Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-09
TIE FEMALE INSTITUTE.
FAIRFAX HALL, AT WINCHES-
TER.

We clip the 1ollOWihS aitic'c iio"'
the Leesburg U'ashingfonian, which
gives an interesting account OF the
commencement exercises of the Fairfax
Hall. Female Institute, Winchester, SO
ably and satisfactorily conducted by
Rev. Silas, Billings, Principal, and
daughters -
The commencement exercises at Far
fax Hall, the Female Institute, under
Rev. S. Billings and daughters, at Win
chester, was unusually interesting this
year. On Monday night, June 23d, the
waiting crowd, which had early assem-
bled at the Loudoun street Presbyterian
Church, were, at o'clock relieved by
the entrance of a procession OF white
ROBBED maidens, advancing up either
aisle in beautiful order, and filling the
seats reserved for them. A vocal trio
''Angel of Peace" performed by pupils,
a prayer, and the chorus, feather we
Praise Thee" we'll rendered by the
school, were followed by an address, by
Rev. II. Branch, of LoudOun county.
The subject-''The True Woman, hay
ing been ably and elegantly treated by
this genial and earnest speaker, list
was read of the certificates presented to
all pupils who had passed satisfactory
examinations, upon one or more studies
completed.
Alter this, Diplomas were presented,
by Rev. George W. Leyburn, in his
usually happy style, to Miss Ada Steel,
of Ohio, and Misses f. V. Douglas and
Edith IIileary, of Va. The beautiful
tableaus presented by these three young
ladies, whose bearing was most modest,
vet womanly, could not but have been
remarked by all present. y most
charming trio: The Evening hymn,
by Misses Walker, Piter and Russell,
was universally admired, and this, with
the Benediction, closed the exercises.
The Concerts for the entertainment
of the patrons and friends Of the school
came off on Tuesday and Thursday
niphts, the 2ith and 26th. The large
Concert Hall of the Institution was
crowded to overfowing on Tuesday
night, and packed Ito the ceiling,in the
rear at least) on Thursday night. The
programme consisted of Piano solos,
Ducts. trios, quartettes and sextettes;
vocal solos, Duets and choruses, few
compositions, and some seven or eight
PLAYS, exceedingly amusing, and quite
, the thing for school girls. 1t would be
impossible, within the space allotted us,
to notice each piece and performance
particularly; but we would remark that
the execution of Misses =. Russell, Stri-
der, Douglas, Hilleary, Hartford, Trim
bic and Steele, was brilliant, and for the
time they have taken lessons quite re-
markablv. Misses Pifcr, Griffith, Walk
er and Strider, displayed a sweetness,
power and finish of voice seldom seen
in school girls. The more inexperienc-
ed players, who performed four or six
together, showed as much skill i'll keep
ing time, as the older pupils did iii exc
cution. We would mention the trio
overture to "Oberon,' and thequartette
Fantasia upon Lang Sync and the
Mocking Bird, as very fine, and well
performed The compositions were,
The Empire of Fashion, Miss j. liar
ford: Little Things, Miss IIilleary; Fire
side Angels, Miss V. Douglas, and the
Valedctory, Memory's Picture Gallery,
by Miss Ada Steele.
Misses Barr, Anderson and Howe,
were particularly noticeable in "The
Votaries OF Folly" Miss Atkinson and
Master G.. Miller performed most adml-
rab!v, 'rhe Train to MAuro," which
was enthusiastically received, and the
Primary and Preparatory Departments
rendered the "Fairy School, in man
ner beyond what would have been ex-
pected in children OF their age; the part
of mortals being finely sustained by Lou
and Nina Shepard, seven and eight
years of age.
"INhcn Twas young" Misses Robin
son and Barr. brought down the house.
GLOW they kept Secret, waspertom-
cd in manner which would have done
credit to experienced artists. Misses
Conrad, of Warren. and Paxson of Lou
doun, being the chief characters, while
.'Boarding School Accomplishments,
although all the parts were well done,
owed much 10 its enthusiastic reception
to the inimitable performance OF the
Old Gentleman, by Mr.. J. Russell. The
exercises of Thursday night closed with
the Cantata, "An hour in the Fairy
Land, in which forty young girls and
children, in white dresses, with five or
six different colors of taratone,m wing,
and sashes fringed with gold, and mark
ed with the name of the character sus-
tanned. sang tlreir solos. and wound
about in the intricate and beautiful fig-
ures of calisthcnics, in = manner quite
enchanting to the audience. On the
whole. the highest compliment which
could be paid the entire performance
was. that about four hundred people
piled in upon benches without backs,
. preserved for four hours. without NOV
inc from their seats or standing posi-
tons. the most perfect order which we
have ever witnessed on similar occasions
in this place.
Es~ DEATH OF REV. WM G.. Cross.
This Divine, formerly pastor of the
NJ. f. Church, South, of this town, died
suddenly in Lecsburg, Va, on Monday
last, aged 80 years. The Leesburs
Mirror says -