The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-07-04
IcoNMUSIcATioN.
ST. ARoyssus' Academy, Eoretto.
~ t6e Editor of The 4dEeqhaniaa ::

70 the Editor Of The d{leyhdnian
The Annual Exhibition and Distribution OF
Premiums of ST. Aloysius Academy, located
at Loretto, in this county, took place at the
old church in that place, on Thursday AFTER
noon last June 27th. The Institution IS con-
ducted by five of the Sisters of Mercy, and 1t
is under the special patronage OF the Cathoic
Church. It's object is, to impart religious
and academical education TO young ladies', OF
whom forty in attendance during the
past year. large number Of spectators non
orcd the occasion with their presence, lnclu-
ding Bishop Dominic of Pittsburg. The beauty
and manhood of the village, and of ali the re-
qion round about, were largely represented.
\ large stage was tastefully decorated with
eyergreeLs, and appropriately draped and car
peted. Upon this, when we entered the room
at two O'Clock we found seated the pupils the
teachers, the Bishop, and several clergymen.
The Young ladies were dressed in white, with
blue sashes and seated upon benches arranged
in tiers-the smaller girls at the top-the
whole presenting most picturesque appear
ance One end of the stage was occupied by
Il piano and melodeon.
The exercises were mainly composed OF nu-
sical and dramatic representations, the reading
| of essays. and the distribution of prizes y
portion of the programme, embracing eXer-
cises in many OF the branches Of study taught
at the institution, was unaVoidably omitted,
| owing to the protracted duration OF the other
| exercises. ana the necessity WHICH, COLupCiiSh
| the Bishop to leave at an early hour IN the
| evening. We afterwards learned from one OF
| the Sisters that the examination proper IN the
| languages and sciences had previously taken
| place in the school-room.
Of the music and dialogues and essays, we
| are not competent to speak with justice. The
| vocal and instrumental music we have seldom,
! if ever heard eXcelled at at an educational
exhibition. It was sacred, patriotic and oper-
| atic-entrancing the vast assembly with a
succession of sweet and lofty symphonies,
| which would have elected the praise OF La
Grange, or Jenny Lind The star Spangled
| Banner was sung with much spirit TO an ad-
| mirabIe accompaniment, amid the most enthu-
| siastic applause. The pupils of st. AloysIuS
| Academy have certainly been favored with the
| instruction of a music teacher of correct taste
| and professional skill of the first order. The
| dialogues, one of which was in French, were
/ well acted, requiring q large degree of self
| reliance, q faithful memory and considerable
| dramatic talent The .sTwin Sisters" an op-
eratta in two acts, was superbly rendered.
| The essays were well read and had the SEM
| blance of originality. To be "a good reader Is
no mean accomplishment, and we are glad to
| know that the pupils of ST. Aioysius' appre-
cate the fact. In the reading of their essays
and the recitation of their dialogues, they
manifested knowledge of the rules OF elocu-
ton which is really praiseworthy.
| The distribution of Premiums was an inter
! esting ceremony. We believe every young
| lady in the institution received handsome
volume, or other gift from the hands of the
| Bishop, the continual smile upon whose be-
| nevoIent countenance lent additional value
to every gift The following young ladies re-
ceived crowns for good conduct, and we have
no doubt deserved them
| Miss Mary Anne Kiernan, New York.
Miss Mary Gwinn, Loretto.
| Miss Frances Ivory, Loretto.
Miss Mary Eliza Finley, Baltimore.
Miss Mary o. Friel Loretto.
| The exercises of the afternOo0n closed with
a few pertinent remarks by the Bishop, after
which the audience retired, apparently well
| pleased with what it had seen and heard.
! Ny thanks are due to the Lady Superior for
the honor of an invitation to attend the Ex-
| hibition. The institution under her control
and that of her accomplished colleagues is
doing a good work among our Catholic friends,
and is worthy of their continued support
| With Sectarian schools-Catholic, Presbyte-
rian Lutheran, or Methodist have officially
nothing to do; but my best wishes will always
attend those which well conducted as
st. Aloysius' Academy.
| COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
JoHNsTOwY, July l, 1861.