The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-06-11
Wesleyan Female Institute.
CLOSING EXERCISES.


Friday night, at the Opera House, by the
annual celebration of the Lee and jackson
Literary Society. The large house was filled
to its capacity and the exercises were very
interesting. The music was furnished by
the Stonewall Brigade Band, and de-
lightful treat it proved. The salutatory
was delivered by Miss Kittie G. Smith, Of
Ca, and essays were read by Misses Leo
lene Barfield, of Ga, and Katie Critten-
den, of S. G. Misses Blanche Hindman,
of Ark. and Allie Tate, of Ga, recited
excellent selections, and the valedictory
was delivered by Miss Ellis E. Crittenden,
of S. G. Each of the above, both essays
aud rectations, won merited applause, as
did also the graceful calisthenics exercises.
On Saturday, between the hours of II
A. M. and 9 p. M. as previously an
nounced, the exercises were continued by
the doors of the chapel to the college build
ing being thrown open to the stream OF
visitors that poured in and out to admire
the display of paintings, drawings, etc..
executed by the art class of the Institute,
of which Miss Matte l.. Bronston. OF
Richmond. KY, a graduate of the Alt
League and School of Design, New York
City,-the best in the United States,-is
the accomplished teacher. The collection
comprised about $50 pieces, and evidence
of superior skill and proficiency was prom.
inent in nearly every specimen of work on
exhibition. Among those that elected
special attention were. Cattle after Var
Marcke, by Miss Sallie Smith, of Spencer
W. Va. Still life study of fruit in basket
by Miss Aurela McCue, of Staunton an
oil painting. Tired Out" by Miss Sara
Grogan; an oil portrait, by Miss Allie
Tate. of Georgia; drawing from cast OF
Psyche, by Miss Annie Blair, of North
Carolina a study from cast OF Venus
and drawing from casts of Michael An.
gelo's Slave and Demosthenese. by Miss
LeoIene Garfield of Georgia. the first medal.
ist in cyayoniug A well conceived de.
sign OH white velvet executed by Miss
Sallie Smith. first medalst in painting,
deemed by those who saw it an extraor-
binary execution for IA pupil Of but one
wears acquaintance with the study of art.
A painting. Venus of Bath" by Miss
BronsIon, the proficient and successful
teacher of this department, as well as OF
elocuton, and under whose instruction
and direction the pupils at the well con-
Quoted seiree of last February. gave such
entire satisfaction, was also placed on ex-
hibition. and none, however great their
aversion for art, could possibly pass this
and not observe the taste, skill and high
executive ability SO forcibly portrayed
Not only was Miss Brontson's high talent
and cultivated powers, and her rare char
acteristic to impart to pupils the instruc.
tion necessary to become artists, mani
tested in her own specimens and of those
of the pupils whom we have mentioned
above, but it was visible throughout, as
the high finish and moderness, particu'
larry, of the entire exhibition clearly at
tested The unbounded success which
has attended Miss Bronston s untiring ano
ever persevering efforts she justly merits
and the words of commentator anG
praise which were heard on every side, SHE
but rightly and honestly deserves.
A life-sze crayoning of Mr.. James Ker
the very popular and efficient Secretary Of
| the w. +. l., another piece of work by
Miss Sara A. Grogan, of Georgia, display
ing no little exercise of taste, judgment
and executive ability, and was afeature o.
the gallery that attracted 20 little attention
and drew forth some justly deserved com
plimentary expressions.
On Sunday, Rev. w. G.. Starr, d. D., Of
Charlottesville, preached the commence
ment sermon in the morning, and al
night delivered the annual sermon before
the Young Ladies Christian Association
Both were able discourses and peculiarly
appropriate.
At the Opera House, Monday night
with the pupils attired in fashionable cos
tunes, composed of white nuns yelling
white kbyber cloth and lin d'India, trim
med with embroidery, and duchess, orien
tai and pompadour laces, with corsagt
bouquets of daisies, pansies and roses
and all else that might go to make up
commencement toilet, the annual sOiret
was opened to densely packed, yet fully
appreciative and attentive audience will
the KAISER March, by Prof. Ayres, and
Misses Jacksie Moffett, Bocca Lee Ford
Pattie R. Woodward, rendered in {
manner creditably indeed to the perform
ers. The programme, tho comprising
numerous selections and requiring oyel
| two hours for deliver, was a most inter
esting one and highly entertaining, and wa
| listened to with an attentiveness and ear
nestness that does not always mark occa
sions of this kind. The entertainment
consisted of vocal and instrumental music
in it's different phases, and indicated wha
degree of culture and proficiency might b.
attained by pupils under proper instruc
ton and training. Of the selections o
vocal music none testified to higher cul
tivation than the following a trio
'Shades of Night" Perring, by Mise
Nora Kite, Katie Shepherd, leila Dice
a double duette, Song of the Birds,
Misses Brown, Doyle, Shepherd and David
son double trio, Row Away" Cam
pana. by Misses L. McCreery, 2. Doyle
A. Tate. B. Holmes, N. Right, X. Shep
perd, NJ Davidson, Helen Hunter, N
Gayer, z. Dice, A. DEBTOR. The solos
II Would larry Gounod, by Miss Nor
Right, and ''Margery," Bischoff. by Mis-
Leta P. McCreery; and duette, "CheeI
fulness,'' Gumbert, by Misses Davidson
and Right, received unusual applause, an
were rendered in perfection of smooth
ness and sweetness of tone that could onl
be harmonized with the richness an
roundness of voice.
The following renditions of instrumen
tai music perhaps are the more deservin
of special attention, and presented
nicely of finish and high executive abb
ity a Waltz, Moskowski, by Misses Ford
Miller, Nichols and Mcintosh; Fantasia
G minor, Greig- Mozart. Miss Patti
| Woodland accompaniment Dy Mr.. Ayres
ssBritish Guard, Power, by Misses Bar