The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-12
INTERESTING EXERCISES
AT MISS HIGBEE'S SCHOOL LAST
NIGHT.
A Fascinating Array Of Girl Grad
notwithstanding Closing
Exercises.

I
fIom the crowded doorwsys and
corridors, while even the windows aud
other points Of vantage were packed
with eager spectators. Upon the pla,-
form were seated the young lady grad
ustes, while Immediately beneath
them and in the front row of seats
that fronted the raised platform, sat
the young ladies who had flushed the
course and who we're entitled 20 diplo-
mas, but who elected to continue their
studies for ano her year W tn the pur-
pose of following the collegiate course.
The graduates who occupied the plat
form we're Misses
Floride Caldwell, Belle Porter Miller,
Emma FOntaine, Edith Brooks,
Mary Percy Coffee, Bettye Hunt Solden,
Minnie Agnes Cole, Eta Clyde Thornton,
Sallie Leslie Daily, Ida Lee Treadwell
Mary Martin Hill, Nellie Trezovant,
Fanny l. Lowrance, Loula Wilson,
Genevieye Newborn.
The young ladies' who, though en-
titled to diplomas, will continue their
studies for another year, in the col
legiate course, are Misses
Minnie Armistoad, Mary Farsason,
Pauline Allston, sara Fisk,
Olive Cald ell, Ora Kinney,
Ellie Christian, Lillian Smith,
Lizzie Craig, Lulu Wiggin,
Mona Downs,
Miss Hattie White, who has com.
pleted the collegiate course, will also
remain for another year, with the in
tention of prosecuting her studies
through a normal course. The grad
yates, seated in semicircle on the
platform, and arrayed as they were in
OLless white, presented combina-
ZION of loneliness aud grace rarely
equsled even in Memphis, noted as Il
is for the beauty and charm of its
women and the loveliness and iasriua-
ton OF It's girls Every type OF beauty
was represented beauty in every
ca Q frightened by the infallible
outward signs that indicate trained
and cultivated mind. Altogether IL was
a pleasant sight for the eye to liDger
on, and so net only thought the
woTld-hardened business men who
were present, and whose hearts were
refreshed by the tCene rs the wither-
ing flower by the morning dew; but
so also, doubtless, thought the
feather-brained dudes, who were
there in numbers to do homage,
doubtless, TO some fair divinity whose
superiority OF intellect made it neCes-
saIy that their attentions should be-
gin and end with homage. The exer-
cises were highly intere'ting and
thoroughly enjoyable. The first mum.
Der on the programme was recita-
ton, "The DIVER" by Miss II. White,
who rendered 1t in manner that left
no doubt that she has studied elocu.
ton with profit Her manner was
easy aud graceful, and her delivery
torcible, yet not overstrained. She
was warmly appleuded.
Miss Viva Newborn then sang "Tell
Her l Love Her." in a creditable
manner.
"The Clowns Baby" a recitation
by Miss Belle Miller, was admirably
rendered and eicited the heartiest
applause.
Miss Ida Lee Treadwell re-
cited "Losca," very pathetic
story, aud Miss Treadwrll told
it well. She is the happy pos3essor Of
a voice whose de p and rich tones sug
gest themselves ~ a supe, ior medium
for the Interpretation of st ong passion
or the expression o. heroic sentiment;
her manner, too, is highly dramatic, her
gestiCulstion easy, natural aud grace
full, and her reading intelligent. Miss
TIeadwell has reason to congratulate
herself, not only on the brilliant sue
cess OF her last nights effort, but on
the possession of gifts as dramatic
reader Of high order.
Miss Matte McDavitt, of the class
of 'S4, sang love song entitled "An-
swer." This young lady has sweet
soprano, which gives evidence Of care
full cultivation, and her contribution
to the evenings entertainment was
among it's most delightful episodes,
Miss Betty Selden's recitation OF
"Shipwrecked" rises far above the
average of schoolgirl merit II was
simply superb. Nothing finer ia the
way OF dramatic recitation has been
done here for mouths, and 80 skill
fully did she paint the scene that
formed the burden of her narrative
that the audience hung with breath
less in crest upon her lips until the
last notes Of her ringing voice died
away upon the ear. Miss Selden has
eveTyqualifiCation ne Cessary TO achieve
the highest hOnors of the dramatic
world should she aspire to rea b
them; in voice, manner, ply
sique, action and intellect,
she is most happily endowed,
and seems to know how to apply her
gifts TO good advantage.
Miss EfIie Christian read very
thoughtfully. written essay on "Una,"
taking the position that the ideal wom-
an followed truth "a "Una" in the fairy
tale followed Red Gross Knight.
Miss Dillon, by special request ia
vond the audience with her in'mita-
BILE recitation of "The Spinning
Wheel" and in response to a hearty
encore, gave ''Tne Senator's
Dilemma" Miss Dillon is in-
structor Of elocution at the
Higbee school, and her superior fit
ness for such lines Of teaching was
sbundantly demonstrated last night.
Her Rotations we're the gems OF the
evening.
A vocal duet by Mrs Grace Wealth.
erford and Miss Mona Downs, A Night
ia Venice" was exquisitely done.
Miss May Hill gave acharming Teci-
tation OF "Eeho and the Fairies" a
fancilul, poetical conceit requiring for
correct Interpretation wins meme 8
of manner, keen and intelligent in
sight into the finer shades Of the su-
thor's meaning, a clear, sweet voice,
merry, mirth-loving disposition, the
Gift OF musical laughter, and vi
vacily as chsngeful as the Zip
plps on the surface OF a stream.
An these Miss Hill seemed
to have, and 80 neatly did she call
them into requisition and so sweetly
interpret the poetic fancy that under
lay the story she was reciting, that the
audience regretted when the fascinat-