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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