The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-07

Propositions of the most involved and CONF
pick character, delivered verbally by the
teachss, and demanding san extraordinary
|tenacity ofmemory, are solved by the pupils
lwith an ease and certainty as great as over
a mathematician, with the helping agents Of
sight, pencil, and slate had occasion topride
himself upon. This power Is prominently
developed, also, in the study and practice OF
music and though the general belief is un-
founded that all blind persons have, or easily
acquire, a taste for this delightful art, yet It
is quite true that the patient perseverance OF
many of them, who made unpromislng be-
ginnings, has brought brilliant endings, and
secured 10 them an exact and extensive
knowledge of the science. Those who pos
sess natural talents for it, learn with great
rapidity and we had the best evidence Of
the patient and ingenious labor Of Professor
Rasche, both in band Of twenty three mu-
scans and numerous chorus, either OF
which would have gratified tie most iastldi-
Gus taste. We listened with the keenest
pleasure to the performances during the hour
Of musical exercise, and were particularly
struck by the execution Of an original sym
phony, composed by one Of the female teach
ers, and arranged for two performers on the
piano. We were told that this composition
was elaborated so perfectly IN the mind Of
the fair composer, that she not only prac-
tised her own part, but instructed her fellow
player, before single note was placed on
paper, 1t is quite long, and abounds with
beauty, indicating rich and delicate fancy,
chastened by the perception Of true genius.
A young blind girl having been called on
10 read, took up one of the raised letter
volumes belonging to the Library, and pass
ing her forefnger rapidly over the words,
read so clearly, rapidly, and with such cor
rect enunciation passage, that we could
scarcely believe it possible that light dwelt
not in her eyes, and that the sensitive touch
was the only medium Of communication be-
tween her mind and the printed words.
| Indeed, to casual observer, there is
little to indicate the affection under which
the pupils labor Light-hearted and con-
tented, they make in their darkness sum
light Of happiness which needs not the aid Of
the visual faculty 10 heighten it. Among
| themselves there is the feeling which recks
little Of the glorious world shut out from their
view; and although the delicate colors Of
flowers, the changing aspects Of earth and
sky, the glories Of the rising and the setting
sun are unnoted by them and unappreciated,
still the vacancy is supplied by feelings as
pure and satisfying; and even the utter
darkness which ontwardly surrounds them
seems but the close COMPRISING hedge which
shuts in and concentrates the light of the
matchmaking it more intense because it is
less diffused--awakenins faculties that would
otherwise lie mountaineering sources Of
affection and enjoyment that might have re-
manned sealed, and shedding around their lot
the sweetness Of contentment and true and
earnest felicity greater than most Of those
who look upon the sky, and upon the earth,
with its fair fruits and changes, can with
reason hope to enjoy
The Institution is as much an honor to
Philadelphia as it is one of its cherished
prides. 1t began in spirit Of benevolence,
and its path is traced by lovely flowers,
which have sprung up where it has passed.
1t has silently ministered to those who sorely
need good Offices, and every cultured mind
which has gone from its walls forms the best
proclamation and evidence of its high order
Of usefulness. We trust it may long con-
tnue TO be the means Of solid and inestma-
Bile benefit, and that il may be strengthened
and sustained through the coming years
Phil North American.