Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-30
Deaf and rumb ana Blind 1nstitution.

Deaf and Cumb and Blind Institution.
1t has been our fortune on former occa-
sions to witness the public examinations
Of the pupils Of this Institution, but never
before did we experience 50 much satisfac-
faction as at the examination on the eten-
ing Of the 26th.
- he first part Of the exercises embraced
Music by the brass band, consisting Of Its
lie blind boys, and the examination of some
OF the classes Of the deaf mute department
The first class called upon the stage, was
one composed Of pupils who were admit
ted i'll September last. The most striking
feature IN relation to this class, appeared
to be the great facility with which the pu.
pills already use the interrogative and pos
tive forms Of sentences. 1t would have
surprised US not little to see those pupils
writing easily words OF three or more syl.
FABLES; but how much was our establishment
heightened, when upon, what appeared to
US, sign from the teacher, they composed
readily sentences Of half dozen words and
more. st
| The next class which passed in review
after fine piece Of music by the band, was
that Of Prof. Job Tu-ner,who is also a deal
mute. His pupils exhibited wonderful
proficit ncy in Geography -skctching out
line maps Of both hemispheres aud pointing
out countries, rivers, states, cities &c. with
remarkable promptitude and accuracy.
The senior class OF deaf mutes was the
last III the order Of the this Department.
This class vas taught by Prof. j c. Covell,
the accomplished Vice Principal of The In.
stitution. 1t was examined in History and
Arithmetic. Passing by the former in
which they acquitted themselves very ere
disably, we cauhot refrain from expressing
our surprise at seeing how readily they
solved complex questions in fractions and
interest. This was the only class of deaf
mites examined in Arithmetic, and we NAV
say, the first one we had ever seen so far
advanced and so well instructed.
Next in order followed the examination
Of the blind pupils in their several studies
beginning with the youngest and termina-
ting with the most advanced. We should
like to lay before our readers detailed ac.
count OF the examination in this depart
ment, bns as our space is limited we can
only express our admiration in witnessing
the high proficiency Of each class in their
different studies, aud our aston,shment at
their remarkable solution Of intricate arith-
meiical question lnshort. none but tern
nj the hivbacs IL 4 l.
piled to both teachers and taught Of both
depart nents.
Alter the examinations were concluded,
the Rev. J. r.. Wilson. Pastor Of the Pres.
byterian Church Of Staunton, having been
previously invited, proceeded to deliver
an address which war at once abIy written
and truly philosophic.
After the address. the President of the
Board OF Visitors Of the Institution, procee-
ded, III the name ofthe Board, to distribute
the prizes, consisting Of medals and books.
that had been awarded to the most merit
orious OF the pupils.
We have thus far barely mentioned the
music, both vocal and Instrumental, which
was intersperssd with the other exercises,
and which formed one Of the most promi-
nent and interesting features of the whole
exhibition. This branch is taught by Prof.
VIM. Z. Graham, one OF the most accom-
plished teachers of music in the State.
We cannot close this rather garbled
and imperfect notice Of the closing exer-
cises Of this Institution, without congratu-
ting the State upon the efficiency and as
slduIty OF tile corps o! teachers placed there
oy Its choice, to instruct and guide those
children OF darkness and silence. as-s