The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-07-25
For the Oxford intelEgencer.
Letter from jackson.


most champions in the ranks of progress,
would, for few moments, call your attention
and that of your readers, TO an institution
which is but vaguely known-to otherwise
well informed citizens. refer to the
State Institute for TIE education Of the Deal
aud Dumb, whose examination exercises
had the pleasure of attending last Friday
| am not an adept in the "mate language
spoken on the occasion; but no one who has
eyes to see aud ears to hear, and heart TO
feel for the privations of his fellqw-man, couid
fail to be deeply interested IN the exhibition
illustrating the ingenious system by which
that part of oratory, which is ordinarily re-
garled only as an establishment, 10y, no
means indispensable--ge stieulation--is made
/ the sole vehicle of communication, hardly
less perfect and rapid than is effected through
many a spoken language, unless in very ex-
pert hands. For although there is a manual
alphabet, by means of which words can be
accurately spelled, it seems to be ordinarily
but little employed amongst the deaf mutes
themselves, who prefer to communicate 10y
Notwithstanding of striking beauty in
their conception, and highly instructive with
respect to the analysis of our. modes Of
thought. If we would understand the sym
bolic language thus spoken, We must, in the
first instance, diyest ourselves Of the convcn-
tional prcjuiices, SO to speak, Of our own
spoken language, aud 20 back to that which
is common TO all. For the less we attempt
to clothe the meaning in WORDS (Which, it
has been sail, serve chiefly TO conceal our
true seltiments,) the more We give ourselves
over to the iRfeifice understanding. which
deals with the essential d'os only, the more
readily viii We su:ceei in ciphering these
living bicroplyphics, which ii does not re-
quire a very imaginative mind to clothe with
al the splendor Of the fgura;iye modes Of
speech So much admired in the language and
poetry Of Eastern nations.
Bat apart from this psychological point of
view, the practical aspect Of the matter is
sufficient to attract the serious attention and
interest of every one; since it involves the
redemption from mental solitude and desola-
ton, and winning over into the ranks of use
fil and agreeable members of society, 50
many of our fcl1w-beiugs. How successful
" this can be done, and how great is the
benefit thus conferred, every one who wit
messed last Fridays exhibition will more fully
appreciate.
During the course just concluded, forty
nine pupils have received the benefits of in
struction in this institution, which is free of
expense to citizens OF the State, save in 50
far as those able to afford IT. furnish their
own clothing. Besides the distinguished /.
principal, Rev. A, X. Martin, The institution
possesses three able teachers, who have quail |
fed themselves well for their mission bv |
their own experience Of the affection which,
1T present, they seek to alleviate with Others.
The beautiful and accomplished Miss H. had .
but little need of an interpreter, in the touch
ing address deii7ered by her during an in
tcryal in the exercises Of the pupils; her .
mild and benevolent fare, beaming with va
rying expression, and the perfect gesticula-
ton, left but little TO be explained. The cx-
were conducted partly by herself,
ana partly by. Mr.. James Goodwin, whose
pleasant and intelligent countcnauce makes
it hard to believe that YOU cannot have a chat
with him save on the slate-both being al
umni of the institute at Jacksonville. Illinois.
The third, Mr.. Sanders, OF jackson, well and
fayorably known to all in this community,
the audience by his wonderfully
accurate and unmistakablc pantomimic des-
rription of the process of shocing raiiac-
tory horse.
The performances of the several classes Of
pupils, partly in sign-languagc, but mostly on
the blackboard, in writing arithmetic, writ
ten answer; to general questions etc, were
highly satisfactory. and creditable DO h to pu-
ltlN II = " HNS
in how short a space Of time apt pupils have
acquired the faculty of making themselves
perfectly understood, not only by their fellow
but also I'M writing, by {" all the
world and the rest of mankind" The OK
pres>ive recital Of the Lords PRAYER, BY a
quick and sprightly girl Of ten, who proved
herself master of every position She took, bat
whose name has slipped my memory, very
prettily and appropriately closed the exercis-
e.
Subsequently,, all-puPils and teaehers-
joined in a variety Of social games, which
they appelred to enjoy with all the gust Of
nature, rendered passionate and impulsive by
he very habit of its mode of expressing IFS
thoughts and feeling; besides being, as it
were. pant up on ordinary occasions. Not
among the least interesting feature, Of this
pleasant and wholesome recreation, was the
universal manifestation of attachment to the
teacher, and especially TO the venerable prin-
cipal, whose benevolent countenance seemed
TO us most Of all, Ia attract around it the