The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-06-14
v;r.;msa Female Institute.


l'5dThe school session Of our female schools
has ended. and the 800 or 400 girls who for
the past nine months have enlivened our
city, have scattered. and gone to their
homes. The Virginia Female Institute,
Mrs. J. e. B. Stuart, principal. had its
commencement exercises tuesday, morn
ing last. The art exhibition, which took
place Saturday, June 9th, attracted large
number of visitors, aud the work on exhl-
bition received the highest commentator.
1t was very superior display OF amateur
work. A gentleman present who had mad
farsepportunities of inspecting such Work,
said he had never seen any work superior
to it from the hands of amateurs. While
all the pieces gave evidence of careful
study Of design. and patient working up
of details, resulting IN success to very
marked degree We must mention lew
which attracted special attention. A large
painting in water colors, OF little LIZZIE
Cochran, the year old daughter OF Mrs.
II. P. Cochran, was one of the finest pieces
or work we have ever seen. 1t was painted
from a photograph, and the likeness Was
perfectly preserved, while the coors were
chosen with perfect taste. and the work
executed with soft and delicate touch,
which would give it rank with that of pro-
fessionaIs The work was done by Miss
Ellie Stuart, pupil of the institute. A
large screen in Oil. the work OF ISIS Gay
Trout, was splendid piece of work. An
other screen, tastefully painted by Miss
Ellie Stuart, was very handsome, and
beautifully executed, There were several
beautiful landscapes in oil. and a large
number of crayons, some showing decided
talent, and all great fidelity in training
and execution. This department is in
charge of Miss A. Fl. Little. of New
Jersey, who has been teaching art in this
school number of years. Miss Little has
the knack OF bringing out her pupils IN
very eminent degree, and the work exhl-
bited proves not only that she is herself
skillful, but that she is also an accom-
plished and successful teacher.
The closing exerc ises took place Tues
day morning at 1890 O'Clock, and consisted
of vocal and instrumental music. distrlbu
ton of prizes and medals, aud awarding
diplomas. The instrumental music was
Of the very highest type. The piano solo,
Cascade by Miss Ellen Guigon, who
was the only graduate in music, was
greatly admired 'Rigoletto," by Miss
Lou Davis, of Leesburg, Va, was a mag
nifcent piece, and played in style rarely
seen. except among professionals, or those
of large experience. Prof. Webb ranks
deseryedly high as an instructor, and the
exhibition of skill, given by his pupils
Tuesday last, fully sustained his acknowl-
edged superiority. The vocal music IN
eluded some very sweet and pretty pieces,
especially the solo, ''Cavatina," by Miss
I.aurella Martinez and the vocal duet
oThe Fishers by Misses Laurela Mar
tinez and Nellie Crider. The prizes and
medals were awarded by Judged Sheffey,
representing Mrs. Stuart, to the following
young ladies:
cold Medals.-Miss Mary Clare Ma gill, gen
eral excellence among boarders; Miss Leona
Cordell, languages Miss Ellen Gulgon, lnStru'
Miss Parker RAMSEY. English scholarship;
Miss Mary Glare Magill, ealisthen1cs; MISS
Maude Cooke, general excellence among day
scholars
Prices Miss Laurella Martinez, improve
ment in vocal music; siiss Leona Cordell. I'M
proVement in catsthenics; Miss Carrie Wn1te
stanton, general excellence at all times MISS
Louise Powell, Stanton. elo .ution; Miss Estel
Cummings, penmanGhip Miss Mary MorfoW,
I'd prize, general excellence among boardefs
Miss Mary Hale, painting; Miss Lizzie Watson,
drawing.
Col Skinner in neat and appropriate
address, awarded special prize to Miss
Rosa Britain for the best English compQ
sition. This prize is open to the entire
school, and the final decision made by
competent judges not connected with the
school faculty, is made without any knowl-
edge as to who are the writers of the
papers submitted. 1t is an award OF very
great merit
Miss Gena Moffett was awarded gold
thmbe for best specimen OF plain sewing
The single diploma awarded, was to Miss
Ellen Guigon as graduate in instrument
tai music