Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-06-02
FLORAL CELEBRATIONS.

On Wednesday afternoon last the pupils OF the
D. d. s. Blind institution of this place celebrated
the reign of Flora by the selection and GROWING
of a Queen The chosen one of the school was
the interesting and amiable Miss Lizzie Catlett,
and in truly graceful and becoming manner did
she sustain her regal honors. A throne was
placed in grove, and near by was erected
bower Shortly after o'clock herald, with
flourish of his trumpet, announced the advent
of the queen elect, who, passing feom the bower
with her maids of honor and 4 band of far Choir
listers, marched between two lines of the Fire
Company of the Institution, and took her seat
upon the throne. The coronation then took place
with singing and poetic speeches, and the woods
echoed with the sweet voices of the slghtess girls
The threatening appearance Of the heavens rather
married the enjoyment of the pretty affair, which
had to be curtailed on account of the mutterod
warnings of heavy clouds. The Institution band
discoursed most elegant music, and Clinedinst
was present with his solar camera for the purpose
of taking picture of the unique and interesting
scene. A large number of citizens were present.
THE CORONATION of the Queen of May Of st.
Francis Female School took place, at O. clock,
Thursday evening last. The large grounds of
church were we'll filled at an early hour by
Catholics and Protestants The platform was
erected against the rear Of the church, and was
handsomely carpeted and decorated with arches,
canopy, &c. The children, crowned with flow
ers and dressed in white, presented a handsome
appearance and conducted themselves with great
propriety and decorum, throughout the evening
The procession, issuing from the school room at
the rear of the grounds, made the circuit of the
church, singing beautiful coronation song
the music of which had been expressed adapted
by Prof A. J. Turner The following young la
dies constituted the
Dra,natis Persoaa-Q ueen-Miss Mary Nelli-
gan; Crowner-Brdget Kennedy; Sceptre Bear
er-Kate Moran; LIST Maid of Honor-Fannie
Mclaughlin; I'd Maid of Honor-R kelley
ry Crimmens Bouquet Bearer-Ela NJ Carthy /;
Four Seasons-Misses Mamie and Mollie Din
neen, Sarah Orchard and Norah Hurley Lily"
Hannah Hounihani - Honey,sueeIkle TX ate
Mary ouinlan; 'Tulip'-Bettie Grove; "Myr-
tle"-.Iulia Murphy; Violet Jennie o. Brien
Rose Bud Maggie ODonnell; Hope
bearing floral a7lchor)-Maggie OConners
Four "Dew Drops''-Irene Kelley, Annie Fall
lon, Katie Beck and Annie Howe.
Arrived at the stand, the Queen Crowner and
Sceptre- bearer took their positions, and the Her.
aids Misses Kelley and Mclaughlin announced
her address in graceful manner. Then, in turn,
the flour seasons offered their poetical homage
The Flowers" in turn, did the same, and each
offered the flower whose nameshe BORE Hope
followed, and then laid her beautiful anchor al
the feet of the Queen. The little "Dew Drops
followed, and the Queen and her "crowner
closed with addresses
In THE CHRCH-Resuming the line of process
sion, they proceeded to the church. followed by
the large audience who filled the entire building.
The procession having arrived at the altar the
Queen proceeded to the graceful task of browning
the statue of the Blessed Virgin, which ceremo-
ny was followed by Hail Virgin of Virgins. y
recited in alternate verses by Misses Murray
Crimmens, Kenney, Fallon, Hurley, and Gala
han. This portion of the exercises was concluded
by the reading of the Conservation Prayer, by
the Queen. The Pastor of the church then tool
occasion to explain that the ceremony of crown
ing the statue was not as some suppose, super
stltious act but only the carrying out of simple
instinct of the heart, in thus paying a tribute O
respect and affection to one who oee11pied so init
mate a relation to the God-Man. The services i,
the church then concluded with the Renaa;ot;o,
of the Blessed Sacrament by the Pastor alto,
which the children returned, in procession f.
the grounds, where they partook of some refresh
ments. Then, in procession, they conducted til,
Queen to her home, thus appropriately closing
scene which Will long be remembered by tn,
young participants. The corps of ladies anf
gentlemen, who conducted the celebration. de
serve great deal of ceedit for the handsome ant
orderly manner in which the ceremonies naeSe,
off