Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-01-13
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT

! OF the Visitors of the Virginia Institution 70,
the education of the Deaf and Dumb and
of the Blind.
To tie Pc. eidn~f ~-a 7i--.so,s ~. rne t.,reru,v
The Visitors Of the Virginia Institution for the
education of the deaf and dumb and of the blind,
beg leave to submit the following Report:
III is source OF much qualification TO the visi-
tors to be able to state, that the condition of the
institution is in high degree prosperous. Its
various oihcefs have continued to discharge their
duties, with fidelity and ability, and the conduct
ct the pupils has been alike creditable to them
selves and their instructors. The number of pu-
pills IN the blind department is 26, viz 5 males,
and II females. In the deaf mute department
the whole number of pupils is 25, viz: ii males
and III females. Catalogues oftheir names and
places OF abode, are appended to this report.
marked A and b. In the schools all the elemen
tary branches of education are taught in the most
thorough manner and the proficiency of the scho-
lars furnishes the most conclusive evidence moi
only OF the zeal and attention of the teachers, bat
also oil the capacity OF the scholars to acquire
knowledge and of their willingness to avail them
selves OF the opportunity, which the enlightened
benevolence OF the Legislature has afforded them.
Tor obtaining instruction. In the blind depart
ment, music constitutes one of the most important
SUBJECTS oil instruction. and it would be pratfv-
Ing to the visitors if every citizen of the common
wealth could have an opportunity of witnessing
o.
secuted by the pupils. Some Of them are alrea-
dy sufficiently acquainted with the principles and
practice OF music to become teachers and thereby
earn Tor themselves, an honorable support, and TO
all oil them, 1t is source Of exquisite enjoyment
In both departments The object Of the visitors
ana teachers, has been to direct the attention of
the pupils to those branches of instruction which
were likely to be OF most practical Importance
and hence the ornamental branches have been
made altogether subordinate to those of more
useful character. They believed that it would be
false philanthropy merely to enighten the minds
OF the pupils, and thereby enlarge their capaci-
aes 'of enjoyment, without aflording them, as
tar as possible, the means Of supplying their auo
mented necessities. They have therefore en-
deavCred to Introduce the various handicraft arts
INTO The schools, for the purpose of teaching each
INDECENT pupil some trade which would enable
him to gain livelihood by his own industry
In The deaf mute department they have introdn-
ced the trades of cabinet-makinG. sboe-mekino
and book-blnding. The first will furnish e,n7
Poyment to the males, and the two last to pupils
OF both sexes. The tools necessary for CARVING
on THESE trades have been recently purchased and
they are prosecuted with much spirit. under the
superintendent Of d competent instructor. who
purchases the materials and arranges and directs
the mechanical operations. Within the last three
months cabinet work to considerable anonnt
has been executed, and rs pair Of boots and shoes
have been made in the institution
IN the blind department. the trades of brush
making and experimenting have been introduced |
ami prosecuted with very great success, by the /
male pupils, and in few weeks the necessary |
arrangements for adding to these the rope-makino
business will be completed. The females are
anght knitting and netting; to these will soon be
added spinning and weaving. To afford the mem
'ers OF the Literary board, and of the legislature,
IN opportunity of inspecting the quality of the
'rtIcIes manufactured by the pupils, the visitors
ave requested the principal Of the blind depart
nent to transmit TO Richmond specimens Of the
work for inspection. The whole profits of the
workshops in this department in the last seven
months has been S222 and when it is recollect.
that all the pupils were but beginners in their
-spectlve trades, twill be readily perceived, that
'hey OBTAIN more skill and experience the pro-
Is will be greatly increased.
In this connection, the visitors cannot forbear
om mentioning one fact which will shew more
earIy than any reasoning could do, the capacity