The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-06
The Seminary Commandments
AUGUSTA FEMALE SEMINARY.


tie visitor to the Augusta Female Sem mary
last Monday night. From the yard gate 70
tile door, the passage was through
the Muses. realm; the sod, the
flowers, the fountains, seeming almost
too beautiful to be real, and the SOIL
mellow light of the hundred Chinese Ian
terms gliding all like halo. Inside OF the
Chapel the stage was brilliantly illuminated
u nd decorated with exquisite taste, and the
fair faces and forms of the girls, as, in their
light gauzy apparel they fitted from place
to place, were a fitting accompaniment to
scene so fairy-like.
The evening was devoted entirely to
music, and it was good music too. some OF
it, particularly the solos Of Miss Goyer be-
ing unusually fine. The closing piece. 1.-The
Bell" Poe's matchless melody, set to music
by Prof. Koerber, was magnificent rendi-
ton, creditable alike to teachers and pupils.
The closing exercises OH Tuesday night
drew large and intelligent audience, in
terspersed with few ill-.mannerel persons,
who did not seem to understand the pro-
prieties OF the exhib ition or appreciate its i'm
port. The young ladies were arranged onseats
on either side and in advance OF the stage, land
generally neatly dressed in white, garnshed
with flowers and ribbons. The greeting
chorus-,'.Spring," brought out a combina-
ton Of sweet voices, and was followed by a
duet-sCome 60 me. rendered by two OF
the most accomplished OF the pupils. Rev.
D. B. Ewing, D. D., then read the report
of the Principal, which attested the great
application, excellent department and gra-
tifying progress OF the entire school during
the session, numbering about lSo scholars.
ssSolo" and ''rrio'' succeeded in the order
of the programme, and then the distribution
of certificates, by Rev. w. L. Richardson,
commencing with the little Misses Of the
Preparatory Department, and passing
through the various grades to the Senior De-
partment. Solo, and Semi-chorus and
Solo, preceded the distribution OF Prizes by
Mr.. Richardson, and tile awarding OF Medals
and Diplomas by Rev. DR.. Wltherspoon.
The varying feelings which found man
Hesitation first in The timd, bashful smiles Of
the little girls as they clasped the testimonials
to their pro gress and attainments in their
arms and glided to their respective seats
and then those more advanced in years,
swelling with joyous emotions as the tro-
phies of their triumphs in the various schools
nj RI a
scene Of interest and gladness not Only to
the Principal and teachers but the entire
audience, which crowned the closing exer-
cises with an estasy OF pleasure rarely ex-
pericnccd, and added an additional charm
to the ripening season OF nature, which so
beautifully harmonizes with the spring time
of life as it catches the first warmth and
glow of ambition gratltied and hopes bloom
ing into fruitions.
An appropriate a lures, to the graduating
class, by DR.. Witherspoon, clothed in pure
English and happy Illustration, and preg.
nant of rich and beautiful thoughts, closed
the commencement services of the Seminary
for the session of 1877S-one of the most
prosperous it has ever enjoyed.
The following are the testimonials to the
more distinguished OF the pupils
STAR MEDALS III Music were awarded the
following young ladies. each standing at the
head of her separate class Misses Salli'
Parrott, Ca; Sallie Millar, Washington
Clara Harris, Va; Mamie jackson, Md; Ids
Fletcher, Va; Florence Goyer, Tenn. Il
FrencA-Bettie DuBose, Ca; Clara Harris
Va. English composition-Anna Keitt, s
c. First honor, Mamie Eurtt. Scholarship
Mary Blakey, Va.
| Graduates in Music-Bettie Du Bose, Ga.
May Erwin, Va; Clara Harris, Va; EN-
ma Inman, Ca; Ella Inman, Ca; Mamie
Jackson, Md.
| Graduates IN Special Course-Misse
Eva Baker, Va; Anna Keitt, s. c.; Jenni
Kayser, Va.
FULL GRADUATES Mary f. Blakey Va.
Mary rapscot, Va.
srAUNroN FEMALE SEMINARY.
The closing exercises OF the S. F. Semi
nary, Rev. J. I. Miller, Principal, took plac
yesterday morning in the chapel of the Sem
mary, and were attended by quite larg
audience, including a number of person
from the county. The reputation thl
school has acquired for solid worth, an
practical, substantial, permanent benefit
its pupils. seemed to be fully sustained
the simple, unpretentious character of th
commencement exercises. There was n
effort at display and an entire absence {
surroundings suggestive Of extravagance.-
The young ladies appeared in simple viii,
costumes, with very few ornaments, exceK
natural flowers, and strange to say, man
of them did not have their hair banged.
needed but glance to determine that tt
lesson of system and economy had been i'm
parted side by sidewith that of philosoph
and rhetoric, and that preparation for tt
practical affairs of life and the sterner du
ties which sooner or later must be thust upo
these girls, had not been neglected. in tt
effort to develop the mind, and render the
accomplished. Indeed, such q hold hs
this idea Of eeenomy taken, that the Prime
pM, WIKI tAe tuh concurrence Of his pupil
announced that no flowers would be receive
by the young ladies, except the full erat
yates. The prneaics Il giving isandson
and costly bouquets WAS one which hs Il
should be discouraged and The best way
get rid OF it was for the girls themselves
refuse to accept them.
The programme was short, containing o.
ly three or four selections, but those sele
tions were played with ease and grace, ar
their m elody and sweetness charmed ali
, the cultivated and uncultivated ear. 1t WI
such music as all could and did appreciate
The Rev. DR.. j. Steck, OF New Phi ade
phia, Ohio, delivered an able and earne
/ address. tie theme. OF which was the NOR,
mental and physical cultuse OF woman, h
duties, her responsibilities, the possibiliti
that lie before her, her influence, her air
and aspirations. 1t was replete with class
Illustration and practical truths.
In his report the Principal said that Il
season just closed, Notwithstanding t
stringency Of the times, had been the mo
prosperous in the history Of the ilstisutio
) There were in all SO scholars, of which