Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-06-25
Concert and Closing Exercises at the Virginia In
stitutiOn for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.

Though for years our citizens have annually
attended the concert and closing exercises al
this noble, charitable institution of the State
yet they have not lost their interest in them
as is every year attested by the large attend.
ance. This year has been no exception to the
general rule, and on last Tuesday night the
large chapel of the Institution was crowded to
overlooking, Notwithstanding the fact, that the
large Methodist church was filled to its utmost
capacity by another crowd. drawn together tc
witness the celebration of the Lee and Jackson
Literary Society Of the Wesleyan Female In
| stitute, and to hear an address by Gov. HOlli-
day. We do not imagine that our citizens at
tend these exercises so numerously merely be-
cause of the music, though 1t is of the most ex-
cellent and attractive character, but it is, we
think, from the sympathy they feel for these
unfortunates, cut off, as they, from the bright
| light of heaven and the varied and ever chang
ing beauties of nature. And whilst sympa-
thiZing, they wonderingly conceive that there
is possibility. that living in darkness, as they
do, yet these children find in the harmonious
| chords of music a medium by which they may
lift their souls into a higher, purer life, and
hold a closer communion with their creator,
who Is the source of all harmony, and thus
have their darkness made light. This feeling
cannot but grow upon you you watch the
rapt and far-away look $50 to speak) which
overspreads their countenances when their
voices well forth some melodious song or their
fingers give expression to the noble thoughts
and sweet, rich dreams of the grand old masters.
1t is then you begin to realize the possibility
that the Creator, whilst affecting them. has, in
his wisdom, provided for them a higher source
Development than can be realized or imagined
hxyf hos nytrl,> coll fI,nS
on last Tuesday night the concert took place.
The chapel was decorated with cvergreens and
the stage was artistically beautified with fes-
toons, evergreens, pictures, and hanging bas-
kets of flowers and wild grasses. The pupils
were neatly attired and presented cheerful
and contented expression, which spoke well
for the attention and care they receive from
the officers and teachers Of the Institution.
The concert opened with a Commencement
Quickstep composed by Prof. A. ]. Turner, and
was so well executed by the Band, that no one
would have ever imagined that one-haf its
members were, eight weeks ago, entirely raw
material, and that in that short time they could
have been brought to such proficiency. This
however had been accomplished, and the ex-
cellent music they rendered during this con-
cert is the highest testimonial to the ability
and faithful instruction of Prof. Turner. Not
withstanding his arduous daily duties as in
structor of the blind, he yet finds time to COM
pose vocal and instrumental music, and not
less than six Of the pieces of the programme on
this occasion were Of his own composition
The two vocal pieces were, a song composed by
him expressly for Robbie Oden, a little girl
seven years of age, which was perfectly charm-
ing and was delivered by this little child with
such effect that the audience were delighted
and insisted on its being repeated; the other
was canZonetto, MY heart is thine" COM
posed expressly for the excellent contralto voice
of Miss L. T. Berkeley, the efficient musical in
structress at the Institution, and which was
rendered very finely by this young lady.
The singing OF that sweetest of songtresses,
Miss Lilly White, was even better than ever
and was greatly enjoyed, and the flute obligatos
with which "Toby" accompanied her were SIM
ply charming. The two oyertures Of the even
ing, LIE Diaden'' and lie Chevalier Breton"
by Herman, though both new pieces, were per,
fectly rendered by Prof. Turner's orchestra. We
have not space to notice all the pieces which rem
dered this concert one of the most enjoyable we
ever listened to but we cannot pass over the
very beautiful rendition OF Ezlenger's Lander,
arranged by Prot. Turner es a trio for cornet,
alto, and organ.
CLOSING EXHIBITION.
The chapel of the Institution was again we'll
filled on Wednesday morning to witness the
exhibition of the progress made by the pupils
during the past session. However often one
may see these unfortunates exhibiting the ac-
quirements they have gained through the adj
vantages afforded by an enlightened and civil
ilzed charity, yet the wonderment never ceases,
nd if iS NJ
plished that the deaf and dumb and blind can
be taught to rival their more fortunate breth-
rem in the requirements of learning. 1t is mar
yelous enough to see the blind read and the
dear and qH4lb wfiie ont long aentepeaa from
the sign language, but when you hear the dumb
speak, what wonderment seizes you. But so it
is as was witnessed by many on last Wednes-
day morning.
The exeraisos we're opened with prayer by
Rev. ]. Z. Haskell, after WHICH tbs Bap4 played
the "Stauntou Polka" composed by Prof
Turner.
Then came exhibitions OF reading by the
blind. Two pupils, Wallace Hixon and Rob-
bic Oden, from Mr.. Geiger's and Kiss Kerr's
classes, read remarkably well.from Uncle Phil
ip's History of Virginia, though this was their
first car, ana titey Care to tie insiitgtion last
Fall not knowing their alphabet.
Rubie holland and Katie Ayres, older pupils,
gave specimens of more difficult reading; Ka-
tie Ayres reading with rapidity through COM
mon pocket handkerchief, showing how sensi-
tive has grown her touch.
Lilly White and Katie Ayres from Miss Kerr's
class &ets then ez-aT,-lned III geography, ueing
a dssected map Of Europe and a raised map Of
the United States. Questions were asked by
Re4. 1fr, HasEel and by Prof. II. I. Hoover, as
to the boundaries CT States, course of Iiyafs,
principal capcs, cities, &C., all OF which were
promptly and correctly answered Prof Hoov-
err remarked as he sat down "they know those
maps better than any one about here.''
In Algebra two of Mr.. T. S. Doyles class, Isaac
Hunibert and John Ryan. solved correctly diff
ficult equations LII tneseeopq 4egres, Wlti: ra-
pidity that was nothing less than naryelous
to those who have been accustomed to use the
slate.
In the deaf-mute department two little chill
dren, s. w. King and Aleth Aitcheson, of Mr..
Williams's class, who came to the Institution
last Fall without, of course, knowing single
word Or letter, wrote down from signs, letters,
words, Ind sentences ana YoTked long exani-
Piles in addition, maitip icat ion, and addition.
The progress they have made is truly remark
able. ana tie;f tealhar i Justly proud OF them.
In Prof. Cookies class, Miss Cora fulta. OF Au-
gusta, and John Starks, of Norfolk, were ques-
toned by Rev. Mr. Haskell upon the History
of Mexico, and answered all questions as to the
cause Of the Mexican war. number Of troops,
commanders, patLlPs, DC, Win psffect accura-
cy, and without hesitation
But the most remarkable exhibition OF all
was that of Miss Veitchs articulation class, In
which from written signs the deaf mute is
taught to articuate, distinctly, words and SEN
fences, and by watching tho lips OF the speaker
to understand what is said and repeat it plain
ly and correctly One instance OF this will suf-
flee. Little Aleth Aitcheson was told by Miss
Yeitch to go and ask one Of the pupils please
give ,Ae lhei stiois.'3 This wss told i1at nai %
signs but by the movement OF the lips alone
She understood and going to the pupil said dis
tinctly, please give me that stick" the other
pupil understood and handed it to her. Miss
Veitch has had control of this class but for
short but the advancement already made
speaks well for what she will accomplish here
after.
The prizes, diplomas, &C., were then deliv-
cred ~ Prot, Hoover, as follows
LIST OF PRIZES, MEDALS AND DIPLOMAS.