The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-07
VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTITUTE.

THE LAST DAY OF THE sEssioN-cLosE OF
A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS YEA&--DIs
TRIBUTIoN OF MEDALS, HoNoRs &C.
We don't pretend to be authority on the
management Of Female Schools, but it does
seem to us tina. the determination of the
young ladies of the V. +. l., acquiesced in
by the Principal, Rev. r. II. Phillips, to
dispense with the show and extravaganza, as
well as pleasure, which usually attend the
final exercises OF Female Colleges, was one
of the most sensible and admirable innova-
tions upon established custom that could
possibly have been made. Not only I'D it
relieve the pupils of the heart burpings and
anxiety inseparably associated with the Sc
lection OF commencement paraph ernalia,
but saved to them an amount of valuable
time, which was devoted to the vigorous
prosecution of their studies up to the very
last day OF the session, and the result of which
will abide with them long after the applause
and eclat, which had they so elected they
would have received, have died away and
their memory been blotted out. And yet
more, this sensible determination, besides
saving expense to parents and guardians,
expodes the widespread opinion that Fee
male Colleges but prepare the pupil to bask
in the sunshine of fashion ard WELD the
wand in society's circle, whist the nobler
and higher qualities of the head and heart
are crowded from their ctadels by the
ephemeral accomplishments that find no
Judgment around the family hearthstone.
All honor then to the girls and their Princi-
pal-they will bear with them to their
homes more lasting satisfaction than emp
ty complinent-the consciousness of duty
faithfully performed to the last.
The year so happily terminated on Tues
day morning has been one of most crafty
ing success to the friends of the Institute.
Many Improvements have been made about
the buildings and grounds. In the yard sey-
eral new and beautiful fountains have been
erected, rustic grottoes formed, and rare and
lovely flowers planted. The scene which
now greets the eye is almost fairy-like.
Several exhibitions having been given dur.
ing the recent session of the Episcopal
Council in Staunton, embracing exercises in
the Schools of Modern Languages, Elocu-
ton, Physical Culture, Instrumental and
Vocal Music, the commencement was held
mainly for the distribution of honors, in the
Calisthenium of the Institute, on Tuesda Y
morning before Il crowded audience, which
had assembled long before the announced
hour. The young ladies of the school occu-
pied the seats at the rear and on the sides of
the stage, and never was there a fairer
group. At IL O'Clock the overture 'tZampa''
was performed by Misses Mary Harmanson,
NJ. Addie Weed, Georgia Porter and Lillian
C. Bradford, in a manner which could not
fail to satisfy the most critical. Interven-
ing the distribution Of Honors, distinctions,
&C., came vocal. solo, "When we are part
ed," by Miss Lena Scherer, whose sweet,
clear soprano floated out on the morning
air and was caught up by the little songsters
that lined the branches of the trees. The
overture ''Crown Diamonds" was exquis-
i5ely executed by Misses NJ. Addie Weed,
Sarah De Valcourt, Lillian G. Bradford and
frankie V. Hendricks, as was also the duo
''Invitation to the Dance" by Misses Geer-
gia Porter and Mary Harmanson. In the
chorus of the ''May Bells" the full vocal
strength of the sche 81 YVES brought out most
admirably.