Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-06-30
sI For the Staunton Spectator.
Exhibition and Entertainment at Mt Solon.

| MR.. EDITOR :-W hllst In your city you are
| almost weekly enjoying Concerts, Cantatas,
Oratorios &C., would remind you that in our
quiet little village, We, too, can occasionally
boast OF the pleasure OF similar entertainments
The occasion for the exhibition of which am
about to speak was the closing exercises of the
private School Of Mrs. Hattie McAlister in the
patronage of j.. j. Cupp, Esq. The time was
Friday evening June 10TH
1he exercises we're promised by sumptuous
supper, at which everything was served that
the most fastidious palate could Grave, and of
which all present, and all passers by partook.-
10 person. Of ordinary generosity single
feast would have been deemed sufficient, but
to persons of such unbounded cheer and hos
pltality as Mr.. Cupp and his lady this did not
seem to suffice, and consequently, the exercises
were both preceded and followed by festivities
as the sequel will show.
The Concert, which consisted in s.The
SCHOOL,. = was opened with prayer by the Rev,
H. f. Husey, of your city. These exercises
consisted in music, both vocal and on the pi-
ano, the reading of compositions, dialogues,
&c., which evinced great proficiency on the part
Of the pupils, Misses Ida, Mary, Matte, and
Willie Cupp and reflected great credit on the
zeal, ability, and fidelity of their teacher. The
closing scene Of the Concert was THE Corona
ton" in which Miss Ida Cupp was crowned
by Mrs. McAlister, accompanied with most
touching and beautiful address replete with
words Ct kindness aud admonition.
The Concert is now closed and the curtain
dropped. Very soon the rising of the curtain
is the signal for more eniyening aud amusing
proceedings Now commences the enactment
OF number of scenes 10 tableau Prominent
among these were ''The Four Seasons" 1.-The
inexperienced Housekeeper," 1.-THE Country
Couain'" Two weeks after Marriage" {" Family
Music, 'The Vacant Chair" 1.-The Quilting
Party, &c:, &c, all Of which were rendered
with theatrical precision and elegance by Mrs
Fannie Hopewell, Misses Sallie Hopewell, Mat
tie Huffman, Emma Anderson, Isabella Clarke
and Ida and Mary Cnpp on the part of the Ia
Ami Blakemore and Mr. p. n, Clarke on the
part of the gentlemen. During the intervals
Of the scenes most elegant music on the piano
was dispensed by Mrs. MoAlister. The exer-
olses were closed with few happy and appro
pirate remarks by the Rev. Thomas Carson, of
Bridgewater The whole proceedings wero un-
der the dexterous and judicious management.
of Mr.. John w. Hopeweu, and were rendered
to the Infinite qualification and amusement of
g small, but highly intelligent and appreoistiye
audience. The exercises closed at about ii
O'Clock, and were soon followed by another
feast of refreshments, both excellent and abun-
uanI anu WHICH HeTe nu8ely eDIOyed by UOtn
the performers and audience after which all
repaired to their homes cheered delighted and
refreshed.
Not wishing TO disparage in the least our
public schools--for they are a necessity and
blessiug-yet, | have always been of the opin-
ion that these home or private schools we're
best, alike both for boys and girls; and whilst
it has been my fortune to witness the closing
exercises Of both public and private schools for
many years, think l can safely say that have
never seen pupils acquit themselves in man
ner more creditable to themselves, or more COM
plimentary to their teacher than on this occa
sion. MOSSY CREEK.
June 22nd, 1868