Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-24
Visit Of the President to the Institution
for the Deaf and Dumb.


An event of more than usual interest occurred
at Kendall Green last evening. special exhibit
tion OF The students and pupils was given to Prsi-
dent Arthur, who is eJ Obfcio the patron OF the
institution. DR.. Gallaudet had invited the men,
bers of the Cabinet, the Justices Of the Supreme
Court, the Vice President, the Speaker, the men,
bers OF the appropriations committees OF the Senate
and House OF Representatives the comptroller and
ffrst auditor of the Treasury, with the ladies Of
their families, to meet the President and witness
the exhibition. Nearly all who were invited, to-
gether with the directors of the institution, were
present, making a company OF about one hundred.
The first exhibition was at the gymnasium. where
the President was received with salute from the
Students OF the college, about forty In number.
Exercises with the chest weights and light dumb
bells were then given, under the direction OF Mr..
John j. Chickering. the instructor OF gymnastics.
The President expressed great interest In this drill
and remarked to DR.. GaIlaudet that although it
might now seem improbable, he was once very
expert in athletic exercises
from the gymnasium the company proceeded to
the hall, visiting some of the students rooms in
tue college as they passed through that building.
In IN the hall the exhibition was opened with a
. Rourhe, pupil or the primary department,
fourteen years of age. This boy has been dumb
from infancy, and could not speak word three
years ago. His address was readily understood by
all present, and its delivery ELECTED the warmeSt
applause Dr. Galluiet then explained the meth
obs employed In teaching mutes to speak, and eX-
born deaf. Two little boys then rendered some
.ftISeS vi LonSlpl!0WS PSalIn OF LIE III the
language, and little girl OF nine years recited in
signs, the child's prayer,
''Now lay me down to Sleep"
This closed the exhibition OF the primary depart
ment When the curtin rose again the students
of the college occupied the stage, and member Of
the junior class, Mr.. Thos. F. Fox, Of New York,
made an address to the President and the other
guests, surprising every one with the fine control
he had of his voice. and his graceful delivery Mr..
Fox was not born deaf, but has been totally with
out hearing since his early boyhood.
10 tlnr ll.,1 fnf lot
Coleman, OF South Carolina; Zeigler, OF Pennsyl-
yaaa; Smith, OF Minnesota; Veditz, of Maryland;
and Hanson, OF Wisconsin, representing the sew
eral classes of the college, and solicited from the
audience questions or topics that might be given
to the young men, as subjects for impromptu COM
positions. In a short time the following were
suggested: "Recent Changes in the Government
OF Franee Recent Political Events In Russia"
oscar Wilde, - "MOrmOnism," "Why Are Women
More Ready With Questions Than Mem"
"Woman's Rights" and 'Arctic Exploration"
on the subjects assigned, the readiness and bril-
llancy OF their responses occasioning genuine
establishment.
DR.. Gallaudet then introduced Mr. W. G. Jones,
now teacher in the New York Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb, who graduated from the college
ao1 few s years since. Many In Washington will
understanding especially in humorous panto-
mime. He kept the President and the other
guests in continuous laughter, while he represented
certain animals, their motions and peculiaritieS.
Ihe exercises In the hall were concluded by a
little play, prepared by the young men, in which
the adventures OF deaf-mute artist. trying to find
the locality of the battle of Bull Rum were shown
The principal actors in this play were Messrs
Saxton OF Troy, N. Y, the artist, and Zetgler, Of
Philadelphia, an old woman. This piece showed
visitors.
At the conclusion of the exercises works OF art
were exhibited by some OF the students, who are
being instructed by Mr.. A. d. Bryant, a recent
graduate of the college, young artist of growing
merit.
The President in TAKING his lea ye eYnressad the
warmest interest in the institution and his grati
cation with what he had seen.
During the exercises alluSion was made by DR..
G1llaudet to the fact that the day marked the
twenty-ftth anniversary OF the corporate exist
ence OF the Institution. He also spoke briefly of
the interest taken by Hon. Amos Kendall in found
ING The institution