The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-06-10
WIRTLAND SEMINARY FINALS
Beautiful Entertainment a Feature Of
Commencement.

commencement.
A very novel and interesting com
mencement was held on Saturday
night at Wirtland Seminary. Oak
Grove. Westmoreland county.
The entertainment WAS held on
the spacious lawn and the natural
beauty of the surroundings. the
magnificent trees. the soft light OF
the moon, the glow OF the many col
oTed lanterns all combined to
make the scene a veritable fairyland
and an artistic setting for the beau
tiful cantata given by the young
performers.
j Rev. II. r. Phelps opened the eX-
ercises with prayer. which was fol-
lowed by three beautiful and grace
full physical culture drills.
To the strains OF an inspir-
ing song the pupils, wearing MILDLY
suits of white and blue. (the semi
nary colOrs) marched to their places
and the drills were gone through
with wonderful accuracy and precis-
ion and won hearty applause.
While all did we'll the three lead
ers. Misses Griffith, Maude Reed
and DamerOn were especially con-
spicuous for their grace and skill.
Louis Flemer's soldierly bearing was
/ highly complimented. and Misses De
Alley. Suits. Rosa Reed. G. and IL.
Writ, G.. w. Reed and Waldorf Reed
were also much praised.
The artistic violin playing OF Mrs
r. II. Williams was treat to all
lovers of music She was ably ac-
companied on the mandolin by Miss
Chambers. OF Philadelphia, and by
Mrs. w ID. Writ on the piano.
Miss Dameron's beautiful voice
was heard first in Schubert's Death
and the Maiden, and later In the
Erl King, a most difficult and bril-
liant composition. The careful train
ing OF her teacher, Mr.. c. |. Will
liams. was evident throughout. and
his mastery and sympathetic rem
dition of the difficult piano accom-
paniments showed his high ability.
Miss Fannie Tyler Griffith. VINO
won first honOrs in French. recited
La Cigale ct La Fourmi with ease
and grace.
Miss Maude Reeds essay on the
all-important subject of education
showed careful preparation and won
derful command of language.
Little Miss Katherine Eaton won
all hearts and completely captivated
her audience with her song, which
she acted as well as sang to per-
fectiOn.
The Cradle Song. a tuneful melo-
DIV. was well played by Mr. W. ID.
Writ on the violin. with piano ac-
compliment by his little daughter
just eight years old.
The rare sweetness OF the voice
of Miss Suits was heard to advan-
tage in De Koven's piquant song
Rosalie. This young lady gives
great promise for the future IN the
musical line. Her recitation OF
Goethe's poem. Der Erlkonig In the
original showed her dramatic abil-
ity as well as her rapid progress IN
the study OF German.
Miss Maude Reed. who Is famous
for her racitations and acting. gave
The New Church Organ IN hne
style. -
Misses Rosa Reed, DE Atley, Gril-
fifth. Suits. II. and G.. Writ, Louis
Flemer. G. w. Reed and Waldorf
Reed
A prize for rapid progress in
French was awarded to MISS
Fannie Tyler Griffith and to Miss
Henrietta Writ for proficiency IN
the intermediate grades. ,
In the junior class gold medai
was awarded to Miss Lulu BYRD DE
Alley for scholarship and deport-
ment and the senior scholarship med
al was won by Miss Maude Reed.
The presentation was made by rev
h. r. Phelps.
Few. II any numbers on the pro-
gram was more complimented than
the duet. Santa Lucia, in which MISS
Dameron's clear soprano blended
harmoniously with Miss griffith
rich contralto.
The diplomas were next present
ed to the graduates. Misses Maude
Reed and Cornella Cameron.
The address to the graduates by
Rev. r. II. Phelps was full OF inspi-
ration and encouragement.
The announcement was made that
the graduates had passed creditably
the examinations for teachers given
by the state Board of Education In
April.
Miss Dameron's valedictory closed
the regnular program with fittihs
tributes to every member OF the rae
ulty, to her schoolmates and to her
friends in the audience.
The stage was then cleared for
the Cantata, "A Picnic in Fairy
land" Words are powerless 10
describe the beauty Of the scene
when greenwood was suddenly peo-
pied by elves and spirits,who frolick
ed and danced around their queen
who was seated on a throne made
i'm the shape of a huge Gala lily
The little queen herself, In a yello"
dress with gold spangles, formed th'
centre of the lily.
At dawn, indicated by red lights
the fairies fled to their homes II
the heart of the greenwood ant
merry company OF mortals fillet
the stage. Every performer acte'
splendidly and filled the hearts o.
their teachers and parents VIII
pride All deserve the highes
praise. especially Misses Dam
eron and Suits, the Misses Fiemel
and the Misses De Alley, Eaton
Griffith, Reed and Writ and Messrl
Flemer and Griffith. G.W.Reed an'
David Eaton. During the picnic tn
gaily decorated May-pole was grase
fully twined by the Misses Reed, D'
Atley. Eaton, Flemer and GriIIitn
, and Messrs. Flemer and Griiiith
Colored lights thrown from time t'
} time upon the different tableau'
greatly enhanced the beauty OF tn'
magic scene. The songs and music
throughout the cantata we're mos
attractive and we're rendered VIII
much spirit and animation.
The verdict of all with whom th'
writer has had the pleasure o.
speaking was that this was the mos
beautiful and brilliant among th'
many successful entertainments CIV
en- by this school.
The Program.
Dumbbell Drill, leader. Miss Crit