Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-09-02
VIRGINIA INSTITUTION.

VIRGINIA INSTITUTION.
We had the pleasure of attending an exam
nation OF the pupils in the Virginia Institu-
ton for the education ofthe Deaf and Dumb,
and the Blind, on Monday, and we are sure
we only speak the common feeling and scnti-
ment of the respectable company of ladies
and gentlemen, citizens and strangers, who
were present, when we say we experienced
very high qualification. The evidences of
Improvement and proficiency afforded by the
pupils, were not me ely remarkable, but abb
solu;ely astonishing, considering the brief pc
riod the institution has been in operation, and
the still shorterperiod that most of them have
had the benefit of instruction. We doubt
whether the same number of youth, with the
advantage of all their senses, could be found
any where, who had made equal Improvement
in the same time.
The exercises of the Mutes were in taking
down words, i'll the various parts of speech,
from signs, and in writing sentences which
particular words suggested to their minds
all of which they did with great promptness,
and with an accuracy of spelling which would
have put TO shame many older and more pre-
tending scholars. To those unacquainted
with the method of insructing the Mutes, we
would just observe that they are first taught
the letters of the alphabet on their fingers,
which they are required to make OH their
slate. Thus they are taught to spell and
read. Afterwards they are instructed in the
sign language, by which whole words or +
IDEAS are presented to the mind at once, with
out the slow process of spelling.
In the Blind department, the exercises
were in reading, arithmetic, geography, with
the use of the maps and globe, and in vocal
and instrumental music--in all of which the
pupils acquitted themselves in a manner not
merely creditable, but really surprising We
were particularly struck with the exercises in
arithmetic Questions, the most difficult, were
solved by them mentally, with as much read
mess as most persons who are considered
good scholars, could with slate. The meth
cd of teaching the Blind, we presume it is
generally known, is by means of raised char
acters, sensible to the touch, and by oral in
struction.
Workshops are now connected with both
departments of the Institution. The male
mutcs are learning the cabinet and shoe-ma-
king, and are about to engage in the book
binding-and the blind are actively and eff
GENTLY engaged in the brush-making, to which
the Visitors contemplate adding the manufac-
tu.e of rope. The female mutes are compe-
tent, of course, TO learn any employment suit
ed to their sex, and the blind are capable of
being taught many Of the simpler household
arts.
Virginia has certainly been fortunate in Sc
curing for her Institution the services of the
present able and accomplished Principals and
their assistants, as is amply attested by the
signal success which attends its operations
and it is only to be regretted that adequate
means are not provided for the extension of
the advantages of the Institution to all the
children OF the State, who have claim to
them.-The Visitors, we understand, have
been under the painful necessity of refusing
several applicants recently, for want of funds.
The number of pupils in the Institution at
this time is about fifty