Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-18
LITE r A RY.
GRAND LITERARY FESTIVAL,
Alumne of the Wesleyan
Female College.
Interesting Occasion Ceremonies, &C.

was celebrated in the College Hall last
Wednesday night. The audience was
select, refined and apprecialive; but
owing 10 the Anniversary OF the
Irving Literary Society coming on the
same night, a report of which appears
IN to-day's JOURNAL. was rot as large as on
former cccasions-all being comfortably and
agreeably seated. The Hall was most taste
fully lestooned with cvergreens, while smil-
ing flowers peeped out from every nook and
corner. The stage was elaborately deco
rated with wealth OF roses, and over its en-
circled by shield of evergreens and flow
ers, the emblem of Hope-an Anchor-was
formed by brilliantly lighted gas jets.
Everything in the makeup was IN keeping |
with the literary and musical least to be |
served up, and betrayed thQ@Ssen OF |
high order OF taste and refinement.
Alter feryent and impressive prayer by |
Rev. DIR. Cooke, OF Philadelphia, President |
Wilson, In n few briel and well-limed re-
marks, very gallantly allowed his mantle 10
fall upon the President OF the Association,
Miss Maria Kate Glem, of Lebanon, Pa.,
who presided throughout with dignity aud
grace which only consciousness oil illness
can inspire.
LA Dame Blanche" an instrumental
duett, was admirably performed by the
Misses Cooke and lntes, and called prlh
many an expression ol delight from the mu-
steal listeners, who watched with feelings oi
admiration the taper fingers OF the perform
ers trip ninbly over the ivory keys IN per
feet unison, while executing the most intfl-
cate passages.
Miss Josephine G. Conke,ol Philadelphia,
sang with charming sweetness OF tone, "Fly
| My Skill" Although her voice did not ex.
hibit the power which ii seems capable Of
the delicate rendering of the finer passages
made ample amends lor this. Her soltesl
notes were distinctly henid in the remotest
corners, and the fleet OF such beautiful
voice was just charming.
The Secretary of the Association, Miss
Annie NJ. Walter, oil Media, Pa, read an ad-
mirably written document which was her
aided under the nnpropillnus title
OF "Secretary's Report" but which was
as peaches are unlike cabbage4. Although
the fair render would have us
believe that the pen is poor substi-
tute for II womau's tongue, we must enter
our Protest against any such unreasonable
assertion, and press into service her own de-
lighIiul pen picture Ia prove that our obiec-
ton is well founded. 10 II pleasant, ge-
nial, wOmanly manner she discOursed ol the
noble work her sen had before them; the
necessity 0i culture that they may become
model daughters, wives, aud mothers; and
while she rehuked the unwomanly acts OF
our modern Surosis, her creed was to do
! well what you tud To do. In education she
perceived preventive 10 crime and au as
sistant 10 morality. While she believed it
I was WOman's glt TO make much Of little, she
| could make much more il she hud more.
y The Report was read in clear, distinct
r tone, in an easy manner, and with perfect
| freedom from embarrassment. II We could
q only induce our statistical secretaries 10 dis
= card their prohx prosy affairs, and to adopt
d this genial report as their model, what a
: world Of entertainment would 1t afford us
d and how much more pleasantly would oul
time be passed.
"Frlendship," vocal duet, was sung with
. grace and skill, by the Misses Bruner AM
williamson. Their vo'ces were peculiarly
sweet, powerful, and wel-trained, and The
8 whole rendition of tins piece was more thar
. satisfactory to the most iastidious
Miss Fora Cooke, OF Philadelphia, sang il
. a graceful manner, "The Kiss.n Her pur
o sweet voice as II tIilled along through lh
II more intricate passage clear and distinct llk
I the ripping Of u brooklet was listened Il
!" with attentive ear by hGr admirlDg hearers
= "Foresl Flowers, an essay by Miss Juli
D." 4. Orem, OF 81. MIchaels, Md, was the pro
'' duclion of Il well.disciplined mind. 1t be
~ Irayed close application and hard study, AN
" was evidently the work OF close student Z
. views Nature from hopeful poetic stand
point. Byron once sand OF a would-be poeti
I, contemporary that his rhymes would max
I'd excellent prose ii each line was only dlvesl
ut ed OF its last word. Miss Orem's pros
W would make the most musical verse il SD
ll would only divide IL into the proper numbt
lie OF feet 1t was us fresh and sweet as III
ne blue.eyed violets whose praises she sang
y alter summer shower. While her essa
WI ~ nhilpgnnhtru1 u N
s. philosophy that rushes headong inl
transcendentalsm, but one which is pc
t. yaded with n liberal and hopeful piety. I'll
l. reading was as pure as the subject matte
w and The ennncialion as clear and distinct I
lis the sentences themselves
on Miss s. NJ. Williamson, of Media, Pa
~ sang sweetly, "Under the Daisies, and Il
ut daisies lost none OF their attractions at Il
ito hands OF this sweet.toned songslress. HI
style was indicative ol high culture, and IL
execution uneXcepliOnably good
~ Holding Only the Ground we Can
eu On, an essay, by Miss H. E. Pitman,
or Smyrna, Del, was one OF the finest Literal
%, efforts OF the evening. Eminenlly pra,
le teal il treated ol life as il is, not as "
or may wish 1t. At all times actively seekr
for remedies lor what is bad, but applylI
ne them as intelligent reiormers, mot as rev
lie utionisls. The gentle philosopher discove
!
he but she at the same time realizes the IL
on porlunce oil moving cautiously lest we mi
in retrograde instead of progress. We Cam
AN always dream, but we must work and thin
and work with a purpose, We are taug
al valuable lessons by those who have go
lie before, and we may profit by their eXpe
he ence. 1t is by the hard struggles OF the o
MS world that we have become develope
he Such vigorous thoughts as these are indie
N "a nj n,
are peculiarly acceptable at this time, VIII
md SO called relormers are, with unhallow
no hands, recklesslY seeking 10 destroy the q
e a landmarks which indicate with unerri
IL certainty The boundary line between dev,
,ur, opment and decay. Ii was read in lo
and distinct tone ol vcice, so as 10 be hea
IL, by all without difficulty.
Mrs b. p. Lodge, having been unexpet
nal edly kept away by sudden Illness, hrr numt
On, Gus admirers were compelled to orego 1
pleasure of her rich voice in the "Clang
n of the Bells. Mrs. GTacey kindly volu
teered ior the occasion the song Of "AI
LOily,n which was rendered in a sweet al
plalnuve manner Her voice was mary
ously rich and iull, and highly cultivated.
e,, Lies Danes dc Seville, an instrument
io' Duet, was brilliantly performed by t
Misses Slime and Miller. They Icuder
Tor Ibis intricate piece Ol music admirably, al
ng lis skillul execution was listened To wi
marked attention by every one present.
for A vocal Duet, "AIoOnlight is Sleeping
was sung by the Misses Cooke, ot Phiad
for phia. Their voices were sweet and harm
nious, and the low passages were render
s,r most heatiiully.
'or "The Maid Of the Light House, " by Nj
Mary L. Kendrick, OF Baltimore, was a 5
for and plaintiye story Off gIl drowned IN I
the sea by being overtaken by the tide and /
IL grief Of her lather, the old and faith
keeper OF the light house, ut her loss. L