New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-11
Institution for ImbeciIes and idiots, Barre,
HInShRC LHsctts.

The age OF miracles is not past Ours IS en-
phatcally such an age. The blind see, the lame
walk, the deaf hear and the dumb speak, il. a
somewhat different way it is true, and by very
different means but not less really and truly
than Wien the disciple Of John Baptist came to
Jesus to obtain evidence, whether he were the
Christ And now, as then these miracles are
wrought by Christian charity. They are the
fruits and evidences Of religion, which has
come down from heaven to earth, and is de-
signed to restore man to the favor and image Of
God.
We lad often been in -Asylums for the deaf and
dumb Tor the blind, and for the insane and seen
with delight how much be done to anchor
ale the condition and even to educate the minds
and hearts Of these unfortunate classes But it
remained for a recent visit to the Institution
which we have named at the head of this article
10 show US the highest triumph of charity guided
by wisdom Nothing ever seemed so much like
raising the dead, like breathing the breath of life
into human bod y and anImatIn9 II with living
soul. There were persons who a year since
only breathed and uncousciously dlgested the
food winch they scarcely knew how to swallow
WHO were incapable OF walking or performing any
ing at nine pins catching dumb bells, and going
through various gymnastc exercises with a great
degree OF agility. Others came 10 the Instlfu-
tion. as almost all idiots are as helpless IN their
personal habits. as regardless OF personal decen-
ces, as the yerest infant, and Tar more disgust
ing to the eye and every sense OF the beholder
but they have been taught to dress decently, to
maintain personal cleanliness. and TO observe the
proprieties OF life 10 such q degree, that the
teacher and proprietor OF the establishment, who
had witnessed all the transformation, could not
but look on them and speak OF them now, as
g beautiful children. Others again, not purely
and strictly idotc, bat whom. from some cause
or other. their parents and ordinary teachers had
been unable to teach anything have mastered the
elements Of geography and arithmetic and were
seen at their desks with their books IN their hands
and learning their lessons Like any other scholars
OF their age. 1t was delightful to behold the in
exhaustible patience and the unweared kindness
with which Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur devoted them
selves TO the comfort and improvement OF these
poor creatures, not only teaching and training
them by day but watching over them by night,
not as if impelled by necessity or mere duty,
still less for filthy lacre's sake. but expressing
and mani.estlY feeling toward them, IN no small
measure the tenderness OF parental love. And
it was painfully interesting to see how the help
less nnoceuts IN return chung to their persons.
hung on their ips and watched their every move
ment with al an infant feeling Of affection and
dependence. May they meet the reward from an
enlightened pubic aud liberal commonwealth,
which tfieir seidenying labors SO richly deserve.
The Institution at Barre IS wholly private
enterprise The children are chiefly, il not alto
eether, the children Of parents in comfortable cir
cumstances. It was instructive and affecting to
hear what names they have, and to learn what
families they represented.
There IS bat orc other Institution Of the kind in
IL, fTrat -rfi1- rho rIi-a.,tif.r,
of Dr. Howe, and is connected with the Massa.
chusetts Asylum to- the Blind in Boston. Of
course It is sustained by the State. It was open
ed a Gtte more than year SINCE, with oaly ten
or ~ e,ve T1pils ard simply IS m experiment.
TIE Tas9l. n Bast5a as II Ba-=a. ha5 damon
strated the possibility AID Therefore the duty, u
gEsatly improving tie condition q class hitherto