The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-07

verbenas and geranlums; in bloom in mid
winter in the open border. This will seem
incredible to the ice-bound denizens of the
north, who "sigh for Italian Skies" and
die of consumption in their own I'M
hospitable climss-but 1t is literally
true; the halls were one vast
conservatory; while every window-niche
was made glorious by the fully expanded
and spotless Gala, the crimson gerani1m,
the peerless azalea and other winter bloom
ing treasures.
The exercises opened with "grsnd en-
trance march" by Misses Carr and Cog
gins, followed by chorus (Donizetti by
the vocal class. Next came the editoria 8
and other choice matter from "Our Blessed
Lady's Journal" read in manner to con-
vince even stranger that great care and
attention are bestowed by the gentle and
com petent instructors upon this very i'm
portrait branch of female education.
AS Reverend Lauth said, "every word
was pronounced properly and distinctly,
and could be spelled" Some say good
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is not good
English" says the reverend pastor.
Little Miss Moses followed with reci
tation, "The Robin and the Chicken" then
another chorus, this time by the Juveniles.
Miss Cunningham recited "Crooked Spec
tacles," and Miss MeCashin, graceful
and refined young "miss in her teens"
rendered Birthday Gifts" her elocution
being very creditable indeed. The vocal
solo lJudith,) by Miss Sarah Hankey,
was exquisite in rendition, and evinced
painstaking care both by instructor and
pupil, and showed much improvement in
the depth and culture of voice since last
we had the pleasure of hearing her.
The programme was varied by an al
ternate reading from the Journal. In
passing, We will say that the article,
"Manners, the Reflex of the Mind" was e
most creditable paper, full of sentiment
and truth. 1t would be we'll if each pupil
would commit its lessons to memory. The
instrumental trio ("Mocking Bird" with
variations) by Misses Carr, Stadtler and
Jeffries showed skill and training, united
with a decided talent for instrumental
music.
Miss E.Robinson's recitation, Cultured "
was a powerful satire on certain modern
80 called finishing Schools" deserved
one in the folly of educating the manners
to conform to the fashionable follies of
the day, to the utter neglect of the heart,
and of those domestic virtues and home
amenities which are the true jewels of a
woman's life. There is no danger of q
realization of her sketch at st. Mary's.
There, every care is taken to refine and
beautify the character, the cultivation of
the heart as we'll as Of the mind being a
special care of the gentle Sisters. We had
peep into the young girls dormitory.
| 10 LnI fkn
DERBY arrangement of every detail, gave
abundant evidence that the home
sentiment is carefully fostered in
after life, especially should misfortune
and sorrow be the portion of any of
these now happy young mortals. What a
memory thatspure-even boly-dormitory
will be! But we have digressed.
The entertainment closed with realistic
rendition of the "Wreck of the Hesperus,"
by Miss Hanky. Her Evolutionary powers
have been carefully cultivated and we'll
developed. After the finale-a grand in
strumental "Fantasia" (Seybock), by
Misses Carr and Notes.-The guests under
escort of the Sisters repaired to the Art
Repository or "Studio of st. Luke"
There were on exhibition the various
paintings and sketches of the art class,
executed under the instruction and super
vision of Sister Florentine. The display
cannot be described in the limited space
at our disposal, and where all was good,
even excellent, it would appear
invidious to make distinctions, but we
cannot resist the inclination as matter of
justice to mention the work of Misses
Perry, Carr and Marshall. To say that the
work done by these young pupils is cred
liable would be to bestow scant justice
upon pupil and artist; it is wonderful,
and especially so when it is considered
that onlya brief hour between studies is
devoted to its execution. Sister Floren-
tine is an artist of the very highest order
of merit and possesses in addition that
rare combination of talent, the ability to
impart her knowledge and skill to her pu,
| pills.
Fortunate Indeed are those parents
whose daughters arc entrusted to the care
of the Sisters of st. Mary's, and fortunate
are the daughters, and fortunate is Austin,
too, in the possession of such an institu-
ton as this. It is the nursery of virtue,
truth and beauty, and society will have no
brighter ornaments and home no puref
jewels than the young women whose char
acter, mind and morals have been devel-
oped and shaped at st. Msry's. d.