Examination week has arrived again and has brought all its usual indescribable occupations, feelings, and troubles. A faithful sketch of the weeks history would be invaluable, and if I am destined to complete my Collegiate course, I will give one of a succeeding examination. At present however a rude sketch of the principal events, is the "height of my ambition". I commenced by deputing Gov. Holmes to supply my place in the Chapel at morning prayers, I myself preferring to enjoy the luxurious embrace of the warm bed. Most willingly would I have continued his authority, and made him my deputy at the breakfast table: but my offended stomach gave sundry growls, which plainly indicated that my pursuit of such a course would be at my own imminent peril. Reluctantly, therefore, but speedily, I arose, and induing my garments with all practicable haste, I described a course to Miss. Nancy,s, 2 which, not slow at first, was continually accelerated. And—oh horrible dictu! after all my suffering, I did not get a good breakfast.We were examined this morning in the Junior Recitation Room on Natural Philosophy by Prof. Phillips , and (contrary to his expectations expressed a few days ago in a very scurrilous speech to the Class) stood a very fine examination. The class indeed did itself distinquished credit and recited very well. The hour to dinner, to I employed in writing a letter to James W. Cade, and had I time, I should enter extracts here; a sufficient remark is that I reciprocated his desire to meet, and expressed warmly my friendship for him. After dinner we were examined on Logick by Prof. [William] Green , and that in separate divisions, though we have recited together all the session. The recitation was much better than I expected, and showed that the class had a much more thorough knowledge with Logic than I had supposed. At night I attended a wine party at Tompkin,s room, where he had abundance of fine Madeira and possum. Spaight , Bunch , L. Dancy , and yellowley were present, and J. Summerell . I enjoyed myself very much and shall long recollect it: perhaps for ever, as I deem it more than probable that I shall never meet the two first in a social party again.

We were examined on calculus this morning, and as was to be expected, did not stand a very excellent examination. Indeed it would have been miraculous if such had been the case, and the circumstances considered, we acquitted ourselves with credit. But I cannot pass the recitation without bestowing a slight notice on Prof. [James] Phillips . I have not usually expressed my opinions of him, because it is so customary to censure him, that I feared I was only borne away by the stream and would only leave here traces of youthful folly. But I cannot forbear stating that his conduct in the Room was that of a malignant scoundrel. Such specimens of open bare-faced, rudeness, barbarousness, and [mal]ignity, I have never seen exhibited by a man occupying a respectable station in Society. I have sometimes been his apologist: but the scene of to day has left deep in my mind the impression of his perfect contemptibility, and I henceforth deem no revilings too severe.

The hour between Recitation and dinner I employed in listening to the Musicians of the Evening, while they practised for the afternoon ceremonies.After a good smoke to settle my dinner, I repaired to the Chapel about quarter past two.3 The Gov. [David Swain] in commencing the exercises, complimented the students on their preserving better order, than he had previously seen during his Presidency of the Institution. The Speakers were as follows:–4

After supper I got tight, sick with oysters, and slept with Battle until nearly twelve, when I came over to my room, and went to bed

Thank Heaven our duties are over and I have nothing more to do. This morning we were examined on French and Latin by Prof. [De Berniere] Hooper , and thus ended the recitations of the first session of the Junior Year of 1840-41. The class stood very well and the Professor hastened us as much as the dull and inert spirit which actuates his conduct could be induced to permit. The Band practised from twelve to one, as yesterday, in Wetmore,s room, and I very contentedly sate and listened to them, as I had no occupation of a more agreeable nature. After dinner I attended the Senior Speaking, as a matter of course, and there heard the following speeches.

There were several circumstances connected with the Speaking, extremely disgraceful to certain of the Students. Immediately before Harrison spoke about thirty Dis rose and left the Chapel, intending to daunt him. The reason of this was that they had a private dislike to the individual. The same was repeated when McAlister was to speak, with the additional aggravating circumstance, that some who remained endeavored to annoy the speaker by laughing and disturbances.7 Indeed to such a pitch did the disorders proceed, that the Governor was compelled to interrupt the speaker and make some remarks on the rudeness of such conduct. Nor was it even stopped by this check and I am sorry to say that a few Philanthropic Members were found to participate in the disgraceful and contemptible conduct. They are those too, who would be thought Exclusives!!!8