The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-25
BRILLIANT WEEK
 AT OLD HUDSON
TWO PLAYS GIVEN BY THE YOUNG LADIES WERE AN AT TRAcTlvE FEATURE-ADDRE TO ALuMNAE WAS STIRRING.

Marion, May -(Special)-with much eclat the different commencement exer- cises of the historic Judson college are being conducted this week. The wealth CT is warm at least-warmer than the fasti- dious could wish. But high mercury is as apropose to commencement occasions as are abundant floral offerings, white dresses. bright eyes. orations, essays, music and admiring friends.
 Judson is the oldest Baptist college in the United States solely for the education of women. It was founded in 1889, and the diplomas issued by 1t in 184o were the first diplomas ever issued in America by college for women. The administra- ton of President Patrick has been one of signal success. The traditions of the n- stitution, with which so many names of prominent educators are associated, suf- fer nothing in his versatile hands. Each year during his administration the stu dent attendance has increased until now 1t is nearly 300. Each year improvements have been added to the plant and equip ment until now it is remarkably com plete. while still other Improvements are contemplated.
 The exercises last night consisted of an elocutionary programme but the monot- ony usually incident to such presenta- tions was avoided by substituting two plays for the usual recitation and panto- mines.
 The first was a performance by a cast of eight characters of five scenes from Scotts Lady of the Lake," The parts were filled as follows:
 Douglas, an Earl banished from Court
 of Scotland ............ Miss Nell Brown Ellen Douglas, his daughter. ..........
 ....................-.-.. Miss Susie Wilson Roderick Dhu, chief of the Alpine Clan,
 suitor for the hand of Ellen, who
 has given the Douglas shelter in his
 lodge .............. Miss Mary Jim Davis Lady Margaret, his mother and Ellen's
 aunt .................. Miss Nellie Watt Fitz-James. King of Scotland. .........
 ....................-. Miss Frances Stakley Malcolm Graeme. youth in love with
 Ellen ............ Miss Matilda Norwood Allan Bane, the old Minstrel..........
 ..................--....... Miss Ethel Pitts Malise courier of Rodericlk Dhu......
 ................... Miss Kathleen Wooten Attendant of Lady M. Miss Jamie Bean
 The second play was of a popu,at na- ture. It was "Eismeralda,' a composition of Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett The cast of characters was as follows;
 ''Old Man" Rodgers, a North Carolina Farmer-Miss Ethel Salter
 Lydia Ann Rodgers, his wife-Mss Mary Jones.
 Esmeralda. his daughter-Miss Bessie Lena Ellis.
 Dave Hardy-Miss Aline Meadows.
 Estaprook. a man of leisure--Miss Bes- sic Crorper.
 Jack Desmond, an American artist in Paris-Miss Mamie Gailard-
 Nora Desmond and Kate Desmond, his sisters-Miss Ruth Hopson and Miss Mabel Schoeptel.
 Marquis" de Montessin, a French ad- venturer-Miss Susie Mckenzie.
 George Drew, an American speculator- Miss Essie Hall.
 Maid-Miss Melda Haynes.
 Act l. Rodgers House in North Caro-
 Act II. A Studio in Par1s
 Act III. Rodgers Home in Paris. dur irg ball.
 Act w Studio.
 All the young ladies did their work well, but particularly fine was Miss Ethel salter, as "Old Man Rogers and Miss A1ine Meadows as Dave Hardy" Miss salter has real histrionic talent and a voice very expressive. particularly of pathos. Miss Meadows is rather petite, but carried off with effective vocal effect and masculine directness and aggressive ness the part of lover which she filled.
 The address to the alumnae was deliv- cred by the Rev. John R. Sampey, D. D., of Louisville, Ky, at II o'clock. He be- gan his address by some humorous and informal references which put the audi ence into a good humor with itself and its speaker. He announced as his theme, .aThe Queen and Her Daughters Not all the fires of earth nor the judgment day can burn down this institution" said he. flor the Judson Is spiritual force abiding in the hearts of It's friends.