The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-01-18 00:00:00

THE LIVET:WOOL STANDARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1853.

LIVERPOOL CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

THE suffering arising from the want of sight appeals so
directly and forcibly to our common feelings of humanity,
that little, it may be considered, need be said to excite
public compassion in its behalf. There are few who
cannot realise to themselves in some degree the poignancy
of affliction from the loss of so delicate, yet so important,
an organ as the eye ; and poets and authors have been elo-

quent in depicting its claims upon our sympathy. In every
sphere of life the calamity of blindness is to be deplored,
as one which shuts out the whole face of nature ; but when
it is superadded to the bitterness of poverty, the extent of
wretchedness can hardly be overstated. No marvel, then,
that establishments for its alleviation are amongst the
most prominent of the charitable institutions of Great
Britain ; and Liverpool may claim the honour of being
among the earliest in this demonstration of philanthropy.
It is now about fifty years since public attention was
awakened to the subject through the benevolent exertions
of PUDSEY DAWSON, Esq., who devoted both purse and
person to the good cause which he had at heart, and so
successfully did he awaken public spirit in this town, that
the Liverpool School for the Blind was founded. From
that time to the close of last year, 1,309 pupils have been
admitted, of whom 806 were totally blind, arising from
different causes, and 503 were partially so. Of this num-
ber 211 belonged to the parish of Liverpool, 269 came
from various parishes in Lancashire, and 829 from other
parts of the United Kingdom. During the year 1851
twenty pupils were admitted, twenty-four were discharged,
after having learned useful trades, and eighty-two pupils,
which is about the average number, remained in the school
on the 31st of December.

The Institution was incorporated in 1829, and so far
derived an advantage in being placed upon a legal footing,
though the real benefit may be somewhat questioned, if it
has the effect, which is sometimes the case, of creating an
impression that the continued aid of voluntary contribu-
tions can be in any measure dispensed with. The mere
fact that a Charitable Institution has received the sanc-
tion of a Royal Charter does not add to its means of sup-
port ; but, if we may judge from the Reports of the Com-
mittee of the Liverpool School for the Blind, in which
they state that the income has been unequal to the expen-
diture by a considerable sum, it would seem that the
benevolent spirit which prevails in Liverpool had, through
some such erroneous idea, withheld their aid where it
was mostganted. It should, however, be distinctly un-
derstood, that this Institution is in need of increased
exertion in order to maintain it in its efficiency, and we
entertain no doubt that, when the want is made known, it
will meet with that ready response which such an appeal
never fails to receive in this town and neighbourhood.
The building for the purposes of the charity was situate
formerly in the London-road, but in the year 1850 a spe-
cial appeal was made to the public for contributions
towards a building fund, in order that more commodious
premises might be erected. This was so far successful
that the design was carried out, and in July, 1851, the
new building was opened in Hardman-street, at the top
of Leece-street. It is a good specimen of domestic archi-
tecture, comprising a centre, with an elevated storey,
surmounted by a dome and two wings, the whole present-
ing a frontage of about 120 feet, on a raised terrace, in
addition to the chapel on the upper side, which has an
elegant portico of the Doric order. The centre, which is
approached by steps, forms the shop for the sale of goods
manufactured by the inmates, comprising rope mats, bas-
kets, lobby cloth, webbing, sash and curtain lines, knit-
ting, sewing, and fancy work, ropes, home, carriage, and
door rugs, worsted work, &c., in great variety, all of the
best quality, and at the ordinary prices of the trade. On
the right is a spacious committee-room, and the left wing
forms the work-room for the female pupils. Passing
through the shop, up a neat flight of stairs, on the right
hand of which is a mural monument, in marble, to the
memory of the late PUDSEY DAWSON, Esq., the founder of
the institution, the visitor enters an elegant vestibule'
ornamented with stained glass windows, and before him
is the music-room, an apartment of good proportions,
with an organ of excellent power and tone. Here the
public are admitted every Tuesday and Friday afternoon,
to a performance of sacred music by the first masters.
The pupils form an efficient choir, under the able leader-
ship of their teacher, Mr. W. B. WRAY, the organist of
the chapel, and the lovers of good music can hardly enjoy
a greater gratification than listening to these sacred con-
certs.

