The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-06-27
TIE srsTERE ACADEMY.
Fourteenth meneement---Beautiful Spec
taele---A Most Enjoyable Occasion
Tho Exercises.

The exercises attendant upon the Four
teenth Annual Commencement at the
Academy Immaculate Conception, in this
city, occurred last evening in the spacious
hall connected with the Academy at the
corner Of Eighth and Main streets. There
was a large number of friends of students
and OF the institution present, and an hour
preceding the opening exercises was spent
by them in walks over the spacious and
beautiful grounds of the institution, in the
elegant rooms of the Academy proper and
buildings attached. The place is one of
the loveliest in the State.
The examination at the Academy took
place three weeks since-and this occasion
was of significance as illustrating the &C
complishments of pupils in literary and
other specialties included in the instructions
given. 1t may be proper to say that full
graduates take full leave of the Academy
once in two years-and this was not the
time for their appearance. The hall was
filled with people. The room and stage
were tastefully decorated. Every person
was delighted with the exercises. DaUen-
port Gazette, 9Th.
In addition to the foregoing we glad to
publish the following letter from friend
who was present on the occasion alluded
to:
DAVENPORT Iowa, June 81, 1873.
To the Editor of The Rock Island Argus.
Dear Sir:-The l4th annual commence
ment exercises at the Academy lmma-
culate Conception, were held last evening
in the school room attached to the acade-
my. Notwithstanding the intense heat a
large and appreciative audience consented
TO be held in solution for more than three
hours, so interesting were the exercises, so
well did each individual young lady per-
form her allotted part.
The stage was tastefully decorated for
the occasion. Over the prOscenium hung
picture of the Redeemer, being the only
thing in the room indicating that the exer-
eises were under the auspices of body of
Religious. Back of the stage were a num-
Der Of works of art, the productions of the
pupils. One, a Sunset Scene" by Miss
Anna Fries, Of your city, being very much
admired-the lady had three paintings on
exhibition, which critics pronounce good
Two crayOn sketches, Beatrice Cenci'
and Harvest Queen" by Miss Mary Viii
son, also Of Rock Island, were spoken of
very highly.
After the opening chorus, the salutatory,
spoken by Miss Mary Hagarty, of Davel,-
port, was heartily applauded 1t was
clearly, distinctly, even artistiealIy render
| ed. Then followed the programme exer
clses, each piece winning rounds of ap-
plause all showing that vocal culture
and elocution are matters which receive
great attention from the Sisters.
/ Were to particularize | would perhaps
tire your readers, but cannot refrain
from noticing in particular manner the
singing Of Misses Mary Haynes and Nellie
Nelson, in the tableaux Of the "Cantata,
Miss Nelson essayed ''The Last Rose Of
Summer very difficult air, but, for SC
young a lady,it was creditably, even excel
lently rendered
In the drama, of Isabella of CASTLE
Miss Mayer, as the Queen, looked regal
and excelled many bOasted professionals
have seen in her careful, distinct enun
citation and the pleasing meditation of heI
voice, while her gestures were queenly and
elegant.
Miss Mary Wilson, as ''Morayma, the
Moorish lady fairly excelled herself. This
young lady is known as an elocutionist, and
last night her distinct tones, capital read
ing, easy gesture, and admirable facial ex
preston was the theme Of many lip OF
leaving the entertainment There ar,
many others that deserve mention, but tn,
columns of THE ARGUS are valuable and
fear to trespass.
On the whole the exhibition was an un
doubted success, and | hope, when tn
next annual commencement takes place
the Sisters will have a building larg
enough to accommodate their numerou
: and warm friends in this vicinity. =