The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-06 00:00:00

FOR THE ADULT i
DEAF AND DUMB.—(THIS DAY.)
A special general meeting of the governors and
friends of the Institution for the Adult Deaf and
Dumb was held this morning at the Board-room, 20,.
Red Lion-square, Bloomsbury, for the purpose of
examining the pupils, on the cccasion of one prepari,g
'to leave the establishment.
The meeting, which was very fully attended, having
been opened by prayer,
J. G. Simrsots, E q., observed, that the purposes
for which they had met was to witness the Examina-
tion of some of the present inmates of the charity, in
order to ascertain their respective capabilities and
their knowledge of religious subjecti. The examina-
tion would principally be directed to a young woman,
Who, during the time she had been in the institution,
had been instructed in needlework of various de-
scriptions, and had been taught to understand the
Scriptures. 13ut, in addition, to the female alluded
to, several others would be examined, with the view
of ascertaining their progress in the various branches
of industry carried on in the institution, the objects
of which were to receive the adult deaf and dumb,
whether they were educated or not, and to instruct
them in some trade, by means of s%hich they would
subsequently be enabled to sustain themselves by
heir own honest exertions.
The Rev. Dr. STOLLE, of the University of Laden,
then proceeded to put different questions to the young
woman, who was about to quit the establishment, by
means of writing on a lar-..e slate board erected for
the purpose. The answers were communicated by 'a
similar proms, and many remarks of satisfaction
and surprise were elicited by the rapid and correct,
if not intelligent replies set forth. In accordance
with the request of some person in the body of the
meeting, the reverend gentleman wrote—" What is
God?" to which the pupil almost immediately at-
tached the answer—" Love, mercy, and goodness.
In answer to the same inquiry, one of the male pupils
wrote " A spirit."
The interesting proceeding continued for some
time, and the answers in general fully proved the
efficiency of the superintendence of the teacher, Mr.
D. Murray, who assisted the Rev. Dr. Stolle in his
examination of the pupils.
The report of the society was read, and laid upon
the table, from which it appears that
" After anxious but unavailing attempts to induce
another society whose funds appeared sufficient to
continue their superintendence and aid to the deaf
and dumb beyond the period of childhood, this so-
ciety was instituted at a public meeting held on the
21st day of August, 1841, under the presiaency of the
Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe. It was established for
the large and generous purpose of rescuing the adult
deaf and dumb from ignorance, vice, and misery, and
rendering them useful and happy members of society,
and preparing them to receive the blessings of im-
mortality. For these great ends arrangements were
made to enable the society to afford instruction to
those who had received none ; to continue and ad-
vance the education of such as had attended schools;
to teach the trades of tailoring, shoemaking, and mil-
linery; to afford to the deaf and dumb the advantages
arising from innocent and cheerful society amongst
themselves ; and, above all, to make them acquainted
with the gospel of truth, and habituate them to regu-
lar exercises of devotion.
" All these means are now in operation in the in-
stitution, where a fully qualified teacher, a mistress
of general needlework and millinery, a master tailor
and master shoemaker reside, and devote their whole
time to their respective duties. Prayers are read
morning and evening, and on Sundays the chapel is
Open, not only to inmates of the institution, but to
all deaf and dumb persons and their friends, with
whom prayers are said, and religious instruction is
communicated forenoon and evening, in a manner
adapted to reach the understanding and the
heart of those who attend. There are now
eighteen persons under instruction in the insti-
tution. The benefits of the charity are not, how-
ever confined to the inmates. The poor and
afflicted deaf and dumb from all parts of this great
city apply to this society for advice, employment, and
alms. Many of them are visited at their own dwell-
ings; and the teacher is occasionally called to the gaols
and police cells to afford advice, and generally when
on such errands to shield humanity in its lowest de-
gradation from responsibility to human laws, which
they neither understand nor appreciate.
" In carrying out these objects, and making neces-
sary alterations on the house, a debt of about 450/.
has been incurred. To assist in liquidating this debt,
the committee have presented a memorial to the Cor-
poration of the city of London ; and considering the
nature and extent of the benefits which this institu-
tion—the only one in the kingdom—will be enabled
to confer upon a suffering and afflicted class of so-
ciety, if supported by adequate means, the committee
tender their best and anxious exertions to promote
the objects of the institution, and hope to he tavoured
with that counsel and aid from this meeting, which
will enable them to carry out the beneficent purposes
of the society to a greater extent than they have
hitherto been enabled to do."

