Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17
THE MAY FESTIVAL.
This the Feature Of The W,]k In Rich
mond's Social Life.
MISS srAnKE WEEDS MI. DAWSON.
A Quiet md Dignified Home Cere-
mony-Dr. Prices Address before
Mount Yernon-Personul Notes.

The May Festival was the leading fea-
ture OF the past weeks social pleasures.
and the Wednesday Club is to be con-
graduated upon the success OF its ef-
forts, which is the result OF superior
organization and tlreless work. The
chorus Is magnificent, and. whilst every
solo part was we'll taken. the grand
choral work showed such thorough train
ing and enthusiastic interest that it
was like gorgeous and Respondent
setting around the sparkling jewels repre-
scented by the soloists. and quite in
dlspensible 10 their brilliancy and effec-
tiveness. Richmond Is most apprecia-
tive of the beautiful gift BY Miss Eliza
beth Taylor, Of Norfolk, OF her ac-
complished voice, on two most important
occasions, when her gracious consent 10
fill the principal role assured the sue
cess Of opera and concert. on Wednes-
day, when the startling announcement
Of Nine. Blauvelts Illness was tele-
graphed, the director and Committee OF
| Arrangements for the May Festival were
almost panic-stricken, and this charm
! ing young lady whose superb voice is
only equalled by her lovely disposition
TO oblige, having sung the leading part
| once, consented to prepare herself By
| Thursday evening to take II again. al
| though she was only I'm Richmond for
| rest and 20 enjoy the festival Of music
| heseh. The enthusiastic audience. rep
resontative in every aspect, attested the
| appreciation with which her services
were accepted. and there Is no question
| that no other vocalist who might have
| been secured from any other city would
| have sung the part SO beautifully and
| with such credit 10 herself and 10 the
Wednesday Club.
Miss Bette Burwen Booker, OF this
city, who sang a duet part with Miss
Elizabeth Taylor of Norfolk, in Men
delssohn's Hymn of Praise" on Thurs
day evening OF the May Festival, is a
promising young prima donna Of whom
Richmond is Justly proud She has
been studying under Erranl during the
past winter. and has made wonderful
| progress. Her instructor regards Miss
BOXERS voice as one OF unusual fresh
ness, wonderful fexbility, and good
register, and gives her every encourage
ment 10 continue her musical educa-
ton. which she hopes to do, with a
view TO singing In concert. Miss Booker
sans. also. hrore Anton SedoL the
famous director Of German opera. who
tested her voice, and was most kind in
his ccmmendation, and advised her 20
work for high position and encouraged
her by his belief I'm her success. She
received a great deal OF attention and
kindness in the musical circles Of New
York, and is an enthusiast in her chosen
profession.
The wedding Of Miss Susie LaPrade
Starke, youngest daughter of Mrs.
Patrick Henry Starke, and Mr.. Luther
Dawson was a very quiet and refined
homo ceremony on Thursday at high
noon. Rev. DR.. Cooper was the officiating
clergyman, and Professor Reinhardt rem
dered the wedding march on the piano
as the party entered from the rear Of the
salon parlor. The groom, with his best
man. Mr. Marion Dawson; Miss Alice
Hotchkiss as flower girl, in a pretty cos
tune Of white organdie, with pink rib
bons; the maid Of honor, Miss Lila VIII
liams Bridges Of Maryland. I'm white or
candle, and lace over pink taffeta, white
Leghorn hat. with pink roses and bou-
quet of La France roses. and the bride,
handsomely attired In a tailor-made gown
of imported gray cloth, with vest Of old
blue, with hat and gloves to match, and
a bouquet OF lovely brides roses. The
house was beautifully decorated with
pink roses and carnations palms, and
smilax.
a beautiful breakfast was served IN
courses, and the bridal couple left for a
tour to Asheville. Hot Springs, and other
, points, and will be at home 10 theli
friends after the 5th Of June. The bride
has many friends in her own and other
cities In which she has been a visitor
and Will continue 10 reside with hel
! mother. The groom is the popular man
10 ager Of the Snow-Church Agency In thii
, city.
> One OF the most delightful entertain
} ments given at the Woman's Club durini
the whole year was given on the occasion
; Of Professor Thomas r. Prices beautiful
lecture on Saturday evening, his them,
being Danish Literature" Professo
y Price is always gracious ana kind to tn
, Woman's Club, and his scholarly pape
on this occasion was all that his warmes
admirers would have wished. His sub
ject was treated mainly from Danish lit
;. erature, as exemplfed in the dramati
works OF Frou Emma Garde, who's
. strong and varied delineations Of charac
ter, clever, modern plots. and viyacity Fl
: dialogue have placed her in the front ran
n of Danish literary artists. Her PLAY
[ ''The Silver Wedding" is said TO be alb
solutely fiawless in construction. and
from its perfection. Is now the accepts
n model for Danish dramatic art DR.
Price was introduced by the chairman
4 Mrs. Christopher Tompkins, in shor'
= but exceedingly bright and graceful ad
y dress. AT later hour ices and cak
n were served by Mrs. Reginald Gillian
y and Mrs. John Hunter, assisted BY Mrs
Q J. Addison Cooke, Mrs Fitzgerald, Mlsse
e Berta Wexford, Mary NJ Lyons, an
Mamie 3. Winston. The guests OF III
=. club were: Professor and Mrs. Blackwell
e OF Randolph-Macon College Guests q
Il the chairman were: Or. and Mrs Hartle
e Carmichael Captain and Mrs. w. Gordo
Il McCabe, Miss Price. Miss Kate Talley
- Miss Helen Montague. Or. James b. Nc
+ Cav. and Mr.. Edward Price.
j, The Auxiliary Board of the Rosemar
4, Library will have an excursion to NJ
Vernon on the first Saturday In June uh
& 6th), and are very Jealous In the bushes
3 of securing 200 passengers, the minimum
le allowed by the railroad company for III
d special trip. 1t Is hoped these ladies wi
r. meet with success In their worthy entel
/. prise. The trip includes a view OF Il
y, old places Of interest in Alexandria, an
l. tho ride from that historic town TO NJ
ie Vernon, ample time TO see eyerythin
there and return in the evening. job
Dabney Will serve the lunch for then
n and II Will be done In fine style on u
"A regular dining-car. A delightful party
IN going, which IL is hoped will be augmente
70 by many more, at as early date
NJ possible, so that all arrangements may I
n perfected In ample time. Informatio