
we all reassembled at 1 o'ck, to hear the very
able address before the Alumni Society, by Judge Kennard
of New Orleans, La.

That afternoon I arranged for leaving on the late train,
and after supper loafed with a few companions until the Ball
began, where I spent several hours very delightfully—those
even to this day pleasant to recall.

Inasmuch as fifty years had rolled-by since the University
was opened for instruction, March 7, 1825, the second page
of this year's catalogue, session 1873-74, contained the following
announcement: