CHAPTER XII

LITERARY SOCIETIES; DEBATES AND CELEBRATIONS

Became a member of the Jeff.; recorded many of the debates, excerpts from a few-Wickes, Saunders, Smith, Herron, Brent, Green, Clark, etc.; trip home at Christmas; excerpts from diary; sickness and death of Professor McGuffey; accident to room-mate-Pearce; closing weeks of the session; remained for Commencement; sermon by Rev. J. William Jones; Wash. Celebration-Richard H. Maury, John W. Stephenson, Fergus R. Graham; Jeff. Celebration-B. Chambers Wickes, William R. Alexander, John Sharp Williams, etc.

SOME months before entering the University, in looking over the catalogue I noticed the name of the only student that lived within reasonable distance of my home, Mr. B. C. Wickes, whom I surmised a son of Judge Joseph A. Wickes, a member of the Maryland Bench, a gentleman of good legal attainments and sound judicial ability-highly respected, honored and beloved in his Court circuit. With him my father was well acquainted, but whether the supposed son intended returning to the University was unknown to me for at least a week after my arrival there, when he made a social call at my room. He spoke of having seen a recent newspaper notice of my proposed entrance; that he had inquired of several concerning my arrival and location, and hoped we would be friendly and companionable during our sojourn together. It happened that he also roomed on Dawson's Row, not far from me, and took meals at the same boarding house (Ross'), so that throughout the session, his last, we saw not a little of each other. As developments proved there was a stronger ulterior motive connected with Mr. Wickes' initial visit than the establishment of simple friendship, since he had an ambition to become Final President of the Jeff., and was leaving nothing unturned in securing new members. He was what I call an impulsive politician, but possessed many forceful qualities— visited freshmen as early as possible, gave fraternal advice, impressed the necessity of joining a literary society, and the

great advantages of the Jeff. over the Wash., not as he conceived them, but, as he said, they really were. From the first he insisted upon proposing my name for membership, offering gratuitous initiation fee, which I declined but otherwise willingly followed his pleasure. Having joined I naturally thought it a duty to attend the regular Saturday night meetings, which I found entertaining in the knowledge gained from intelligent and spirited debate. The hall, located about midway West Range, was furnished suitably with carpet (red), draperies, desks and chairs, well heated and cared for, and as it was colder in the rear near the door, I usually occupied a seat towards the front where by paying moderate attention most of the arguments could easily be followed. The next day (Sunday) I would spend an hour in writing down the salient points of the discussion, and referring now to that note book, I find only one record of Mr. Wickes having taken active part, February 22, 1873, which I distinctly remember was styled then by some, a final trial-contest to prove his meriting the honors sought-that disputed by some, but happily established on this occasion to the full satisfaction of his many friends. A portion of these notes, in spite of youthful crudities, may be reproduced here in order to show what impression those debates made upon me and what subject-matter I then considered worthy of transcribing :

Jeff. Society, Saturday night, February 22, 1873. Question: Which is the more pernicious vice-flattery or slander? Mr. Saunders (Aff.).-Opened debate by declaring, that some considered prefatory remarks inelegant, but on this occasion he regarded them eminently proper-far better than pleading not having given the subject any thought, or claiming to be absolutely unprepared. He rejoiced in being assigned to his side of the question, convinced that much could be made out of it by the right parties, whereas the negative had little, if anything, to commend it; claimed that all important nations had attained their greatness chiefly through flattery and praise, and that the perpetuity and success of the human race had been due to its power and influence. After reciting many quotations from the Bible and without special credit for the effort, he yielded the floor to his associate.

Mr. Smith (Aff.).—Charmed us with eloquence, spread