Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1906-11-16
RECITAL OF SOUTHERN SONGS
MISS ANNA VERNON DORSEY
ENTERTAINS.
Large Audience at The Government
House For Such Disagree
able Evening.

4
Eighty -four people braved the ele-
ments last night to attend the recital
| given by Miss Anna Vernon Dorsey at
| the Government House. Many moro
had purchased tickets, but were de-
tanned at home because of the snow,
| rain and slush through which their
more daring friends wcnded their way
in evening dress 10 enjoy pleasant
entertainment.
The recital was given in the large
State parior, which was beautifully
decorated with graceful palms from
Oakdale conservatory and pink and
white chrysanthemums. some of the
audience occupied the blue room, the
small reception room adjoining the
parlor, and others sat under the arch
at the entrance of the State dining
room. The Government House is such
a pretty place to hold any entertain
ment and its beautiful decorations
and furnishings bespeak the refined
taste and good Judgment of its present
mistress, Mrs. Warfield All the wall
coverings and tapestries harmonize and
| the whole has a cheering and refresh
ing effect on the visitor.
Last night the Governor and his
debutante daughter, Miss Carrie War
field, did the honors, in the absence
OF Mrs. Warfield, who is indisposed.
The guests entered by the lower side
entrance, instead of as formerly through
| the main entrance, which causes
drafts ana moro or less confusion.
| Wraps were removed in rear rooms on
the first floor and the arrangement was
very satisfactory. Some of the cos
tunes worn by the ladies were elegant
and handsome, and the men wore
evening clothes.
Miss Dorsey was introduced by Gov
ernor Warheld. Before beginning her
program she said, rs her recital was
Southern negro songs and monologucs,
to give these TO an Annapolis audience
was like carrying Goals TO Newcastle.
She said she frequently gives the
program in Northern cities, but in a
Southern town like this she realized
her audience was thoroughly familiar
with that phase of negro life she de-
picted Miss Dorsey sang several
negro songs to banjo accompaniment,
although She said the use of the banjo
was dying out among the Southern
darkies and that the quaint old songs
and melodies were also fast beeom-
ing extinct She said il is very diff
cult to obtain these old songs now,
and she illustrated an experience she
had along this line.
Miss Dorsey said the colored folk
in Lconardtown, st. Mary's county,
Nd, are very primitive, and she re-
lated many funny stories about them,
which were new and original. One
OF the best illustrations given by Miss
Dorsey was the typical darkey melody
'Roll. Jordan Roll Miss Dorsey S
work was very clever, her limitations
were good and her efforts pleased the
audience, which was a typical Southern
contingent and showed its appreciation
by frequent applause and hearty
laughter.
While the program was good one
and was varied and well selected, il
| is better fitted to a Northern, rather
| than to a Southern locality, the South
ern darkey. his songs, mannersisms
and peculiarities being part and
parcel Of Southern life, OF which
Annapolis is n type.
1t is thought about $40 was realized
from Miss Dorsey's entertainment, to
be appropriated TO st. Anne's choir
fund. Mrs. l.. Dorsey Gasasway, who
| had the entertainment in charge is to
| be congratulated on the success of her
efforts, as are the patronesses, by
| whom she was materially assisted.