Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-06-19
EDUCATIONAL.

TINKLING SPRING ACADEMY-WAYNFS
BoRO FEMALE INsTTUTE-WAYN
BORo FEMALE sEMINARY-AUGUSTA
MALE ACADEMY.
&C., SC. &C.
With this week we give the close of the
school commandments. including two
male and two female academies:
Thinking Spring Academy.
The closing exercises of Thinking
Spring Academy in this county, of which
A. s. Paxton. A. M, is Principal, took
place on Friday evening the 9Th inst. The
stage was beautifully and tastefully de-
corated by thoughtful friends. The exer-
cises were interspersed with several
pieces Of music we'll rendered by the pu-
pills of Mrs. Virginia uamilton's Female
School, assisted by gentlemen of the choir.
The speaking, considering the age and
experience of the pupils was very good.
The art of extempore speaking, taught in
the school, tends TO give the pupils more
confidence and self-possession in delivery
than could otherwise be acquired. In
their information and gestures they showed
the results of thorough training. Space
forbids the notice of but few of the
speakers.
The Salutatory was delivered by Samuel
Harper in clear tone and forcible man
ner. An original dialogue, by Lacy Conner
and Hugh Kerr, Jr.. was we'll rendered
by the little fellows. Edwin Merritt in de-
claiming "Marco Bozzaris'' entered fully
into the spirit of the piece, making the
audience almost hear the clash of the old
Greek swords. s'Scotland." by W. Gull
ley, was delivered with an ease and grace
bespeaking much oratorical talent
"Rienzi's Address to the Romans" by
Eugene Coiner, was rendered with a fire
and zeal seldom found in one so young.
"Appeal in Behalf of Ireland" by W.
Beagle, had the ring of an eloquence of a
higher order than that reached by the av-
erage boy. advice to Young Ladies'"
by James Walker, exhibited in the young
gentleman composure not always seen
in older speakers.
The Valedictory, composed by S. Nc
Nulty. was a production that, in beauty
of thoughs and imagery, in elegance Of
diction and purity of style, would COM
pare favorably with many from college
graduates.
The examinations were mostly written,
and lasted four days. Those whose stand.
ing was over 95 on at least fUe different
subjects, after combining the session ave-
rage with the mark on examination, re-
ceived Certificates of Distinction. The
following young gentlemen were on this
list:
S. McNulty, John Gilkeson, G. Freed,
IT. Kerr, W. Beagle and G. Wine.
These certificates were presented by
Major AbsaIom Koiner in few happy
and pointed remarks. Some of the dis
tinctions were on Penmanship, which, as
the Principal explained to the audience,
is taught as a science in the school, and
not an empty form of copying.
AS the soft strains of "Sweet Bye-and-
Bye'' foated down the aisles the eyes of
E.nany boys were moistened, and memory
with magic touch also struck tender
chords in other hearts. Then followed
the hum of approving voices, the warm
grasp Of congratulation. the meeting of
''eyes that spake again" the deeply felt
ssgood- bye,'' and another session was add
ed to the catalogue of Thinking Spring
Academy, A. II. M.
Waynosboro Female Institute.
Reported for the STANTON VIND1cAToR.l
WAYNEsBoRO, VA. June IS, 1885.
just when your pretty, stirring city is
emerging from the hustle and pleasing
excitement attendant upon series CT
brilliant commandments, one finds our
little town IN the midst of those entertain
ments, so prolific Of pleasure to the ieulesse
doree, at the same time SO trying to the
weary teachers and patient principals. To
those of your City of Schools, blase and
faded with such exercises year after year,
it would be thoroughly refreshing to wit
ness the interest manifested here, where
the novelty has pot entirely worn off yet.
With two large. prosperous female lnsti-
tutions and one military academy attain
ing the most favorable results, Waynes-
boro has coed cause to congratulate her
self upon her educational facilities. Not
quite four years ago the first pupils of the
Waynesboro Female Institute, with Prof.
J. II. Hobgood as Principal, enrolled their
names. the session opening with some
twenty scholars. Since that time the at
tendance has each year steadily increased,
other and larger buildings have been
secured to meet this growth, and the ses-
sion Just closed shows an attendance Of
fifty pupils. The closing exercises of this
school took place Friday evening, at the
Opera House, the popularity of which was
attested by the large. number of persons
that poured into the hall long before the
hour for commencing the programme, and
the building was never so crowded. The
stage was most beautifully arranged and
decorated and presented a most charming
scene. The initial number of the attrac-
tive programme was 1.-THE Tournament of
Idyl Court" beautiful allegory, which
was enacted in most vivaeious manner
by the goddesses, fairies. sprites, etc.s ter
minating ID some exquisite tableauX. The
essass, dialogues, music, instrumental
and vocal, were all warmly applauded. and
the flower tributes were distributed most
lavishlg. The essays Of Misses Mary Hob
good and Lulu Bush were most cordially
received, possessing as they did most com
mendable rhetoric and diction. Prof.
Hnbgood, in pleasing manner, dis
tributed the diplomas and distinctions as