Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-05-27
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effects which this amiable system ofreligious
instruction is regularly and effectually work
ing upon their hearts.
Instruction during the first year is simply
directed to the English language. Explana-
tons are made by signs, and tho pupils are
required to show how far these are understood,
by writing applications upon the black board.
1t was striking to observe with what quick
ness, the ideas were caught, and with what
correctness, as respects photography, their ex-
ercises We're written. A useful lesson might
DO here given, from the system necessarily
pursued towards these unfortunate persons,
in the Improvement of our method of instruc-
ton In our common schools. Children are
permitted to learn sby heart the rules of
grammar, oftentimes without being required
to give applications Of them in explanation,
saving so far only, as they are contained in
their Book. Were the system spoken of
more generally adopted, and in addition, tho
pupils required to write their examples upon
the black board, how much better GRAMMAR
ans should we have, and how seldom would
We find the errors in spelling which are but
TOO common among persons in advanced Lille.
! observed a little girl, who could not be over
years OF age write her examples, with all
the facility and accuracy imaginable, and the
specimens exhibited by Mr.. Tyler of the pu-
pills who had been under instruction but nine
months, show the same peculiar excellence,
arising from the most thorough mode OF in
struction.
ltis truly wonderful to observe how art has
facilitated the mode Of instruction for the
Blind. BY means of raised letters, figures
and maps, there is no branch of knowledge
that is not brought within their comprehen-
sion. Music, Geometry and Geography are
as readily taught the blind, as those who have
their sight, and the facility with which ope-
rations are performed, mentally, in Arithme-
tic, would confound many, who are not over
expert with their pencil and slate.
1t would be desirable If the people of the
State could be made familiar with the machi.
merry of these admirable institutions. Aburst
of enthusiasm would attend the exhibition
which would pervade every portion of our
State, and raise up friends and means for their
encouragement and support. Virginians,
with all their high toned feelings, are too apt
to overlook the claims of suffering humanity.
We hear of Virginia hospitality, Virginia
liberaity; bat where is Virginia benevo-
lence? where Virginia philanthropy? We
talk of Yankee penurlousness, but can we
point as they can, TO examples in which thou
sands and even tens of thousands Of dollars
have been given to these benevolent objects!
The returns Of the Deaf Dumb and Blind In
stitution, show single donation ofF5ur DOL
lars! Far be it from me to undervalue this
small sum. A "widow's mite" is acceptable
as miser's chest, and to Him who searcheth
the heart, may be far more so. But whilst
our humane institutions are so neglected by
those who have the means to aid them, let us
never reproach others for the want of liberali-
ty.
Another evil but too common among the
men Of influence and talent in Virginia, is,
that in wrestling with the vagaries and abb
stractions Of political philosophy, they neg
lect objects of greatest importance to the
welfare of the State. Virginia, though she
proudly boasts of her statesmen and orators,
is thus forced ont of that elevated position, to
which by nature she is heir. Wedwell with
pride and pleasure upon the fame and elo-
quence of Randolph, but with all his brill-
ancy of intellect, what monument of his
greatness has the orator of Roanoke left be-
hind Who can point to one single act
which displays either his goodness or his be-
nevolence9 Happy for Virginia were fewer
of his prototypes remaining! More glory
surrounds the memory Of the lamented Harr-
son, whose life was spent in deeds of mercy,
than would be attained by ten thousand times
the genius Of John Randolph. VIATOR.