The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-06

senses, I do not mean to diparage other teach
ers. mean, that we can go to the necessary
expense of time, and make the proper appli
ances, which they could not do without neg.
lecting other scholars.
Cases of this kind, whether of children who
are blind, or deaf, or merely weak in intellect
should be carefully attended to, if from no
higher motives than those of a wise economy
l have no doubt, from personal observation OF
many poor creatures, who, reduced to the low
est stage of humanity, drag out a life of grov-
cling idiocy in the almshouses of this State,
that they originally had capacity enough to
becoms respectable and independent men, if
they had been aided by proper care and train
ing.
Among the first class which have mention
ed, that is, those who originally possessed a
good physical organization and common men
tai capacity, but who had become dull and stu.
pid for want of exercise of the body and slim
illus to the brain, are found more girls than
boys. Their parents, through ignorance or
mistaken kindness, not only keep them as
much as possible indoors, and perhaps in
rocking chair, most of the day, but encourage
them to lie in bed and sleep as long as posi-
BILE; they allow them to vegetate like plants,
and supply them with abundant food and
drink to favor their growth. Now the error,
so common among adult in this community,
of taking too little sleep, is not so fatal to the
healthy tone of the brain as its opposite, es-
pecially when the slumber is favored and pro-
Ionged by warm covering and silence. The
brain generally guards itself pretty we'll from
overwork, and flags and mods, or operates but
feebly when exhausted but it yields to the
more insidious enemy, rest, and if wrapped in
soft sumber all night, and INDUCED in dreamy |
listlcssness all day, it will be brought with
great difficulty to any vigorous and sustained
action.
have been led naturally to make these re-
marks in connection with the special cases for
which this Report is made, ard may improve |,
the opportunity to explain why I am obliged
to employ so many teachers, and why our sys-
tenn Of instruction is so very expensive, COM
pared with that in common schools.
To say nothing of Laura Bridgman and Oh
yer Caswcll, each of whom requires large
portion of the attention of one teacher, we
nave several other pupils who cannot be
aught with the classes, and who require
special instruction.
There are not over eighty scholars who at
end the school, and if they were about the
anne age, and of about the same capacity,
hey might be taught by two teachers; but ;
hey are of all ages from six so twenty, and of
III grades of intellect from imbecility to de-
ided talent The first must not be neglected
nd the second must not be held back in a {
nail pace to wait for the laggarls. Besides !
he music teacher, l am obliged to employ
nree teachers and two assistants, and we
ught to have another. ,
Miss Wight still has the charge of Laura
}ridgman, and is to her as a mother, friend
nd teacher To her is due all the credit for
he moral and intellectual improvement which
laura has made during the last year Miss 7
Gallant has the care of the boys school, and
Hiss Paddock of the girls. The former has
zen assisted by Mr. Sturtevant, and the lat
er by Miss Carter, both Of whom were for
nerly pupils in the school. I take this OPP
ortunity to expressmy obligations and thanks 6
. them all for the ability and zeal with which +
hey have discharged their several duties du
ing the year. The success OF tile schools is I
wing to their labors
Mr. Werner continues to have charge ofthe
lusic department, which has made excellent
rogress under his skilful management.
Very respectfully,
S. G.. Howe r