The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-05-29
For The Cecil Wing.
Institution for the Blind.

Schuykill, Third and Race Streets, stands the
Institution of the Blind, which has been greatly
improved within the last year by the enlarge
ment ofthe buildings. The Hon. Saml Brock
is President of the Corporation orthe Institution,
and VIM. Chaplin, Esq, Principal orthc officers.
Atthe nineteenth annual meeting ofthc Board
in February last, there were 107 pupils in the
lnsttution-From Pennsylvania, 76; Mary land,
IL; New Jersey, III Delaware, 3; other States,
q; China, l.. Ofthis number 10 support them
selves wholly, or in part, by employment in
teaching and work furnished by the Institution,
and six are pay pupils in full or part.
The course of studies embraces such as are
usually pursued in the best Grammar and High
Schools, with the addition of vocal and instru-
mental music, and several useful trades. For
egn Languages are not taught. The pupils at
tend to the more practical subjects, and make as
good progress as the average o!seeing children.
Nearly all who come while young learn to read
the Bible printed in raised letters. They obtain
good knowledge of Geography, Arithmetic,
Geometry and Algebra. History, and the Moral
and Natural Sciences are taught orally; some Of
With are hluSudtcu Ol experiments viii dI-
paratus. Three or four hours in a day are spent
in school studies, two or three in music, and two
or three in the work shops. The ol1cr pupils
give more hours 10 work: and those who have
superior talents for music, devote more hours to
that study. While the main object of the Ins1i-
tuition Is general education, some adults of good
character have been admitted for limited periods
TO learn trades only. After one year they are
permitted TO work on wages. Public eXlibi-
ton, are given every Wednesday afternoon,
from to 5 O'Clock, visiicrs have an opportunity
of examining the work roomS, and the articles
made by the pupils, until 4 o'clock, when a
musical entertainment and exhibition of the
method Of instr uclon occupy one hour There
are no examinations of school studies on these
occasions and very little preparation is made.
They produce no excitement in the minds OF the
pupils. The Institution continues them rs Il
community, and as an important means OF selling
a considerable amount of the pupils work.
A number ofthe former pupils Of this ln5tn-
zion are living evidences OF intellectual attain
ments, and the useful application Of these attain
menls TO sclEsup,or, after leaving the Insttu-
ton, among whom may be named:
Mr.. w. II. Churchman, Principal Of the IN
diana Institute for the Blind. Indianapolis, MI
W. S. Fortcscue, Principal Georgia Academy
for the Blind. Miss Hannah Guillan, First
Teacher. Gcors "a Academy for the Blind. Miss
Sarah Marsh. late Teacher, Indiana Institution
ll,. ;,,I
Principal Missouri Institution for the Blind
Mr.. Jacob, Berry, (decd,,) late Principal of the
Tennessee Institute for the Blind, was also a
graduate of,hs Institution.
Many other graduated pupils have variousl.
and useiny engaged, some in music, and othel>
in mechanical branches acquired in the lnslilu.
ton.
The terms arc, for pay pupils two hundred
dollars year, which includes board, instruction
in all the departments, and medical attendance
clothing to be found by the parents.
Blind children, in indi-ent circumstances
from the States OF pennsylvania, New Jersey
Maryland and Delaware, are provided for by
those States, respectively, for the term Of egh
years.
From the late report of the Principal, (fron
which these facts are condensc'D it is contcm
plated 10 make the one Institution, three foM i,
ii, capacity:
An Institution for the education of the Blind
Home for the employment Of the ndus,ti1 ~
Blind, and an Asylum for the aged an niln
Blind.
There is only one Of the pupils in this Ins,i,u
ton from Cecil county. Miss Elizabeth A
Wilson, of New Leeds. She has been ,her,
several years, and is much esteemed by the Prin
cipal, her teachers and associates. She is con
tented and happy, and never alludes TO he
blindness, as being any misfortune, on the con
trary, although it may seem incredible, she doe
not desire her sight again, as il would break u,
associations Of the most endeaTing character
The government Of the Institution is SO pun el,
parental, and so Astounding with kindness, an,
the cultivation of all the finer feelings OF hu
mainly, among those similarly circumstanced
that they could hardly expect to find the elements
of human happiness SO blended together unde
different circumstances. She has made mucl
improvement in her studies, and writes to he
friends in quite legible hand; and it ls lrul,
wonderful that blind person should mnnufac
ture such tasteful articles of handcraft, as the
bead purses, reticules, and baskets which are
made by the blind, and not only these but
great variety of other articles.
Some of the articles manufactured by Eliza
beth, may be seen at the store of Mr.. Jas Denny
ElktOn.
In addition to the articles sold in the Institu
ton, there is a store on Market and Sixth streets
for the sale of their manufactured articles. -
The whole amount of goods manufactured
the Philadelphia Institution, by the Blind, dur
ing the year 1851, was 81 ,5sS.