The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-06-19
Report on the Institution.

~ Report on the Institution.
To the Board of Visitors of the Lastitutio
\ for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind :
/ The subscribers, committee invited t
examine the classes in your Institution
/ beg leave to submit the following report
/ We premise the subjoined details b
stating that the compass and accuracy o
learning exhibited by the pupils, almos
without exception, impressed the commit
| tee as being simply marvellous.
We remark further that the Principa
and teachers, without exception, cOurtet
| investigation, Insisting on thorough,
rigid examination.
The committee first visited the Primar,
Deaf-nute class, taught by Prof. T. j
| Williams. A noteworthy fact in con
| nection with Prof. Williams pupils, OF
whom there are Is or 20, lies in the won
derful rapidity with which they have
acquired knowledge of languages. We
deem it safe to say that in the matter OF
writing and Arithmetic, the attachments
of this class, ages being equal, will COM
pare favorably with any anywhere.
The End and Sd classes, taught respect
lively by Messrs. Michaels and Berkeley.
were then examined touching Geography,
Arithmetic and language lessons. The
pupils were able to draw fair maps of the
U. S., and locate thereon the principal
geographical features, such as the CULTS,
bays, rivers and cities. 1t may be an unfair
discrimination to mention the name of
M ss Pearl King, a member of Mr.. Berke-
leGs cl:iss-t is done that reference may
be made to the mental capabilities of these
children. Pearl King face, simultaneous
liz with her solution Of problem fairly
flashes and runs over with intellectual
light. Nor is this case in any wise an
isolation.
Prof. Bear is the experienced teacher of
the 4tll class. His course embraces GeOg-
raphy, Arithmetic, and language lessons.
The pupils were eminently proficient in
all the branches. The exhibition of Chi
Biography shown in this room was remark
able,--the letters being made with rapidity
and marked uniformity. +''sas' sgi
The students in Prof. Yates class, the
9th, passed an exceedingly creditable ex-
animation. The branches taught are
Geography, English Grammar, Rays In
termediate Arithmetic, Composition, and
History of the U. S. Some of these pupils
showed themselves surprisingly proficient
concerning the leading events In the his
tory fIour country, They were able, also,
to diagram and analyze simple sentences,
displayed an excellent knowledge of In
termediate Geography, and proved them
selves altogether very interesting and in
telligent class.
II In the 9th class, Prof. W. w. Brenna-
man, are taught Geography, English Gram
mar, Arithmetic, History, Composition
and Book keeping. The writer Of this re- |
port, in the absence of Prof. TEL. a. Hoover
observes that the latter gentleman exam |
ined this class at length not only from the |
Textbook, but subjected it to close in |
yestigati9n by submitting numerous indie |
pendent and original questions. The re-
sponses, as q rule, were clear, prompt and |
correct. Z h iiai" A. ls.,5.F ~ =
1t may not be improper for the commit
tee to call your attention to the Importance /
of the subject of Articulation and lip
reading. We learn that the introduction
OF the system into the curriculum of the |
Inst. is comparatively Of late date, and |
seeing the rapid progress which evidently
has been made, and the possibilitiesaWhich
apparently lie in the way of this plan of
we commit it to the fostering
care of your Honorable Board. - %
1t will be remembered that some of these |
children game to the Inst. deaf -mutes,
unable to talk at all. Now, some Of them
read distinctly enough to be clearly under
stood, short lessons from the End Reader.
This class isitaught by Mrs. Ross, who, it
understands very thoroughly
her vocation. Pupils were able to read
entire sentences from her lips. !
In the Blind department where we were
next shown, the examination was as in
flexible and exhaustive as that given in
The Deal mute department. Atone stage
q the examination n \ during q visit to Miss
kerr's room. we were entertained by a
little girl years Old, reading admirably
from the History of Virginia. u. So = N
. Too much cannot be said, in praise of
Frs in tha Blind departments. The in 7
and accuracy eyinced lin their
classes prove them to be capable
and faithful. Prof. Poyntzi who teaches
English Grammar, Natural Phi
osophy and Astronomy, fOr the most part
1T the instance OF the committee con,
Quoted the examination. The result was
most, gratifying. The familiarity with
which the pupils discussed principles
Natural Philosophy and Astron-
Dmy, was positively amazing. Prof. Ryan 8
boys read more tinently with their fingers
Than the average youth, notwithstanding
their total blindness. ~ Here Masters Win
ston and CARRIER were examined in Music,
Years Instruction, IN I1raf Hnm MI UHS
class were Witnessed ilinstanooe nf ,nantoI
[rainino' snrnr;s;n~ to fha last ~ onoai
One mere vonth was able IL sotMa S HesaeG
nroHiem fsss I'm his t haad,.
1thers We're eonailv snccassfni ms,n% tha
Slate. The examinations in q enor rs a IND
Ensl;sh History we've narpact np ;a Gnu
ber of~ the latter class conlJ for inst .no
name without hesitation in chronn Jc"i
order the snccess;vs soro,o;,ens Fr .oai
Invasion Tn fact tb;s aS.n,;Oa