Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-06-12
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.

The Committee appointed to conduct The examination of
the classes in the Virginia Institution for the education of
the Deaf Mute and of the Blind beg leave to offer the fol-
lowing report
They attended the examination of the pupils in the Deaf
Mute Department on Thursday, May 30h, and witnessed
the most satisfactory evidences of great fidelity in the Off
GERS and singulary scholarship in the pupils
Glasses in different stages, examined in the various
branches taught in this Deparment-comprsng exercises
in the Sign language, Writing, Composition, Arithmetic,
Geography, &c., all of which exhibited satisfactory evil
dences of thorough training and attanmens. In
deed it would be difficult if not impossible, to find class,
in outline Geography in any Institution for pupils possess
ed of all their faculties, 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 countless cities, towns,
mountains, &c., which the Committee suggested with
readiness that indicated the most thorough acquaintance
with the subject In the other branches, the Committee
were gratifed with similar evidences
The exercises in this Department closed with
Vaedcory Address in The Sign language, by of the
pupils the graduating class Before its delivery, the Ad-
dress read TO the audience, arrangement which ena
oed US 10 appreciate in degree the graceful express
sons of The Sign language, and feel the simple touching
narration of blessings, which the Institution had conferred
upon himself and fellow understanding
e'The deaf to hear the Savour's voice
That voice, which with word could chase
The dumb, deaf spirit from his place.
On the 3ls attended the examination Of the classes
in the Department for the Blind. Various classes in Read
ing, History, Geography, Arithmetic, Algebra and French
were examined by the Professors and the Committee, and
in every instance, we were grafed with the most sasfac
tory proofs faithful and aborous instruction. When each
Glass; in succession exhibited such ndsputabe marks Of
improvement and correct scholarship, specify would need
essy extend this report Suffice it to say that the Com
mlttee were more than satisfied.
The exercises each day envened with appropriate
music by the werained Band composed of pupils of The
Blind Department The afternoon was mainly devoted to
the exhibition of the Music Glass; which afforded very sat-
stacoy specimens Of SKILL and reflected credit upon the
accomplished Professor in this Department.
Your Committee, with difidence but with unaninity
respectfully suggest that your examinations in future, be
privately conducted before Committee, and that such
erces usually held the last afternoon be arranged
Tor public exhibition The reasons are obvious and need
not be stated here.
Before closing the report, the Committee cannot refrain
from expressing their increased confidence in this noble In
stliuon The thorough instruction, peculiarly fit qualf
cations of the two distinguished Principals, and their able
Assistants and the exquisite neaness of the whole esab
llshment, have orcby impressed US, fortunate circum-
stances, and essential the object of the States lib
erality
IL. II. PHILLIPS, Chm, j. G. ENGLEBREcHT,
F. BLANcHY, PIKE PowERs,
5. MATTHEWS, S. GAMBLE
To the Board Of Visitors of the Virginia Institution for the
Education Of the Deaf and Dumb and Of the Blind
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