The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-06-22
staunton Baptist Female Institute.

Staunton Baptist Female Institute.
The Commencement Exercises of this In
stitution came off on Monday and Tuesday
evenings of this week It has only been in
operation in Staunton for few months, hav
ing been transferred from Charlottesville
where it was known as the Albemarle Bap-
fist Female Institute. Its prospects here are
Hattering, and the School is destined to grow
in importance and usefulness, under the
management Of its accomplished Principal,
Rev. j. NJ Hart Indeed, Staunton seems
to be recognized centre in the South for
Female Schools cf high grade, aud where
experience, recognized capacity, and general
of principal, we may safely assume that it
only requires time to demonstrate eminen t
success.
Monday evening was appropriated to a
Concert, where great proficiency in vocal snd
instrumental music was evidenced, and the
evening passed off in varied entertainments
suitable to the occasion.
The closing exercises were opened, on Tues
day night, by a feeling and appropriate pray
er from the Rev. J. l. Miller, Of the Luth-
eran Female Seminary of this place. After
which the Principal, Mr.. Hart, in a very
concise manner, explained the character of
the school, its object and the system of study
adopted. He then proceeded to read the
awardments of distinction to the junior class
es. This was followed by the delivery of d.
plomas in special studies, and the announce
ment of the highest honors that could be at
tanned in the School
The dignifed, yet kind manner with which
the diplomas we're delivered, the bright smile
which glided over the fair faces of the hon
ored recipients and tho grace with which
they were received was attractive and inspir-
ing. IF full diplomas in elegant manners
had been part Of the programme more than
one fair pupil would have been made happier.
| After this part Of the exercises had been
concluded, Mr.. Hart introduced to the audi
ence Rev. DR.. J. W. NJ. Williams, of Balti-
more, who delivered the Address of the oc-
cason. His theme was novel, and had not
the circumstances and the place forbid the
conclusion, its announcement would have
conveyed the idea that it was to be defence
of Woman's Rights in political sense 1t
was that "Woman Rules the World" He
approached it by stating he feared his ability
to do justice to it, but as he proceeded In a
mastery and powerful manner to argue and
develop his theme, his audience came to the
belief that he knew precisely what he was
speaking about He demonstrated his posi-
tons by the experience and history of nations
aud the teachings Of Scripture, that woman
ruled the Domestic and Moral world In
that way she ruled the pretended "lord's of
creation" The man might have the head but
woman held the neck. Throughout the address
there we're strong thoughts presented, and
maintained by great erudition. After giving
woman's rights, in a political sense, severe
blow, he conclud I'd his able address, by some
wholesome advice to the pupils. Had we
space and time, we should like to reproduce
some Of the iorcible points established by the
speaker. He is evidently a man Of great
power and originality of mind
The discourse concluded, the bencdction
was pronounced and the exercises concluded
A prominently marked feature of the ex-
ercises, was the evident sympathy and conf
dence that existed between pupils and princi-
pal-respectful Difference on the part Of
the..former, waslmet by dignifed kindness .nat-
ural and unaffected, on the part of the latter
II is the kind Of relation that should exist
in school Of this kinda Difference from
the one which requires no harshness from
the other, and inspires mutual confidence
stimulates ambition in the pupil and excites
a sense of duty in the Principal, or rather
draws him up to the highest sense of affec-
tionate duty.