Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-07-14

fixes itself, and begins 10 see. After efforts OF
this kind, which require patience and superior
ity OF will that few men possess, the first reward
comes 10 the teacher himself, for his identity Is
recognized by other means than the touch, and
he catches the first beam Of intelligence that ra-
dates from the hitherto benighted countenanee,
As consequence Of this development Of sight.
certain nofions--not idcas-are taught the child;
these are those of FORM color, dimension, confg-
uration, &c. &c. Form is taught by means Of
various objects--by solid blocks, such as cubes,
hexaedrons, &c., and by sheets Of pasteboari, cut
in squares and other geometrical figures. The
pupils soon distinguish and name the different
varieties Of rianglesisosceles scalene, equilat-
eral, and right-angled and distinguish the square
from the parallelogam, lozenge and trnpezium.
There are now, at Bicetre, some in whom the
sense Of feeling Is more acute than that Of seeing,
and who can distinguish and name these differ
ent forms by the touch, without being able to do
20 by the eye. For giving the notion Of color,
one among various means, which is the most sim
pie, appears to me ut the same time the most use
tul, inasmuch as il excites the reflective faculty
Two large sheets Of pasteboard have drawn upon
each Of them n star,-on one, in simple lines, on
the other, with its sides painted with prismatic
colors. Small pieces Of pastcboard, correspond
ing in color and form to these rays, are given 10
the pupil who is taught to observe the similarity
between the rays which he holds and those Of
the colored star, and then to cover the original
rays of this star by the similar rays which in
his hands. After this, by the example Of his
teacher, and by the exercise Of his reflective
power, he compares, with his movable rays, on
the uncolored pasteboard, the eolored star.
To teach these distinctions Of color and form,
the same patience and will are necessary as in
all other parts Of this most interesting system Of
instruction. During the autumn Of l545, 1
watched with interest, at Nantes the first essays
made by the distinguished oculist, DR.. Guepin, to
educate the sight Of young man from whose
eyes he had a short time before, removed cata-
racts, but who enjoyed all his faculties but that
of sight. The labor in this case, to develope one
faculty, was indeed great, though aided by all
must be, in the case of the idiot, where this mu-
tual assistance is wanting"
Few are aware Of the great number Of Idiots
and Imbcciles scattered through the country. In
England, an effort has been made to ascertain
the number in one county, Lancashire, and it is
estimated to be free hundred and .ftty.
The attention Of philanthropists in England
having been directed to this large class Of suffer-
ing humanity, an Association was formed in July
last, for the care and instruction of Idiots. The
State Of Massachusetts-eve foremost in every
humane works taking steps to found an Asy-
lum for them; and we hope the next Legislature
of this State will endeavor to ascertain the num-
Der and condition of these unfortunate beings
among us, with view to providing for their care
and education.