The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-06-19
wEsTMINsTER,s GREAT WEEK.
Western Maryland College commencement
Nineteenth Anniversary.

WESTMINSTER GREAT WEEK.
Western Maryland College Commencement
Nineteenth Anniversary.
Reported for the Democratic Advocated
The interest commonly attending the Com
mencement exercises of our College was in
tensiied this year by several considerations.
First there was an unusually large class to
graduate, though not so large as some that
have graduated. Then the college was on the
eve of its third decade, and DIR. Ward, who
has presided over the college from the begin
ming, was about to hand over his executive
functions to another.
The ADVOCATE has always manifested an
intelligent and ardent concern in the prosper
ity of the college, but the reporter detailed for
the work this year had instructions to give
special attention to the many items of inter-
est and make q report somewhat different
from the stereotyped form of such occasions.
He will write for those who were not present
and endeavor to make Ineligible the events
of the week to those not seeing them, so that
clear Judgment may be formed of the col
lege and its work.
THE RECEPTION.
Commencement usually begins on Sunday,
but this year it began q little earlier. On
Saturday evening Rev. DIR. Lewis, president
eleCt vi Tue COlitSCY ACOOpbiOh III OAAOA
to afford the students an opportunity of max
ing personal acquaintance with him and his
wife The classes came into the reception
room in regular order, and the members were
separately introduced to DR.. Lewis by Prof.
Mcdaniel, who acted as master of ceremonies.
After the reception the students, faculty and
visitors, among the latter quite number OF
the alumni, were invited to a repast in the
dining room of the college. Toasts were of
| fered and responded to by President Ward,
Vice President Benson, Mr.. Lewis A. Jar
man, of the Illinois bar, graduate OF the
college, Prof. Reese and President-elect
Lewis. This was pronounced by the students
''the most enjoyable affair ever given at our
college,"
BAcCALAUREArE SUNDAY.
The exercises of this day were the usua
Sabbath services of the graduating class DR.
Ward delivered his sixteenth annual sermon
| and address to the class in the NJ T. Church
at IO. 80 D. M, and Rev. w. r. Graham a
night preached before the Literary Societies
| of the college. Large audiences attended
both these services and the sermons were
highly appreciated. DIR. Wards sermon will
be found on the 4th page of this issue.
| cALIsTHENIC EXHIBITION.
The college has paid much attention t.
physical culture, especially among the female
students. On Monday evening an opportu
nifty was afforded of seeing the progress made
in this work. Twelve young ladies took par
| in an exhibition of free hand movements
dumb bell exercises, club swinging, wanC
practice and marching. 1t is impossible Il
describe this exercise, because 1t IS impossl
BILE for a locker on to understand how it Ii
done. The ladies come on the stage to music
stay on the stage to music, go through thu
most bewildering and beautiful evolutions t.
music, and finally go otto music, all the while
'sKeeping time, time, time"
When one RECEIVERS from establishment at tht
perfection of the exercise he begins to ad
mire the utility of it. Here is system o
byeienics set to music All the muscles of thu
body are brought into frequent and easy play
every movement becomes thing ofbeauty ant
grace forever. The awkwardness and EN-
| barrassment of attitude is smoothed into the
poetry of notion The effect upon health anC
development must be no less beneficial ant
the department deserves to be ranked anon
the most important CT the advanced methods
| in education.
The Joint exhibition of the Browning ant
Philomathean societies, Monday evening, CAV
the audience musical programme of NOR
than usual excellence. The instrumental
numbers rendered were Beethoven's Sonata
On. 81, by Miss Wilson, and Kuhau' S Sonatin
by Misses Stevens and Beeks; La Calabrest
was sung by Misses Trumbo and Abbott, anC
''Little Jack Horner," a medley, by Mise
Abbott, Pillsbury, Trumbo and Wilson. Thu
programme had to be short because of thu
literary exercises connected with it, but 1t wa
long enough to evince careful training an
assiduous practice. We are not of thos
who expect perfection in a college exhibition
and therefore we do not use such words a
"brilliant' and magnificent in describing
them. But our sober praise is not stinte'
and the young ladies did credit to their colleg
in its musical training.
LITERARY.
The occasion of the joint exhibition of tn
Browning and Philomathean societies was ais
an exhibition of literary training which be
longs to college in the first degree,
Two addresses, two essays, two recitation
and two readings. furnished the programm
which was very enjoyable.
i On Tuesday morning the Senior class CAV
two specimens of q lighter literature in tn
Glass History, which is an account of all tn
doings of the several members of the elias
during their residence at college, and tn
Glass Prophecy which opens the future to eac
one. Both were well written, Astounding i
sallies of wit and evoking much laughter an
On Tuesday night still another class of lit
erature was presented. The Irving and Web
ster Literary Societies of young gentleme
had an oratorical contest, six young me-
taking part. The orations were all CAREFUL
prepared and the fruit of much labor on tn
part of the contestants. They will be notice.
more fully in another place.
ART EXHIBIT.
One of the most attractive features at tn
college commencement this year was the ex
hibition of the painting and needlework don
by the young ladies during the year. Th
ornamental branches have always been laugh
in the college, but this is the first public dis
play of the work done by them, and it reflect
much credit, both on the pupils and teachers
A recitation-room was tastefully fitted up 10
the purposes of the exhibition. One side wa
devoted entirely to the paintings, the othe
side to embroidery and fancy work, while Of
a comfortable was shown the painted china
The room was opened for the first time O.
Tuesday morning, and the constant attendanc
of large number ever since attest the appre
citation with which it was received. The de
partment of paintings under the direction an
instruction of Mrs. Hull Troupe, of Balti
more, and the department of embroidery an
fancy work is under the direction and lnstruc
ton of Miss Lottie A. Owings, the precep
tress On Saturday afternoon, the 18th inst.
the work was under the inspection of Mr.. D
N. Henning and Mrs. l. E. Pearson, who a
Judges awarded the gold medal in painting t.
Miss Retta Dodd, of Queen Anne's county
for panel of azalias. The medal was to b
given for the greatest degree of improve
ment made during the year, and though thi
panel of azalias was not considered the hand
soonest piece, the work on the irregular out
lines of the flower and the grouping was cor
sidered very fine The most finished, an
: perhaps most artistic, piece was bunch Q
Malaga grapes on a porcelain PLAGUE. Thi
piece, by Miss S. V. Pennington, of Ker
county, has been greatly admired. Anothe
piece by Miss Dodd, moonlight water seen
on brass PLAGUE, attracted great deal c
attention. The subject was the rising of tn
moon Just after storm, and the effect of tn
light on the clouds as they seemed hurryin
across the sky give an intense wierdness t
the picture. Miss Dodd also had miro
about three feet square, in heavy oak frame
) on which were cat-tails, pond-li lilies and swar
with birds on the upper part. Miss Penninf
ton also deserves mention for very hanc
some mirror similar to the above, for shove
ornamented with study of birds, and for