St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-07-04
Cllinchuba.
CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE
DEAF MUTE INSTITUTE.

CLOSING EXERCISES or THE
DEAF MUTE INSTITUTE.
Does anyone realize the vast amount
! of patience and endurance required Of
those who devote their life to the teach
ing of the deaf and dumbf Has any
one ever seriously thought Of the in
credible labor which the education OF
these poor infirms demands? For, In
truth, how difficult it must be to teach
children how to read and write, when
they are totally devoid of the power of
speech and of the sense of hearing !:
The task is especially arduous when we
think Of the many difficulties to be
overcome while teaching them how to
read. Surely, to be able to learn how
to read, it is an essential requisite that
the pupil should have sound sense Of
hearing. Otherwise, how can he BE-
shown how to distinguish one letter
from the other-how to give each letter
its proper place and name? Yet with
all these disadvantages staring at them,
the good Sisters of Notre Dame, who
havo charge of the Deaf Mute Institute
of Chinchuba, gave. on Wednesday,
June 24th, most wonderful exhibition.
Since the Institute was established,
it has been the custom to give an ex-
hibitian at the end of the scholastic
year. On that occ asiou the parents of
the little deaf mutes come to witness
the marvellous progress achieved by
their children during the past year.
The closing exercises, which wit
messed last Wednesday, were certainly
in every respect great success, con-
sidering especially. as l have already
remarked, the numerous difficulties
which the good Sisters have to over
come in the educa ton of their pupils.
At one end of the school hall . mag
nitcent stage had been erected, TASTE
fully decorated with flags, draperies
and evergreens fresh from the forest.
Just above the curtain was write u. in
moss-formed letters, the word ssWel-
come" thus intimating to the guests
and parents that the children welcom-
ed their presence. The hall itself was
spleudidly ornamented with ferns, and
ON the walls were hung various speci-
mems Of the skill and learning of the
children. On one of the walls one
could admire the faultless drawings of
the little ones. On the other, one
would be surprised to see how the
children excel in the art of CALI graphy.
Their penmanship, and the maps which
they themselves have drawn, particu-
larry attracted the attention of every
one.
Rev. Father Mignot. the founder of
the Institute, arrived at IL O'Clock with
his guests, aud the exhibition began.
From the very beginning to the end Of
the ex ercises, the children were loudly
applauded-a applause which they
certainly deserved.
One of the principal features on the
program was a wand drill, which was
executed with grace and precision
that would have honored q trained
battalion,
There was also representa- ton, by
groups of boys and girls, Of the Ave
joyful, sorrowful and glorious mys-
teries of the Rosary. Likewise several
comic pieces, delivered very intelIi-
gently by the children. Their mimick-
ing powers were perfect, and several
times the hall re.echoed the hearty
laugh of the audience. Among these
comical pieces must be, mentioned the
one entitled "Thosc Pockets" which
MISTER f. Vidrine rendered with great
skill.
At the termination of the program
the premiums were distributed to those
who during the year had distinguished
by their good conduct and
application to study. The premium
list was read by Rev. Father Mertens,
the pastor of the Catholic Church In
The exhibition was certainly Won
derful one, aud the good Sisters Of
Notre Dame deserve credit for the good |
work performed by their pupils. The
Almighty will undoubtedly bes tow
upon their enterprise His most abund-
ant blessings, for is not their work
benefit to suffering humanity: Chill
dren who would have otherwise in later
life been almost useless and unable to
work for their daily bread. are by the
hardest efforts Of these good Sisters
as it were, into men and
capable of earning living.
To the boys are taught printing, car
shoe making, farming and
To the girls, dress making,
lower making, cooking and embroi-
iery. In other words, al the qualities
essential to good house. keeper. The
iris are especially skillfpl ct embroi-
lering.
The whole establishment is under
he direction of Rev. Mother Athanasia,
.nder whose SUPPLEMENTARY the In
'titute has rapidly progressed.
Sister Ruzebia teaches the boys, and
indeed she can be proud Of their pro.
lciency in reading, writing and draw.
ng. Sister Alma, the teacher of the
Urls, has likewise set of bright and
killful pupils. II
The Institute was founded by Rev.
1afhae Mi..uof six YearS a1o Since |