THE BATTALION.
5
exercises would be marred or spoiled by rain true,a slow rain
set in but Rev. West delivered an excellent address before
the .Y. M. C. A.
MONDAY.
The morning was still damp and cloudy when the exer
cises of the 7th were ushered in at reveille by firing hearty
salutes of artilery; later on the clouds drifted away, the sun
came brightly out and the pleasant first hopes were brightened
and renewed. On the whole it was a beautiful day and nature
seemed playing her part to brighten the prospects of the
twenty six young men soon to slip forth into the business
world.
From 9 a. m. until 11:30 came the inspection of depart
ments. In the meanwhile visitors were arriving, many had
come in Sunday and the day before but now the great tide
came in, each special train brought its contingent representing
almost all parts of the state. Fathers, mothers, friends, and
sweethearts came. Later on carriages and vehicles began to
arrive and in them people from Bryan and people from
among the oaks, Bohemians, Germans, all classes, coming
down to A. &. M. commencement to have a good time.
The departments were never shown off better;indeed the
college always improves. >VAat a great industrial school, is
this and how little is it appreciated? On every hand were
exhibitions of students handiwork. In the mechanical de
partment were bridge trusses of all kinds, a model house
built by the fourth class of this year, beautiful trimmings of
all kinds and students busy at work showing how it was done.
The drawing department displayed exhibition drawings of all
kinds, showing much credit to the ingenuity and skill of the
pupils. The agricultural department displayed their blooded
stock and dairying machinery, each department doing its
best.
At 11:30 was called the joint celebration of the two
societies. The meeting was called to order by Pres. Barnes of