The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-07
LUCY COBB COMMENCEMENT.
Literary Address by Hon. r. w. Mel
drlm-The Prizes Awarded.


Athens, Ca, June 6.-The most brilliant
commencement exercises in the history of
Lucy Cobb Institute came to a close last
night. The graduation exercises were
brief and simple but none the less at
tractive. The stage was beautifully deco
rated, among other things being the lovely
tapestry painting of Cinderella by Miss
Fannie Meldrim of Savannah.
The graduates were gowned in white
and pink organdie, the full graduates in
white and the eclectics in pink. Hon. p.
w. Meldrim of Savannah delivered the
literary address, speaking of Port ia"
of the Merchant of Venice" He said in
conclusion: MY real object has been to
impress upon you the great and controllin g
thought that Portia is to-day a living,
breathing woman. In the days when
Venice sat in state, throned on her hun
dred isles, there was but one Poria, buc
now beneath skies as bright, there are
many Portals. Upon every field Of human
endeavor brave, virtuous and self-reliant
women are waging Hfes battle. Many Of
them bear the cypress while others wear
the laurel. The right ofwoman TO be edu-
Gated had in Socrates It's first and ablest
advocate, a right which to-day many of
the foremost universities of the world
recognize, right that found its per-
feet demonstration in the fact
that comparatively recently there went
forth from great English university a
woman whose paper on the Roman law
was held by the examiners to have been
the ablest ever presented by a student of
either sex in that institution.
If from the study of the life of "Portia."
there is one lesson more beautiful than
another which l have learned, it is that
though she had won honor and high
praise standing in the ducal court ana
speaking as no one has ever spoken be-
fore or since, that she turned away from
the glare and blaze of the fierce public
light that fell full upon her in the scene of
her splendid triumph and with the wo-
mans love and the wifes devotion, went
back TO Belmont, to husband and to home.
Yes. fair young Portals, there is light
in the home, be ii ever so humble, that
comes from the throne of God and crowns
the wife and mother with a halo that
sanctifies and glorifes her. All the pomp
and vanity of this world, all the smiles
Of throned monarchs, all the admiration
of all the courts is not worth the simple
love of one honest man. And now
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend
you"
The Prizes Awarded.
Mrs. M. A. Lipscomb announced the fol-
lowing awards of prizes:
Art, Miss Fannie Meldrim of Savannah.
French, Miss Sarah Lamar of Augusta.
Contest in oratory, Miss Carolyn Cobb of
Athens.
Improvement in oratory, Miss Mary Ill
ges of Columbus.
Contest in voice, Miss Katie Jester OF
Athens
improvement in voice, Miss Addie Brand
of Lawrenceville.
Contest in piano. Miss Lucy Goodrich OF
Augusta.
improvements in piano, Miss Nanette
Hodgson, Athens.
Purse of $25 for best notebook on lecture
course. Miss Augusta Hickman, Hender-
sonville, N. c.
Improvement in violin, Miss Marguerite
Thomas, Athens.
History prize given by Mr.. NJ. G. Mich
ael Miss Mary Hill, Athens
President A. l.. Hill of the board of
trustees then delivered the diplomas and
the commencement exercises were over.