The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-11
New Work I.stitutse, for the Blind.

the foot Of the organ, pupils Of the Institution
about IS females, and upwards Of % maes
we're seated, the girls dressed in pure white, with
pink or blue sash, and presenting very neat and
clearly appearance. Amongst these two Chinese
girls, whose dark complexion and round faces
trasted curiously with those around them, many Of
whom were possessed Of rather pleasing cast Of
This Institution is highly commendable in its OBJ
jecs and glad to say successful in its results
The the Of S sss 1 "
tested their instruction by the teachers and supern-
tendents. It was happy sight to see that nature,
endowed them with smartness of intellect, and ths
faculty of learning by the peculiar art which Is
adopted in these schools for the blind.
Several specimens of willow and paper box work,
hats baskets, fancy knitting, and bead work, exc
eu.d by the pupils were exhibited on the pistIorms
and the particular attention OF the ladies'
The Rev MIR. PARMELE opened the meeting with
prayer. An trumental band of male pupils then
which the whols of the children, males and females,
sang with chorus, Glory be to God on high" &C
companied by Of the instructors the piano 1t
was very much appauded. lt.t
THE BLIND.
girl, apparently about IA years of age, was them
brought forward and having been given enc of the
books of the Institution printed with raised letters,
of the instructors said she would read any chap
ter in the New Testament that might be called for BY
of the congregation.
VoicE-The 14th chapter of st. John.
The pupil then turned over the leaves Of tho book,
and by the Of feeling having found the chapter
She read it with wonderful correctness, without Inn
pedment and more rapidly than many children Of the
age, with all their faculties could do One OF
the boys aged about years. read with equal facility,
lesson from q chd's book, printed in the way.
Both OF these exhibitions were received with appro-
baton.
The pupils examined in geography, grammar,
history and arithmetic. and answered with amazing
correctness Several choruses duets and songs, were
sung and some performances on the piano created
astonishment and delight Two little boys, aged
peasingly.
Miss fRAScrs J. CROSBY delivered original poetcaI
well received by the meeting 1t description OF
storm at and the returning calm. One part OF 1t
was followed by great applause speakngof this coun
ing the motto, liberty" Npplause)
Ani ss the s. g1iS n Then s aSs
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN, the superintendent, here made q
few remarks; he said about seventy years since
the idea first occurred to the mind Of the bencv
the benefits Of education lie heard strains Of music
issuing from public house, one day, and entering,
wass struck with the intelligence OF blind children who
were singing and playing and he determined to devote
the remainder of his life to the instruction Of the
blind. lie established in Paris, the first institution
Of the kind and it still exists there. The first instruc
tion that had been adopted was oral but incident
occurred which induced him to introduce the system
which is pursuedi one of his pupils was one day
standing by his desk and Mr. Hoey observed him en-
deavoring to trace some marks that papers
his desk. 1t occurred to Mr. Hoey that books might
be made to instruct them in reading, and that
has been carried to the perfection which this
day exhibited here 1t is about twenty years since it
was frst introduced into this country. There are
here exhibited articles which the blind make,
and which can be always seen at the Institution,
which Is on the Ninth avenue between Thirty third
and Thirty fourth streets. As to music, which they
had also given a specimen Of to-day, Mr. Chamberlan
their knowledge Of music solely by that is that
they do acquire 1t scientifically This mistake.
The method Of instruction by which they are taught,
gives them thorough and scie ntfc knowledge Of the
art and enables them to impsrt 1t to others with equal
success The existence Of this prejudice
obstacle to their progress which he desirous Of
removing Many of them were qualified for the stua-
ton Of orpsnis and for teaching singing and music,
and long the anniversaries continued to be at
tended by such large audiences as this the society
shall languish for want of support Applause)
The following was then sung and received with great
Who would draw draw II iff iaviaoa n'i line,
Though by birth one spot be mine,
Dear 70 me the sou.h's fair land.
Dear N me- sf E".sn %Sr ross1 s9sS
Dear the prairied West
BY our ALTAR Si,ar's pure can and FREE
ny our Wsshinstoni'
BY our common kindred tongue.
BY on. enr h,opsss-bright, buoyaht, young,
We win stiii & en ns.H'
Fathers, have yc bled in vainP
h sis ns .s.i r. we S1S 9ssS asa stain
Blessings sent by Theei
MOI receive our solemn vow,
While tefors thy throne We Tow,
Union Itertyl
Several other exercises were gone through bv thu
pupils. and the meeting adjourned.
We make the following extracts from the annual re-
port -
At the date Of our last annual report the nstituton
contained one hundred aud thirty inmates twenty
OF whom had passed through their regular course OF
instruction an were supporting themselves by vri-
Gus empoyments In connection with IL. The present
number Is one hundred and thirty five, OF whom
tnhtytwo belong TO this class, ninety benef cia-
res Of the State Of New York Eve the state OF New
Jersey hve are pay pupils two are supported by the
Sommissoners of Emigration, and one Is supported
The balance in the treasury the FIRST of January,
lesy was seSi "a The amount received during tho
year nom all sources S3o117 S. and the expenses
have been y2s451 10, leaving balance In the trea-
ssrsrs hands IN favor Of The Institution, tho 3ist
OF December ls9D. Of 81 .6GG 90.
As to music. from immemoral time, the blind have
been eel. bratsd for this accomplishment, and many
have made IL the means of support IL il their pecu-
liar province. Sound Il TO them what sight Is TO the
seeing. IL presents to their minds a world in which
o,auty and deormity Joy and sorrow grace and pro-
portion make Impressions rs vivid. and excite emo-
lions as intense a. are produced in the minds Of the
seeing by the presentation Of the real and papabe
objects calculated TO awaken such ideas aud feelings
The scuptured granite of Egyptian tablets no less
than the imperishsbie record ofthe Grccan bard alike
attest the devotion Of the blind this science It
must not be supposed however that all the blind are
htted by nature to excel In music: blind people differ
IN no respect originally from the same number OF the
seeing OF hundred seeing persons, would pos
scs. naturally eminent musical talents others very
little OF none at all The priyation Of sight, however,
upon the cultivation Of the talent for music and con-
equently alargoT proportion Of them excel in H.
'"s"'e happiness, ~ constitutes desi-
rahle accomplishment TO most but n means OF sup
port its advantages must be confined to a much moro
United number.
In thi. respect We have abundant to b. gra-
lied with the success that has attended our efforts.
within the past year one of former pupils has
become connected with aourishing literary institu
ION IN Michigan. as professor Of musc another has
coated himself advantagcously at the south where he
July and lucrstiyely employees several others I'm
Ms city are not only supporting Themselves rrcdtably
y H. but arc securing reasonable competence, while
many others are doing well In the capacity
mong the towns and villages Of the country. Not
w have settled themselves respectfully In the world,
nd are enjoying all the happiness Of domestic life,
eovcd by their friends, and respected ~ the conmu-
titles In which they dwell
Speaking OF the discipline the report says Not a
ngle outbreak OF prominent instance OF in-ubordina
ION has ruflrd the smooth stream Of Oh iisuce and
rdcr Punctunlity and faithiulncss ia attention to
uty. res pect for the rules and regulations OF the
sts MT and n careful and cheerful Observance
Z them. have marked The department Of all No less
han fort INN atcs accrptabv connected
18th the churcb sabbath school Of most iaterest-
ng character Is regularly maintained. Bible classes
tsycr meetings and other ofspiritaal i'm prove
rent well ATTENDED and characterized with an in-
and earnestness that productive Of the hap
lest results whether a. regards the formation Of in