The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-16
Institution for the Blind.

Institution for tho Blind
The half yeary examination Of the pupils Of tho
New York Institution for the Blind. began on Thurs
day, and was continued on Friday We not pre-
sent at the examination on Thursday, but We under
stand tho accuracy and extent Of the knowledge dis
played afforded the most unqualified qualification to
tho.e who were present, and would have reflected
credit an institution Of pupils In the full enjoyms mt
of all their faculties. We Witnessed the minaton
yesterday and the answering of many Of the pupils
filled us with astonishment. To say that they ac-
quilted themselves well those who had the faculty
Of vision in all its perfection would far
short OF the truth Never on any occasion were
present at school exhibition where the at
tainments Of the scholars comprehen sve,
and the knowledge of the different branches
rate. When we saw In the programme Of the proceed
ipgs that arthm etic, geography, chemistry, gram
mar, rhetoric astronomy and geometry, among
the subjects for examination prepared to limit
to extremely small amount the acquisitions Of the
pupils in those branches rejecting the difficulties
which ourselves, with all had
mount In order to acquire Knowledge OF some OF them
aud consd ring also the obstacles which the inmates Of
this institution have in the loss Of vision and the
want books with raised charac ters, for their
instruction, We were astonshed, therefore
by disappointed at what witnessed. In these
days of wars and rumors of wars, when our
minds kept in a constant fever of excitement with
the ever shifting tactics Of the different cOmbatants
in thdPresidental oampaign when the gloom cast
city by the funeral obseques of citizen heroes,
who fell in the Mexican has not been wholly dssi
paed and whe every succeeding steamer brings in
of the crushing Of the smashing Of
scepire the burning Cf thro ne, it is positively
lief oget away for few hours from the contemplation
of these Of confusion and carnage and to
compose rufed spirits by allowing them to psrti-
cipate for short time in those pleasures which it was
our happiness to enjoy yesterday evening. The fol-
PART /.
poiunfdry on the Organ.
Chorus-Behold the Morning.
Class in Elementary Philosophy Erdmi"cd:
c%orus"sons Of the Lark A. "0'd
'' '' Class in Vocal Music Euamined '
Chorus-Serenade.
Aria-Di Placer. ..................A.S Smith.
Classin Grammar Examined.
Chorus-Hunter and Milkmaid.
' v ' Pant II.
c cbar% MS[ea Of pss; Dana
Class in Moral Philosophy Examined.
S SI0mrano, Tho r.ri haniSk'
Class in InsuumentaI Music Examined.
SS ona OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
ChorusEiark it's the bells.
Class in astronomy Examined.
Chorus-BeautIful Primrose. -,
Duet-PianO. &C. Stewart and A Merrill.
Glee-Come, sing this round.
We much pleased with the answering Of the gram
mar class. There was not figure OF speech that was
not fully defined The moral philosophy class CON-
pletely astonished us. Any one who might suspect
that Che questions and got for the oc-
casion merely parrot.like, would at once be unde-
ceved by the smile Of intelligence which occasionally
beamed from their countenances when an incorrect
answer was given to the question proposed. Consi-
the faculty Of vision, upon many of the subjects upon
which the pupils were examined, 1t appears to be
almost impossible that they should fully comprehend
the answers which they gave but that they do so,
Is beyond all doubt. This is extremely credtabls to
the teachers and could only have been secured IS Mr.
Morgan remarked by great their part
and exemplary attention on the part Of the pupils.
What pleasing reflections must not these bersaved
creatures have in knowing that under the system OF
education at this institution, they have the means
of developing their moral, intellectual and physical
faculties to great an extent almost il they
IN bA of san
what pleasing reflections also must It not give
to the Legislature and to all those who have sub.
scribed to the fund of this institution to think that
they have been instrumental in alternating, to such
extent the misortunes Of this interesting class Of
our fellow citizens, and comforting them such meal
cuable blessings There about $50 inmates in tho
institution.
After the exercises had closed, Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN,
the President Of the institution expressed his acknow
ledgemen to the audience for their kindness In at
tending that OCCASION and said that since the ins
tuition had been established, the number Of pupils had
never been so large. He alss happy to say that
since he last had tho pleasure of meeting them not
single death had occurred in the establishme nt and
very few Of illness, and these Of very slight
turc. The interest which the public had taken In the
institution would act as stimulus to him. and to all
connected with it, to make increased exertons to
mote its efficiency, and to make 1t worthy Of the
tronsge which has been extended to it. (ApplauseJ
Mir. MORGAN then addressed the assembly. This was
the first time that he had visited the examinson
Of the pupils of the institution and the exhibition he
wiz messed had afforded him the greatest qualification
phe results were highly credtable to both teachers
pupils, and would be highly honorable to esta-
blishment where they had the perfect enjoyment Of
fill their faculties. (Applause.) This could only have
been attained by the great industry Of the pupils and
the exemplary fidelity and perseverance, Of their in
struclors lilo also gratied another account
IL generally happened that with those who sub
jected to any great bereavement, feeling OF gloom
and sadness peryaded them but what could be more
gratifying than to those counteuances, smil-
ing with cheerfulness and contentment and
though deprived of one Of the most cherished
of our blessngs-resgned nevertheless to their loss
and able to mitigate to great extent the conssqueu-
ces of this awful deprivation (Appause} 1t gave
tlon If that worthy of the name of bene-
factor who made blades of grass grow where only
one grew before, how much more he deserving of
the name who was instrumental in planting upon the
human mind thoughts and ideas which, before that
had never existed. (Cheers) He only wished that
the same energies which exerted to drench
the world with blood directed to enterprises such
as that which now afforded them much pleasure
III the money which had been expended for the last
two years in the Mexican had been appropriated
to instruction and education IL would have been quite
sucien mt to give an efficient education TO every blind
person in the United States. (Cheers) He concluded
by again expressing the heartfelt qualification he
Joy ed from the proceedings which he had witnessed
(The honorable gentleman resumed his seat amidst
loud cheors.)
MIR KING next addressed the audience, and compli-
me ted the state Of New York the noble and
spirit she had evinced in the Of education
She might proudly point to her II 900 district Schools
and her 100000 children ate nding them and say As
the Roman matron said of her children, these my
iewelsn cloud cheers.)
The assembly then inspected the building and the
various articles ufact ured in the institution ana
hsry afterwards separated highly gratded with what
they had witnessed.
FLooD ON .uE Sr. LAwRENCE.-Ihe river DW
Gouflre. which flows into the st. Lawrence, some
distance below Quebec, was visited by sudden
treshet on the Sd inst, caused BY heavy rains
The river rose twelve feet, carrying away mills.
bridges wharves, trees, and every thing IT met
with. il inundated the whole Of the village on tho
north side throwing down bridges, fences, &c.,
end forming deep ravines IN its devious course
Nearly all the bridges were carried away, and the
scows and passenger boats having shared the same
fate, the inhabitants were without any means OF
communication with each other Wood yards
were completely empted Of their contents OF TIM
Der and plank. A schooner disappeared, md has
not since been heard Of A great loss Of property
has been caused 10y this unexpected food.