Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-16
Letter from StnuntOn.

CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Haze''c.l
STAUNToN, VA, June Is, lS74.-StauDion
is famous for her female colleges and other IN
situations Of learning. We find here four large
female Schools numbering from Is to 10"
scholars each. The first on the list is the VIZ
pinia Female Institute, of the. Episcopa Church,
in charge of Rev. r. Fl. Phillips, principal,
and Miss MA Burr, vice principal; next MISS
Ballwiu's school, Presbyterian; then the Meth
odist, and next, the Lutheran. Besides th,se
there are several other good private schools
for boys and girls, and the public schools
which are we'll conducted. These, with the
Deaf Dumb and Blind Asylum, and the lu
sane Asylum, have added much to the prosperl-
ty of the town. The number OF fine buildings,
for stores and residences, that have been erect
ed since the war, aud arc now 10 course OF CON
structon, have placed Staunlon at the head OF
The list of Elruiniu cities aud towns. According
| 10 populalion, in enterprise and rapid growth,
| | thnk she Is 10 advance Of all. Property Is
much higher here, and rents are at least nifty
| Der ct. in advance of Alexandria Mechanics
| are all busy, and skilled workmcn 10 demand.
Staunton presents very lively appearance at
| this season of the year. The commandments
| of the female colleges have begun, the hotels
| are all full, the streets present business Ike
appearance, and the music from the solrees now
nightly held the church festivals, &c., enliven
the place and give favorable impression TO all
visitors. On the street we meet persons from
every CITY south OF the Potomac, and the railroad
platforms are piled with baggage belonging to
the pupils of the Virginia Female Institute,
which closed on yesterday, marked to every
| State between Pennsylvania and Texas. The
| final exercises of this institution were set tor
| the Sin, 9th, 10th and llth. | had the pleas
nre of being one OF the Lumber OF Invited
guest. The large hall at the Mozart was filled
to its utmost capacity with visitors. The com-
mcnccment exercises opened with solree on
| Monday night, beginning with French COLO
uuy, tabicaux, &C. Next was programme OF
! of some very tinc vocal and interesting music.
"Wednesday night the hall was again crowded
by an intelligent aud apprcclatlvc audience.
The music, as before, was very tine and well
executed. The tabcaux aud dialogue OF Jose
phenr aud the Prophecies was all that could be
desired in sceuery and action. The overture
Leouore, Nos and pianos, 2 organs and
violin, performed by Misses Flower, Goss,
Brownod, Maddox, Hunter, Waring, Wood
roof. KERN, Green and Polk, considered by
professional musicians one of the most difficult
ever written, was rendered 10 a style that could
not, in our Judgment, be improved Oh by old
aud experienced professors OF music; not fall
urc anywhere, and perfect tune throughout;
the performance was triumph We have rarely
seen in school. w
The final exercises took place on Thursday
morning at 10 clock At au early hour the
hall was flied to It's utmost capacity. The
scholars were arranged on the stage on tiers OF
seats reaching to the ceiling, and such an array
of beauty can seldom be found, as we had be-
fore us on this occasion. The calisthcnlc cx-
ercisc was Il very interesting part Of the pcrlor-
nance, and showed wonderful exhibition OF
skill on the part Of the young ladies who favor
| I'd US with this novel, but very essential part
of lady's education. Then came the dlstrlbu-
ton of awards. .
The address If Rev. DR.. Chas Minnigcrodc
| to the graduates carried the audience by storm.
| He made an admirable point III the necessity OF
education in woman to bring refined happl-
ness to her home, and OF the w"man who car
ries n her bosom pure heart. His descrip-
ton Of the "}rcad and Butter Philosophy was
| very Interesting, mixed, as it was with satire,
| huuor and good common sense.
The exercises closed with the Gloria 10
| Exccsis ".