Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-12-26
TnE BLIND.

Pupils from the Blind Department were in
Richmond, on Wednesday lllb,> under charge
Of DR.. MerIlatt, sided BY Messrs. Graham and
Gray, assistant teachers, tboth blind) The Ex
hibilion is represented as having been oneoef
thrilling interest, awakening The Iyeliest seasi-
billy in the bosoms Of members Of The Legisla-
ture and others.
The answers of the pupils 10 questions in A
riihmetic. Algebra and Geography, produced
the greatest northumberland caused several
spectators to cry oui-"lhere's no use for eyes r
Their musical performances were wonderful !;
executing, as they did, several of the most diff
cult pieces with a band of intruments-a little
fellow, John Milton Allison, but IL years old,
taking a prominent part with his octave Cute
The Battle Of Prague" was the concluding
lpece, and was performed in admirable style.
A notice Of the Exhibition, from The Enquirer,
gives the following interesting incident We
are acquairted with Mr. Gay, The young gentle
man alluded TO, and have fsl, the power of his
eloquenee.
"specimeus Of their bandcraft in brush max.
ing, ueede-work, netting &c. were laid upon
the bles for inspection But perhaps the most
Interesting and touching incident Of the whole
evening was an imPromplt. az unlocked for BY
The audience as il was manifestiy unexpected by
the. young gentleman who was called out. II
had ''not been ss8 down in The bill Of fare ~ 10
the mids, Of the exercises. voice in the crowd
called for speech from Mr. Grsx. The request
being repeated from many quatters. he was pre-.
vailed on 10 address some remarks 10 the COM
pauy, which, after the first mcmeutary embar-
rassment, were eminently beautfula and interest
ing. After briefly ske,ching the history Of the
efforts made for the ame1iora,ion Of the blind, by
the establishment Of schools for their mental and
physical education, first in Europe, and then in
the United States, he went on 10 speak of The
unhappy condition Of the blind, when left il a
state Of ignorance and dependence. A slocal
philosophy. be SAID, might even teach The blind
man TO bear wihou; mnrmur The darkness Of
the body" which spreads pail over the fair
face Ct Nature, and renders all lis beauties a
dreary blank to him /; but what support was there
Tor that deeper darkness Of the mind, which
shuts out from bis view all The lights Of know
tNa'co tbe tDdud IL
self dreaIy blank, unless hum unity and an en-
lighlened policy come 10 his relief, and, rescu.
ing him from the miseres of ignorance and de-.
pendence, shall elevate him 10 the dignity or his
equal position in sociely' Virginia has nelly
ccmmenced this coed work for them, and1they
were now come 70 thank her 10 the personsof
her law-giyers. He could assure them, there
was not 10 be found anywhere more concerned,
cheerful and happy little community, Than were
the deaf-mules and blind pursuing their studies
and their lsborS al Slaunton. But We feel We
cannot do justice ID ibis chas,e and touching adj
dress, which moved many manly eye TO Tears.
Mr.. G. commenced his education al the Phila.
delphia School, and com pleied il al our Virginia
Institutions where he is now an assistant teacher