Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-15
COMMUNICATED.

c1l,p, has it been the writer's privilege
,oon event in our own midst, that
mare evident satisfaction and genuine
,asrre to large and apprcciative audience,
P n Aid the May-day Festival of the Female
,DI sns,r;al School, held at Lyceum Hall, on
saturday afternoon, the 18th instant. 10
40 noble spirited ladies, who have lent their
talents and unceasing efforts to this
''' -, excsllent cause, all praise is due: had
nr,wn any such word rs fail, they
U'', i, mioht have given up in despair, their
'Il., 'bad wish. to close the Industrial oper-
cas If the school, for the season, with inno-
NV" ~, and instructive festive amusements. The
t S,nyens seemed unpropitious-during the
I ns" A. three days previous, and up to with
wv ;,,le over an hour of the appointed time,
)" a.;nuols and drenching rains had been
E sn;nr vet the ladies persevered, they
i ,an,d the storm, their faith tagged not,
p OnI inst in the right time, Providence,
"nsokinc through nature, kindly responded
- their desires, when the dark clouds dis
so-.pd and the sun shone forth brightly, IN
foan,iful harmony with the interesting oc-
'' Tba nlutform for the Speakers was taste
snr decorated with delightful May flowers,
.In; ,laddened the sparkling eyes OF one
Imnjred and fifty little girls, that have been
,aken up by this benevolent association,
from the lanes and highways of suffering
and want, and made happy, by being COM.
f,r,ahlv clothed, taught habits of industry,
and heinz guided in the paths of usefulness.
There have been two hundred pupils un-
der the care of the directors and managers
Of the school.
The exercises were opened, by the girls
sipcins q sweet little hymn, commencing
With the words-..l want to be an An
,,s &c. which was we'll sung. The Rev.
nr Harrison then made an impressive
prayer. ~. ;, ~,
The opening address was delivered by Mr..
lanes s Hallowell, who with much reluc-
lance and dfiidencc yielded to the lnexora-
HE demands of the ladies, and took the place
Of the Hon. Mr.. Cox, member of Congress
from Ohio, who had been invited, and was
expected certainly to have been present
After few apologize remarks, Mr.. IL. pro-
ceeded in very fervid and iorc'ble manner
To portray the great and good results that
mit,ht be expected to flow from such praise
worthy efforts, az those by which the ladies
were impelled forward in this cause. At
the conclusion of Mr.. HIS address, the little
girls, all aglow with JOY, sang beautiful
Muy-duy Carol beginning thus
"Swoct May is descending,
Her breath's in the ar, &c
Then the Rev. Thos. IL. Stockton, Chap
lain 10 Congress- who was 10 have addressed
the school not having arrived rs was eSpec-
ted, the Rev Mr.. Ward OF the NJ. I. Church,
in this City, by request of the ladies, came
forward, and made very happy and inter
e-ting address.
Then came a dialogue sung by twelve
children, ut the close of which MIR. VIM. IL.
Fpwle arose. and read note from Rev. Mr.
Saul excusiug his absence, and then made
lew pertinent remarks relative to the stats
ties of the school.
4 variety of handsome gifts provided Tor
lheUcrasion, were then presented to the CHILD
dren in classes, 10y L. +. Wilmer, esq, and
Dr ! NJ Stevens Aud beautiful basket
made bv the children of the school, filled
with fruits and flowers, WAS presented to
each of the speakers. as an offering from the
.a,nl,nr. and children which the gentlemen
myerallv acknowledged in very grateful and
rol;,;t,n. terms
w.. hIlrnn,. otI..r;nc ~ Mr.. Turner
n:,4,,. 20 .ssn,.;ot;on >va.
,,nch;n.r tr;hrt. \ bright eyed little
,.r with ,,verv Handsome basket, filled with
beautiful flowers, gracefully stepped forth,
and saiJ.--
"Win our Dirrctress accent this Offering
g., trihntr Of affection from the pupils Of
tba rr;nn Industrial Srhool.-the basket, the
w,rt nrnnr nyn hands il significant of the
.nrras. nf th. cause Won 80 much love. We
have filled it with the sweetest flowers we
,,,lj ,,,,lor md wish f,r vou a nath
,ironr6 life srrexn with buds of promise.
a,,,.rs e l,nr.. .,a tru,ts of faith
Tha D.. H. n,n, ~ }ah.If of the Di-
rar,ro -. ~, ,homLad ,ha ch;ldren for their Of
Specimens of needlcwork, executed by
the children, were then cAhlD'Ieu |" ,lie au-
"r"'e' when spoke more e,"4"'"'S '""'.
words could speak, OF the great su''o'' VI
Inc enterprlze.