Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-03
From the Boston Bullet in for Tuesday.


Instruction for the Blind.-The number OF
persons in this com mon wealth, totally and in
curabIy blind, Of an age suitable for education,
is probably not less than one hundred, X IN New
Eaeland there are probably two hund,e ed, who
would be made useful and happy, by an in
s,itu,ion where proper instruction could be I'M
parted. according TO the plans Of the institu-
tons now flourishiug in Liverpool, Paris aud
Ediuburg.
The total helplessness and listessness TO
which such persons are chained down by their
misfortune, render their case one OF peculiar
interest to the philanthropic; and IT is intend
ed, if the aid OF the benevolent can be obtain
ed. to establish an institution in this viciaiy
upon purely charitable, and The most liberal
foundation For this purpose number OF grn-
,lemen, known as the possesors Of fortune and
benevolent hearts, will soon be invited TO at
tend meeting; that large body OF evidence
NAV be submitted TO them, and the case OF the
unfortunate blind thrown into their hands IL
their will 10 do good shall in any measure e.
DUAL the occasion, there can be no doubt that
measures will be Immediately taken and fund.
proyided TO secure an asylum, when the blind
can be taught to procure their own subsistence,
by useful labor. to read and wrle, and under-
stand much OF the books OF nature and "i tiod'
chat is now sealed from their earthly scrutiny
That such benevolen, undertaking is demands
ed, and easily to be effected, there exists mol
shadow uf doubt.
Concerning the number of blind, it is unne>
cessary TO remark, except that they are more
numerous than the Deaf aud Dumb, and are in
larg. proportion objects Of charity, many OF
them being supported, al this time, by the
lawns where they reside. To rescue them from
uselessness, dependence, and misery, Is work
of the holiesl 5eneyolence.
With regard to the practicabililv Of plan OF
Instruction, we will offer few observations
founded upon doc uments obtained from the in
s,i,utionts at Edinburgh and Paris, now before
us: and which were collected with Care by a
medical gentleman Of this city, who recently
came from Europe or have been received by
him since his return. To this gentleman are
owing all the movements now making on the
subjecI, and we ferven,ly hope tina, he will ind
a corresponding zeal among those who have
the means TO dispense bounty.
In the Asyums at Paris and Ed;nburg the
pupils of both sexes are received into Liff-re"t
&. departments, and taught In some mechanical
profess ion, such as making Irvine hsh lines,
galoshes, book, binding, whip makig, mus,
SC. together with such occupations as basket
making, mat braiding, SC. which are adopt d
BY the uneducated blind. They are paid week
Nv salary, acc ordipg TO the amounts .prodnced,
aud the articles are sold Tor the institution. -
The girls are taught 10 sew and perform the
common needlewo,k occupation oil females -
For these Ia6ors, many OF the pupils receive,
not merely wages enough to supper, the m
selves, but sufficient 20 assist IN the ma'nten-
ancr of their families, when their situation rem
ders il requisite
Besides these mechanical employmen's, the
blind are taught TO read, by means OF the raised
Irnp IL
for each Others perusal by process now
,robahly completed; to communicae with
each other BY means of The string alphabet; and
TO mint, not only IN black letter, but in their
own raised letter, with apparatus invented foi
the purpose. Indeed it is astonishing to see
book in the common letter, printed by The
blind. To such degree Of utility and perfec
ton can the education of The blind be extend
ed.
The regulations are strict, as regards the
morals aud habits Of the pupils. The accom-
modatiups are made with especial reference &c
their improvement and comfort, and healthy
action of body and inihd is introduced, where al
before " as mac lion & waste. And when the time
comes for leaving the institution, which ha'
been more TO them than earthly father and mo-
thrr, having given them new sources OF earth
" enjoymen, and occupation, they are gra,i6et
TO earn their livelihood, 10 improve their intel
lec,ual faculties, aud 10 take delight In .h'
hours that would otherwise be total oblivion
BY correspondence between the gentleman
before alluded to aud the Secretary of the Ed
inburgh Asylum. it appears tia, all necessar!
machinery can be furnished TO an institution II
this country for a small sum; and that two in
.,rueters, a IN ale and female, both blind, car
be OBJ aimed at rr,flug salary more than thei
support. A house and garden must be provid
ed Tor the residence and exercise Of the pupils
and provision made for the sus,enanee OF pau
pers. The sun required to establish the insu
tuition Is BY no means large, nor commensurate
with the ben.fit dispensed; and its subseques
support will not be burdensome, as a consider
able revenue would accrue from the sale OF ma
nufactured articles, as soon as The pupils should
he numerous and toerabiy proficient. W.
have not presented an e1agstrattd picture II
sh;ch re Rave abundant authority, and which
-, .onn he realized, IL our rich men come