University of Virginia Library

Students' Literary Societies.

There are two Literary Societies of long standing—the Jefferson
Society and the Washington Society—connected with the University.
They hold weekly meetings in their respective halls and give public
exhibitions at intervals during the session and at its close. There is
an annual contest during the session between the two societies for the
Harrison Trophy. The society winning this trophy retains it until it is
recaptured by the other society. Each society offers several medals;
the one for the best orator is presented by the society, but the medal
for the best debater in each society is presented by the Rector and
Visitors and is known as the Rector and Visitors' Debating Medal. The
two societies jointly maintain the University Magazine. For excellence
in composition in this Magazine several prizes are given. First,
a medal is awarded for the best contribution to the University Magazine
by a member of either society. Second, a prize of twenty dollars
in gold for the best orginal poem published in the Magazine during the
session of 1897-98. This prize offered by Professor James A. Harrison
will be continued if the results are favorable. Third, a twenty dollar
gold double-eagle is offered for the best translation in prose or verse
from any of the languages taught at this University. This is open to
all matriculates of the University, provided the translation appears in
the Magazine. This prize, also given by Professor Harrison, is offered
for a period of five years beginning with the session of 1895-96.

At the close of each session the Societies invite some distinguished
orator to deliver an address before them.

MEDALISTS.

1897-98.

                   

Jefferson Society, Orator:	Joseph C. Taylor, Richmond, Va.
Jefferson Society, Debater:	H. W. Mayo, Richmond, Va.
Washington Society, Orator:	D. S. Burleson, University of Virginia.
Washington Society, Debater:	C. L. Kagey, Mt. Jackson. Va.
University Magazine Medalists:	Essay: E. L. Grace, Nashville, Tenn.
	Story: J. W. Rice, Galveston, Texas.
Translation Medalist:	L. P. Chamberlayne, Peter-burg, Va.
Original Verse Medalist:	J. W. Rice, Galveston, Texas.
Winner of Bryan Medal for essay on "Theory of Government":	M. L. Halff, San Antonio, Texas.
Winner of Harrison Trophy:	Washington Society.

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

This Society has its membership mainly among the Professors,
Instructors, and 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.

PUBLICATIONS.

The following publications are issued, either under the auspices of
the University or by professors or students of the institution.

The Alumni Bulletin, a quarterly journal, published by a committee
of the Faculty, and designed to advance the interests of the University
and its Alumni, and to form a permanent record of its history.

The University of Virginia Magazine, designed to encourage literary
work among the students; published each month during the session
by the Literary Societies.

Editors for 1898-99:

   

Morris P. Tilley,	(first half session).
Alvin O. Portner,	(second half session).

The College Topics, a weekly newspaper, published under the auspices
of the General Athletic Association, devoted to the interests of
Athletics and the University at large.

Editors for 1898-99:

   

George G. Crawford,	(first half session).
Lawrence C. Leadbeater,	(second half session).

Corks and Curls, the student's annual, is published at the close of
each session by a board of editors chosen by the fraternities.

Editor-in-Chief for 1899:

Lawrence C. Leadbeater.

The Y. M. C. A. Hand-book, an annual pocket-book of useful, though
not official, information concerning the University, published for
gratuitous distribution by the Christian Association.