as distinguished in the remaining two schools. Mr. R. G. H. Heath, of Caroline, one of these gentlemen, read an excellent essay on the importance of classical studies. We have seldom heard a more sensible or more satisfactory discussion of that subject.

The degree of Master of Arts, the highest honor in the University, was then conferred upon young gentlemen who had fulfilled all the conditions required for its attainment, namely, that the student shall have graduated in each of the six schools, passed a final examination on all the subjects taught therein, except those studied during his last session, and furnished an essay deemed satisfactory by the Faculty. Mr. Broaddus, who had been selected to deliver a public address, on behalf of the Master of Arts, was prevented from doing so, by the very recent death of his father, the much esteemed and widely known Major Edmund Broaddus, formerly of Culpeper. Dr. Harrison, in alluding to this afflicting event, paid a very just and feeling tribute to the character of the deceased who was, indeed, one of the wisest, though one of the most unpretending men in Virginia. Mr. John Tevis Points, of Staunton, whose achievements as a student were said to have excelled those of any of his predecessors, read, as a substitute, for the younger Mr. Broaddus's address, an essay on the progress of the physical sciences.

Mr. Muscoe R. H. Garnett, the orator of the Alumni, then delivered a very remarkable discourse before that Society. His theme was the influence of domestic slavery in developing the mental energies of a people and securing successful free government. He out Calhouned Calhoun, in his theories of the blessings of slavery, and seemed to us to go very far towards maintaining the oligarchical or aristocratic principle. The address, however, manifested a deep thought, and evinced a scholarship such as very few of the best educated men in our country possess.

Ex-President Tyler concluded the ceremonies of the day, with an address before the Literary Societies of the University. He was invited to speak particularly with reference to the first declaration of independence by the colony of Virginia, of which the day was the anniversary. Unfortunately we were able to hear very little of his address, which, we suppose, will soon be presented to the public in print.

After the exercises of the day, which, by reason of the excessive heat of the weather, were not a little fatiguing, the guests of the University, the Alumni and students partook of a collation, in the Jefferson Hall. The Alumni assembled in the afternoon, and elected John Randolph Tucker, the orator for the next year.

The increased number of Alumni of the University on this

occasion, may be attributed in part, to the extension of the Central Railroad to Charlottesville, which makes the journey far more convenient and agreeable than formerly. The cars entered Charlottesville, for the first time, on Thursday, and of course, produced a great sensation in that vicinity. On Friday, a very large crowd awaited their coming, at the depot. The iron bridges across the Rivanna and Moore's Creek are really a curiosity of art.

AN HISTORICAL RELIC.

Mr. E. B. Thompson, of this city, and now a compositor in the office of this paper, has in his possession a very interesting historical relic, a small embroidered cambric pocket handkerchief, which was used by Charles I. upon the scaffold, and is stained with his blood. It came originally from John Fenwicke, who was Major of Cavalry in Cromwell's army, and in that capacity was required to be present at the execution of the unhappy monarch. The relic passed from his family to that of Jacob Lyell, whose wife emigrated to New Jersey near the close of the 17th century, and was connected with the Fenwicke family. She gave it to her daughters, who kept it with the greatest care, and at their death it passed into another branch of the family, and has finally come into possession of Mr. Thompson. Its authenticity seems to be clearly traced and proved beyond doubt. The handkerchief is of small size-and the figure of the Scottish thistle is embroidered around the edges. Upon one corner is a very small figure of a crown. It is thickly stained with dark spots, some of which are as large as a dollar-the others smaller. The linen is considerably discolored by time. It seems to have been ironed but not washed.-N. Y. Courier.

AN OLD NEGRESS.-An old negress, named Dinah, died here a few days ago, at the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty-three years. She was a servant in a family residing at the Great Bridge, when the memorable battle was fought there in 1775, between Colonel Woodford's Virginia troops and the British Grenadiers under Captain Fordyce, and was at that time a grandmother, a fact which attests her age. She was blind for a number of years, but recovered her sight when past her hundredth year, so that she could see to thread a cambric needle; and having lost all her teeth, she cut an entire new set about the same time. She was remarkably sprightly and industrious to the last.-Norfolk Herald.

