The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-08
CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE SIS
TERs' ACADEMY OF DAVES-
PORT.
Rock Island 8tudsnts In Alton.
dance.

at a greater expense. Accepting the m
tatiou of the Sisters, we attended" -
sYarc;.as last evening. Al an ear
- han filled, and many
'i'e ""'' 6,d even standing room.
l,srvthing bad been put IN oroer 'or tue
srci.es. At one end of the hall stage
rsi.ed two feet six inches from the floor.
had been raised, divided from the AUDITOR
UNI BY blue aud red curtains, the prosceni-
fsathery asparagus, and the wings and fiat
ornamented with specimens of pestile draw
ings and needle work 1t WAS lighted BY a
four brsnched chandelier in the centre, and
wax candles IL scores at the sides. A
painting of the Mater Dooross, respectable
as work of art, held the place of honor IN
the centre of the fiat, and WAS the only indi
cation OF Catholicism present, beyond the
costume of the Sisterhood, and the tonsured
crowns Of the clergy, who were in the city
on the Emigration Mission, and who We're
there III full force.
Two pianos occupied one side of the
stage, while opposite was the door way
atfording the drdmatis person@ entrances
and exits Miss Ida Whistler, Miss Ross, OF
La Crosse, Miss Morgan, of Omaha, and
Miss Katie Marshall, of Cordovs, were the
Juvenile artists exhibiting, and two land
scapes by the latter, little girl of twelve,
did credit to her taste for color, and eye for
form. The needle work. was, as it should
be, much superior to the stump, and
group OF flowers by Miss Emma Lane, a
bo4uet of roses in raised Berlin wool
work By Miss Marshall were worthy of
special mention. At given signal, the
curtains were drawn, and the pupils
marched on
The entrance march, played by Misses
/ Lane, Robbins, Spauldiug aud Morgan, was
executed with precision and spirit, and the
greeting song was very creditable alike to
teachers and pupils. About hundred your &
ladies were on the stage and took part IN this
musical welcome to the friends OF the inst'
tuition. The address spoken by Miss
f., Morgan WAS delicstely enunciated, but
spoken too rapidly and with that methodios a.
precision in which you can count the stops
and feel unc onfortably conscious of ''crsn-
ming" and want of spontaneity in the speak
err From this we learned that the Acsde-
nv has this year received its charter aud is
empowered to grant diplomas and confer
titular honors. Miss Marten followed with
a pr-ttily spoken address IL German. After
J this the Young ladies marched off, and when
the curtain opened again the stare was full
OF little muslin winged fairies all seated and
I busily engaged learning their lessons. This
scene much interrupted by the entrance
OF thirty priests, whose avocations we hope,
and not their carelessness, prevented from
an earlier arrival. The airy piece was
amusing, and al the rhymes were spoken
nicely. Miss Katie Marshall acted the
schooluistres. without timtd!v OF awkward
ba-ifuiIness. \ French dancing master in
ver7 creiitaby and with spirit The vocal
music which followed was the gem of the
evening, excepting the Mountain Home. .
The two solo passages sung by Msoel
Parker and Nellie Nelson showed cul,iva
ton and taste, the latter having al organ,
which, with care will ripen into voice oil
grent sweetness and co pass. The nechsni
cai pre- cisiou OF the concerted pieces fol
ei.:ht aud ,~=lse hands at the two piano.
was worthy of ali praise, AID
the execution of difficult; pieces
could not we'll be exceied. 4 play in three
acts followed, similar TO Messenger
Firgin Martyr, showing the prosecutions
of the christian church By Azrael in the
days of Urban, and detailing the trials and
death of the martyr Cecilia This, of course,
is not open to cri,icinm, for the routine of
the stage Is not to be expected from school
girls. Our only wonder is, how they man
aged to initiate the legitimate imitation so
well. ST. Cecilia, in pes green tarietan,
and her guardian angel in white gauze,
spoke their parts with proper emphsls, and
all were letter perfect in the text the pass
age beginning with Joyful news, '-by
Cecilia, was psthetically and eloquently
rendered. Anna Fries, of Rock Island, as
Valerisn, had more stage freedom than We
ever saw before in amateur, and gave
words according to Hamlet's advice, "trip
pingly from the tongue" The costume of
Miss Purcell, who is fine figure, as the
Pope. was exceedingly becoming, and the
great advantages of the piece was tina, ladies
could dress the male characters without un,
seemingly pantaloons. Mary Wilson, of
Rock Island, is born soubrette, and
played Mucro admirably. The way in which
/ Miss Purcell spoke the words, "Valerian
came lion in his strength was worthy of
Booth. The play gave general satisfaction,
and We mention with pride the credit our
Rock Island young ladies received from all,
! The Country Cousin was stunning-the
crook Of the elbow and the "come along
gals, with the sister at the "Femayie Gem
etery," was perfection, and Miss Wilson's
management of the "spec." and watch
could moi be excelled by any genteel come
ay man in the Union. The Calistben;c
exercises were all We could desire and much
more than We could expect. Space compels
US tn throw away half cur notes and omi,
some remarks we had to make on the abb
stract questions OF these exhibitions.
The various diplomas, medals, wreaths
and prizes were distributed by Father
Brazil, OF Des MONIES, every pupil receiving
some valuable present The following are
some OF the principal prizes:
Wreaths Of Honor for Superior Ereeifence
Of Department Awdrded to-Mieses oarah
Ross, Ella Spsulding, Mary A oConnor'
Ida Whistler, Lo,.ie McNenomy, Lizzie