Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-05-28
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.



The twenty .e,ghth Commencement Of the
Augusta Female Seminary was opened on FIJI
day, the 23d with the annual exhibition OF tne
art work.
1t would be impossible to describe Win JUS
tice the many handsome pictures arranseo ;
with such artistic skill Wherever the eye turn
| ed in this spacious studio IL fell upon seems
of varied beauty. The variety in the style OF
work. as we'll the taste exhibited In the design
and perfect finish, greatly astonished and
pleased us. There were specimens in free
| hand drawing charcoal. crayon, paintings in
water-color. china and OIL The crayon por-
traits, of which tn ere were many. we're excel
lent; among them were the familiar faces ef
several OF our citizens, and the readiness with
which we recognized them attests the skill Of
the artists in transferring the very life like
expression of countenance to canvass. The OBJ
ject studies and drawings from casts deserve
the highest commentator, but the collection
being 60 large, the want Of both time and space
prevent us from mentioning individually eth
er the artists or their work.
1t has been most gratifying to note the
marked Improvement and advance In this de-
partment from year to year. and Miss Fair
child may view with laudable pride the work
OF her pupils and feel that her faithful instruc-
ton has brought forth the most f1attering re-
| suits. The china painting, for the most part,
the work ofpupils studying this branch OF art
one year, reflects credit on both teacher and
pupils. OF china, there were many pretty and
curious specimens. This department has been
under the charge of Miss Bessie Young.
The baccalaureate sermon was delivered on
May 25th. at IL o'clock a. NJ, by Rev. Peyton
Hoge, DID,, of Wilmington. NC. twas beau
tiful, appropriate and practical. calculated to
make a most salutary impression upon all VINO
heard 1t. His theme-the essentials OF rel1g'
ION. The essentials are Reverence. Obedience,
showing mercy or helpfulness. unworldliness
or walking with God, communion with God,
and the observation-disclosures.
These are the essentials of religion as defln-
ed in the Old and New Testament. The
knowledge of Christ or his atonement is not
ESSENTIAL for us.
On May 28th, the annual concert was 81 ven,
and rarely have we enjoyed more lovely
scene than that which presented itself as We
entered the grounds of the time-honored insti-
tuition. The shrubbery, beautiful flowers. ex-
haling delicious orders. the plash Of the water
from the fountains, and the brilliant lights
around made the scene one OF unusual lowell
place for the "sweet power of music" to hold
her sway.
AS we were ushered into the chapel, still
more beautiful scene awaited us. The music hal
was unusually brilliant in its illuminations
and the stage tastefully decorated. On either
side, were seated the pupils, whose light. airy
habiliments made them appear almost ethe-
real and fairy-ltke in their loneliness. Their
happy, beaming countenances told that the
tolls, cares and sorrows of the session were
things of the past, and that now the refrain on
their lips and In their hearts was only 'Home,
Sweet Home 1t is rarely, indeed, that such
music as we heard on this occasion, remarkable
equally for execution, taste and correctness,is
heard at school concert. The programme
consisted of classic music of the highest order
from the choice works of the most famous art.
lists, and the brilliancy and dash Of execution
of this difficult music was marvellous. The
selections all deserve the highest praise, but
the piece, perhaps. which touched us most
deeply and brought most wildly before us the
lights and shadows of the days of Aud Lang
Syne,was that most sublime of all Beethoven's
compositions, the finale Of the Fifth Sympho-
ny, and we were constrained to exclaim in
the language of the poet.
Music!-Oh! how faint. chow weak,
Language fades before thy spell!
Why should feeling ever speak,
When thou cans't breathe her soul so well?
The instrumental music is under the man
agement of most competent directors. Profs.
Hamer, Meyer and Eisenberg. The vocal mu-
sic was very beautiful, and the execution showed
a very high degree OF cultivation. The applause
and repeated encores, which the richness and
pathos of tone called forth from the attentive
audience. evidenced the pleasure and apprecia
ton with which 1t was listened to. Miss Doug
las and Prof Meyer have been very successful
IN voice culture but after listening to the songs.
This comment is hardly necessary. and the
skillful rendition of this difficult music proves
that the department of music continues to de-
serve the high reputation which 1t has always
sustained.
On the morning. of May 9th the last of the
exercises took place. After few pieces of mu-
tic was the distribution of certificates and d.
olomas. showing .the more solid work of the
literary department. There were many grad
1ates In departments. We noticed that quite
a number of certificates were given in Latin.
We have heard much of the extensive course
and thoroughness OF instruction Of the school!of
Latin. the graduates of which rank so high
that they fill this chair in many Of the leading
awarding of prizes and medals, which, after
the various exhibitions, we deemed deserved
ly bestowed.
This is perhaps the most exciting and inter-
esting hour of the exercises; the goal has been
reached and now is the coronation of all their
arduous toll. Nine graduates had the seats of
honor on the stage flour in art, four in music
and one in the literary course. Miss Jacque.
line Epes. of Va, who deserves special men
tIon as having obtained the highest honor and
distinction of the Seminary, the full diploma.
The course for graduation being high, very few
receive the diploma, and doubtless the rugged
heights to be climbed seemed as formidable to
Miss Epes as did the Alps to the veterans of
Hannibal, but she has overcome all obstacles
and barriers, and must feel as triumphant as
did the wearied soldiers when from the snowy
heights they descended into the sunny plains.
and the cry of Italia burst from their over
charged hearts. Miss Epes' .honors have been
won by patient toll and application, and may
the star of scholarship which she now wears.
serve to lead her and incite her to higher lite.
rary attachments. the foundation of which has
been $50 solidly and firmly laid at her Alma
Mater.
The public having had opportunities ofjudg-
ing of the standard maintained in the various
departments of the school can testify to the
thorough, successful work carried on here. In
consequence of the uniformly good health en-
joyed In The school, there has been no inter-
ruption to study and the progress of the pupils
has been satisfactory.
The continued and increasing prosperity of
the Institution is a source of qualification to
all its friends.
CERTIFICATES.
Certificates for Neatness-CarolynA Alexander.
West Va. Mittie Afford Texas, Matte Allen.
Georgia. sibble Alexander, Texas. Meland
Bagby, Texas, Leila Berry, Georgia, Mammie
Berry. Georgia, Lille Burleson. Texas. Mary
Burleson, Texas, Lou Brown, Arkansas, Lizzie
Bradbury. Virginia. Edna Baer, Penn, Arkie
Clay, Texas. Bette Coffey N. c., Sadie Caswell,
Texas, Nellie De Shong, Texas. Eleanor Fields.
Texas, Lucille Foster, La. Margaret Greenlees,
D. o.. Parrie Goodrum. Ark, Maggie Hogshead,
Virginia. Mary Jones. Arkansas, Kate Johnson.
Levy, Louisiana. Clara Liddell, Mississippi.
Kate Meyler. Kentucky. Gilmer Mindenhall.
N. G., Elizabeth Mcmillan, Kentucky, Bessie
Metzger, Pennsylvania,, Margaret Meisger.
Penn, Mary Mann. w. Va, Eta Mclean, NC,
Maggie McCorkle. Va Matte Martin, Virginia,
Bette Nance, Ark, Laura Nance. Ark, Carrie
Phillips Kentucky, Lou Pollard, Maryland