Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-12

Firginia Institution for the Education Of the Deaf and
Dumb and of the Blind.


August 20, 1910.
Prginia Institution for the Education Of the Deaf and
Dumb and of the Blind.
The professors of this institution, influenced by
laudsbe desire to exhibit to the members of the Lee
risature and the public at large the practical utility
of the schools by aifordng them an opportunity of
seeing of the pupils, and ascertaning by personal
examination the extent of their improvement within
the short period that the Institution has been in ope
ration have, we pleased TO hear, determined with
the appreciation of the Board Of Visitors, 10 make
excursion i'll few DAYS with some of the pupils, to
Richmond, and probably to some of the larger towns
We do not propose to enter into any detail IN rela.
ton to the management of the institution, but we think
we may venture affirm that every phanthropst will
be highly sratied to find how much can be done, by
liberal and heightened spirit of bcncvolencc TO allevi-
ate the suferinGs and supply the DEFICIENCIES OF those
unfortunate classes of ellow-beings The schools
have been in operation, it will be recolected, but little
more than year, and even during that period, they
have been compelled encounter all the obstacles Incl
dent the incipent operations Of an institution entire
ly novel in its objects TO the citizens OF Virginia We
think however, that all who have an opportunity OF
seeing and Judging for themselves, will be prepared to
admit that the progress Of the scholars under all the
circumstances, extraordinary and credl,abe alike to
their talented and accomplished instructors. we be-
speak for the mute and the blind the kind attentions
and regards Of humane public.
AS the pecuniary means Of the Institution limit
ed and insufficient to bear The excursion with conye-
nience, we understand that it is contemplated to give
concerts and exhibitions in Richmond, Petersburg
Fredericksburg and Charlottesve-the proceeds OF
which will be applied in the first place to the payment
&C the expenses of the trip and the surplus if any, will
be devoted to the purchase of musical instruments and
apparatus intended to give greater efficiency and USE
funess the Institution When the purposes are 50
audable who will withhold patronage and support
We hope and confidently believe that the most san,
gune expectations Of the professors and visitors vii!
be fulfilled and that the public cannot fail to be highly
: graied with the exhibitions.
VIII not our brethren of the Editorial corps lend a
helping hand to the cause, by calling the attention oil
their readers to the proposed VISIT oil these interesting
strangers?
Some may be disposed to find fault with the objects
of the expedition savouring too much of pecu-
mary speculation but in TO this, it is only
ccssary that the primary object of the visit TO
afford the members of the Legislature opportunity
of Judging for themselves whether the schools mer,
public patronage and to enable them 10 hear their per-
sona testimony to their constituents, ofthe capacities Of
the deaf mues and blind TO acquire and appreciate the
blessings of education, and To become valuable citizens
For orr own part We believe that there subject tc
viii the old proverb, "seeng is believing, is more
applicable than the instruction of the deaf mutes and
> blind for confess that there many things in
regard to it, which would not have been disposed to
believe, if we had not ourselves, seen them.
With these few hasty remarks we commend cur ira
veers to the favorable consideration Of benevolen,
public, and to the overruling care Of Him who tcmpers
the wind to the shorn lamb '-Staunton Spectator.
CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON.
The reader will be interested with the following
graphic description of Christmas in the Federal City
Some of the portraits of the thinner might answer for
very faithful sketches in other places than Washngton
Correspondence IF The sara""c4 eeOrsa".l :.
Dear Sir - Both Houses of Congress adjourned over
for the Christmas holidays until Monday next when
they will assemble to settle the affairs Of the nation
There has been as vet but thin House in either end
Of the Capito but presume after the first of January
every member who is detained by sickness acct.
dent, will be at his post
Christmas is tagging in this :scty Of magnificent
distances rs heavily may be. Arbitrary rules Of
conduct and conventional etiquette which not unfre
qucnty result in dandysm and efeminacy have Who'll
y untitled metropolitan beaux and bellies, for the
enjoyment Of those honest hearty and hilarious pas
times and festivities, which mark the advent of this
merry season. among the less restricted but equally in
teliigent men and women who live out of town. Here
have merry meetings, lively dances, no ''ball,
play, revel nothing Of that out.breaklng and
unbounded Joy and happiness which comes in laughter
and song and is and felt only where heart meets
heart unchecked and stayed by the nice balances and
critical cour,esies Of "gentee society"
If you sally forth on the 23th day of December TO
"look for Christmas on Pennsylvania Avenue, you
met by the lean hungry, Cassus-ook Of some schem-
ing anxious far-reachng politician, whose very step
he treads the pavement seems TO echo, office, office
Further on you meet the Congressman, big with
his selfmportance, and remarkable for his and
dignities, struttng his sbref hour with very mag
nifcent pomp, and whose only act of condesce nsion
in his promenade is to peer with curious scrutiny
der the bonnets of the beautiful girls who pass him. Ii
you continue your search little further the pace
you come in contact with that ar-famed, muchabused
and sorely hunted bped yeleped the "ofce holder
With systematic cvility, which indicates tutored
and practised obedience he moves by you cautiously
if not TO Offend and anxious least to for himself
your favorable consideration Instead ofattenng the
"spos of Office, you find him marked with the traces
Of many cares, depressed BY aborous days and sleep
less nights looking into the future with woful anscpa