Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-10
WESLEYAN FEMALE INSTITUTE.

THIRTY-sIxTH ANNUAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BRATroN OF THE LEE AND JACKSON LITERARY
soo1ErY-THE ART SCHOOL AND GALLERY
THE SERMONS BY REV. DIR. sTARR-THE AN
NUAL soIREE-ooNFERRING DISTINCTIONS
The thtrty-sixth annual commencement O
the Wesleyan Female Institute, Rev. W. "A
Harris DID,, President, commencing June OIL
and closing on the 9th, was an event IN It's MS
tory of which its distinguished mead, ana al
associated with him In directing Its affairs, may
well congratulate themselves, as well as fol
the eminence which the Institution has reached
and the widely extended patronage which sus
tains it. When 1t is remembered that the des
olation, which came upon our section OF coun'
try, was during the early half of the existence
of the school, and the further fact. that in al
our Southe rn States similar Institutions have
arisen with the general efforts Of the people in
the desire for restoration to their former pros
perity, it is not too much to say that the sue
cess which has followed the watchful and I'M
wearied efforts Of DIR. Harris as he has gradual
ly, from local enterprise, conducted 1t to itf
present eminence, is worthy Of the highest
emulation, not only in behalf of female educa-
ton, but also for those growing and con-
tinuous advantages which are bestowed upon
our favored city. Largely from Virginia and
from twelve or more other States. this Institu
ton draws its patronage. and to have attained
to the position commanding such an influence
under the circumstances recited Is, we repeat
a cause for graduation.
The catalogue furnishes graphic description
of its location in the western part of the city,
that grand emlnenoe once associated In the
minds Of many eminent Virginians for the fu-
ture Capitol grounds of the State, had not cir
cumstances taken away her western domain.
The Chapel of the Institute having been ap-
propriated to the better display Of the progress
made during the session in the Art School. be-
coming for the time being the gallery, DR.. Har-
ris availed himself, much to the satisfaction OF
larger audiences than otherwise would have
assembled, of the new and beautiful City Opera
House for special features Of the Commence
ment season. The Stonewall Brigade Band, too
was called into requisition.
LEE AND JACKSON LITERARY SOCIETY.
The annual celebration Of the Lee and Jack
son Literary Society opened the Commence
ment at the Opera House Friday night. The
scene was picture of charming interest-the
the stage well filled with officers and members
excellent audience.
After prayer by Rev. DIR. Landstreet, OF Md.
the Stonewall Brigade Band in full dress and
% pieces which previously had filled the house
with the stirring notes of the Grand March
Observation-Disclosures Webbs own produc-
Uon-aiternated with each part of the following
programme, which was carried out.
Salutatory.-Miss Kittie Gray, of Georgia
She put In her address large amount Of ex-
csllent practical sense and instruction.
Essay.-Miss Leolene Barield, of Ga. Sub
ject, withdrawing, which was viewed. com
mencing with Adam and Eve, and! illustrated
by the ways in which people manage social
and general matters.
Recitation.-"Ship on Fire. by Miss Blanche
Hindman, of Arkansas. She deeply interested
the audience by her style and the power she
had over her subject.
Essdy-Subject Schoolgirl essays and School.
boy speeches, Miss Katie Crittenden, OF 8. C.
Her collection of incidents in the two charac'
tiers was lively and amusing. "Love and Lib
'erty" were the chief topics.
Recndtion.-Miss Allie Tate. of Georgia, in
the character of the Widow Bedott, which she
rendered to perfection, captivating the audi
sence. Repeated applause, however, failed to
draw her back,
Vdledictory.-Miss Ellis E. Crittenden, of 8. c..
delivered the valedictory, which was brimfull
Of noble sentiments and thoughtful in every
word for the future as they entered upon the
full relations of woman. Her references to our
Southland and the fine sentiments in beauti-
fnl language in which she associated Virginia
and her "Own Carolina made deep impress
sion upon her hearers.
or the seven young ladies representing the
Society. the Misses Crittenden and Miss Smith
f,JIc fboo oJva nj n,
mas in several schools.
The degree of interest manifested in the pro-
ceedings at the Opera House had pleasant
effect upon all which followed. The Art Stu
do was visited by large numbers during the
special hours of Saturday appropriated for thai
purpose, and in like manner the future days
continued to increase the desire to witness al
the exercises.
ORNAMENTAL ART DEPARTMENT-THE ART
CLAss-THE GALLERY.
In the catalogue, under the head of lorna
mental Art Department. is classified Paint
ing, oil and water colors. Crayoning, Drawing
of which Miss Matte L. Bronston is teacher
and Calisthenics, of which Miss Louis V. Cor
prev is teacher. The accomplishments laugh
by Miss Corprew had highly satisfactory ex
hibition at the close of the exercises of tn
Lee d Jackson Literary Society.
. Miss Bronston is from Kentucky, and highl.
accomplished, being a graduate of the Ar
League and Academy of Design, New York
This is her first session at this Institute, an
she has placed in the collection piece OF he
work when under Instruction in New York
~'Venus at the Bath" which was very mucl
admired. 1t shows the touch of the true artist
The Glass, under the instruction of Mis-
Bronston, is as follows:
Sarah P. Crogan, Maud Marx, Lola Douglass
Allie Tate, Fannie Wilson, Sallie Smith, Min:
Ainshaii. Leolene Barfeld, Lucy Roberts. Ma
ry szeintosh, Irene Brewer. Ellis Crittenden
Sallie Harris, Minnie Yakey, Aurelia McCue
NJ. Laurie Jernigan, and Nellie Englehart. -
To the display OF art each member of tn,
class made number of contributions. Those
who received their distinctions had their card
upon the following pieces: Two large Oil Per
traits, Panels of Tulips, Gladolas, Tiger Lilies
Castor Bean, Vase of Wild Roses, Plaque O
Roses, Mountain Scene, Scene on Lake George
Spring Scene in France, River Scene, Cows (af
ter Van Marcke), Easter Dawn, Still. life Study
Mirror, Snow Scene, River Scene by Moon
light, and Ocean Scene. were by Miss Salli
Smith, of West Virginia. First Medalist in Oh
Painting. From studies In Crayoning Ar
Drawings, Venus, Apollo, Hand of Venus
HAND OF Mlcnael Angelo, slave by Michae
Angelo, Head of Demosthenes, Foot of Venus
Sketch of BETSY Bell" from the Institute
Still-life Studies, Books and Fan, Basket o
Fruit, Man in Charcoal, Pea-Fowl Feather
in Vase are by Miss Leolene Barfield, OF Geor
gia. who is First Medalist in Crayoning. The
Crayon Portrait of Mrs. Santini, a deceased
daughter of Judge John howard McCue, ant
vase of Pea-fowl feathers come from the ease
OF Miss Aurelia, younger daughter of tina
gentleman, nor did any fail to identify the por
trait of Mr.. James Ker, the business assistant
of President Harris, which the cultured pencil
Of Miss Sarah Croghan. of Georgia, will leav,
in pleasant memory of her course at the Insti
toe.
In addition to the Art Glass, Miss Bronstor
taught the Glass in Elocution. Miss Hind
man, of Arkansas, who recited the "Ship OF
Fire. Friday night, and Miss Ellis e. Crit
tenden, OF South Carolina, the ValedictoriaI
OF the Society, are both distinguished in tina
Class
Miss Bronston speaks of going this fall tt
Paris and to other points in Europe for tn,
purpose of pursuing her studies in Art Thii
was her first session here. Not few will re
greet that 1t will probably be her only one
The Art room was thronged during the hour,