The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-21

Il
About a year ago, resolve was passed
by the Legislature Of Massachusetts ap
pointing Commissioners to inquire into the
condition of the idiots Of this Common.
wealth, their number. and the probability
that anything can be done for their relief
That commission made report, in part, to
the Legislature, at its late session, Of theil
progress in these investigations. They have
addressed circulars to the clerks Of each town
in the State, and have obtained much val.
liable information respecting this unfortu-
nate class OF our lellOw-beings. .,
In III towns, containing an aggregate
population Of 345 ,2S5, there are found to
be j93 idiots-204 males and 3S9 females.
II there is proportionate number in the
towns from which no returns have been re-.
ceived, the aggregate in the State will be
more than 1000. It has also been ascer.
tanned that the condition Of these unlortu-
nate persons is very materially affected by
those who have the care OF them. Many
OF them are given over to the most filthy
and disgusting habits, in consequence Of
their being under the care Of persons who
are themselves ignorant and idle. But
where they are in charge of more intell-
gent persons, they present different specta-
Icles, and are comparatively cleanly, healthy,
and industrious. Some Of a very low grade
of Intellectual capacity are at work in the
fields, and seem to be in degree happy and
useful.
From these facts, the commission draw
this very natural and Just inference. III, ;"
they say, persons having only common
sense and common humanity, but without
the advantage Of experience or study, can
so improve the condition Of idiots, how
much more could be done towards redeem
ing the minds of this unfortunate class
from the waste and desolation in which they
now lie 80
The subject will doubtless continue to
be prosecuted ill an institution. Ike some
in Europe. is established for the benefit
Of those who are afflicted with idiocy.
Schools for tine physical. intellectual
and moral benefits of idiots have already
been established in France, Prussia and
Switzerland. The report of the commits
sion contains long and valuable letter
from Mr.. George Summer, an American
gentleman, resident in Paris, which des-
cribes The progress which has been made in
Europe in developing the mental and moral
powers of this unfortunate class Of human
beings.
No abstract of MIR. Summers letter can
give any adequate view Of its contents
Suffice it to say, that MIR. Sequin, in tire
school at Bicelre, in France, has succeeded
in teaching idiots to obtain control over
then muscular powers, so as TO walk regu-
larry, and to see correctly: 10 secure the
control Of their nervous systems, SO Is TO
compose their minds, and fit them for study,
and has then carried them through all the
elementary branches Of education, such rs
reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, gym
nastics, music and grammar. Science has
already done much. very much. for the deal
and dumb, and blind and lmatic, and il
now remains, in this country, to see what
it can accomplish for the idiot. Nlassachu.
sets has taken the lead in this phlanthropic
movement; and it is hoped that it will he
followed up by the benevolence and hu
mainly of other States.
| The number of idiots i'm the United
States is very large, and their condition
has hitherto been regarded as more hopeless
of aneloratiOn even than that of the in
sane or the blind. 1t is one Of the noblesl
tri,lmphs of Christianity that she employs
Science to do its appropriate work in the
great cause Of human Improvement. This,
as Robert Hall would say, is one Of those
numerous and incidental blessings which
Christianity scatters by the way, in her sub
lime march to Immortality"