The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21

answered questions correctly anu dia SOine
neat work in addition and multiplication.
Mr.. Euritt's class OF deaf mutes gave sur
prising exhibitions of their knowledge .oi
geography and vulgar fractions.
The most interesting Of all was the cxami-
nation of the articulation class in the deaf
mute department. By system of phonetic
symbols, Mr.. Chas. Turner has taught this
/ class, the majority Of whom are congenital
mutes and have never heard sound, to pro-
nounce almost any word so distinctly that
one can readily understand it. This branch
has only been introduced into the curriculum
Of the Institution within the past eighteen
months, and the progress made by the pu-
pills is source of qualification and surprise.
1t is not supposed that it can be Of any great
benefit to congenital mutes: but it preserves
to the semi-mute all the knowledge of sound
he possessed when entering the course, and
developes and strengthens it. Sentences
were dictated by persons in the audience,
and after being Transcribed in symbols, were
read by the pupils so as to be perfectly in
telligible.
No one can estimate the patience, pains
and kindness exercised by the teachers OF
the various departments in developing the
minds and moulding the characters Of their
unfortunate charges. The nature of these
afflicted ones is exquisitely delicate and SEN
sitive, and it requires not only thorough
knowledge Of the subjects taught and de-
cided capacity to impart, but also study Of
the disposition and characteristics of each of
the scholars. The State is to be congratu-
lated on the management OF this great
charity, for not only has it secured a Princi-
pal capable Of directing to the greatest ad-
vantage the many interests committed to
his care, but Mr.. Mccoy has been particu-
larly fortunate in securing corps of assist
ants SO faithful and efficient.
After the examination in articulation, Mr..
VIM. Frazier, President Of the Board of Wis.,
itors, distributed the prizes and medals, and
the exercises concluded with the Lords |
Prayer in the sign language, which was de-
livered by little deaf mute girl with won
derful impressiveness and grace. The Rev.
Mr.. Miller, of the Staunton Female Inst-
tute, pronounced the benediction.
The prizes, which consisted Of handsome
books, &c., and the medals were awarded as
follows 1#
LIST OF PRIZES.
Mattress Shop-John Ryan.
Broom, Src.-Isaac Humbert.
Caypenter-John G. Mustard.
P0inter-Barney Owens.
Shoe-W. d. Jones.
Tailor-Ewing Starks.
Bindery-MIllard Lofand.
Printing Offce-Thomas Penn.
Sewing Rooms-Ida Hiner.
Fancy Work blind Dept. )-An hda Will.
fong.
SCHOOLS.
Blind Department. L
Mr.. Geiger's classes-John Wingfeld,
Mr.. Doyle's classes-Amanda Wilfong,
Isaac Humbert. II
Mss Kerr's classes-Vigie Shaver, Ruby
Nowlin.
Mss Berkeley's Instrumental M.t-
sic-Emwa Read.
Mr.. Turner's classes Instrumental Music
WIN. Anderson. Vocal Music--Lilly !
White.
Deaf Mute Department.. i
Mr.. Williams class-Rebecca Cardwell, G
Fred Harris. II
Mr.. Berkeley's class-virginia Watkins, +
Brown Huff.
Mr.. Turner's c2ass-Macca Harvey. Ii
mr.. Bears clGss-Victoria Burton. Annie
Scuggs.
Mr.. EuriH's clGss-Jas. Trice. "a
Mr.. Cookies class-Louisa Peery, Walter
Vaughan.
articulation class-Miss Scuggs.
Painting clGss-Barney Owen. II
Draining clGss-Victoria Burton. ~
MonitresS' Prtze-Cora Fultz.
GOLD MEDALS.
For general excellence in studies and con- i
luct during the entire session gold medals '
we're awarded to the following pupils: !
Bind Department.
Star medal to lola Gardner Burks, of
4ynchburg. T
Crescent medal to William N. Anderson, g
4 ROckbridge county.
Deaf Mute Department. G
Star medal to Cora A. Fultz, of Rockbridge \
Ounty.
Crescent medal to John A. SLarks, Of Nor -
ok. Il