On the right of the vestibule before-mentioned is a
spacious work-room for the male pupils, and on the left
is the dining-room. There are also small rooms in which
the blind pupils of both sexes practise music on the piano-
forte, several instruments having been given by different
benevolent individuals. It is a striking illustration of the
care of Divine Providence, that those who are deprived of
one or more faculties possess some other sense in a much
higher degree than ordinary. This is shown in the in-
stance of the deaf and dumb, many of whom prove apt
scholars at drawing ; while many of the blind, from their
acute sense of hearing, readily learn music, and become
good performers on the piano-forte and finger-organ. In
this institution the pupils are instructed in music
by Mr. WRAY, the organist of the chapel ; and the
efficient manner ;in which the musical portion of the ser-
vice is performed reflects the highest credit, not only on
his skill as a musician, but on his ability as a teacher. His
success, however, in this respect has acted rather detri-
mental than otherwise ; for he has made so many really
good blind organists, that they have been eagerly sought
after for other churches, by which he has been from time
to time weakened in his choral staff, until their places
have been supplied by fresh pupils. In this respect the
institution has proved of incalculable benefit to the objects
of its bounty, as their knowledge of music not only proves
a solace to them in their affliction, but provides them with
the means of obtaining a decent maintenance.

At the extreme rear of the premises is a long building
of two stories, in which all kinds of rope, twine, &c., are
made by the pupils ; and in the work-room before-
mentioned they are taught the weaving of rope-mats,
rugs, and a peculiar kind of strong webbing used by slik
manufacturers. They are also instructed in basket-
making and other descriptions of wicker work. The va-
rious products of their industry are exposed for sale in
the front...shop ; and it may be as well to mention that,
while the 'public are as well served as they can be else-
where both in quality and price, their purchases contri-
bute in a material degree to the maintenance of the
charity.

It will thus be seen that the Liverpool School for the
Blind—which is under the able management of Mr.
HENRY ADDENBROOK as superintendent, and Mrs. AD-
DENBROOK as matron—not only provides an asylum for
those who would otherwise form pitiable objects of com-
passion, but, by the judicious system of instruction pur-
sued, enables them on leaving the institution to obtain
their own livelihood, by means suited to their respective
capacities. This is shown by the fact that while the
number of pupils in the school average about eighty, of
whom there are fifty males, and from thirty to
thirty-five females, about twenty new pupils are annually
admitted to supply the places of those who have left to
provide for themselves.

The adjoining chapel, which belongs to the Institution,
is a handsome and spacious structure in the Grecian
style. The interior is divided into pews, which are uni-
formly lined and cushioned. At the east end is a window
of stained glass, and at the west end is a powerful organ,
with a case resembling a Grecian portico. We have pre-
viously alluded to the organist, and to the performance of
the musical portion of the service by the pupils of the
School. The incumbent is the Rev. EDWARD HULL,
M.A. The necessary expenditure is provided from pew-
rents, and collections made at the door at the commence-
ment of each service.

With reference to the income and expenditure of the
Institution, we may state that: the latter, including the
purchase of materials, amounts to about £2,800 in the
year. Of this about £7OO is derived from the sale of
goods, about £6OO is contributed by friends and parishes
towards thelmaintenance of the pupils, and about £l5O is
paid for'clothes by the pupils. The whole of the annual
subscriptions do not:reach £7OO, the remaining income
being supplied by donations and legacies, some small di-
vidends, and the sums found in the poor-boxes, the whole
being barely adequate to meet the necessary expenses,
notwithstanding the practice of the most rigid economy.
We have, however, stated sufficient to show that the in-
stitution is one which is entitled to public support, and at
the same time needs an increased,amount of aid to per-
form the good work which up to the present time it has
done so well. The public have, however, the opportunity
of judging for themselves. The school is open to them
every week day from nine till six o'clock ; and every Tues-
day and Friday afternoon, at half-past two o'clock, the
music hall is open to them to hear a selection of sacred
music performed by the pupils, while the goods exposed
for sale will afford sufficient evidence of their proficiency
in the several handicrafts in which they have been in-
structed. These will show benevolence to be sanctioned
by judgment, and no stronger argument need be offered
in favour of the Liverpool School for the Blind.

THE ANNUAL MEETING was held on Friday last in the