Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-10
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the
RIir1

Blind.
The merits of that noble charity,-The In
stitution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind
in this place, so we'll and SO generally
known that we deem it wholly unnecessary to
speak of them. It is an Institution which does
honor to the State, and which we hope it will
continue to foster. We hope the Legislature
will not hesitate to vote the appropriations
recommended by the Principal and sanctioned
by the Board of Visitors, and that it will in
crease the annuity to forty thousand dollars. -
The proficiency of the pupils in all of the va
rious departments is such as to elicit the praise
and to excite the wonder and admiration of al
who witness the examinations.
The learned committee appointed by the
Board of Visitors to attend the annual exam
ination, which was conducted partly by them
selves and partly by the teachers-being i'm
partial. real, and searching, report that
They have no hesitation in saying, that The
proficiency displayed by the pupils, was not on
ly highly creditable to themselves and then
teachers, but evinced degree of judgment
skill and fidelity in the management of the de-
partment of instruction, which ought to com
mend the Institution not only to every gooo
citizen, but to every christian heart, and every
friend Of humanity throughout the State. y
| They also state that, ''The education impaired
In this Institution is fully equal to that OBJ
tanned by the majority of boys of average ca
pacty, In full possession of all their senses
and in the same length of time, at our bes
common schools; and when the difficulties o
imparting knowledge to these poor unfortu
mates are considered, we think this is saying
great deal "
| This opinion of the Committee will be con
CURED in by the public.
The Committee of examination conclud
their report with the statement that, 9TH
whole appearance and demeanor of the pupil
testify that their comfort and happiness are a
kindly and sedulousy studied, as their intel
lectual improvement is faithfully and skillful
prosecuted.
The number Of pupils In the Institution las
year was 1913; Of which, 92 we're Deaf Mutes
and sc were Blind
/
males
Of the SO Blind, 90 were males and IA wer
females
The Mechanical Department now embrace
six shops in charge Of skiful, industriou
and intelligent foremcn,-in which are laugh
ten different branches Of handicraft; viz: Car
pentry and cabinet work, shoe-making tailor
ing mattress making, broom-making, mat-ma
king and chair-seatng, printing and binding
to which might be added the Girls Sewing
room, in which all their articles of clothing ar
made, besides the under-cothing Of the boys.
THE WAR NEWS The war dispatches d
not show the occurrence of any events of mucl
Importance Accounts are given Of many mi
nor actions between portions Of the two armies
but without decisive results. The German bat
teries seem to be maintaining an active bonn
bardment of the forts to the northeast ant
south of Paris, but the accounts differ materi
ally as to its effectiveness SO far.
According to statement sent in to the Leg
isature, the total debt of Virginia, including
interest due January LIST, 1871, is $4l, 39l 900
OF the registered debt So, O00,0 is held b.
citizens in the State, and $l6,O00,000 by citi
zens out of the State and foreigners. The cou
pom debt Of $4,000, 900 is held by citizens GU
of the State and foreigners.
The New York Herald, in noticing the fac
that during the last year the manufactures o
Richmond, Va, increased five million dollar
over those of 1869, says this is the right kline
of reconstruction The Herald is right, ant
we only regret that this kind of reconstruction
is not more general throughout the South
There will be four eclipses in the year 1871
two of the sun and two of the moon. The frs
will be a partial eclipse of the moon. January
6, partly visible here; the second, annula
eclipse Of the sun, June II, invisible here tn.
third, partial eclipse of the moon, invisible
the fourth. total eclipse of the sun, invisible
The decrease of the public debt during De
cember was So. $40, 10000. The falling off o
revenue collections, consequent on the reduc
ton of taxation, and the payments Of the Jan
uary interest on the national bonds, it is said
are the causes of the amount Of the decrease
being so much less than for previous months
e--- --
The Richmond and Louisville Medical Jour
nal says that the oldest practicing physician
in America is Dr. Theophilus Clark, of Fen
mouth, Vermont. He is niney-eight years o
age, has been practieing continuously for sixty
six years, is hale and hearty and has no though
Of giving up business get.
A Paris correspondent says all the animal
in the geological gardens have been killed ant
eaten except the monkeys, and they have es
capped death only because of their supposed re
lationship to the human family. The mon
keys, doubtless, duly appreciate the relation
ship.
Bismarck has declared all French ports tina
are or may be occupied by the Prussians unde
blockade, but as Prussia has nc ships of war t.
enforce such decree it is looked upon as pa
per blockade.
The Baltimore Gazette has appeared in
new and beautiful dress and in an enlarged
FORM The Gazette is a most excellent paper
and we wish it success
Since the attempt upon the life Of Genera
Prim, in Spain, it is surmised, by some, thai
the newly chosen King will be glad 10 get back
| 70 EIoropoo oj;ro ,,;th;a .,,of-,o