Commemoration

Commemoration, or ENCÆNIA, the great festival of the Oxford academic year, usually takes place on the third Wednesday after Trinity Sunday. It is of very ancient date, public exercises and recitations having been held from time immemorial in honour of the Act, or period when Masters of Arts and Doctors complete their degrees. The proceedings consist of a Latin oration in honour of founders and benefactors; the presentation of the honorary degree of D.C.L. to strangers eminent in science, politics, &c.; and the recitation of the Newdigate or English prize poem, the Latin prize poem, and the Latin and English prize essays. The more strictly academic and solemn portion of the proceedings was frequently wont to receive scanty attention from a great part of the audience; and the noisy humours of the gallery have often encroached on the stately periods of the public orator. In 1876 the undergraduates were removed from the special gallery they had hitherto occupied, and distributed amongst the general audience, which includes ladies and strangers as well as members of the university. 'Commencement' is the corresponding festival at Cambridge, where, however, it is of less general observance.