A variety of questions were put to the " hearing
masters" of the shoemaking and tailoring depart-
ments, and from the replies given it appeared that
the deaf and dumb, although not so easily taught as
those possessing the powers of speech and hearing,
were found to be very apt ; and, comparatively speak-
ing, but little difficulty was experienced in instruct-
ing the several trades.
The meeting then separated.

FRENCH PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S
THEATRE.
The Antigone of Sophocles, with Mendelssohn's
music, was produced here (in a French version) last
,evening. On the production of this tragedy some
years since at Covent-garden in an English version,
the music was only incompletely given, so that this is
the first time that Mendelssohn's music to Antigone
has been completely given in England. Mr. Mitchell
has spared neither pains nor expense to place this
lyric tragedy on the stage in a manner worthy at
once of Sophocles and of Mendelssohn. The scene,
which has been admirably painted by Mr. Muir, re-
presents the peristyle of Creon's palace, which is
raised above the level of the stage ; in the front is the
altar, at the sides the chorus. The chorus
singers are forty in number, and the band
completely filled the orchestra. M. Jules Be-
nedict was the conductor, and nothing could
go better than did the music under his direc-
tion. The orchestra, previous to the play, performed
Mendelssohn's fine symphony in A minor, No. 3.
This composition was always a favourite with the
great composer ; it was composed after his return
from a tour in Scotland, and embodied his musical
reminiscences of the Highlands. It was admirably
performed last evening. The slow movement in 1.)
major has never been more exquisitely ren-
dered. Then came the overture, which was
most feelingly, correctly, and delicately ren-
dered, as, indeed, was the whole of the music.
orchestral and choral ; to all engaged it seemed a
labour of love, and most fortunate has Mr. Mitchell
been in securing the services of such a conductor as 111.
Jules Benedict. The hymn to Bacchus was gloriously
given ; and the two grand scenes, illustrating the
despair of Antigone and the agony of Creon, were
perfect triumphs for the orchestra. The final chorus
was beautifully rendered ; indeed, as far as the musical
arrangements are concerned, the performance of
last night was perfect. The French— version
of the drama by MM. Paul Meunier and
Auguste Vacquerie has the merit of being a very
close rendering of the original, and also of fitting
Mendelssohn's music admirably. M. Paul Bocage
(under whose superintendence the: drama was pro-
duced) was the Creon, and he has not disappointed
the expectations we had formed of him. Majestic,
dignified, impassioned, he looked and moved " a hero
of the ancient race." His last scene was fearfully
sublime. The Antigone of Madame Rahut Fechter
was effective and tasteful, although at times some-
what deficient in power. Instead of proceeding along
the elevated stage to the place of death, as
has been usual in the English representations
of Antigone, Madame Pechter rushed among the
chorus, and was at length dragged off by her hair.
This reading is certainly no improvement. The
"business" thus introduced is essentially unclassical.
There was another alteration, however introduced,
which is certainly a great improvement, and adds
much, not only to the effectiveness; but to the
classical unity of the scene. Instead of being
brought in on a bier, in the last scene, as at Covent-
garden, the body of Haatnon was last night brought
on in the arms of his distracted father.
Never has the appearance of death been
more exactly counterfeited than it was by
M. Pechter, who played. the little part of Ilmmon
exquisitely. The mounting was admirable—we had
no Greek nobles appearing in Roman togas; the
T,Teek costume and the Greek colouring of the
ece was preserved throughout. The success of the
ir„-urrnanee was complete; and it must be gratify-
to Mr. Mitchell to find his exertions so properly
rreciated as they were by the crowded and fashion
able audience of last evening.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Mrs. Mowatt and Mr. Davenport, two American
artistes, made their first appearance before an English
audience at this theatre last evening, in Sheridan
linowles's play of the Hunchback, Mrs. M.owatt sus-
taining the part of Julia, and Mr. Davenport that of
Sir Thomas Clifford. Mrs. Mowatt is slight in
figure, ar d with a decidedly youthful appearance;
ner features are pleasing and expressive, and her
'force soft and melodious. She was terribly nervous
at first, but she soon overcame her trepidation, and
as she warmed in the Part gained confidence. Her
delineation of the character of Julia proves that
be possesses great taste, a delicate appreciation of
i'c'etrY) and a good elocution. Her acting in the