Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-06-10
REPORT.

REPORT.
THE Committee appointed to conduct the ex-
animation of the classes in the Virginia 1nstitu-
ton for the Education of tie Deaf Mute and of
the Blind, beg leave to offer the following re-
port :
They attended the examination of the pupils
in the Deaf Mute Department, on Thursday May
goth, and witnessed the most satisfactory evil
dences of great fidelity in the officers and sim
gularly accurate scholarship in the pupils.
Glasses in different stages were examined in the
various branches taught in this Department,
comprising exercises in the sign language, Writ
ing. Composition Arithmetic, Geography, &C..
all of which exhibited satisfactory evidences of
thorough training and accurate attachments -
Indeed, it would be difficult, if not impossible,
TO find Il class in outline Geography in any In
stituion for pupils possessed Of all their tacul-
ties, which would favorably compare with the
classes in This Department. They sketched from
memory with great facility and correctness,
MAPS OF the different countries, and located the
counties cities, towns, mountains, &c, which
the Committee suggested, with a readiness that
indicated the most thorough acquaintance with
the subject. In the other branches the Commit
Tee were gratifed with similar evidences.
The exercises in this Department were closed
with yaledictory address in the sign language,
by one of the pupils of the graduating class. Be-
fore its delivery, the address was read TO the
audience, an arrangement which wound enable
us to appreciate, in some degree, the graceful
expressions of the sign language, and feel the
simple, touching narration of blessings. which
the Institution had conferred upon himself and
fellow students, enabling
s''The deaf to hear the Sayiour's voice
That voice, " hieh with a word could chase,
The dumb, deaf spirit from his place"
On the 3ist, we attended the examination of
the classes in the Department for the Blind. Va
rious classes in Reading, History, Geography,
Arithmetic, Algebra and French were examined
by the Professors and the Committee, and in
every instance, we We're gratifed with the most
satisfactory proofs of faithful and laborous i'll
structon Where each class in succession, ex-
hibted such irdsputable marks of improvement
and correct scholarship, to specify, would only
needlessly extend this report Suffice tito say
that the Committee We're more than satisfied.
The exercises each day were enlvened with
appropriate Music by The welitrained Band
composed Of the pupils of the Blind Department
bition of the Music class, which afforded very
satisfactory specimens OF skill and reflected cred
il upon the accomplished Professor in this De-
parment.
Your Committee, with lifIidence, but with IL
nanimity, respectfully suggest, that the exam-
nations iii future, be privately conducted, before
Committee, and that such exercises as are IL
sually held on the last afternoon, be arranged for
public exhibition. The reasons are obvious and
need not be stated here.
Before closing this report, the Committee cam
not refrain expressing their increased confidence
in this noble Institution. The thorough ilstruc.
ton peculiarly fit qualifications of the two dis
guished Principals and eirable Assistants. and
the exquisite neatness of The whole establish
ment have forcibly impresset~ss as fortunate
circumstances, anil essential to secure the OBJ
ject Of the States noble liberality
RICHARD II. PE1MErs,
Chairman,
JNo. C. ENGxLsREcAr,
T. BLANeHY,
PIKE Powers,
S. Matthews,
S. GAMBLE.
To the Board Of Visitors of lie
Virginia Institution for the
Education Of he Deaf Dumb
and Blind