The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-13
VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTITUTE.
CLOSING THE SESSION.

CLOSING THE SESSION.
Several years ago, Mr.. Phillips, Principal
of the Virginia Female Institute, concluded
to defy ar established custom by dispens-
ing with much of the display and expense
with which the commencement exercises OF
Female Colleges had for years been ASSOCIATE
ed. He recognized in the changed condi-
ton of the country's affairs and general
stringency OF the times, an imperative de-
mand for reform, and in obedience thereto,
and in the face OF vigorous protest, deter
mined to instil into the minds Of the young
ladies under his charge the lesson Of econo-
my, and to teach them that duty to them
selves, as well as their parents, required the
sacrifice of no little of the time and outlay
that had formerly characterized the prepar-
alton for and exercises of the commence
ment season. Accordingly the close OF the
session last year witnessed an entire revo-
luton, and the wisdom of the Principals
course was fnlly indicated in the general
appreciation with which the departure from
custom, more honored in the breach than
observance, was greeted,
The closing exercises OF the session OF
1878, Which took place at the Mozart
Hall, Tuesday night and yesterday morn
ing, were marked by the most charming
simplicity and an entire absence OF display.
In compliance with the request of the
Board Of Trustees of the Institute, an eX-
hibitiOn of the Schools Of Elocution and
Physical culture was given on Tuesday night,
and. as matter Of course, the Hall was
packed, and many were unable to gain even
sight of the stage. There are few resi-
dents of Stanton who have not witnessed
similar exhibitions, but there is a fascination
about it which fewer still can resist, and no
discomfort or inconvenience which may arise
by reason of the overcrowding of the Hall, is
sufficient to deter.
In the school of Elocution the exercises
OF Tuesday night were particularly enjoya-
BILE. Good readers or reciters will never fail to
have appreciative auditors, and especially is
this the case with such talented and culti-
waited scholars as Misses Hendren, Cuttings,
LIE Sassier and Day. Each of their readings
was model, and we'll deserved the ap.
plause with which it was greeted. The ex-
hibtion of physical culture, which consist
ed of marches. free gymnasts, wand, club
and Gumb-bell exercises, showed how care
fully the physique as well as the mind is
trained in this admirable school. There are
| few sights more attractive than the eXer-
cises Of this class, and none which afford
more real pleasure. Throughout all OF the
marching, counter marching and unanipula-
ton Of the wands, bells, &C., there was not
single balk, but every motion was as prompt
and uniform as if regulated by machinery.
Yesterday morning the Hall was again
| filled, and the Medals, Honors, &c., were
distributed to the young ladies. Between
the distributions liz the various schools,
splendidly rendered Solos were given by
Misses Sadie Mallory, Lily Hoffman, Gam
brill, Lie Sassier and Adams,and several fine
instrumental quartettes and chorus.
HONOR MEDALS were conferred as fol-
lows School of English-GertrudeD Duncan,
Maria j. Faison, Victoria Mallory, Emily
Opperman. Jennie Slaughter, Minnie Tur-
pin, Eua Ford, Kate Halle. Sadie Mallory,
Evelyn Smith, Minnie Slaughter. Mathe-
nsatics-Mary Atkinson, Alice Joynes, Gay
Miller, Maria Catlett, Bessie Bryan, Emma
Dogget. Natural Science-Mary Atkinson,
Alice Joynes, Bessie Murdoch, Irene Kelly.
Literature and History-Bessie Bryan, Min
ME Coughanour. Edith Cuttings, Emma lie
Sassier, Mamie Phillips, Nellie Bowen, Rosa
Duke, Sallie Lewis. Blanche Maddux, India
Tuggle. Moral Philosophy Catlett,
Emma Glover, Lilly Hoffman, Mary Furman,
Annie Hendren, Gay Miller. French-An-
ME Elder, Mary Furman. Neatness-vir-
ginia Hoffman, Emma Glover. Diligence
and Neatness-V Victoria Mallory, Lizzie Day,
Bessie Murdoch. Conduct-BessieM Murdoch.
Diliqence-Nelle Bowen, Sadie Mallory,
Mary Faison, Emily Opperman, Minnie
Turpin.
FULL GRADUATES:
Maria B. Catlett, Staunton Emma Glover,
Rome. Ga. Annie NJ. Hendren, Stanaton !;
Gay Miller, Richmond, Va.
| In comforting the Honors, Mr.. Phillips
awarded to Miss Lily Hoffman, of Indiana, a
diploma. and in so doing said that the youn g
lady, although frequently entitled to them,
had always declined to receive distinctions,
and asked that she receive this one as a
souvenir of her teachers regard. She grace
fully accepted it.