CORNWALLIS'S WATCH.-A watch was shown to us this morning, which was carried by Lord Cornwallis, at the time of the battle of Yorktown. It is made of silver, is of an oval shape, and is inclosed in a wooden case. It has a very antique appearance, as may be supposed, and though in its day, was no doubt a beauty," would hardly pass for one now. It is what is called a military watch, and has inscribed on the inside "John Midhall, Fleet street, Fecit." It is now in the possession of a gentleman of this city, who is about to transmit it, through the British Consul to the family of Lord Cornwallis in England.

Baltimore Patriot.

THE NEW COMET is now fairly visible to the naked eye, in the constellation Ursa Minor. It will continue to approach the earth until the middle of July, when it will attain its minimum distance from us of about thirty-eight millions of miles, or less than one-half its present distance. As it is also approaching the Sun, it will become five or six times brighter than it is now. On the 11th of July it will be seen a few degrees to the west of the bright star Arcturus, in the constellation Bootes. Moving rapidly to the south, it will pass near the star Spica Virginis on the 23d of July, and will soon after descend below the southern horizon.

As it is already fast increasing in brightness, it will probably be distinctly visible to the naked eye during the middle of July. N. Y. Mirror.

THE CONVENTION.

We observe that the Governor has issued his Proclamation (of the 4th ult.,) officially announcing the fact, that "a large majority of the popular vote," at the last Polls, has been given in favor of a Convention" to amend the Constitution of our State; and that "a general election will be held on the fourth Thursday of August next, for Delegates to the said Convention," &c. This is a highly important movement in the History of our Commonwealth, and we shall naturally watch the progress of it with the deepest interest.

THE DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT.

We learn, with profound regret, that a Telegraphic despatch has been received here this morning, (Wednesday the 10th inst.) announcing that President TAYLOR died last night, at half past 10 o'clock: a solemn and striking event, especially at this juncture, in which, we trust, the People of our country will duly recognise the hand of God.

Miscellany.

LITERARY MINUTES.

THE THEFTS OF TIME.

How truly touching are these lines of the poet:
Years following years steal something every day,
At last they steal us from ourselves away.

A grand larceny indeed; but it is consoling to reflect that our greatest loss may be turned into a glorious gain.

DEATH.

"It is early association," says Bucke, "that hides from us the advantages of death: for glorious, doubtless, are the secrets we shall hear, and the scenes we shall behold, when death has shut the gates of life, and opened the portals of eternity." Yes, truly, if we are christians; but if we are not

THE DEATH OF AN INFANT.

"When the poets," says Bucke, "would allegorize a child dying in its bud, they fable Aurora stealing it from the arms of its parents." This is a beautiful fancy, and one might say, in the spirit of it, to a mother lamenting the loss of her infant:

Weep not, mother, for thy child,
Beauty's bud that sweetly smiled;
Young Aurora, in her play,
Hath but stolen it away,

And now hideth it from thee,

Where thou canst not-mayst not see

Tho' thou lookest all around,

It is no where to be found;

Yet believe-thy tears are vain—
Thou shalt see thy bud again,
With thine own rejoicing eyes,
Fairer, sweeter,-in the skies.

PRAISE.

Praise is a debt we owe unto the virtues of others, and due unto our own from all whom malice hath not made mutes, or envy struck dumb.-Sir Thomas Browne.

CHEERFULNESS.

Cheerfulness and a festival spirit fills the soul full of harmony; it composes music for churches and hearts; it makes and publishes glorifications of God; it produces thankfulness, and serves the end of charity.-Jeremy Taylor.

REMEMBRANCE.

There was a time when Beauty's smile
Could charm me with its play,
And sweetest fancies would beguile

My feet from Wisdom's way.

Alas! how soon Youth's season flies

With all its joyous train!

While fond Remembrance wakes, and sighs

To call them back again.

But never!-Time's departed hours

Can Sorrow's tear restore?

And Love may mourn his withered flowers,

But they shall bloom no more.

P.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received an interesting Biographical Notice of Commodore Samuel Barron, of the U. S. N., which we shall publish with pleasure in our next number.

We have also several other valuable articles on hand, which shall appear in due time.