The times., 1899-05-30
DIPLOMAS AWARDED
TO FAIR GRADUATES
Commencement Exercises at
Visitation Convent.
The Opening Day of the Centennial
of the ClOister.
bliss Mcrcein's Address to His Emil
Ia
bliss Mcrcein's Address to His Emil
Todny's Programme.

Over five hundred of the alumnae, to-
gether with large graduating class the
undergraduates, Cardinal Gibbons, Arch
bishop Martinelli and many other ecclesi-
astical dignitaries assembled yesterday
afternoon in the music hail of the George
town Convent of the Visitation to begin
the three days celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of that institution.
The occasion was most auspicious and i'm
pressive. Among the alumnae of the
Georgetown Convent are numbered many
women prominent in the social life of the
country and rejoicing and pride in the
grand old institution which had taught
them the accomplishments and virtues of
true womanhood was in every heart and
permeated even the building itself.
The first of a series of elaborate pro-
grammes was carried out-the commence
charming and accomplished graduates was
added to the distinguished alumnae.
Tribute was paid throughout the enter
tanning programme of speech and song to
the centenary mark reached by the insti
to speak in manifold ways of the achieve
ment of the school, linked with patriotic
sentiment and the reverent remembrance
of departed benefactors.
The exercises, which began at 3 o'clock.
were presided over by Cardinal Gibbons,
who made a brief address at their con-
clusion. On the platform were Archbishop
Martinelli, Archbishop Ryan, of Philadel-
phia; Monsignor Conaty. of the Catholic
University; President Whitney, of George
town College; Rev. Fathers Stafford, Lee,
Dougherty, Donohue, Doherty, and Faust,
besides several OF the sisters.
BenutiinI Decorations.
The music hall. which is large square
room with a balcony supported by large
pillars at one end and platform extending
across the entire length OF the other, was
draped on ceiling and side wall with pale
yellow and white texture. significant of
the college jubilee. Over these were hung
garlands of green. and in the long and mar
row cut-glass windows were placed palms
Banked in the rear of the platform was a
veritable jungle of ferns and palms which
rose 10 meet festoons of the American
flag extending across the room, and part
ed in the centre to make space for a large
shield of immortelles. picturing in rich
yellow and gold the coat of arms OF the
institution. In the centre stood out a bleed
ing heart, signifying love. Surmounting
the heart was cross. and over this a
crown Of thorns. In purple letters around
the edge Of the shield were the letters
Georgetown Convent of the Visitation.
1799-1s99." and on the top the letters ''V.
j." Hung under this was the old papal
flag of white and yellow. which has had d
part in the decorations for so many years
on commencement day.
The order of exercises was as follows in
terspersed with the comforting of medals
and awards on many deserving students:
Military march, Schubert, pianos. Misses
V. Palms, n. Paschall E. Rixey. E. Graf
ton; harps, Misses E. Marmion. A. Ro-
madka, V. Moran; violins. Misses "
Smith, L. Gwynne; address to His Emil
nence, Cardinal Gibbons; THE See of Bal
| timore and the Convent" Miss Marcien:
salutatory, Our Alma Mater" Miss Agnes
Hamlin; semi-chorus Twelve by the
Clock" Lloyd. Misses G. Hurley, E. Rixey
F. Turtle, II. Heinz. E. Marmion, NJ. L.
Wright, N. Thomas, and c. Humphrey:
andante. allegro. Mietzke. harps. Misses
Z. Marmion, A. Romadka. V Moran; man
dolins. Misses N. Keane. r. Shea. NJ L.
Wright; violin. Miss V. Smith; piano duo
lie Matin.' Chaminade. Misses Edith
Marmion. Viola Palms; vocal solo, Be
reuse" from "Jocelyn," GODDARD, Miss
| Pauletta Keena.
Quartette. Polish dance (scharwenka); !;
harps. Misses E. Marmion and a. Ronald
la; mandolins, Misses N. Keane and R.
Shea; vocal duo. "Quis est Hon." from
"Stabat Mater" (RossinD. Misses May
O'Connor and Rose heaIney: harp solo Ma
zurka (Schuecker), Miss Edith Marmion;
vocal solo, "Parce, Domino" (CounoI, Miss
Agnes Hamiin; valedictory. "A Hundred
Years. Miss A. Estelie Story; March
Opus 26 tBeethoven)- Misses V.
Palms. n. Paschall. f. Rixey, ard Z. Graf
| ton; harps. Misses E. Marmion, A. Ronald
ka, and V. Moran; violins Misses V. Smith
and L. Gwynne.
Gold medals and graduating honors were
conferred on the following young ladies:
Miss Martha Thomas, Illinois; Miss Ste la
Story, Massachusetts,: Miss Eiizabe h
Thornburgh. Tennessee; Miss Agnes Ham
lin, Illinois; Miss Gertrude Reynolds, Bal
timore, Md; Miss Josephine Moran, Chica-
go; Miss Rose Shea, Washington.
Address of Miss Mcrce;n
The following address to His Eminence,
James Cardinal Gibbons. THE See of Bal
timore and the Convent" was delivered
| by Miss Mercein:
Your Eminenee: On this day, which
crowns for our Georgetown Convent of tn :
Visitation the voluntary sacrifices and Ia
| bors of the century. ii is no small part OF
our joy and glory that the honoTei repre-
sentative Of the See of Baltimore has
come to share them with US here. We love
TO think that as Georgetown has turned
for strength TO the See of Baltimore in
many an hour Of need, so she now turns.
confident of sympathy in this her hour OF
! triumph.
There lies In the vault hart.th ire liz