The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-23
HoIIIus Institute.


ING AS DESCRIBED BY OUR FlNCAsTLE COR
RESPONDENT - ADDRESSES - H0N0Rs AND
DISTINCTIONS, ETC.
ICorresDondence OF the Richmond Dispatch'I
BoTETouRT SPRINGS, June 20, 1888.
The storm OF wind and rain tnat swept
Fincastle Sunday evening, making OF It's
streets beds for rushing mountain torrents,
extended southwark only lew miles, puI
in its track uprooted trees, proslrale
wheat and hillside farrowed as II the
brow OF nature herself were disturbed
with cOrroding care. Crossing TINS noOu-
ed belt we come to lands as dry as an ave-
rage commencement speech.
How am tempted TO write OF the splen-
did fields OF wheat ripe unto the harvest,
OF wide-extended orchards OF peach ana
apple-trees this year, however, apparently
almost destitute OF fruit, Of the thrift and
enterprise OF the farmers in this section,
&C., but all the space allowed me must be
devoted TO Hollins commencement.
A delightful day II is
$50 cool. 50 calm. 50 bright,
The bridal Of the earth and sky"
Early the crowd begins to pour In.
Lounging upon the grass in the beautifully
shaded lawn, promenading in couples on
the gravely walks, slipping the sparkling
water from the sulphur spring, chatting in
groups on veranda and in spacious parlor,
all amuse themselves until the clock strikes
the hour OF 10. Now the long line OF
white dresses marches on to the new chapel.
The Hollins girls have been studying, or
their looks deceive. One hundred and
thirty-fve pupils are in attendance this
session, OF whom all save four board at the
Institute.
At this Institute great liberty in the
choice OF studies is allowed the pupils.
The aesthetic rage struck lIollins at the be-
ginning Of the session, and the piano, the
organ. the violin, and the painters brush
became more popular than Latin lessons
and arithmeticll problems. SO that as
compared with last session the full gradu-
ates stand as one TO eight. Yet at no pre-
vious commencement has the audience been
entertained by a violin quartette, nor their
eyes delighted with an art exhibition. Six
teachers devoting their time exclusively to
the 40 pupils in the musical department,
no wonder we had unusually fine music.
The interesting exercises continued FOR
five consecutive hours, and were enjoyed
by the audience.
All the young ladies did their part so
well. and reflected so much credit upon
their teachers, that it would be unjust to
discriminate. The speeches, too, were all
good.
The medals were presented by Rev. DR..
Mayo, OF the journal Of Education, Bos-
ton, Mass, in most appropriate speech.
The speaker very pithily discussed the good
and evil of the prize system in schools.
Speaking OF his recent acquaintance with
Holins, he said II have seen and eX-
amined the work OF fifty schools in the
past three years. and have found none
that does more honest, solid, fruitful, and
progressive work than this"
The Doctor thinks that in the educational
system OF the South woman is TO play the
most important part. She is TO do the
upper-stOry work" In developing the
natural resources Of this State, the labor,
the Young men will be so much in demand
that education will be left largely with the
other sex. Why, says he. to hear Vir-
ginian talk OF the resources OF his State,
you might think him fit candidate for the
lunatic asylum; and yet the half is not
told. Even now large majority OF the
pupils in Virginia schools over the age o,
fourteen are females.
The medals were delivered to Miss Hat
tie C.. Lyles. Of Alabama. for best scholar
ship; to Miss Lillian Lyles, Of Alabama.
for instrumental. and Miss Bessie Cooke.
OF Virginia. for vocal, music; to Miss Mag
gle Williams, OF Virginia, the prize for SUI
periority in the study OF Shakespeare. In
the future this prize will consist OF 500,
and be known as the Emma Merteu's
Shaksperian scholarship, offered by PROBES
sor William TAYLOR Thorn in memory OF his
deceased wife. who was the first TO receive
this prize.
The remarks OF Professor Peasants in
delivering diplomas 10 some thirty or more
department graduates and the address OF
President Cooke to the graduates richly
deserve reproduction. The latter said he
had been studying woman for forty years,
and she was ineXplicable-fO her freaks
and fancies there Is no accounting. Diff
ferent sections take different views OF the
problem. In New York they aim TO make
her the intellectual equal OF man; in Mas
saehusetts she is taught to be self-reliant
and independent Of man; in Pennsylvania
they aim at aesthetic culture-prOpose to
make perfect woman without pushing to
extremes in any direction. This is an age
of experiment. What they will make OF
her no mortal man can tell.
Ex-Governor Hubbard, OF Texas, was
the last speaker. Blending appropriately
wit and pathos in his address, he cOnyulsed
the house with roars Of laughter and APP
plause. A great big, jolly giant OF gen.
tlcman Is the Ex-Governor, and he has a
pleasing delivery.
Miss Julia Carney, of Norfolk county,
Va, is the only full graduate. having re-
ceiyed the six diplomas required therefor.
Graduates in classical department, Misses
Maggie Williams and Salie Easley.
Tonight DR.. Goodwin, OF Danyille, de-
liyers the address before the literary 500
cieties. ACTON.