The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-06-12
D. d. & B. Institution.

However many and attractive may be
the competing entertainments, the Com
mencement exercises of the ID. d. & b.
Inst never fail to draw an audience that
completely packs the large chapel. This
is specially noteworthy from the fact that
the Institution is near half Il mile from
the centre of the city, and bad weather
makes it a disagreeable walk. But neither
frOwning elements nor brilliant social mag
nets in other directions. such as the Com
mencement exercises of the Wesleyan and
Virginia Institutes, are sufficient to lessen
the crowd that at every opportunity locks
to the exhibition given by the blind
Last Monday and Tuesday nights were
no exception to the rule. The rather did
they more than confirm it. The enter
tainments richly rewarded those who
attended. We believe they surpassed
any ever given at the Institution. There
were marked improvements over former
exhibitions, and new features introduced.
In fact, improvement" is written every
where about the premises. Order system,
thorough management and progress,
are evidenced in and outside of the build
ings, and the happy, healthy faces Of the
pupils bear testimony to the care with
which they are trained and the comfort
which surrounds them. .-..
On Monday night, the various Calls
thenic classes entertained a large audience
by their graceful evolutions and thorough
drill. The chapel was beautifully deco
rated with flowers, wreaths, &C., while
festOons Of evergreen and displays of
paintings and crayOns transformed the
walls into an art picture. In.front of the
stage was an elegant piece of iron scroll
work, extending from wall to wall, which
added greatly to the appearance of the
room and was a model of skillful work
manship. 1t was designed and made from
old pieces of iron by Mr.. Arch Long, the
efficient engineer of the Institution. The
Calisthenic class is one of the many
admirable features which has been intro
duced into the curriculum of the school
under Prof. Rollers administration. Miss
Agnes Hartman is the teacher in this de-
partment, and the result of bnt little more
than sessions training twas shown not
only in the perfection with which every
class executed the various movements, but
also in the ruddy glow of health that
tinged the cheeks of the pupils. The eX
ercises were interspersed with sweet music
both vocal and Instrumental
On Tuesday night, the Musical Concert
took place under the direction of Prof.
Turner and Miss Seahury. Again the hall
was, crowded, and not a few We're forced
to go away for want of room. The pro-
gramme was a happy blending of band,
orchestra, vocal and Instrumental music.
Many of the most enjoyable pieces were
of the Professor own composition.
The variety of the entertainment made
it the more attractive. 70 those who are
familiar with the music of the blind, it's
plaintive sweetness is ever fresh, whilst
| upon those who hear it for the first time
it eXerts an almost Understandable effect
1t is different from other commencement
music. 1t is the harmony of the home,'
rather than the stiff display of the concert
| hall, and it reaches alike to the hearts of
the.cpltiyatedan the uncultivated. Those
| whoseacquirements enable them to analyze
every sound, listen with never langud ear,
| whilst he who revels in the music of
natures grand conservatory, who drinks
| in the songs of the birds aud the ripping
melody OF streams, hears with lseen:ap-
preciatiQu the sweet, clear notes of such