Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-17


Msssrs. Eaitors.-In this day q schoos 4
hibitions and beautiful pic-nics It may no.
uninteresting to your readers to have q brie
count of the exhibition and picnic at Oesi.u
Seminary at Old Providence cIslfcli, nnde-
care of Miss Pringle, which ooA ace 5a--
day, June 29th.
The morning was not quite as WATT
few preceding days of the week, but at
Soils bright rays bid defiance to the senlS, c5li-
ing breezes that played among the se- ops, aDc
mildly famed the burning counter snce; o. +.
five or six hundred happy guests ho ha1 O.
lected to enjoy the festivities Of tie oecasic
for in his splendor he reused many 4 sweat-dr
from it's confinement, and coursed it's way 10 IN
the fevered cheek. Yet, notw hstandiag all
this, that day had pleasant forebodiDg. A
season never before enjoyed at that place, or by
the young ladies of that school, and many of the
spectators, we'll might they enjoy it. The school
room being crowded to its utmost extent when
/ arrived, am unable to give detailed account
of the examination exercises, as conducted that
morning by the Tutoress-Miss Pringle-in the
presence of Rev. DR.. Thompson, Rev. Vim.
Pinkerton, and many others, but am informed
that those exercises were very complimentary
and creditable both to the respected and accom-
plshed instructress, and to the pupils, and high
y satisfactory to the patrons of the school,
There were read some compositions, the pro-
auctions of the young ladies of the school, that
would have done honor TO older heads, and more
elated minds. ..rt f
Every thing there conducted showed taste of
tutorsge and application OF the instructions Civ.
en-. These exercises being over, the audience
was invited to the grove, where was prepared
dinner by the fair maidens and matrons of the
school and neighborhood. And in Justice to
those handsome young ladies, we must say that
they have learned the art of preparing some.
thing nice to eat, as we'll as in adorning their
minds and their bodies. We have seen and ad.
mired pic-nics before, bat in just commendation
We must say that it surely has never been our
privilege to see this one surpassed. Everything
was nice and delicious, and every part of the ex-
ercises of the day was conducted "decently and
in ORDER" While the first table was being
served, the audience was interrupted in their
enjoyment of this ''feast of tat things by
heavy shower of rain, of some fifteen minutes
duration, but this short intermission, only af-
torded the young swains an opportunity to
"feast their eyes," while eongregated in the two
churches (old and new) to which they had re-
paired. But the storm was soon over and gone.
and the refreshments replaced upon the table,
when those who had not partaken before, re-
turned and found remaining of the creature
comforts" enough, and to spare. The next
thing in order, the audience was invited to the
beautiful new church edifice, to be entertained
by an oration by Robert L.. Doyle, Esq. The
ladies almost exclusively filled the body of the
church, and the few little vacancies between the
"Belles of the South" were filed with gentle
men. Then, there is gallery extending along
both sides of the church, and across one end,
which was filed with gentlemen, and the writer
has never had the pleasure of beholding more
beautiful and interesting scene, than when cast
ing glance down upon the sea of upturned
faces, catching with breathless silence every
word as it fell from the lips of that distinguished
gentleman and orator. His address was fnl of
good sense, logic, sound argument and exem-
plary precept. In word, just what an address
to young ladies should be. After Mr. Doyles
address, the Rev. DR.. Thompson made few
very appropriate, and well applied remarks, and
dismissed the audience.
Thus passed the first anniversary at Oakland
Seminary, and that they may have many more
such, that those we'll trained young ladies may
gladden. the hearts of their parents, make home
pleasant, and be shining lights in their proper
sphere, is the earnest wish of A SPECTATOR.