Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-04-15
A Pleasant Entertainment.

"A low lAVltou SuSStn A0u liz plo8h Qro OF De
ing present at an entertainment. given by tn,
young ladies of the Wesleyan Female Institut,
to the Board Of Trustees on last Thursda,
night. 1t was an impromptu affair. and wa
therefore, we think, ALI the more enjoyable
The young ladies had had no time to make an,
extra preparations, or ''get themselves mp
for the occasion, and consequently performed
their parts with more freedom and naturalnesl
than they would probably otherwise haye done
Among the members Of the Board Of Trus
tees present we noticed Rev. DIR. Martin, Rev
John L. Clarke, Rev. - Gardiner, Rev. Johr
Landstreet, Thornton Berry, Moses Walton
J. W. F. Allemong, Capt. - Figgatt, Of Bote
tourt, and Maj. ]. w. Newton.
The entertainment began with exercises by
the class of calisthen1cs. and the graceful and
rymthical movements reminded one of the
charm once wrought by "waving hands and
woven paces.'
Following this was a beautiful MaZurka
played most exquisitely as a duet, by Misses
Maud and Sallie Manning. daughters of Judge
Manning. of Louisiana. Their execution was
good and the time most correctly kept, and
one could we'll realize the wild yet rymthically
subdued, passion Of free-born, yet conquered
race, as were the Poles, from whom we have
ASeAAA eAAAS AhOSt dCciul QaQco'
We have heretofore had occasion to speak OF
the excellent soprano voice of Miss Jimmie
Watts, but we do not remember to have
heard 1t to great er advantage than when she
sang. when the Tide Comes In" Whilst
somewhat abrupt, yet you at once recognize its
great capabilities, and feel assured that little
more practice and cultivation will develope it
into rare attractiveness and sweetness.
The sT ,npppd of
tor. was recited most excelently by Miss Josie
Pearre. Her enunciation was clear and dis
tinet, and her conception of the spirit of the
piece was very happy.
Miss Hattie Allemong, of Bridsewater, in the
solo Of Alice" by Asher, well sustained her
reputation as skilled instrumental performer,
and her execution of this charming piece was
greatly appreciated by the audience.
After the ring exercises by the class in Gales
themes, which were intricate and yet grace
fully performed, Miss Minette Mills, of Texas,
acclaimed most impressively 1.-THE Polish Boy"
and was loudly encored, in response to which
she recited "The Maniac" a piece Of strong dra-
matte effect. and to which she gave striking
and effective Interpretation.
1t is not often that one has the pleasure Of
hearing sweeter contralto or one of greater
compass than that of Miss Lucie Lee Dice
which was fully displayed in her singing of
Watching" From the lowest to the highest
notes she passed with an ease and smoothness
which showed the training and culture OF
naturally good voice, and excited ones most
earnest admiration and praise.
The class in calisthenics then gave an exer-
else in the use of dumb-bells. the gracefulness
OF which elected the admiration of all present.
The clear, sweet soprano voice of Miss Alice
Walton carried the audience by storm when
she sang who is at My Window ?" and they
would not rest content until she reappeared
and sang that most exquisite of songs, ''Sing
Sweet Bird" in which she rivalled in sweet
ness and clearness the rarest notes of our most
charming singers of the forest.
Then followed a vocal trio by Misses Watts,
Allemong and Dice, the Carnival" by -.
We have no hesitation in saying that this
was the browning piece of the evening" 1t is
seldom that three voices are brought together,
especially at a school, which accord SO well to-
gether and yet are so strongly contrasted in the
solos. The rendition of this piece was charm
ing. and was greatly enjoyed by all lovers Of
fine singing present.
The evenings entertainment closed with
charade, which, in some particulars, was very
well acted. or course, in all charades some
characters (but it is not their fault are always
uninteresting, and others. if we'll acted, are
good. In this charade the promine Mt character
was that of an ''old lady," and it was most ex-
cellently personated by Miss Gertrude Harris,
whilst the other less prominent characters were
well sustained, and the charade was much en-
joyed, especially when the drop curtain was
maliciously raised, and showed all OF the &C
tors busily engaged devouring an iced pound
cake, which had been prominent feature in
the play, but when seen by the audience was
fast playing out.
With the disappearance of the olke the en-
tertainment closed, and all went away delight
ed, except those who were hungry and had not
shared in the cake.
HEARING Observation-Disclosures free. Yer
ry Harper, Madison, Ind. apS-2t