Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1902-06-28
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES THURS.
DAY NIGHT SESSION IseI.'Ol.
| FEAST OF SONG and Scene
I'm, eoufereSrengih Of The ursu'
pour. Befor.ueational Work.
Mr.. Hehuxtiui Entertainment.

IT, that splendid institution OF
learilmg, the villa Maria academy,
whose beautiful buildings crowned
81. Ursula's hill about one year ago,
q delighted audience witnessed the
commencement exercises at the close
OF the first session Thursday evening,
June 20.
Up the broad steps and over the
beautiful tiled floors In the broad
Railways, an intelligent and refined
audience were conducted TO the large
dormitory, which was fitted up for
the exercises. Palms, ferns and
other pot plants in profusion lent
their charm to the refined scene pre-
scented, and through the large south
windows fioated the gulf breeze 10
temper the summer heat and render
the large room as comfortable as 1t
was attractive In other ways.
The salutatorian, Miss Eloise Lusk,
read her excellent paper with that
expression and manner that captured
the hearts OF her auditors.
Preceding and following the salut-
atory were musical numbers, In
which the music pupils exhibited
the results OF their thorough train
ing.
The Tournament OF Idylcourt, "
a delightful classic operetta or melo-
drama, was full OF splendid passages.
Monotony was completely drowned
In the infinite variety introduced.
Classic dialogue was interspersed
with choruses and accompanied with
tableaux that grew out OF the song
aud story like the unfolding of some
beautiful rose-charmlns the eye
while the ear was delighted with the
sweetest harmony. Such was the
Tournament Of Idylcourt"-t h Q
central feature Of the exercises, while
"Music's Enchantment," "Tourbil-
lon, ""Ave Maris Stella, ""old Mem
cries" and zone Sweetly Solemn
Thought" were the titles of choruses,
instrumental selections, etc., which
constituted an evening OF rare enter
tainment such as can come only of
the work of masters In music aud
art.
The work OF Miss Leila OFT, lead
ing vlollnist, and Miss walthew, ac-
companist, Is specially deserving Of
praise. These young ladies are this
years graduates OF the UrsulIne con-
vent OF Galveston, the parent insti-
tuition OF which the villa Maria is u
recent off-shoot. But the work Of
the students Of Villa Maria haimon-
lied with the lead OF these talented
musicians in a way that showed the
same kind of masterful training that
yields such happy results. In "Old
Memories were blended the strains
OF two pianos, organ, two mandolins,
two xithers, four viollns aud the
cello.
"De ole Plantation Mule" comic
recitation by Miss Z. Williams, cap
tured the audience.
The commencement exercises were
not OF nature to illustrats the edu-
cational work Of this institution, ex-
lccpt In the line OF music. In this,
they denoted work Of the highest
efficiency. A stroll through the de-
partments, which was the pleasure
OF this writer, exhibited equal
strength OF the institution in literary
studies, in art, needle work, aud the
other branches that make up the ed
ucatlon OF girls in the arts and
sciences.
The distribution of awards OF class
hohors, honors for amiable deport-
ment, and god medals was a most
interesting feature. Sixteen gold
medals were awarded, marking dis
tinctions achieved In different de-
partments Of study, in department,
etc, besides white wreaths and first
honors 10 number OF pupils. The
medals were costly, being solid gold,
beautifully engraved. They were
worthy Of the best efforts OF the con-
testants, which they undoubtedly
brought forth.
The closing remarks, by Judge
Spencer Ford, were fitting finale to
an evening Of rare pleasure and en-
tertalnment. They were full Of good
thought, couched In beautiful Ian
guage.
Rain and Wind Storm.