The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-06-29
Wesleyan Female InstIfute-CIOsins
Exercises.
[2epor!ed for the Dispatch !

Sepor!eu Tor the DiSpatch
STAUNToN, VA, June &c, 1871.
According to promise, will continue my
report Of the closing exercises of Wesleyan
Female Institute, Rev. William A. Harris,
President. This is one Of our most flour
ishing institutions. The exercises began
Sunday, and continued consecutively for
five days. Our little city was alive with in
terest and pleasure. Strangers from the
far South and West were here attending
the exercises, which were regarded as the
most impressive and brilliant ever known
in the history of this institution.
Nearly one hundred young ladies, in their
beautiful white uniforms. were seated on
the stage, in full front of dense and brill
liant audience. crowding pews and gal
leries, and this scene occurred six times,
with increasing interest, in five consecutive
days. DR.. A. T. Blcd$oe's address, which
was delivered Monday evening before the
Lee and jackson Literary Society, made 4
profound impression, and confirms his
reputation as one of the first thinkers of
! this age. r.
Tuesday evening the Young Ladies'
Christian Association held its closing eXer-
| cises. The salutatory was read by Miss
Hellie Mitchell, of Maryland. 1t was well
conceived and happily expressed.
| The annual address was then delivered
by the Rev. A. w. Wilson, of Baltimore.
II was delivered without manuscript, in a
| free, unStudied manner and style; yet very
conci$ey and philosophically be unfolded
his topic, which was the importance and
| value of Il right religious training in toru1-
| ing the character and shaping the destiny
of all. He showed that all that was great
and good in human character and action
| was but the expression of the truth as it is
in Jesus. His address made fine impress
| sion, and showed hi gh order of intellect.
The valedlctcry essay was read by Miss
Stella Greece, OF Mississippi. which was
| done in handsome and graceful manner.
Between these exercises we were delighted
with choice selections of music by the many
| fine musicians in the large musical class of
the institute, which consisted Of 150
Instrumental and vocal pupils together.
This class, led by Prof. Schneider, and The
vocalist, Madam Ruhl, aided by another
distinguished songstress and teacher, Miss
Lizzie Daniel, invoked unbounded ap-
plause. Miss Daniel has wide reputation,
and has highly. cultivated voice, and is u
noble acquisition to this or any other col
lege. We congratulate this institute in Sc
curing the services Of one so distinguished
as vocalist and teacher.
Wednesday evening occurred the annual
"soiree." It was opened in fine style with
an overture by two pianOs-Mlss Goodwin,
OF Charlottesville, Miss Thompson, of Mis-
sssippi, Miss Hawkins, of Staunton, three
superior performers, who played with rc-
markabe skill. Then followed "Solo,' by
Miss Hendry, of Staunton, who showed
superior training in tue management and
cultivation of her voice.
Misses Rambo and DE Launey. of Georgia,
rendered "Belisario very creditable.
Misses Walker and Jameson, OF Mary
land; Misses Epes and Goodwin, of Vir-
ginia, and Miss De Launey, OF Georgia.
rendered a quartette-" Good Night"
Miss JAMESON, Of Mary land, sung /" En-
success. Miss Hopkins, of Virginia, sung
a piece from "Ferdi " in a clear, flexible,
and cultivated voice. Among the various
pieces were number Of striking choruses,
in which the entire music class Joined,
making the hall resound with magnificent
concord of sweet sounds from nearly one
hundred voices. The vocal music was con-
Quoted by Madam Ruhl, Who on this occa-
sion has shown her great excellence as a
teacher OF vocal music in the cultivation
and advancement of her pupils. She has
fully sustained her former wide reputation
by the part her pupils performed in this
"soiree.".
The instrumental music was conducted
beautiful Duets, quartettes, solos, and
choruses, DC, were executed to the delight
of the audience. Miss Daniel closed this
impressive and brilliant entertainment by
one Of her best sacred pieces, entitled
"Tbe Sonnet" This, as the former, was
sung with exquisite pathos and beauty.
She held the vast audience seemingly rapt
in applause us by the spell Of her charm
ing voice. Likewise on this, as other even
ings of the commencement, the young la
dies of the college indicated q degree of
beauty, grace, and style, rarely seen on
similar occasions. In word, the concert
on the whole was splendid success,
and did great credit alike to teachers
and pupils, Thursday evening at 8
O'Clock occurred the closing and final
exercises. These were opened by fine
chorus by Madame RuhI and her class,
then prayer by the Rev. MIR. Wilson, OF Bal
timore, next, Rev. John Landstreet, Of
Loudoun county, Va, read the report Of
the Board of Visitors, which was terse,
pointed, and highly complimentary to the
institution. One point in the report was
read with decided emphasis, and it was this:
"That aside from the superior education
offered by this school, our daughters were
lust as safe and comfortable here as they
possibly could be at their own homes"
Of "the great parental care shown to pu-
pills" in this school the reverend gentle
man seemed to speak from personal know
ledge. The report so far from fulsome was
right to the point, and read by one who
honestly felt the truth of all he said in favor
of this institution. Miss Maggie Thomp.
son, OF Mississi ppt, was introduced by Mr..
Harris, and read the Salutatory Essay IN