Among others invited to be
present for the purpose of receiving a degree at this time were
General Nelson A. Miles, Dr. Bell, the inventor of the Bell telephone,
Bishop Vincent, and the Rev. Minot J. Savage. We were placed in line
immediately behind the President and the Board of Overseers, and
directly afterward the Governor of Massachusetts, escorted by the
Lancers, arrived and took his place in the line of march by the side
of President Eliot. In the line there were also various other
officers and professors, clad in cap and gown. In this order we
marched to Sanders Theatre, where, after the usual Commencement
exercises, came the conferring of the honorary degrees. This, it
seems, is always considered the most interesting feature at Harvard.
It is not known, until the individuals appear, upon whom the honorary
degrees are to be conferred, and those receiving these honours are
cheered by the students and others in proportion to their popularity.
During the conferring of the degrees excitement and enthusiasm are at
the highest pitch.
When my name was called, I rose, and President Eliot, in beautiful
and strong English, conferred upon me the degree of Master of Arts.
After these exercises were over, those who had received honorary
degrees were invited to lunch with the President.
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