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At the request of their kind master, two of the younger boys advanced from the line in which they were arranged, and stood forward towards the centre of the room. Each placed his arm over the shoulder of the other without any degree of awkwardness or unsteadiness, and they remained thus for a short time, standing in an easy and graceful posture. At the sound of excellent music, played on several instruments by three or four old men, they began to dance, first performing a slow movement, and afterwards a quicker step. During the whole dance, each rested his arm embracingly on the shoulder of the other; and it was pleasing to observe the grace and uniformity of their various movements, as well as the accurate time kept by both to the music. They ceased the instant the performers ceased to play, and then retired to the places from which they had advanced. During this time the others remained standing in the same order as at first; there were no signs of restlessness, and many even seemed to regard the dancers with attention and pleasure, whilst only a few retained that vacant expression peculiar to their class. There were, however, no meanings or gesticulations, but each stood by his neighbor, forming three lines at the end and sides of the room.

After the completion of this dance, the whole of the boys were desired to sing one of the songs which had been composed for them. It was a very simple air -- such as those sung by the classes of Hullah in our own country -- and the words were well suited to their feeble comprehension. During this performance they were led by two assistants, who rendered important aid by singing with them, beating time, and encouraging them in a lively and spirited manner. A copy of the song was handed to me, so that I had an opportunity of noticing how far this congregation of idiots were capable of exercising the faculty of enunciation. The words were as distinctly, if not more distinctly, pronounced than we usually find to be the case with us by singers, and it was truly gratifying to follow them, line by line, through this beautiful little melody. It was sung with full force, but not over loud; the time was well kept; the pauses between each verse distinct; and, as far as I could judge, the tune appeared correct. In short, the whole piece was executed in a style quite equal, if not superior, to what we are in the habit of observing in the junior singing classes of Great Britain.

It may readily be conceived that the novel spectacle of so many unfortunate and hitherto -- considered incapable creatures harmoniously engaged in the execution of this simple but touching piece of music, was calculated to produce a new and lasting impression; and I shall not easily forget the sensations which I experienced at the time when listening to the performance of it. Although apparently an unmoved spectator, yet that strange mixture of feeling arising from sympathy with affliction, and rejoicing at its relief, was powerfully excited within me. Every faculty of attention seemed roused into action; and I felt the full importance of devoting the little time permitted me to observe, with the strictest accuracy, the demonstration about to be made.

In a little while one of the youths, with a drum slung across his shoulders, advanced to the middle of the room, and placed himself in an attitude of readiness to take part in the next exercise. This consisted of a martial air, sung by the boys, and accompanied at intervals by beat of drum. The drummer had every characteristic of a congenital idiot in a marked degree; and although he possessed only that imperfect power over his fingers which rendered a secure hold of the drumsticks difficult, yet he executed his part with marvelous accuracy, and evidently with no small enjoyment to himself. It was interesting to observe the pleasure he manifested during, and immediately after, the short and occasional beats which constituted his part of the performance and it was still more interesting to reflect on the consciousness he had, by education, been made to feel, so as to be able to appreciate the singing of the others, and understand the precise instant when his part required to be executed.

The next musical lesson showed that instruction in this department can be carried to a much higher degree of perfection than we could have supposed possible. The youths were arranged in three groups, each group taking a part of music different from the others, and each led by an assistant. One or two songs were surprisingly well performed, the respective sections singing different notes from the others, but all preserving the utmost harmony and exactness of execution.

A large black-board, on which were chalked, in large characters, a gamut, and the notes of an air, was now brought into the room, and placed in a conspicuous situation, so that each pupil could readily stand before it. Arranged in this manner, the youths were desired first to read the several notes; this they did by pronouncing simultaneously, and with great distinctness, as the stick of the tutor was pointed to the notes, la, sol, fa, &c. After thus reading the music in the natural voice, they were requested to give to each note its musical tone. Accordingly, as the wand was pointed to each note, they sang it. This exercise began by first passing regularly up and down the gamut, and then they were led from one note to another indiscriminately, showing a power of memory, and immediate application of it, which I was little prepared to expect. They then sang the air, the notes of which were chalked on the board. This, though more pleasing to the listener, did not, however, show an amount of mental capability equal to that evinced by the sudden and unexpected transition from one note to another in the previous exercise.