Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-11-25
DIR GUESTS.
They Visit the University and Dcai ana
Dumb school.

They Visit the University anu Dc'. ""
| Dumb school.
outstanding the incemency oiIne tSo%d,
er in the forenoon of yesterday, the gentlemen
comnosinp the Legislative Committee charged
with the Investigation of the affairs OF the East
| Tennessee University, in company with num-
| Der of the Trustees ana other gentlemen, VislIed
that institution yesterday morning.
| President Humes had carriages provided for
tho occasion. and the drive was a pleasant one
notwithstanding the rain and mud. Arriving
at the University buildings, the company Sc
| narrated and proceeded to visit every part of the
buildings from the basement to the cupola, in
Guiding chapel, recitation rooms. society rooms,
| libraries, dormitories, &C. a number Of
classes were reciting, and the students
showed proficiency credltable alike to their
| teachers and themselves. The class in advanced
mathematics, under the instruction of Prof. ).
X. Payne, was engaged in demonstrating intri-
cate problems upon the blackboard, showing
proficiency and industry on the part of the pu-
! pills, and unusual capacity on the part OF the
| Professor.
| Prof Atwater was engaged with his class in
making experiments illustrative of lessons In
chemistry, which they had under consideration.
| \ lot of apparatus to be used IN THIS depart,
| ment is eynected soon when the accomplished
| Professor will be enabled to teach this import
ant science much more satisfactorily to himself
and his class The visitors seemed to enjoy his
experiments with good deal of interest, and
| fingered with him for some time.
Prof Barker was busy with his class in
| French, the boys seeming to enjoy the lessons,
which were call French" to us, consequently
we are unable to speak advisedly of their pro-
| fciency. Prof Barker STANDS high as teacher
of the languages.
Prof. kirkpatrick had just discharged his
| class as we entered, consequently we heard
none of the reeitations, but the Professors long
| residence here renders it unnecessary for us to
say anything of his accomplishments as an in
structor. They are well known.
| Prof Nicholson has q class the A 0rIcul
| tural Department and there are few men in the
| State who have studied the various subjects
| bearing upon agriculture to greater perfec-
| ton than he We trust to see this become one
eff the most interesting departments of the Uni
versity under his management.
Prof. Bradley was no. present, but the visit
ors had access to his room, where they had the
privilege of examining his geological specimens,
consisting of shells. minerals, &c He has
| S cent great deal of time and labor in making
his collections which though not extensive, yet
do great credit to the learned gentleman who
has charge of this department in the Univer-
sty.
President Humes was on hand at every point,
ready and anxious to give any information con-
nected with the institution, the welfare and sue
cess of which he has so much at heart.
The private rooms Of the students, as well as
the hall, library rooms, &c, were all found to
be clearly and in order, showing that every de-
partment is looked to with care by the Presi-
dent and able faculty.
The primary school taught by Prof Newman
in the ''NVhite House, was also visited which
was found completely filled with young gentle
men. all of whom seemed to be industriously
striving to get the right kind of a start up the
rugged way to knowledge and fame. which pre-
sentS itself before them.
The visitors finally repaired to the grounds
Immediately around the building, where the
cadets were foomed in line, and under the COM
mand of subordinate officers and commissioned
officers, proceeded to go through various evolu-
i. 81,
of those present. This was kept up for about
half an hour, when at the ringing of the bell,
the command, ''break ranks march, was Civ
en-, and the boys repaired to their quarters for
dinner, while the visitors drove away to town.
every one of whom we dare say, was pleased
with his visit.
After dining at theiLamar House the COM
mittee were waited upon by Prof. ljams, Prin-
pal of the Deaf and Dumb School and driven
over to the Asylum.
When the party arrived they first entered
the office of the Principal, and after a short
stay proceeded to the chapel on the second floor.
The pupils and teachers had their position in
the halls and the stairway, and received
their visitors with every mark of consideration
and respect the young ladies bowling grace
fully, while the boys gave the hand salute.
AS the time was limited, the exercises in class
drill were commenced at once without the form
ality of salutatory. Representatives of the
various classes were examined and successfully
showed by exercises on the blackboard and in
the sign language that both teacher and pupil
had been employing their time to good effect.
One interesting feature was representation of
the mechanical departments, which it is desired
shall be established in connection with the
school The boys acted their parts to perfec-
ton. The shoemaker brought in his bench and
went pegging away briskly at his work; one
boy led in an other for horse while the
blacksmith shod him; the painter, brought
in his ladder and paint bucket and
commenced plying his brush vigorously to the
walls. Another cut out and made a suit of
cloths for his companion Still another stood at
his case with his copy before him and set type
like an old printer and carpenter worked
industriOusly at his bench. Some of the pupils
we learn are very ingenious and expert in me-
chanical work and the necessity Of establish
ing mechanical department where their talents
may be developed and they may learn trade
which will be valUable to them in life is at once
apparent. We understand it is the desire of
those in charge of the school that this shall be
done and it might be we'll for the gentlemen of
the Legislature to enquire into its eXpedi-
ency.
The exercises were con Guided, as is customa-
~, with the Lords Prayer, after which Repre-
sentative y. y. Freeman on behalf of the COM
mittee, return ed their thanks for the manner in
which they had been entertained, and spoke
some words of encouragement, which were in
terpreted to the pupils by Prof Ijams.
We noticed present during the exercises,
Mayor Van Glider, Col. John Williams, Col
G. NJ. McGhee, and others. After taking
look around the grounds, the party returned, ev-
identity having enjoyed their visit.
Last evening the committee visited the Phil !
harmonic society, and were well pleased with
the exercises. The chairman thanked the So
ciety, through the President, for the evening
entertainment
We understand the committee will leave for
Nashville to-day on the one O clock train.
For Rent