The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-06-19

| uimctulty III ueCiuluS. lHo puPllS Woto oiiol
ask to name one OF their number who was
worthy of it, and they unanimously nameo
Leila Beers. Of Richmond 1t bears the inscrip
ton OH one side For General Excelenc, Mis-.
Leila Beers" and on the other virginia FL
naIe Institute, 1873" on both side is Il
wreath Of golden flowers enclosing a stal
which holds the inscription.
10 the case of the prize Essay which was
awarded to Miss Susie MEG owan, of S G. the
recipient unselfshly ATTEMPTED to have the
decision reversed and the prize awarded u
Miss Clara Harris, of Ohio.
WESLEYAN FEMALE INsTITuTE.-The
commehcement exercises of this Institute
were iDaugurated by sermon from Bishop
D. S Doggett, on Sunday morning, in the
Methodist Church, before very large audi.
ence. His text was s'The beauties of Holt
ness" taken from the Sd verse of the 10th
PSALM It was an effort Of great power-for-
chile 10 its logic, exhaustive in its analysis
and almost Eewftshiug Id the sympli city Of
the style, the clearness and harmony Of the
arrangement and exquisite appositeness of the
elocution. We haye never listened to a
toPCdhVt VIII pIGScuISu ilt5 luOuSttS SO PGte
spicuously and carried the mind so surely and
steadily through his line ofargument. With
out note to prompt him, his remarks EN-
braced symmetrical construction of thought
and sequence of ideas. that were not disturb-
cd by the slightest ifrelevancy or diversion
but kept up their harmonious flow Until they
burst forth in the splehdor Of an unstudied
and unostentatious eloquence, that was abso
lutely enhancing. As was remarked at the
conclusion, by one of his hearers who himself
is accustomed to public speaking, that it was
the most remarkable sermon he had ever
heard, taking it simply as mental effort, not
to mention the beautiful and impressive NOR
al and religious lessons it iuculcated,
Ga Monday the faal exercises Of the
young Ladies Christian Association were 10.
PRODUCED by prayer Rev. Waugh. Semi
chorus--"M oin's gates again unclose" follow.
ed. 1t was well sang The salutatory Classy
!. by Miss Ada Pearce, of N G. was not sc
much noted for its vigor Of thought, as the
gentle spirit and BEAUTIFUL sentiment that per-
vadsd. Solo-Jndith. by Mss Fur, Of va.
was splendidly rendered. Society Essay BY
Miss Harper, of Va was graceful produc,
tioa. sentiment and thought running through
1t in rich profusion, but not delivered so well
sa that Of Miss Peace "Consider the Lilies
by Hiss Landstreet, was beautifully sang,and
the valedictory Essay by the same young la
dy we'll conceived and delivered with ease
and self-pnssession Solo-With verdure
Clad--by Miss Lizzie Pattie, of Nj was
splendidIy rendered, her rich, fullsvoice, SC
admirably controlled, captivating the ear ev
er of those unused to the melody Of song and
the charm, Of sentiment.
The Baccalanreate Address by DR.. T. S
Powell, Of Georgia, was production of rare
, merit Woman was the theme, and he han.
died his subject with mastery perfection dis
sectng her moral intellectual and social anat
omy with the skill at an expert. The language
was elegant, and some Of his thoughts beau.
tiful, but for an occasion of the kind, the ad
dress was too long.
DR.. Powell evidently possesses mind Of
rich culture, and breadth Of cemprshen'
sion and grasp. which enable him to en-
compass his subject, and an aetteness OF
analysis that brings the object he is aim.
, ing to accomplish, completely under his
control. He is Virginian, and as such
. reflects no discredit upon the distinguished
, men the Commonwealth can justly boast
Although absent from, the State, for pc
: fiod Of twenty four years, he seems to have
lost none Of The ardor of his affection for
his snative heath" as the feeling and ele.
ouent tribute he paid to the old Mother
| in his exordium, attested. DIR. Powell's
career in the empire State of the South
has been one Of distinguished usefulness
in the fields of science and literature, and
it was with no ordinary pleasure that the
flowers Of rhetoric and the gems of pAilo>
sophie research that enriched his address
were received by his intelligent and appre-
ciative audience. The cordial applause
which greeted his peroration eviaeed that
the undated interest OF his hearers had
been excited and held throughout his re-
marks. It is rarely the case that one who
| has educated his mind in the stern science
Of medicine, allows his fancy to soar
through the bowers Of 'sthe good, the true
and the beautiful" and Gull therefrom
their richest attractions AS graceful
and eloquent composition, and philosophic
treatise, we have rarely heard its equal,
and it reflected honor upon both the heat
and heart of the speaker. The profession.
Of which he is an honored and distinguish
ed member, may feel proud of the literary
achievement Of Dr. Powell on Monday
last.
Chorus-tweuty-third psalm, closed the f
nal exercises of the Young Ladies Christian
Association.
| The final exercises of the Lee and jackson
Society, came off at night Of Monday. They
were opened with an appropriate prayer by
Bishop Doggett. .
| Chorus-The Reapers-by Miss Lizzie
Daniels vocal class, was foely rendered
s We do not remember to have heard together
SO many full rich voices, blending ia the har-
mony Of sweet sounds, and to have witnessed
such food Of fresh, elastic beauty as was
arrayed, in becoming and attractive attire,on
this occasion. ~
I The salutatory Essay,by Miss Nary Reese,
Of Va vas more distinguished for the polish
and euphony Of the language, than the sus
4 pestiveness and yigor Of its thoughts. Il
was however, pleasantly arranged, and well
delivered.
Duet-L'addio, by Misses Dickinson and
LOWS, was well sang
Essay. by Miss Lou Jones, of Texas. was
ro G. ra;bIo IN Ito st IL and Vow NIL