THE EXAMINATIONS. showed thoroughness of instruction, and aptness in learning and retaining what was taught. Many kind words of appreciation and pleasure were spoken by the visitors and trustees. One of our merchants who attended Professor Jewett’s examination of the class in botany said: “What would the planters up in Ouchita Parish say if they should happen in here now and hear a ‘nigger’ analyzing a Morning Glory?” THEOLOGICAL ANNIVERSARY. While the Theological department has been in existence for eleven years, we have never graduated a student till this year. The theological and literary attainments of the students would never have justified us in doing it. It is little less than a crime to confer an unmerited degree upon a young man. It would not only be a fraud, but a source of constant embarrassment to him. This year we had as a student Mr. A. E. P. Albert, who studied some time at Atlanta University, and who joined our senior class of the University and the Theological school in October. He is a regularly ordained minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a young man of culture and ability. On Sunday night he delivered his address, taking as his subject, “Like Priest, Like People.” It was able, impressive, and appropriate for the time and the people. The President followed with a plea for an “Educated Ministry;” and then the degree of Bachelor of Divinity was conferred upon Mr. Albert. I trust all subsequent degrees will be as worthily bestowed. LITERARY EXHIBITION. In the afternoon of Commencement day, our University chapel was filled with an intelligent and interested audience. The exercises, consisting of orations, compositions and recitations, were entirely by the undergraduates. We furnished a pleasant entertainment to the citizens, and identified the entire school with Commencement day. At night Central Church was packed in every part, pews, aisles, vestibule and gallery, with an eager, expectant audience, comprising the best element of the colored population of New Orleans. Such an assembly was never gathered in Central Church before. The audience itself was an inspiration and showed a deep and intelligent interest in the holy cause represented. A goodly number of our white friends were present, and were among the most enthusiastic in their congratulations. Rev. H. M. Smith, D.D., editor of the _South-Western Presbyterian_, offered the prayer, in which he thanked God for the existence of Straight University and the good it had done. The five young men composing the senior class, who made their salutations to the audience, represented three of the Southern States, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Their orations were well written and well delivered. One of the orations was solicited for publication by two of the New Orleans papers represented in the audience by their editors.