The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-06-14
D, D. & B. Institution.
ANNUAL NCEMENT-AwARD OF
MEDALS. sc,


Not in the history of the Virginia In
stitution for the education of the Deaf.
Dumb and the Blind, have the commence
ment exercises, held at the close of the
session, been more enjoyable than those of
night before last and yesterday morning.
Upon entering the gate the visitor was
struck with the bright clearly appearance
of everything, and the beautiful aspect Of
the grounds. Within the past month or
two the trees have been trimmed up and
all the underground removed, so that the
sunshine peeps in upon almost every spot,
and gives cheeriness to the scene that
makes II decided improvement.
THE CONCERT.
The annual concert on Tuesday night,
was witnessed by an audience that crammed
the seats, aisles, windows and doors of the
chapel to their utmost capacity. Even
then many were unable to catch glimpse
of the beautifully decorated stage, and The
laughing faces Of the pupils, and were
forced to return home disappointed
The concert rs usual consisted for the
most part of vocal and instrumental mu-
the high standard always reached in
these entertainments. Prof. Turner has
an accomplished cO-Worker in musical in
struction in Miss Seabury, and the evil
dence of proficiency exhibited by their pu-
pills testified to the faithfulness of both
teacher and taught. The programme which
was well executed throughout. was too
long for us to particulariZe. The vocal
soloists were Misses Mary Anderson, Eliza
Painter, Sue Putnam and Benny Carr
and the instrumentalists were Saml. Oder,
Miss Mary Anderson, Jas. McCmbridge,
and Wallace HiXson. Each of these pupils
sustained his or her part most creditably
and won deserved applause. Nor was less
credit due 20 the excellent performances of
the band, orchestra and vocal class.
THE EXERCISES
of Wednesday morning were particularly
pleasant to those who feel al interest in
and sympathy for these unfortunate chill
dren. They consisted of exhibitions given
by the various classes OF the progress at
tanned in the several studies, and in some
instances were remarkable. The pupils of
the Junior class those who have been in
the institution but one session, were not
only able to read, but also to write SEN
fences legibly and correctly upon the black
board. Some of these were little dots
scarcely beyond the years of infancy, but
they manifested degree of progress which
children possessed of MI their faculties
might have felt proud of, The advanced
classes demonstrated in q high degree the
blessings conferred by this noble public
charity.
Especial mention is due to the articula-
ton and lip reading class, the teacher of
which is Mrs. Ross. Its exhibition was
perhaps the most interesting and remark
able of the eXaminat ions.
During Mr.. Rollers term of principal
ship two new features have been intro
duced. One is the Calisthenic class, which
under two months tuition Of Miss Agnes
Hartman, has accomplished wonders. The
exercises were gone through with, both by
blind and deaf mute pupils,a gracefully and
perfectly as we have ever seen them in
Female Colleges. The other special feature
was the organization OF the Miltonian Lit
erary Society for the Improvement in elo-
cution of the blind boys. 1t has proven
not only profitable but u very pleasant
recreation, and one would be surprised tG '
see the interest taken in it by the boys.
Two beautiful gold medals were awarded
to the best disclaimers as mentioned below.
THE SCHOOLS.
The best evidence of the harmonious
workings of all the departments of the In
stitution is afforded by arepoFt Of special |
Of expert instructors, who, sew |
eral days before the commencement, ex-
amined carefully the pupils in each room.
The report was written by the chairman, |
Prof. S. I'll. Coleman, who for several years
past has occupied the same position on
similar committees appointed to examine i
the Institution, and who is therefore en-
abled to judge of the comparative coadi- |
ton of the schools under the present ad- |
The report is as follows:
To the Board of Visitors of the Institution |
for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind:
In behalf of the Committee invited to |
examine the various classes in your Insti- |
tuition, have the honor to report the fol |
lowing
A thorough. and, in some cases, a very
rigid examination was made by the whole |
of all the various classes in |
both the Deaf Mute and Blind Depart |
with the exception of Mr.. Bren- |
in the deaf-mute and Prof. |
Points, in the blind department, and the |
result was in every case most satisfactory |
and gratifying to the Committee. The |
progress of the pupils, in their various |
branches OF study. WAS, with rare eXcep-
lions, most marked. and, in some cases,
A subcommittee, composed Of Messrs.
Calhoun, Peate apd HgtebeDs, We're re-
quested to examine Mr.. Brennamap IS GLASS.
and | am requested by that sub committee
to state that the results of its examina-
ton, in this case, were us fully satisfactory |
as in any OF the other classes, giving evil
dence of study and marked progress
Prof. Dunsmore and myself were re-
quested to examine Prof. Points class, and
it gives us pleasure to state that, after a
searching examination, in Algebra, Nat.
Philosophy and Arithmetic, we were very
profoundly impressed with the proficiency
of the pupils.
Especially was the whole committee i'm
pressed with the progress made by the
classes in articulation and lip-reading.-
Judging from the progress already made
in these particulars, the most gratifying
results may confidently be anticipated for
the future.
From what the committee saw, in an
occupying two days, of all
the classes in the Institution it was inn
pressed with the faithful, pains-takipg,
discharge of duty, on tile
part of all the teachers, without excep-
ton.
The shops, wherein are taught the va
rious useful handicrafts were also visited
and examined. All were found in good
order and well equipped, and the many
articles made in them, gave UNI
evidence of skill and proficien-
cy on the part of those learning these use
full trades.
Regarding the Musical Department, the
do not deem it necessary to say
more, than that the progress of the pu
pills in vocal and instrumental music was
Illustrated in the admirable
concert given by their accomplished in
Prof. A. J. Turner, on Tuesday
evening, 10Th inst
The VariOuS huildinOc and grounds were