The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-06-14
CHARLOTTE FEMALE INSTITUTE.
The Commencement Exercises---The
charlottesville Excellent Art Ex.


CHARLOTTE, June 12.-The closing exer-
clses of the Charlotte Female Institute
were very pleasantly introduced by chill
dren's entertainment which took place
Thursday evening, June 5th. The grace
full movements and the selfpossesson of
the pupils, and their admirable elocution
testified to the thorough training which
they had received from their teacher. Miss
Grace Dewey.
''La Fete dune Petite FIlle,'' French
dialogue, was especially interesting. The
ease and fluency with which they spoke
the French showed the advantages of the
Natural Method" of teaching foreign
languages. Miss Wiseman, who had
trained them in this, was congratulated
on all sides.
The Baccalaureate sermon was preached
on Sabbath morning by Rev. VIM. Adams,
of Augusta, Georgia, his manner at times
glowing with enthusiasm, then touched
with the deepest sympathy and tender
ness, which fixed the attention and won
the heart.
Mr. Adams also delivered the annual
address before the graduating class on
Tuesday night, when he strengthened the
pleasant impression which he had already
made. His address was not only of a
high order of literary merit, but was sure
to make lasting impression for good
upon the minds of the young ladies.
The exercises of Tuesday night were
opened with prayer by the Rev. N. NJ.
Woods. After vocal duet by Misses G.
Jordan and A. Bidey, Miss Sallie Nc
Alster read with great dignity and self
possession the salutatory of her class.
They expressed their greetings in fitting
and graceful words. Miss Minnie Win
Of
the Parish Maiden from Lackme," by L.
Delibes, which was rendered exquisetely,
and won hearty applause.
After the address by Mr.. Adams the
graduates read their essays as follows:
''The Lords of Creation" Miss Emma B.
Woods; ''Home," Miss Florence Behre;
"a Plea for Xanthippe, Miss Maggie Clark
son.
The Principal, Rev. VIM. R. Atkinson,
then in few chosen words announced the
distinctions, awarded the certificates of
proficiency, and presented the diplomas,
medals and Bibles according to his GUS
tom, to the graduates.
Miss DOrcas Adams, the Valedictorian
of the class, ended the Literary exercises
with one of the best valedictories which we
quilted themselves in most creditable
manner Their essays would have been a
credit to any institution. The literary en-
tertainment was varied by most delight
full music, by the skillful pupils of DR..
Bidey The following were the graduates
in the music department: Piano, Misses
O. Hargrave, S. F. McAlister, N. Little,
S. Council, L. Bailey, F. Behre, L. Fitz-
gerald, D. Remley. Vocal: Miss Minnie
Winston.
After the closing commencement song
all were invited to view the art exhibit.
The superiority of the art work of this
school is 50 well known, that few words
are necessary. Suffice it to say that this
exhibit in beauty, and variety even sur
passed those of former years.
In the long list of excellent pieces of
work, the work of these young ladies de-
serve excellent praise-Miss Codie Phifer,
Miss Alice Springs and Miss Lola Spenser.
Miss Springs work is something that the
whole State has reason to be proud of, and
Miss Lola Spenser's has ne yer been surpass-
ed, l believe, by any young artist in the
South. They both took their first and last
lessonsin the Charlotte Female Institute,
and preferred to do advanced work here
to going North. The work of Miss Emma
Woods also deserves especial praise.
A brilliant concert, under the direction
of DR.. Bidey, Wednesday night, which we
have not time to describe in detail closed
the commencement of 1884. The many
friends of this successful and fourishing
institution are rejoiced to see such evident
and marked progress from year to year.