The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12
Annual Examination OF the Pupils OF the
DEAF ma Dumb AsYlam. Yesterday.

Yesterday, at two o'clock IN the afternoon, the
annual examination of the pupils of the Deaf and
Dumb Asylum, at the close of the academical
year, took place in the presence of large assem-
blage, consisting of the directors and friends Of
the institution, and the families in this vincinity,
with several strangers and distinguished vislters
from a distance. The exhibition was eminently
gratifying and credtable in the highest degree to
the President ofthe institution, and his able asss-
tants.
With the general character of these exhibit ons
of the progress of the deaf mutes who have been
subjected to the training and discipline of this
admirably conducted institution, the public
are now familiar. 1t has been our pleasing
duty for years past to record the progress OF this
establishment and Its pupils so that which
was some years ago regarded by many as a
wonder and mystery, has now ceased to have
even any degree of novelty. We need not, then,
enter, on the present occasion, into any minute
details with regard to the examinations of the
several classes, which were entered into for the
purpose OF illustrating the system OF instruction
adopted in this institution, and the progress OF the
pupils In all the departments OF knowledge. A
brief reference to some points connected with the
general management OF the institution, and the
evidences of its usefulness and prosperity, will
suffice In this instance, and may not be uninte-
resting.
PROFESSIONALLY, the New York Institution for
the instruction of the deaf and dumb owes its pre-
sent high state OF prosperity to the interchangeable
and unremitting labors Of Or. Harvey Peet, the
President 1t Is now nineteen years Mnce
this gentleman assumed the chief manage
ment of the institution as superintendent. He
is peculiarly gifted and fitted for his post
and one of the best proofs of the success with
this great work, is to be found in the fact that he
has completely revoutlonized the whole system of
instruction of the deaf and dumb, both in this
country, and IN Europe. DIR. Peet has indeed re-
duced the whole business TO system-a system
which has been followed in all the principal insti-
tutions of this kind, at home and abroad. The
perfection to which this system of moral and IN
telectual culture in the of the deaf and dumb,
has been brought, is truly among the proudest
trumphs of human benevolence and human skill.
Year after year, numbers of young persons of both
sexes, abOring under the sad calamity of want of
hea ring and speech, have left this institution
thoroughly educated and many. of them highly
accomplished, perfectly fitted to become useful
members of society, and enter into all social rela
tions with honor and comfort-endowed with
habits and principles OF self reliance, means of
Judging for themselves, and ability to earn their
own subsistence and transact their own affairs.
At present there are two hundred and twenty
pupils in the institution. The Corporation of New
York support eleven pupils-about thirty are sup
ported by their relations, and the remainder are
the recipients OF the bounty of the State. We
never saw happier congregation OF young people
In our life than that which crowded the chapel Of
the institution yesterday Health and happiness
all the hopeful buoyancy OF .youth-all the glad
and pure excitement of young hearts, unstained by
contact with the world, were pictured in those
cheerful countenaDces. Ii seemed as IT 1t were
one large family Of brothers and sisters, enjoying
In peace and love the comforts and delights Of an
elegant home, rather than an assemblage of the
pupils of a public institution. The institution is
beautifully located. Its site has been most
judicously chosen. 1t occupies one of the most
heahful spots on the island of Manhattan. The
buildings ale spacious, thoroughly ventilated, and
all the apartments admirably adapted to their
appropriate purposes. il was a hot day. with
out but in those ample corridors and spa
cious school-rooms, and neatly furnished sit
tlns-rooms and parlors. il was cool as In some
shady nook upon the rocky shore. The invigo-
rating breeze swept in through the open windows,
giving new life to all
"As II from heavens wide open gates did now
Health and rsfreshment on the world bclow.n
The health of all the inmates of the institution has
been excellent; not single case OF sickness has
recently occurred. This is owing to the healthful
location of the building, and the appropriate regi-
men adopted in the domestic economy.
The exercises were opened with short address by
Dr. Peet the President in which he enumerated
raj particulars in which the institution had been pros
porous during the year and for which should be
profoundly grateful viz health, propriety Of demean
their studies the continuance OF public favor and es
pecisy those spiritual blessings by the influence Of
which many Of the pupils have been made heirs Of
eternal life.
Mir. Gallsudet's class, composed Of pupils who had
been longest In the institution aud many q whom
teacher introduced tho company to them by natural
signs and requested them to state the impre ssons call
ed up by the occasion Some Of their written
out ON their sateswere deeply interesting and touching
" bile the class were writing, little boy represented
In pautomime variety Of nat arai actions and gave
the signs for number Of verbs proposed to him The
class further wrote original thoughts on variety Of
topics selected by themselves. One on California aud
smother concerning Father Mathew, Noticed as be-
n HTA N lin Ara xxstfv O.
mage. deaf mute gentleman at present employed rs
one of the assistant instructors dsneated in graphic
manner several Scripture scenes. The class further
wrote original sentences on words proposed to them,
such as "guessn "Lumbugm &c some Of which were
very good Mr. Johuson. the Deputy Superintendent
OF Common Schools. related an nnscdote concerning
John Randolph. This MIR Gsllaudet translated into
signs and they reproduced 1t the states. The point
vas Admiralty preserved by them.
The exercises on the part of the pupils then
clos by the recitation 81 the Lords Prayer, in tho
language 81 signs, by one II the young ladies.
General rnosrrrM wyrMonr, Of the examining COM
mttse, end old and valued friend Of the institution
then presented report, in which he stated that the
examined ON this ard the preceding day. and paid =
high tribute to Er johnson. the examiner the part
pills Of I've years standing. aud fourteen pupils Of six
yeIrs standing to lie rcscected by the Secretary Of
State fer an additional years instruction at the ex-
p,nse of the State.
Mr. JouSsoS and made few remarks. evincing
deep interest In the education 81 the deaf and dumb
by virtue Of the powers vested In him selected the
vupils recommended by the Board of Directors to be
sur ported another y ar Ia the institution
We would very willingly srcak minu,ey of the exer
csCs On this occasion. aud give examples of the resi
n.rs Ingenuity, and original talent which the pupils
dhpayed The answers TO The int.rrogaiorie. put 10y
VI, ters were In every Instance sinsuarly fchctous.
They we're asked Do you regard your deafness
auiiyl" All replied in the negative assigning various
rsasons; one thUught that his deafness secured him
hnrry exemption from the noise this busting world
Another touchrgy alluded 10 that future and better
state Of being In which the of the deaf would be
he more cossd forever and beautiful and I'M erect
ng giGl. With trae ccqurucr, wrote u IA not Gala
nifty ter 1t was God who gave the deaf1essH The
,citeticns In the lar gusge &c signs exceedingly
rnter'ninirg. One young gentleman greatly amused
The spectators by hts comic powers la relating by gee
tureF, severHi excellent anecdotes.
Aner the distribution Of and certificates and
The r,sdit q an address by Prosper NJ wemorc Fsq
he frst ice President aud old and valued friend
n tie institution the vstcrs left the chapel for
u the large conversation salccns where u bountful
collation. vas proyid, a. and to which ample justice
toEc Delicious coite poured out by the fair hands Of
'cme q th. elder female pupils was handed about
md ihcn the company promenaded on the spaciou.
rortico till the cars arrived ~ convey them back to
The city