Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-05-13
For the Snscininr.
THE DEAF MUTE AND THE BLIND.

| Perhaps there have been no more glcriou.
| triumphs Of human genius and philanthropy
over obstacles that well might at first have
seemed insuperable, than are exhibited in the
arts OF affordlng literary and scientific instruc-
ton to the deaf mute and to the blind-cer-
| tainly none which are calculated to afford
more qualification to the feeling heart in the
| alienation which has thus been produced in
the condition of these unfortunate portions OF
the human family.
Much the larger portions fthe blind and Of
the deaf mute, in all countries, are found to
be the children of parents in state Of wretch
ed poverty and ignorance, and doubtless, in
many instances, for the reason that those pa
rents had not the intelligence to understand
when medical aid was required for their dis
eased otispIing-nor the means of procuring
such aid when they deemed it proper--nor the
time requisite to devote to their care.
hat then is the condition and fate of the
INDECENT blind where no provision is made
for their education? Precluded from the pleas.
ures of sight-all that is sublime, wonderful
or beautiful in nature or in the arts, is lost to
them-and life but one ong--dreary--star-
less night; unable, except to d very limited
extent, to pursue the ayocations necessary to
procure the means Of sustaining life, or the
amusements which tend to relieve its monot-
ony, they become, in most instances, the in
mates OF poor houses. where their minds, for
want OF proper exercise, gradually decline and
ilnal!y sink into state OF idiocy, and in this
deplorable situation they remain CHARGE
upon the community until death kindly re-
lieves them from miserable existence.
The deaf mute may, it is true, without
such provisions, procure an humble subss-
tence in the ordinary occupations oflife. He
can too look out upon the works of nature and
ofart, and partake Of some of the amusoments
Of his fellow beings. But alas how mac
cessibe is he to all the ordinary means of in
struction. With d mind Git may be vigo-
rous and brilliant mind) struggling for light
and longing after knowledge, how little can
he understand Of all that passes under his
can ever acqurel He has no knowledge Of
a God or ola future state, and drags out an
existence only little superior to that of the
mere animal, and does he not feel his priva-
tons! See him in an audience, witness Of
the various emotions produced-he cannot
comprehend how-by eloquence;-mark his
melancholy and detected countenance, and
you have one among the thousand distressing
evidences that he has q most painful sense
of his forlorn and singular condition.
But let us turn from this melancholy pic
ture of human wretchedness and relieve our
hearts by going TO the blind school. What
blessed change in the condition and prospects
OF the interesting beings that we see here
With what facility do they acquire informa-
ton in literature, in the sciences, and in the
manual arts what delightful source of
pleasure and amusement have they in music
NO longer forlorn and dependent beings, a
burden to themselves and to society, when
they have finished their course, they go forth
to earn an honorable subsistence and to bene-