The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-04
CITY INTELLIGENCE.


ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE FEMALE DEPART
MENT OF THE School OF DEsIGN.-Last night the
Annual Commencement of the Female School of
Design took place at the Maryland Institute. A
large audience was in attendance and the ceremo-
MES were of interesting character. The best
works OF the scholars were exhibited on the wall
and attracted much attention The Blues Band
was in attendance, and as the pupils entered the
hall and took seats the front benches which had
been reserved. the band played beautiful air.
Rev. ThOs. G. Addison offered up an impressive
prayer, after which the report of the Principal of
the School miss NJ. NJ. Magure) was read by Mr.
John Jones. 1t congratulates the Committee on
the present prosperity of the School, which num-
bers sixty scholars and the prospect of its future
usefulness. Rev. Dr. j. q. Morris then delivered
address He said that he had not the time to
treat the sub bect in the in which he desired
to treat it. The history of art in connection with
woman was grand theme. He would like to go
back to ancient times and review the many dis
tinguished women whose contributions to art have
entitled them to place in the books. But it was
his intention to be practical and plain in his re-
marks. He considered the Institution one of the
most valuable in the city. He had visited the
School during the winter, and it had afforded him
pleasure to observe the advancement made by the
pupils He professed to some taste in the arts
He did not belong to that class who did
not know the difference between a portrait
and barn-doOr, or a cabbage and turnip in
fruit piece. The pieces on exhibition reflected
lence, provided those who executed them pursued
their studies after leaving the school, But it too
often occurs that young ladies lay down the pen
and brush, not for the purpose of taking up an
other brush-very useful-the sweeping brush
who lay down their pencil to draw the bow
Where women, who possess genius, are guilty Of
thus neglecting the development of their powers
1t Is negligence akin to sin. The Doctor then
proceeded to notice the advancement of art in this
city, and the increasing desire on the part of
wealthy gentlemen to patronize it. The principal
reasons that we have not more great female artists
in this country that art is not literally patron
lied; females are able to support themselves easily
at other pursuits; there is false desire to possess
something that is foreign. A foreign picture and
a foreign bonnet both preferable to one paint
ed or made in this country; and in gratifying this
desire much deception is practsed, and frequently
pictures which are purchased the works of the
old masters, are the works of home artists who
have gone to the trouble of smoking them to
give them an ancient look. Another reason
why ladies do not practise art as a means
of livelihood is, that as they reach
maturity, they commence looking around to
captivate some one who will earn livelihood
for them. This was right and proper, for every
young lady should seek that happy state of life
But STILL said he, she should earnestly endeavor to
advance in her profession, for no one tell how
soon she may be required to rely on her own exer-
tiOns for support. The speaker closed by exhor-
ting the young ladies, for the sake of art ITSELF to
pursue their studies after leaving school. Samuel
awards would be one of the last acts he would per-
form as President of the Maryland Institute. He
took pleasure in being the medium of conveying
these testimonials of merit, which so we'll de-
served. He then referred to the creditab.e manner
in which the scholars had acquitted themselves, and
expressed the hope that they would continue their
studies and become useful and great. The medals
had not yet arrived from the mint at Philadelphia,
and instead thereof certificates would be given to
those to whom they had been awarded, and as soon
as the medals arrived they would be distributed.
A member of the committee had presented gold
medal to be awarded to that young lady who had
excelled most in all the branches of study, and
after careful examination the committee had award
ed it to Miss Margaret Bishop. He then proceeded
to read the following awards:
The following young ladies were awarded silver
medals Ellen J. Davis, Margaret Bishop, Eliza
beth De Valin, Fl. Mary Trimble, Rebecca A.
Maughlin, Mary E. Beachem, Mary II. Norris, Isa-
bella Bolton, Helen A. Craig, Marion Tuttle, Ger
trude ii. Minife. Mary A. Reid, Caroline Crocker,
Nargaret Griffith, Mary Christoper, Fanny Rogers,
Z. ID. Schwartze, Fannie Dickson, Joanna Cotler,
Mary j.: Magruss, H. A. Furlong, Clara Church,
Sarah Ciarey, Mary Shannon, Lottie Beehler.-
Thefolowing young ladies were awarded certificates
OF merit Tor improvement in drawing Miss Sarah
Sellers, Laura De Valin, III. j. Ford, Ada Kugler,
Susan E. Scer, Mary Houston, Emma McMlen,
Eliza J. Magee, Rebecca Patrick, Elizabeth E. Dor
sey, Robarta Davis, Sarah Brennan, Mary 4. King,
Louisa Garmley, A. n. Dushane, M. L. Young, NJ. !.