Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-29
Letter from Stanton.

STAUNToN, VA, May 25.-Siuce my last
letter from this town have had occasion to
visit the Deaf Dumb and Blind Institute, and
the Lunatic Asylum. At the forrncr Institute
I had the pleasure Of meeting tic handsome
and urbanc Captain a. u. Breckenridge, who
escorted me through the building and INTO the
different class ruows where found the pupils
instructions. The blind class, which
numbers about twenty, are taught FROM books
with raised letters, and by running their hpgers
over the letters can read very FAST and their
elncntioD is excellent. ln this room the work,
such az bead baskets, and mantle ornaments,
worsted work, &C., made by the pupils, are
kent in glass case aud offered Tor sale. We
next visited the deaf and dumb class. These
are taught by signs Those wo have learned
to wife are given sentence by the instructor
Inv signs aud then they write 1t out Oh black
boards. They are all very fast writer's, and
with few exceptions their pcnruanSl'lp IS en-
ccllcnt. Among the females there were many
handsome forms and faces After leaving this
room We entered the music room, vice we
found Prot. \ j. Turner and his band, COM
posed of eleven blind men, pracllcIns. They
are excellent musicians, aud rendered several
h.,ut,lul airs. The vocal class was then called
in. and entertained ,s with sweet songs Lizzie
Franklin, child about thirteen years old,
sang that old but beautiful song, "Ellrn
Bayne," most beautifully; she has a tue voice,
and bids fair to be prima donna. This class
is COMPOSED Of twenty five males and females.
We were then shown through the grounds of
the Institute, from which We had Il fire view OF
the surrounding country After seeing Captain
Breckenridge and his pupils We did not think
it Necessary to ak if the location was healthy
one, Tor their appearance was sufficient to CON
vince us.
After leaving the Institution VIC crossed the
railroad track, and entered the grounds OF the
Lunatc Asylum, and were escorted through The
building by an obiging clerk. This building
is heated by steam, and the laundry Work Is
by steam. a carpenter shop Is attached to the
building. At present there arc 800 inmates
everything is kept in the best Of order, and
neat and clean. The garden and surrounding
grounds are vc,y beautiful and attractive
There are several female Institutes here, and
as it has ceased raining the young ladies havca
chance to get out; and such fine set Of rosy
checked mountain maids arc seldom seen in
one town. II somebody docs not leave here
5000, or these young ladies do not keep in the
be 35l instead OF $50. This section has Ger.
tainIy been blessed with pretty females.
Strawberries aud cream were served Is Il
desert to-day at the hotel for the first time this
season. The hotels are turning off their rrgn.
lar borders now. SO as to be ready for the traus-
ent custom, which will commence as soonas the
travel to the Springs commences.
Mai. NJ. e. lIarman, of this place, has taken
great interest 10 the Valley Railroad, and is
making urcat efforts To have il put through a.
soon as possible Stauuton caunot do too much
for him, for by his energy the town is now in a
Furnishing condition.
Yesterday Monday being court day here
many strangers were III town, and much bust
ness was transacted, &c On curt days here
it is made general sale day. The voices Of
the auctoncers can DC heard all around thu:
court house grounds selling articles Of every
variety.
10 my last letter | failed to mention
Charlie Haiucs' cigar factory. At this cstab-
lishucnt large number of hands are employ
ed and cigars of every grade are made here Mr..
Haincs finds ready sale for his cigars in all the
large cities north and has remarkably large
trade with New York, Philadelphia and Gu
cinuati.
The Augusta county people all begin
the day by taking drink Of "Bumbgarducr's
best rye and smoking one OF Charlie 5 cigars
Last Sunday plight Rev. MIR. Roszcll preach
cd temperance sermon at the NJ. Il. Church
in this place The building was well filled.
Many of the ladies' expressed themselves as
dispIcased with many phrases used by the
speaker during the sermon.
Since the rain has ceased the howcrs have
come out in full bloom, and the fragrance which
they impart is delicious.
Mai McMahuu's residence on Gospel Hill
is acknowledged to be the most desirable. The
Major is juvial old gentleman and has not
allowed the old Virginia style to depart from
his mansion Every one meets with cordial
reception who calls on him.
1t is inclined to be hot up here, only 90
degrees last Saturday-paper collars stood no
chance.
We visited the Catholic fair here last night
aud must say never enjoyed more pleasant
evening away from home In my lie. The
ladies seeing was stranger, and rather bash
full they did everything in their power to
make it pleasant for me.
Mr.. Jones, of Harrisonburg, was in town
Yesterday, iu search of Il suitable lot, 90 which
to build large agricultural implement ware
house and mandatory A lot was selected
near the depot, and the work on the building
will be commenced at once. The people here
like every where else, as soou as The tide ofim
migration is turned toward their town; the
building lots aud tenement houses are sold or
rented so high that ii is almost impossible to
remain.
Many new streets are being opened and
houses erected on them, but think little re-
pairing to the old streets will BE- better APP
preclatcd at present.
The climate and water here are very healthy
and the scenery grand.
Travel has commenced to increase on the &.
& O. r. R. and | learn from a gentleman
from the White Sui phur Springs, there are
twenty-five guests there already Several passed
through here yesterday on their way to Rawlcy
Springs. of which the popular and aceommo-
dating j. N. Woodward is manager. Mr.. w.
has house 1.-THE Woodward) in Staunton, in
the heart of the town, where the weary traveller
can fod the comforts of home aud the best Of
fare. All the Alexandrians and Baltmorians
who visit Stanton make this their home, and
a pleasant one it is.
David Turner was here yesterday, accom-
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