The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-12

filed with Interested spectators. The evi
| dcnces Of advancement afforded by the psi-
pills was gratifying indeed to their friend
and must have been encouraging to the
| teachers.
| From the lowest grades these pupils are
brought to the higher branches, embracing
such studies as analytical geometry, ant
they thoroughly understand the Whole
course gone over. We have so often des-
cribed the process of examination in eacf
special school that it is unnecessary to again
repeat, and we need only add that this las
exhibition fully sustained the reputation
| of the Institution.
The distribution OF prizes, &C., was az
! follows
AecAanical Department-Shoe-shop: VIM Pen
dleton Carpenter and Cabinet-shop,James Trice
TaiIor-shop James Murden; Printing Office, Eu-
gene Arthur Broom and Chair-snop James Nc
Cambridge; Mattress-shop, Edward Allen Sew
ing-rooms, Macca Harvey; Fancy-work, Fannle
Shackleford.
THE SCHOOLS.
Blind DeDartaent-Miss Kerr's classes: Ida Me-
hanes and LILLY White. Mr.. Geiger and Mr.. Kin
Mr.. Doyle's classes Lilly White, Frank Shinali.
Mr.. Turner's classes: vocal music, Emma Read
instrumental, James MeCambridge. Miss Berk-
ley'S classes Virgie Shaver.
Deaf-mute Department-Mr. Williams class: Lu-
la Mankin and Samuel North Mr.. Berkeley S
Turner's class: Nettie Mays and John Christian.
Mr.. Bears class Virginia Watkins and Brown
Hg Mr. Mac ana srgene
thur. Mr.. Colemans class: painting, Rosalie
Cardwel : drawing, Nettie Mays. Miss Velch s
class: articulation, AIleth Aitcheson.
Gold Medals, for excellence in both studies and
department. were awarded to the following pu-
pills.
Blind Department: Shield Medal to w. Frank
Shinall, of Pulaski county.
Deaf-mute Department: STAR Medal to Rosa
E. Trice, of King William.
Diplomas were awarded the following pupils
who completed the course of study and obtained
three-fourths of the full value at the examine
lions, on all the subjects embraced in last year
course:
Blind department: Isaac S. Humbert, Of Au-
gusta; John G. Ryan, of Rockingham.
Deaf-mute Department: Rosalie Fl. Cardwell.
of Halifax; Sallie F. Costello, of Warren James
E. Trice, of King William.
VIRGINIA FEMALE INSTITUTE.
The annual commencement OF the Virginia
Female Institute was held on Monday even
ing, the 9th, in the presence of large and
appreciative audience. Owing to the limited
capacity of the hall, many, we fear, went
away disappointed in not being able to OBJ
tain seats.
The exercises were held in the Calisthen-
ium OF the Institute, an admirably arranged
and well ventilated roon,its only defect being
want of sufficient space for the number OF
people who, as matter Of course, are inter
ested in the proceedings of this old and pop
ular seminary.
Calisthenic exercises, for which this scho oil
is famous. opened the programme. After
the first series Of this graceful and health
promoting performance was accomplished,
Miss Rachael Weems recounted the dolorous
experiences of Mrs. Tubbs on her first intro
duction to the elevator. The ludicrous in
dignation Of the worthy Mrs. L. and the hui
NOR of the adventure were so finely painted
that the most obtuse could not fail to enjoy
a hearty laugh. After another round Of
gymnastic exercises by the calisthenic class,
Miss Emma lie Sassier recited ''The Dream
of Athalie,'' from Racine's tragic drama.
The parity Of her accent and fine dramatic
rendering OF the poem attested her perfect
mastery OF her mother-tongue, and made
its beauty evident even to those to whom the
words themselves were unintelligible. The
juvenile class in calis.henics, performing to
the air of ssYankee Doodle" was one OF the
most pleasing exercises of the evening. The
ease and joyous grace Of the youthful GYM
nasts were displayed to perfection in this.
and it was charming to see the bright eyes
glow and the dimpled cheeks flush as the
performers passed through the bewildering
evoIutious and rapid transitions.
s'The Last Hymn by Miss Genevieve
Perry, was a fine pathetic recitation. A
story of shipwreck, the vessel and her crew
going down in sight Of q watcher who gazes
in helpless agony of pity on the scene. Only
q finely-sympathetic nature could ilsye so
interpreted the pathos and grandeur of the
catastrophe. A few lines Of the familiar
hymn, "Jesus, Lover of My SOUL" chan ted
| in swe, t, tremulous voice, formed part +
| the recital, and made the scene of the ship
wreck more vivid to every Imagination.
! The French dialogue between Misses Lucy
Powell and Aurelia McCuc. two piquant and
charming dstnoiselles, ended the first part Of
| the programme. The second began in an
other series of gymnastics. Notwitllstand-
ing the number of these exercises their va
riety and the perfection to which the pupils
are trained prevented their becoming weari-
some to the spectators. Goethe's poem,
1.-THE Erlenkenig, was recited in the origi-
nal by Miss Donaghe Yost. 1t has been so
frequently translated and adapted to music
chat, though the German may not have been
ineligible to many, moss Of the audience
were familiar with the weird legend. ga
Little Girls Opinion of Boys by Miss Mary
| Fridley, was vigorously cncored, especially
BY the Junior element of the audience, but
the talented young elocutionist failed to re-
spond to the summons. "Tom's Little Star, :"
a delightful satire upon the prevailing rage
for literary ard histrionic distinction, was,
according to our idea, the gem OF the even-
ing. Mary's sudden transformation from
the ''nestling birdie" OF Toms devotion into
ranting stage struck heroine, her aspira-
lions after diviner atmosphere than the
pure one of her home, and poor Toms ludi-
crous and pathetic discontinue upon the
transition, were splendidly portrayed. One
would scarcely credit the evidence of their
own senses that the same voice Interpreted
both characters, SO different were the melt
ing notes of Msry's mezzo soprano from
Toms sonorous and deep-chested tones.
The fair dramatst, Miss s. Fannie Bryan,
showed not only unusual native talent, but
the finest culture. Indeed, each specimen
of elocution was perfect in its way, and gave
evidence of Miss Bowles' capabillGy as teach
err and conscientious devotion to her duty.
Miss Bessie Bryan's original essay upon the
Glove OF Country" written and delivered
in the French language, was the concluding
literary event of the evening.
Mademoiselle Schlachter is the teacher Of
modern languages at the Virginia Female
Institute, and her pupils we'll attest their
superior instruction.
Tho whole proUramme was titlv crowned