The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-09

Tor Smnh'S marriage contract bill, and ole
by Mr.. Robertson increasing the import du-
ty On silk, and enforcing the wearing of cal
leo.
At the next meeting, among others, the
bill withdrawing the State appropriation
from the University, will be discussed.
The Indictment weather prevented the at
tendance OF the usual crowd, and only u few
ladies were present. The discussions, how
ever, were vigorous aud animated.
VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTITUTE SOTREE.
Last Tuesday evening the pupils of this
popular. school gave one Of their charming
soirees, presenting programme of unusual
attractveness, and performing the various
parts assigned them with spirit and nat
uralness which attested the careful and sue
cessful instruction of their teachers no less
than their own talent and application. AS
usual, the Hall was crowded, every seat and
every foot of standing room being occupied,
whilst many were unable to catch even
glimse at the stage, and turned disappont-
ed away. The play was Racine's sEsther."
that fascinating story, so old and yet so new
so wonderful to the child, SO full Of interest
to the man. 1t was Boileau, we believe,
who said that had Racine rested his repu
tation upon this play alone, written as it
was for school girls, he would have been
great. 1t is one of his finest productions,
and has long been regarded as a model of
dramatic eloquence. The caste of Tuesday
night was a good one, from the Queen to
the pages. each of the debu5an ties Sis
tanning her part with marked ability, and
the ease of one who spoke in her native
tongue. The drGm0tis person0e were as
follows: Ahasuerus, Annie Elder; Esther.
Gay Miller; Morllecai, Mary Furtnan; Ha-
man, Alice Jeynes Zeresh, Carrie Gator;
Elise, E. LIE Sassier Maids, Misses Edith
Cuttings, Virginia Hoffman, Virginia Joynes,
Minnie Coughanour, Lucille Rutherford,
Emma Dogget, Lizzie Day, Bessie Murdoch,
Bessie Bryan. NJ. W. Adams. Mary Phillips.
Guards to the King: Misses Emma Glover,
Jennie Slaughter, Blanche Maddux, Belle
Hurst. Pages Misses Minnie Turpin, De-
la Slaughter, Ruth Tuck. The opening
scene disclosed the Queen seated on her
throne and surrounded by her maids. All were
arrayed in rich and appropriate costumes.
presenting tableau of capt. waiting beauty
and eastern gorgeousness. The play was then
proceeded with, and in all the trying scenes,
the young ladies not only evinced their COM
plete apprehension of the characters repre-
sented, ,but also decided histrionic talent and
thorough familiarity with the French lang
uage. By the aid of an English syllabus,
the audience was enabled to follow the
story, and appreciate much that would 9TH
erwise have been lost to them.
Between the first and second acts of the
drama, the duet and chorus, II waited for
the Lord" was given-Misses Nettie Gam
brill and Lilly Hoffman singing the duet,
and Prof. Welter joining in with others of
his class in the chorus. It. was ii ne per-
Torrance and ellcited meritcd appla use.
Following the second act, came the Grand
Aria Robert 4! Robert! tot que j'aime,"
in which Miss Nettie Gambrill displayed a
voice of singular clearness and force, admir- |
aoly mdlaSeu. Ahe secohu eolo, NoH
ver," was sun. by Miss Lilly Hoffman,
whose rich, deep and resonant voice found
scope for its compass and tone in the meas
ures of the song, and stirred the audience to
rapturous enthusiasm. In the closing solo
and chorus, ''Now May again - Miss Sadie |
Mallory's notes were pure and sweet, OF
faultless information and good enuncation,
and such as one would never tire of listen |
evening so pleasant.
Among the many entertainments
given by this school, we ques-
ton if any surpassed that of Tuesday night,
and both pupils and teachers can well coll
graduate themselves on its success.