The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-05

18th chapter and 3lst verse. 1t was one q
the most practical, common-sense sermons
to young ladies we have ever listened to.
There was no attempt at rhetorical -four
| ish, no working up of the fancy, nor effort
at display. Woman true mission and work
and life we're presented in the broad light OF
truth. She was neither to be treated as
| dream, he said, nor yet as drudge. Sne
was neither doll to be toyed With, nor
slave to be fyranized over; but simply and
solely woman, the complement of man,
his trusted friend and helpmeet, subject to
all the foibles and passions OF humanity, but
| in filling the true sphere of womanhood, the
very noblest of Gods creatures. Replete
with sound counsel and advice, expressed in
language simple yet beautiful, and impress
ed by illustrations that were strikingly APP
p-opriate, it was discourse well chosen
and fitted to the occasion. In closing, DR..
Wilson, who is a patron Of the school, COM
plimented its admirable management and
spoke of the great work it was accomplish
ing and the benefits it bestowed. The clos
ing prayer was made by Rev. J. l. Miller,
Principal OF the Stanton Female Seminary.
Among the sweet hymns sung was that
sweetest of all, 'sBye and Bye with which
| the services closed.
The commencement season proper OF the
female colleges was inaugurated on Monday
evening, the and Of June, by the grand an
nual soiree musicale of the Augusta Female
Seminary. If even the repertory of praise
had not been exhausted in descriptions OF so
many former brilliant entertainments Of the
same character, we could hardly do justice
to this, the eliminating musical festival Of
the year.
To the favored and appreciatiye audience
who were fortunate enough to be present,
simple reading of the programme will be
sufficient eulogism, and to those who were
not, no words can convey any adequate idea
of the superb training and thorough mastery
OF the Divine art exhibited by every one of
the performers, without exception.
The programme embraced selections from
the crowned masters OF the science, Weber,
Beethoven, Meyerbeer, Haydn, with lighter
strains from Flotow's popular operas, Martha
and Stradella. The grand overture from
Beethoven's s'Fidelio'' and Weber's 'sInvita-
ton to the Dance" were especially fine, as
was the solo and chorus from Haydn's ora
torio of the Creation, the accompaniment
being rendered by Misses Waddell, Ballagh
and McGuffin,on the piano, and by Miss Hill
on the organ, the vocal solo by Miss S.
Spears, with the support of many fine voices
in the chorus. Prof. Koerber's valedictory to
his class was the only event calculated to
mar the pleasure of the evening. He paid
gratifying tribute to the industry and genius
of his pupils, and made his adieux to the au-
dience in the final chorus from Stradella,
with Miss Goyer, the vocal medalist Of last
year, as solo singer. The reputation of Miss
Baldwin's seminary for young ladies is too
wide and too fully established to need any
encomiums from us at this date, but we can
not withhold our tribute Of admiration and
respect for the generous and accomplished
lady who controls and directs the ponderous
and intricate mechanism OF such an estab-
lishment with such apparent ease and such
grand results. Her successful administra-
ton has proven beyond cayil that woman is
fit for the highest work and capable, too, OF
mastering the practical difficulties in its ac-
complishment.
The exercises were continued on Tuesday
night by concert of Miss Mary Crawford's
class 10 vocal music and the distribution of
medals, prizes and diplomas. The musical
programme could not fail to please the most
severe and critical taste. Miss Crawford has
evident right to be proud of her pupils, and
they have equal reason for prid In their
youthful teacher.
The opening duet and chorus was grand
selection. After the reading of reports the
exquisite old favorite duet "Hear Ne Nor
MAJ was sung by Miss Nellie Tate and Miss
Baird. Whilst almost every lover Of music
is familiar with this song, it is one whose
melody and sentiment appeal freshly as
ever to the ear and heart. The audience
gave testimony to this by the prolonged ap-
plause and vociferous encore which followed
its exquisite rendition. Miss Tate reappear-
ed in the Italian solo "Polacca," and her
birdlike voice carolled along the intricate
mazes of the melody as if it were accustome
to such ethereal flights.
After this came the distribution of certifi-
Gates. 1t was gratifying to see the modest
pride glowing in the fair and youthful faces
as they gathered round to receive the honors,
which they we'll knew were not mere empty
names, and for which they had striven in
generous rivalry. 1t is we'll known that only
those who earn them receive any testimonials
OF merit from Miss Blldwin's school. After
the award of certificates was ended. Miss
Baird sang ''La Zingarella," gypsy melos
dy, full of the wild freedom and sunny de-
light of the Southern gypsy's life. The
prizes, consisting OF many handsome and
valuable books, were distributed mostly
among the more youthful members of the
school. They were received with childlke
pride and enthusiasm.
A humorous address by Rev. J. r. Wilson
followed this. The Rev. Doctor made some
telling points upon the text, ''Brevity, the
Soul not only of Wit, but Of WISDOM" He
said that he came forewarned from all sides
to be brief; that the iudicious lady Principal
had even in soliciting his presence upon the
distinguished occasion fund it advisable to
point the moral, "Be BRIEF" and
whatever might be the temptation to spread
his wings in broad or lofty flights Of oratory
in the presence ofso much beauty and cul-
ture, he wisely forebore, and after few
pungent and good.humored remarks pro-
ceeded to distribute the medals and gradu-
ating diplomas, the highest honors OF the
school. The class of full graduates number
ed seven, Misses Spears, Symington, Firor,
Gum, Watkins, Woodrow, Smith. While
the number was unusually large, it is proof
not that the honors are more easily won than
usual, but that the school is In most pros
porous condition, Notwithstanding the
threadbare story Of hard times. That most
Of the young ladies are from the South is
gratifying proof that Southern parents have