University of Virginia Library

LITERARY SOCIETIES.

There are two Literary Societies of long standing—the Jefferson Society
and the Washington Society—connected with the University. They meet
weekly in their respective halls and hold public exhibitions at intervals during
the session and at its close. The two Societies jointly maintain the University
Magazine, and annually invite some distinguished orator to deliver an
address before them in the Public Hall at the close of the session. In each
Society medals are given—one to the best debater, another to the best orator,
and a third medal is awarded for the best original contribution to the University
Magazine by a member of either Society. The Temperance Union
also, in addition to its ordinary functions, is frequently organized as a debating
society, and confers medals or other valuable prizes.

MEDALISTS.

1892-'93.

         

Jefferson Society Orator,	Benjamin F. Martin, S. C.
Jefferson Society Debater,	Lewis H. Machen, Va.
University Magazine Medalist,	Charles H. Davis, Va.
Washington Society Orator,	Algernon B. Chandler, Jr., Va.
Washington Society Debater,	John H. Nininger, Va.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

This was founded in 1858, and is the oldest of the College Christian Associations.
Its object is to promote the religious and moral welfare of the students
by furnishing opportunities for religious work in and near the University,
and facilities for various kinds of healthful recreation and instruction. Under
the former head it conducts Sunday-schools at the University and among the
poor of the neighboring mountains, carries on a system of central and district
weekly prayer-meetings, and arranges for courses of Bible-study under the
direction of competent and experienced teachers. Under the latter head it
publishes a compact and useful Students' Hand-Book to the University, secures
periodical public lectures and discourses, conducts the Students' Reading-Room,
and has purchased and put into a high state of improvement a
valuable field near the Fayerweather Gymnasium as a free Campus for athletic
sports. The Students' Reading-Room is convenient of access, comfortably
arranged and furnished, and supplied with a large selection of the best periodical

literature. It is open to all members of the University upon the payment
of an annual fee of $2 to meet its current expenses. The Visitors and the
Faculty of the University heartily commend the good work of this Association
to the students of the University, all of whom are invited to unite in its membership
and privileges.

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

This Society has its membership mainly among the Professors, Instructors,
and Post-graduate students of the University. It meets monthly for the reading
of papers of scientific and literary interest, the exhibition of experiments,
and discussion. All members of the University are eligible to membership.
There are no initiation fees or annual dues. The following is the list of papers
presented during 1893:

                   

H. J. Boyd,	On the Mutton Bird.
F. P. Dunnington,	A Method of Cleansing Domestic Water-Filters by the use of Potassium Permanganate.
James M. Garnett,	On the Recently-Discovered Gospel of St. Peter.
M. W. Humphreys,	On the Mimiambics.
John W. Mallet,	The Optical Principles of a Compound Microscope.
T. C. Mendenhall,	The Use of the Pendulum in the Determination of the Form and Density of the Earth.
J. A. Roelofsen,	On the Solubility of Tartar in Alcohol of Various Strengths.
Ormond Stone,	Observations of Comet Holmes.
Wm. M. Thornton,	Events in the Early History of the University connected with the Life of Thomas Hewitt Key, Professor of Mathematics 1825-1827.
Wm. M. Thornton,	On University Extension.