Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-14
The Deaf, the Dumb and tn. Blind.

The Deaf, the Dumb and the Blind.
ANNUAL CONCERT, AND AN EXHIBITION BY
THE PUPILS OF THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTION.
On last Tuesday evening, long before the ap-
pointed hour, crowds OF people we're vending
their way to the D., d. and B. Institution to
enjoy the annual concert given by the pupils
of Prof. Turner's and Miss Berkeley's classes in
vocal and instrumental music, and the large
Hall of the Insti tuition was crowded to over
flowing.
1t is to be regretted that the great quantity of
bunting pendent from the ceiling Of the Hail.
put up in honor of the recent visit of the Min
ing Engineers, interfered in marked degree
with the acoustics, which are otherwise ex-
ceilent, and dampened and deadened the tone
of both instrumental and vocal music yet the
immense audience in attendance showed by
the zest with which each of the "a numbers
on the programme were received that they en-
joyed and appreciated both the attainments Of
the pupils and the merits Of their accomplish.
ed director and teacher. Prof. Turner.
We have not space to enter into full des-
cription of the music, bnt we will say that the
Band and Orchestra music was. as is usual at
this school, Of high order, and was splendidly
executed The performance of three little fell
lows, Masters Mozambique, Carr and Oden,
was almost marvellous and the Trio, Com
mencement March, with organ aceompani-
ment composed by Prof. Turner, was splendid
ly done. and 10 a gem. The singing Of Misses
Shaver, Putnam, Nowlin, Anderson, and little
Dora Nugeut, was fine, as was also that OF Ed
gar Moore and little Benny Carr-the latter be-
ing the recipient of a beautiful boquet from
Miss McC., of Lexington. The Barcarolle. "Mer-
rily over the water" words and music by Prof.
Turner with orchestral accompaniment, was
we'll rendered by the entire vocal class. and is
a mefitorious production. The sea song. by
Mr.. E. Moon, was splendid.IAs a whole,it was
delightful performance, and our refined and
appreciative citizens always welcome these an
nual concerts by giving the Prof. and his pu-
pills crowded houses. On Tuesday evening last
there must have been 800 people in the Music
Hall. large proportion of whom were ladies.
THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION
took place on Wednesday evening, June the
9Th, and, as is usual every year, was attended
by large number of spectators. 1t Is curious
fact, yet true, that though you may have at
tended these exhibitions for years. yet you feel
as deeply interested in the last one as you did
in the first. Among those from distance In
attendance, we noticed a much larger number
than usual of former pupils; and among them
was Jos. r. Rulings, who had not been
here within the past twenty-five years. The
exhibitions in the various classes were inter-
spersed with some most excellent music by
the Band and Orchestra under the manage
ment of Prof. A. J. Turner. and also by some
very good vocal music, among which we were
RI nloo sod with ia fins v0ice nj
gar Moore in Beautiful Venice" and with the
sweet, yet full soprano Of Miss Susie Putnam
in Make believe I'm dreaming" which she
rendered splendidly. The "Mermaid's Song"
was most exquisitely sung, as duet, by Misses
Shaver and Nowlin, and it must have made the
heart of their teacher, Miss L. 8. Berkeley,
swell with pride to witness the applause which
they received unstintedly.
The opening prayer was delivered by Rev.
D. L. Wilson, now of Tennessee, but native Of
Augusta county, and was followed by the
Misses Snead, Of Miss Kerr's class, giving q
reading from raised type, which was q most
gratifying evidence OF what can be taught the
blind in a short time, as these children only
came to the Institution last September. The
next class was the Primary Deafmute. of
which Mr.. T. ]. Williams is teacher, and no
more difficult task can weimagine than is that
VI tCdCuluB tucbc llttlc 1Cl1OWb tuSlI dApuhpcts
and it is wonderful to see what progress they
make in one year, learning to spell and read ~
well as Of their o%wR age with I'll their
senses perfect. *.
The map studies by the Blind pupils Of Miss
Kerrs class were most interesting. IN answer TO
questions they traced, on the raised maps before
them. the principal rivers and mountain
ranges, and found the chief cities of the world
fo1f chnvv
ing knowledge Of geography that would put
many an older person to blush.
In the Senior Deaf-mute class, Mr.. g. D. Eu-
rift teacher, Miss Virginia Watkins, Of Man
chester, and Mr.. 8. W. Shoemaker, of Rock-
bridge Baths, answered on the blackboard
questions that were asked them such as these
Who was President of the United States in 18107
How long was he President? When was the
battle of New Orleans sought7 Who command
cd the Americans Who the British7 When
was the battle of Lake Era foughtf Where
was Stonewall Jackson killed? What happen
ed to the late Emperor Of Russian Who is now
President of the U. s.? What are his politics
and many others, all Of which they answered
promptly and correctly.
AS an exhibition of what can be taught the
blind in abstract studies, Prof. Leonidas Poyntz
gave the following proposition in algebra to
Miss Ruby Nowlin, of Washington City, which
she readily solved orally in algebraic terms
carrying all the equations in her head and
working them out as rapidly as the Professor
could write them down on the black
A, B, and c engaged in squirrel hunt and
killed SO squirrels, which they wish to share
equally. In order to do this, A, who has most
gives to and as many as they each already
had; then gives to and c as many al they
: \ ft,~ %l,, 1c< Aiv,S.{ Nd locxl
gives to A and as many as each had after the
End division, when it was found that each had
the same number. How many had each =
In the class in articulation, taught by Miss
veitch, Miss Aitcheson. OF Alexandria. and
Miss Mays, of Botetourt, showed how much has
already been accomplished in this recently a.
dopted method of teaching the deaf-mute to
talk. They read from the lips of the speaker
what was said, and gave in articulate sounds
their answers. 1t was certainly most wonder
full and interesting.
Previous to theday of exhibition q rigid ex-
animation had been made, at the request Of the
Principal, Capt. Thos. 8. Doyle, by a commit
tee composed of DR.. Robert g. Hamilton, Su-
perintendent of the Staunton Public Schools
Commander Crosby, U. s. N; h. L. Hoover,
Principal OF the Hoover High School; Prof s.
Coleman and Capt. W. A. McOue. The inspec-
tion of the committee extended to every de-
partment OF the school, and their report made
through their chairman, DIR. Hamilton, ex-
pressed the highest satisfaction with both the
management and the educational training at
the Institution.
The prizes consisting Of Handsomely bound
books, writing desks and many articles, useful
and valuable were awarded as follows:
PRIzEs-BLIND DEPARTKENT.
Miss Kerr's Oasses-Dobbie Oden, Sue Put
nam.
Mr.. Kinnsy's Qasses.-Sammie Oden, Cam
den Lynch.
Mr.. POyntz's Qdss.-Jas. McCambridge, Chas.
Owen, Thos. Nunan. To the latter the prize
was given for special excellence in Arithmetic
and Natural Philosophy.
Miss BerkeIeys Cgass.-virgie Shaver, Instru-
mental Music.
Prof. Turner's Class.-Gold Medal to Virgie
Shaver; prizes to Jas. McCambridge and Ben
ny Carr.
DEAF-MUTE DEPARTMENT.