The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-12
Institution for the Deaf aDd Dumb.


This excellent institution celebrated its annversrr-
ut the Tabernacle yesterday The time announced for
the of the exercises was four O'Clock;
favorable, that large building ut that hour well
filed with highly respectable and fashionable assem-
bage, majority of whom ladies. Soon after
reporter entered the pupils Of tho institution to the
number Of three hundred more, entered and took
their places on seats behind the platform The greatest
neatness apparent in their dress, and pre-
sent could fail TO observe the ladyike bearing of tho
female pupils the of propriey with which the males
conducted themselves as well the characteristics of
intelligence and high mental culture which marked
all of them, male and female from the youngest to the
oldest.
Rev Mr. DRouGu opened the exercises with an ap-
proprate prayer in which he invoked the blessing Of
Providence on tho president directors and
of the institution, and continuance of his support in
their excrtons to relieve this unfortunate portion of
our fellow beings. After the prayer
MIR. FEET, the president and stated, that In
cordance with the practice of tho Society 1t appeared
before the public by whose efforts it enabled to
ry its operations. As he has already given tho pub
lie insight into the in which the deaf and
dumb are instructed he would not detain them with
exposition of it now. He would merely refer to the
low of moral culture of their pupils which the
instructors of the deaf and dumb have generally to
commence, which he accordingly did He then
stated that the unfortunate deaf and dumb with
out instruction, are too often placed in scale
not much higher than that Of the brute. 1t
must be remembered, however, that they shat
out from all external knowledge, and all they know is
through their own reflection. Under such crcum-
stances then, it Is not surprising that uncducated
mutes and deaf persons, nro such as they are. Too
often they have been regarded kind of monster;
but 1t enters the mind Of persons that by
study, these unfortunates be made to converse
and interchange thoughts with each other in the Ian
guage of signs. This, however, can be accomplished
by little trouble and pains and by education, not
only the small matters of life be discussed by
other lengthy tales matters interest Mr. Poet
drew truthful picture of the respective conditions
of tho uneducated and the educated deaf and
dumb. In the case, the family PRAYER idle
ccremony-the Bible is to them a sealed book They
cannot understand their rights and duties citizens
they know nothing Of the history Of their country
OF Washington, Lafayette, or other heroes who
conspicuous in its annals. They know nothing Of
Yorktown, Saratoga, Trenton Sc; in ne, they know
nothing. On the other hand, the educated deaf and
dumb as intelligent tho fortunate Of their
fellow citizens: they read, understand and reflect
well as others, and in all respects different
from the uncducated deaf aud dumb az 1t Is possible
for thcm to be- Mr. Pcct ten said that there
eleven classes Of pupils in the institution only four Of
which, however, could be exercised to-day.
The first class composed Of boys and girls Of tho ages
Of twelve and fourteen then exercised in the ncc
ton of nouns in writing nouns and adectivcs, verbs
&C. &C. and the pupils acquitted themselves in highly
crcditabe and satisfactory manner. This exercise
tnued for half an hour or more and excited good deal
of interest in all present in the ladies especially. They
proved their familiarity with the language Of signs by
writing various sentences which were communicated
to them through that medium, with astonishing
racy and precision, and comprehended perfectly all
that the instructor Mr. Morris, desired them to write
the black board. This Is subject of wonder when
it is known that recently September last none 0;
this class able to understand any thing b. signs
Another class Of pupils. who have been under in
structon for three years next exercised consist
ing of six young ladies and gentlemen Of from fifteen
to eighteen years of age. Previous 70 this class being
examined, young man displayed his proficiency IN
pantomimicaly going through tn, labor of making a
pair of shoes from tho taking of tho customers
through all parts OF cutting ont the leather max
ing his waved threads sewing the shoes and completing
them for wear. This exhibition Of pantomime was
mi mil
The class then proceeded with their exercise, and
proved themselves to have received high mental cuti
walton. In tho OF the exercises Mr.. Poet said
that part Of the system OF instruction embraced tho
teaching of trades to the pupils such tailoring book
binding. shoe making gardening &C. so as to Mt them
tuition, and becoming industrious citizens. The f.
males instructed in drcss-making, book stitching
and other appropriate female cmploymsnts and many
of tho pupils of the institution support them
selves comfortably by their work in the Tract Society
and similar places
surprise by his prccocity and rcmarkeec proficiency,
amused the assemblagc with pantomime. He perform
ed the operation of sfavng-represented boy engag-
cd in fishing eel disposed Of 1t in his basket
and performed variety Of tricks, which caused consi
derablc amusement.
class of young ladies and gentlemen who havc been
under instruction for four years examined in ge-
ography history &C. &c. aud with tho same success as
tho preceding classes.
An exhibition of the colloquial language used by
mutes in their ordinary conversations with each other
then made, and it showed that their benefit and
tunes almost wholly rcmcdcd, at least wonder
fully acvated Various other proofs Of tho high
tai culture Of the pupils such as the reading by signs
passages from the Bible articles of composition Sc,
were given, and the exercises were terminated.
There could not have been less than four thousand
persons present ut this exhibition, which account OF
the heavy rain storm which prevailed is very largo
number IL shows too, the extraordinary interest which
the public manifest in this most benevolent institution
The President Mr. Peet and the several instructors Of
the institution to be envicd the positions which
they respectively occupy. Having made the allovia-
ton of the misfortu Of this class Of brethren
their peculiar study and devoting ms they do their
peror talents to the accomplishment OF the good work
which they have undertaken, they hold relation to
their pupils than that OF parent. They are
looked to by the children rs their prcscrvcrs and
greeted with smiles Of gratitude and love by those whom
they have rescued from fate dreadful to contemplate
On the whole this was the most interesting Of the an
nivcrsares. The benefits OF the institution made
apparent You its fruits and its blessings and none
who witness its practical results but wish it
God speed in its good work from the bottom of his
heart
Filth Anniversary n the American Protestant