Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-12-26

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after the first momentary embarrassment. wer,
eminently beautiful and interesting. Afie
briefly sketching the history of the effort,
made for the amelioraiion of the blind. bv III,
establishment Of schools for their mental ant
physical education, first in Europe, and ,her
III the United States, he wen, ON TO sneak n
the unhappy condition of the blind, when lief
IN state OF ignorance and dependence. A
stoical philosophy, he said, mig even teach
the blind man TO bear without murmur the
"darkness of the body" which spreads nall
over the lair face of Nature, and renders all
us beauties dreary blank to him; bu, wha,
support was there for that deeper darkness 81
the mind, which shuts out from his view all
the lights OF knowledge and truth, and leaves
The immortal mind itself dreary blank, unless
humanity and an enlightened policy come to
his relief, and, rescuing him from the misc
ries 81 ignorance end dependence, shall ele-
vate him to the dignity of his equal position
in society," Virginia has nobly commenced
this good work for them, and they were now
come to thank her for it in the persons of her
law-givers. He could assure them, there was
not tn be found any where more contented
cheerful and happy little community, than
were the deaf-mutes and blind pursuing their
III.
feel we cannot do justice to this chaste and
touching address, which moved many manly
eye 10 tears. Mr.. q. commenced his educa-
ton at the Philadelphia School, and compile
ted 1t at our Virginia Institution. where he is
now an assistant teacher 1t was matter of
deep regret to all, that the pupils of the deaf
mute department we've prevented from coming
by reason OF some illness, though not serious,
tph Ich 81 Io.,~
Dr. Merrlllat has gone on to Raleigh, N. c.,
WIN The laudable design of enlisling The Lee
glsature of that State, if possible, in some CO.
operation with Virginia, in the matter of hav-
ing their deaf-mutes and blind educated at our
institution. With all our hearts, we bid him
God-speed in an enterprise involving as well
The interests OF education, as the claims of a
common humanity
We will only add, that this interesting par
ty may be expected in our city on their return
from Raleigh few days hence, when they
propose giving one or more Concerts, a, mod
crate charge, for the purpose of defraying the
expenses OF their journey thus relieving the
Stale from any charge or burlhen on that ac-
count. We think we can promise them, in
advance, an Overlooking house.
we conclude, by copying, from sheet
printed with the beautifully embossed, quasi
Gothic type of the Press of the Institution
itself, an account of this Institution, whose
destiny cannot fail deeply to interest the whole
of Virginia
"The Virginia Institution for the Education
OF The Deal and Dumb, and of the Blind, was
founded by an act of the General Assembly.
passed March 31st, 1888, and, by resolution
adopted March 9Th, 1889, was located at
Slaunton.
Sin This institution. there are two separate
and distinct schoos-one for blind persons
The other for deaf-muies
"fhe branches taught in the blind depart
menl, are reading, writing, orthography, print
ing with Pln-types, geography with the use of
globes, maps, ETC., prepared for the blind, cy-
Phermg menlally,as wella with tangible figures,
English Grammar and composition, history,
algebra, geometry, modern and ancient lam
guages, etc. Much attention is also paid to
music The principles of harmony are care
iuiiy explained, and the pupils are taught TO
sing and to play on various instruments, such
as The pano-lorte, guitar, violin, violincello,
flute, clarionet, bugle, etc. Useful trades
are also taught TO the pupils, as experience
has shown, that blind persons properly in
srncied in rope, basket or brush-making, ETC..
can always command decent support for
themselves.
"Blind children, residents of Virginia, who
are unable to defray their own expenses, are
supported and educated in this institution gra-
tuitously.
"All benevolent persons are requested to
inform Dr. J. G. NJ. MeriIlat, Principal of this
institution, of the residence, age, sex, etc., of
such blind children as NAV come under their
observation, and to use their influence with
the friends of these children to place them in
tins institution, as soon as they can be admit
ted.n